In the “Education” subsection someone who knows what the issues are in designing a Martian living module might be could teach us the process of building one. Under “Information” the budgeting process could be explained and the issues there illuminated. Under “Developments” someone with knowledge of how a rover or module was coming together could explain that to us. People could even be invited to lead an explanation and answer serious questions. (I know that’s an imperfect description. This is simply a framework which could be developed or not.)

Of course it would be moderated so as to keep it on an intellectual rather than emotional level, make sure that posts and posters were respected even if not finding agreement. The “Anomaly” boards would need to be retained.

But it would be a place where those who knew could share that safely,, and those who don’t know could learn. Those who don’t know but are goddamned sure you don’t either would find themselves someplace in a crop circle.

That’s simply a suggested framework of an attempt to get “Space/Science” back to where posters were safe and it had some gravitas. That might attract some of the folks who actually do know it all, or at least most of it. Or what little they do know they actually know.

Well, we’ve been wondering what the future of the ‘Zone would look like…apparently, a *whole lot* like the past.

(Part of the reason may be they are perceived as scams. The Shuttle was sold to the country as inexpensive and reusable with a quick turnaround. The ISS was to return unimaginable rewards in the form of research progress. The Apollo missions were to explain the origins of the Earth, life on Earth, and the Solar system. If stocks were sold on the basis of half-truths or untruths like that people would go to jail.)

What we have left is the Mickey Mouse wars on Islam, the right-wing’s vendetta against those who own oil and have only a weak belief in Christ. And their atrocities? We take umbrage at those, and yet we are no better. None. But we try to think so, in a form of Jerry Springer show. Which only works for the weak-willed, pious folks with no memories. Who run around saying “they made me do it”. Wonder what their kids are like.

Politics? The right-wing finds itself unable to prove it’s right, and without the moral courage to admit they are wrong. So they have to leave the board and “talk among themselves”.

Religion, that traditional way of stirring up the blood pressure. No one will take a stand.

What’s left? Find the energy somewhere. Russia? They are somehow worse than the US? China. Whoops – owe them too much money.

Find the energy, then revamp the boards to reflect that. Until then it doesn’t matter what is done.

In my humble opinion.

When Windows XP bit the dust, a piece of legacy software that I’d been using for years to create illustrations in my work bit the dust with it. Now I’m having to learn whole new ways of doing things, and it sucks.

We have to re-invent ourselves constantly. I’m working on space components using Solidworks, but it blows for the photorealistic illustrations I used to do. Everything you render looks like something in a car showroom that should have a girl standing by it.

I have 3DS Max, but I’m a raw beginner. My daughter is better at CGI than I am.

I’m also making a bit of extra money doing e-book and paperback formatting for a small publisher out east. I did some of this for my own books, but I’m finding myself having to climb yet another learning curve. Most of the books are romance novels, too. Bleh.

The key for me has always been finding something I can do online from home on my own schedule, so I can support the rest of the family when they need it.

I guess old dogs don’t have a lot of choice about learning new tricks any more. But you know, I’m willing to bet you have a few tricks left in you too.

My wife went skydiving. With MS. Now that’s reinventing yourself.

Please re-read “Actually I kinda miss the anomalists.”

You and others here have been constantly and repetitively declaiming your particular political and social views for nine months with basically nobody at all arguing with you

Heck, I’m not even arguing politics with you now.

I’ll let you in on a secret of my existence. It’s depressing to have spent a considerable time learning certain skills and not being able to use them. I did not plan for my old age very well, not very well at all.

Again, good for you!

This is not fight club. There are places where you can go do that if you choose to do so, or if you want to do that all the time. There are other reasons to come to a forum like this than to argue with people of different political opinions. I suppose some of that is inevitable, maybe even fun, but that’s not why I come here, and a little bit goes a long way.

I do not need to have my opinions validated, I do not feel the need to expose the ignorance, weakness, or character shortcomings of those who disagree with me, my self-image does not depend on the demolition and humiliation of my ideological enemies. I do not need to demonstrate the superiority of my ideas.

Frankly, I don’t really care what your politics are. But I am vain enough to resent those who feel it is their mission in life to discredit mine. I can’t even refuse to talk to you because I will be unable to shake the fear that it would be interpreted as my inability to come up with a cogent response.

You’re like the Witnesses, or the Hare Krishna’s, or the Lyndon Larouche people who used to hang out at airports, getting into everyone’s face. You just won’t take “no” for an answer, you’re so desperate to proselytize this revelation that has changed your life, and I just don’t care. I am not afraid of debate, I’m just tired of the same old debate, over and over, day in and day out.

Since you’ve been away I have not rejoiced in the belief I have defeated or disproven your assertions, I’m just happy I don’t find a new argument waiting for me every time I log on.

I don’t believe in Ayn Rand, or chiropractors, or acupuncture, or reincarnation, or Atlantis either, but I don’t feel the need to logically and definitively disprove any of them. At least, not every single day.

You see, its not your politics I object to, Tom. It’s your manners.