Bezos sending Katy Perry & Gayle King into space

[Seaviewer]

Yes, and the public is just as entitled to find it insufferable. There's nothing inspiring about a bunch of rich, privileged women pretending that this is some sort of triumph.

A privileged woman like Gayle King saying "You wouldn't call it 'just a ride' if it were men" shows that they think their 4 minute trip was something special. Anybody with the dough could have the same opportunity. In fact, their privileged lives make it all the more laughable that they're trying to turn this into a "breaking the glass ceiling" moment.

Space flights with passengers of both genders have been done for awhile now.

Yes, let's not forget that this was the eleventh such flight by Blue Origin. Remember William Shatner getting his ride?
I think the fact that this particular flight has generated such controversy speaks more to the regrettably still entrenched gender disparity than the merits or otherwise of the exercise itself.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

Yes, let's not forget that this was the eleventh such flight by Blue Origin. Remember William Shatner getting his ride?
I think the fact that this particular flight has generated such controversy speaks more to the regrettably still entrenched gender disparity than the merits or otherwise of the exercise itself.

It's self-induced, the controversy. Men who have gone up haven't tried to turn it into a selfie/glam extravaganza. Shatner admitted the whole experience left him emotionally gutted, for some odd reason. (Despite -- or perhaps because -- he's in his mid-nineties).

The women get something else out of it -- and in an era where the Old School Hollywood/Showbiz Celebrity thing has become terribly passé. And these ladies are too much in a narcissisticky bubble to realize it.

And they can only chalk up the backlash to chauvinistic bias because they have no other tools with which to interpret it.

 

[Frank Underwood]

Yes, let's not forget that this was the eleventh such flight by Blue Origin. Remember William Shatner getting his ride?
I think the fact that this particular flight has generated such controversy speaks more to the regrettably still entrenched gender disparity than the merits or otherwise of the exercise itself.

Blue Origin is just space tourism for the rich. This flight was especially mocked because it was ridiculously portrayed as "revolutionary" and "empowering" for women.

Isn't it odd to be talking about a "gender disparity" when these particular women were privileged enough to buy their way on the flight? IMO, the real gender disparity is the inflated sense of importance that is placed on anything a group of women do together. It also does a disservice to the legitimate female astronauts out there whose trips into space weren't a self-indulgent vanity project. Even Shatner's trip was a novelty since he played Captain Kirk on Star Trek, but at least he seemed humbled by the experience.

 

[Angela Channing]

I'm a little uncomfortable how a lot of criticism of this space jaunt has drifted into misogyny. I personally don't blame the women that took part any where as much as I blame Bezos. It is his space tourism obscenity that he is promoting, the flight was his idea to raise the profile of his business and he is the one that will continue to destroy the planet while those women return to their normal lives.

These multi billionaires think they can do what they want while everyone else has to deal with the consequences. They are the people that are damaging our way of life.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

I'm a little uncomfortable how a lot of criticism of this space jaunt has drifted into misogyny. I personally don't blame the women that took part any where as much as I blame Bezos. It is his space tourism obscenity that he is promoting, the flight was his idea to raise the profile of his business and he is the one that will continue to destroy the planet while those women return to their normal lives.

These multi billionaires think they can do what they want while everyone else has to deal with the consequences. They are the people that are damaging our way of life.

But is your being comfortable an important issue?

Not all criticism of certain women is 'misogyny.' Or is it?

 

[Frank Underwood]

The person who's claiming the discussion has now "drifted into misogyny" originally made this accurate observation:

"How many tonnes of carbon dioxide were poured into our atmosphere just so a bunch of rich women could float around in space clutching a flower for 10 minutes? Was being able to create some social media content for them worth contributing to the destruction of our planet?"

The criticism in this thread has only been reserved for these particular narcissistic women of privilege who bought their trip. Legit female astronauts deserve recognition.

Bezos is certainly an irresponsible billionaire, but Blue Origin wouldn't be getting off the ground without willing paying riders.

 

[Angela Channing]

The person who's claiming the discussion has now "drifted into misogyny" originally made this accurate observation:

"How many tonnes of carbon dioxide were poured into our atmosphere just so a bunch of rich women could float around in space clutching a flower for 10 minutes? Was being able to create some social media content for them worth contributing to the destruction of our planet?"

The criticism in this thread has only been reserved for these particular narcissistic women of privilege who bought their trip. Legit female astronauts deserve recognition.

Bezos is certainly an irresponsible billionaire, but Blue Origin wouldn't be getting off the ground without willing paying riders.

If you actually read my entire post (and anyone can go back and see what I actually said) you will see my main point was about the obscenity of space tourism and I concluded, and I quote, "This Bezos event was truly disgusting." That's not to say the women involved are not without blame for taking part in this event but they largely were just pawns in Bezos's larger plans to publicise his business.

Many of the comments I've subsequently read online are focussing on the fact that they are women rather than what the whole space tourism debacle means. I'm less bothered by the fact there were just women taking part in the space flight than I am about the environmental damage and how the money could have been used for better things. In contrast, a lot of the criticism I've seen online is just using this as an opportunity to have a go at women.

 

[Frank Underwood]

If you actually read my entire post (and anyone can go back and see what I actually said) you will see my main point was about the obscenity of space tourism and I concluded, and I quote, "This Bezos event was truly disgusting." That's not to say the women involved are not without blame for taking part in this event but they largely were just pawns in Bezos's larger plans to publicise his business.

Many of the comments I've subsequently read online are focussing on the fact that they are women rather than what the whole space tourism debacle means. I'm less bothered by the fact there were just women taking part in the space flight than I am about the environmental damage and how the money could have been used for better things. In contrast, a lot of the criticism I've seen online is just using this as an opportunity to have a go at women.

Interestingly enough, a lot of the criticism I've seen of these self-important women has come from women.

I get what your main point is, but I disagree that people are using this as an excuse to "have a go" at women. If anything, it's these ladies and the media that have put the focus on them all being woman. The mockery comes from the over inflated sense of importance that was placed on this particular flight, as if it were revolutionary and empowering for women. That does a disservice to the legit female astronauts who put in the work and earned their position rather than paid for a tourist ride to space. Even you seemed to recognize the absurdity, hence your comment about a bunch of rich women looking to create some social media content. As Snarky said, not all criticism of women is misogyny.

I've always despised billionaires who have no regard for the planet or regular people. However, the rich people who can afford to fly on Blue Origin are just as out of touch.

 

[Frank Underwood]

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

One can find narcissism in both men and women. Obviously. But it seems to manifest differently in both.

 

[Soaplover]

If you actually read my entire post (and anyone can go back and see what I actually said) you will see my main point was about the obscenity of space tourism and I concluded, and I quote, "This Bezos event was truly disgusting." That's not to say the women involved are not without blame for taking part in this event but they largely were just pawns in Bezos's larger plans to publicise his business.

Many of the comments I've subsequently read online are focussing on the fact that they are women rather than what the whole space tourism debacle means. I'm less bothered by the fact there were just women taking part in the space flight than I am about the environmental damage and how the money could have been used for better things. In contrast, a lot of the criticism I've seen online is just using this as an opportunity to have a go at women.

Because the whole focus on this trip/project was on the fact that it was women and that it was supposed to be some sort of step forward and empowering for women. The media, Bezos, and the women on the flight only have themselves to blame for the backlash they've received.

Also, a large portion of the pushback has been from women so spare with the whole misogyny talk. That word is so over-used and played out that it's lost any sort of impact.

 

[Seaviewer]

Isn't it odd to be talking about a "gender disparity" when these particular women were privileged enough to buy their way on the flight?

Except for some invited guests, the previous passengers paid their own way, too. Males included.

The person who's claiming the discussion has now "drifted into misogyny" originally made this accurate observation:"How many tonnes of carbon dioxide were poured into our atmosphere just so a bunch of rich women could float around in space clutching a flower for 10 minutes? Was being able to create some social media content for them worth contributing to the destruction of our planet?"

In fact, that's not accurate. I believe that the "exhaust" is mainly water vapour.

Blue Origin wouldn't be getting off the ground without willing paying riders.

Well, no, it's a tourism business. That's how it works.

 

[Frank Underwood]

Except for some invited guests, the previous passengers paid their own way, too. Males included.

I know that, but this particular ride was a self-aggrandizing spectacle. Shatner got a lot of attention too, but only because he played Captain Kirk. He also seemed humbled by it.

If male passengers tried to turn their ride into some sort of statement about male empowerment, it would have been just as groan-inducing.

In fact, that's not accurate. I believe that the "exhaust" is mainly water vapour.

I've found conflicting information on the subject. Not surprisingly, Blue Origin's website says it doesn't produce any carbon emissions, while another study said the 11 minute trip produced no less than 75 tonnes of carbon per passenger. Water vapor is also a greenhouse gas and is not supposed to be in the upmost layers of the atmosphere.

Source: Blue Origin's 11-minute space flight produced more carbon emissions than most people will in a lifetime - The Mirror US

Well, no, it's a tourism business. That's how it works.

Yeah, that's my point. Some people want to put the majority of the blame on Bezos when there are people with enough disposable income willing to buy a ride on the thing.

IMO, they're all culpable for whatever damage Blue Origin causes the planet.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

If male passengers tried to turn their ride into some sort of statement about male empowerment, it would have been just as groan-inducing.

Unless it was a statement about male empowerment to escape a planet full of woke, entitled women.

 

[tommie]

I'm a little uncomfortable how a lot of criticism of this space jaunt has drifted into misogyny. I personally don't blame the women that took part any where as much as I blame Bezos. It is his space tourism obscenity that he is promoting, the flight was his idea to raise the profile of his business and he is the one that will continue to destroy the planet while those women return to their normal lives.

These multi billionaires think they can do what they want while everyone else has to deal with the consequences. They are the people that are damaging our way of life.

Yes, exactly - add that the whole "all-female crew" was just a gimmick to further sell it to other rich people as "safe" - as in, "look at these silly women going into space, if they can do it, so can you".

This wasn't ever about sending the most competent and smart women we have into space to use their skills. It's about Bezos being able to sell space tourism to other rich people in a cynical way. It's a bit gross.

 

[Seaviewer]

I still say they are entitled to spend their money how they want, and express their pride at what they've done.
And others are also entitled to express their opinions. But I think the question still has to be asked, why is the hatred just so loud?

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

I still say they are entitled to spend their money how they want, and express their pride at what they've done.
And others are also entitled to express their opinions. But I think the question still has to be asked, why is the hatred just so loud?

Agreed, to a point. But it's their attitude (which does matter) about their staggering achievement, and the mainstream media's fawning agreement.

In today's culture, it's utterly tone-deaf.

 

[Rove]

was truly disgusting.

It's typical of the rich. Do as I say, not what I do. Reminds of that tree hugger actor. Every odd year he receives his Oscar, slaps viewers around the head about climate change, departs the venue, high-tails it to his private jet to fly him and his young harem to some European country dripping in sunshine.

Yeah right.

 

[Seaviewer]

One thing about this forum: It can never be accused of being an "echo chamber." Always lots of robust debate here, not all on one side.

 

[Seaviewer]