I received a letter from the Planetary Society asking for my opinion on matters concerning what they should do in regards to priotiizing projects. The Society has a new President---Cornell Univ, Planetary Scientist---Dr. Jim Bell.

My question to the forum is w/o wanting to sound overly-political: "Is the Society still relevant?"---It seems to me the Society has become overburdened with too many people wanting to have their say on every little project...almost like every member is a micro-manager.

Although I applaud Dr Bell's attempt to get a rein on the Society's over-reaching projects--is it too little--too late?

Don't get me wrong---I joined TPS in the spirit of what the founders originally propounded--and I am a great admirer of Dr. Bell's work on the imaging team for the Mars Rovers---but do they have their :"proverbial" hands in too many places at once?

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"The candle flame gutters. Its little pool of light trembles. Darkness gathers. The demons begin to stir."
---Carl Sagan

why do you think it is do little to late?

I feel that they should have been asking their members these questions at least 4-to-5 years ago. Since the passing of Dr. Sagan---it seemed that they have been traveling down many different paths.

Harrison Schmitt agrees and he resigned from the Planetary Society.

News story

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(By the way, I hate it that so many papers in the areas of planetary science and geology are not easily available to the dreaded "non-subscribers". It is like they are screaming at me: "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH". Good, I feel better now.)

"Quaerendo inventis"

It is sad that interest in the Planetary Society has droped so much. I think it is symptomatic of American Culture in general - we don't join, we don't seek or value strength in numbers. It has less to do with strong figures like Carl Sagan than video games and other internet 'vices' - such as this website.

Part of it too; is the bad hit science has taken in general: How many movies, such as Jurassic Park; have demonized science? How much good science has been trashed and placed on the defensive by the religious right? Like it or not, there is a new generation that is so skeptical about the scientific roots of civilization we are in jeopardy.

The Planetary Society is still a great place to join to let your voice be heard; and if you are not following Emily's blog; you are missing the number one attraction on the internet.

We have a lot of space missions out there - don't forget Cassini, Messenger, Near - all being followed closely by the Planetary Society. These are exciting missions, there is much to learn, and many surprises.

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jwj

It's a big universe out there...is it really unwinding, really burning out?

Thank you for your comments...I am apparently mis-informed!

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"The candle flame gutters. Its little pool of light trembles. Darkness gathers. The demons begin to stir."
---Carl Sagan

I do follow Emily's blog and enjoy it.

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I want to go back to the moon.
I don't care which rocket you use, whichever one you pick, I'll like it, I swear.
"If you think the LHC will create black holes, you might as well believe Hobbits are at the bottom of your garden."- Dr. Mike Inglis
Rovers forever! - ToSeek

I'm sure there isn't a human organisation that couldn't be better, and I'm sure TPS is no exception. I enjoy Emily's blog, really enjoy Planetary Radio, and think the Planetary Report is excellent. Gives me a buzz as an average Joe Bloggs who happens to be interested in space to feel part of TPS, which lobbies for space exploration.

Stay involved and keep lobbying!