I know it is NASA's feeble attempt at humor but...

[ondafritz]

I just ... well... you decide!

SPACE.com -- NASA to Reveal Space Module's Name on 'Colbert Report'

 

[Stillborn]

I saw Steven interview a NASA dude awhile back. Maybe things have changed, but, no it was PR back then. For NASA, not Steven. Steven got the "popular" vote. But NASA was really going for the douche bag votes. Or words to the effect/affect.

 

[methshin]

they named the node "tranquility" and the treadmill c.o.l.b.e.r.t

you can look up the acronym, I could care less. So much for democracy in space, NASA can't even get a vote right. IMO, if they didn't care about what was voted for, why didn't they just name it Tranquility in the first place? I understand the whole "hits on website" thing, but really, they could have called it chickenfucker for all I care.

 

[BrandonD]

So much for democracy in space, NASA can't even get a vote right. IMO, if they didn't care about what was voted for, why didn't they just name it Tranquility in the first place?

It's a promotional thing disguised to look like public involvement, and it's in every field I think.

For example, I'm involved in electronic music, and my band recently had a remix competition for our EP. Remix competitions are common in that genre of music, and for those of us making the music it's pretty much understood that the group already has a preconceived idea of who's remixes they want on the album, but they have a "remix contest" to build up hype about the upcoming release.

It kinda stinks from one point of view, but it is a successful promotional tactic - and from the "glass half full" perspective, remix contests inspire people to produce music.

I can't say that there is really any positive side to the NASA thing, though. It's just a sham vote that doesn't mean anything basically.

 

[Schuyler]

I think NASA did an excellent job under the circumstances. Their first mistake was trusting their poll wouldn't be immediately trashed, which it was by the ego Colbert having his minions mindlessly stuffing the ballot box. NASA turned it right back on him and announced it on Colbert's show: a treadmill, the Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill. Colbert got his publicity out of it; NASA got theirs. Good job. Next?

 

[ghoul]

As much as I think the current shuttle and ISS projects are a waste of time/money.....NASA did a good job in turning the ballot stuffing around on Colbert. Great job on his team's part getting the votes and making us laugh, and great job on NASA's part in responding the way they did.