Colbert wins NASA space station name contest

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the humorous outcome of NASA's online contest to name a new room at the International Space Station, which resulted in comedian Stephen Colbert winning due to a large write-in campaign. Participants share their reactions to the contest, Colbert's influence, and the implications of the name choice.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants find the situation amusing and commend Colbert for his ability to engage the public.
  • Others express disappointment, suggesting that the name "Colbert" is boring and that more creative options could have been chosen.
  • A few participants argue that naming the module after Colbert could provide NASA with positive publicity and help connect with the public.
  • There are references to other humorous names that could have been chosen, such as "Mr. Splashypants" from a Greenpeace contest.
  • Some participants mention that NASA may not accept the top vote and could choose a different name.
  • Discussion includes speculation about the potential for Colbert to have a treadmill named after him on the space station, which could also serve a functional purpose.
  • Several posts highlight Colbert's comedic persona and his recent knighthood, adding to the lighthearted nature of the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express a mix of amusement and criticism regarding the choice of Colbert's name, with no clear consensus on whether it is a good or bad decision. Multiple competing views remain about the appropriateness and creativity of the name.

Contextual Notes

Some comments reference the potential implications of naming conventions in a public context, but there is no resolution on the appropriateness of the name "Colbert" versus other suggestions.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in the intersection of popular culture and science, as well as those following NASA's public engagement strategies, may find this discussion relevant.

Ivan Seeking
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I think this is too damned funny! :smile:

WASHINGTON (AP) — NASA's online contest to name a new room at the international space station went awry. Comedian Stephen Colbert won...

NASA's mistake was allowing write-ins. Colbert urged viewers of his Comedy Central show, "The Colbert Report," to write in his name. And they complied, with 230,539 votes...
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hVxsBGs7scxZSkcCE1cL2B4BlECAD974D8800
 
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Oh, man... that is just too funny. Bravo, Stephen. I guess that it makes up for him losing the Grammy.
Colbert is one of those perfect chameleons. I both love and hate the character, but the actor behind the character is incredibly brilliant.
 
What a waste. Imagine what other names we internets couldve came up with that were funnier...
 
You know... when you think about it, NASA may be well served to go with Colbert. It would be great publicity. I think it might help to counter the stuffiness factor; that it would help to connect with the public. They would probably get more exposure with Colbert than we've seen since the first shuttle launched. He would abosolutely eat it up. He would go ballistic!
 
I guess I was the only one who wanted to name it the Penguin room :(
 
matthyaouw said:
Colbert? How boring :frown:
If you are going to vote on mass like that, at least think of something good. Take the winner of Greenpeace's name-the-whale contest: http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/about/save-mr-splashy-pants-20071210

HEY!

I am PROUD to have voted for Colbert for that new Pod! They were going to go with "Serenity" or "Xenu" otherwise! Be aware that the pod is for the processing of waste material! The browncoats don't want that now do they really?

Edit: actually, "Mr. Splashypants" might be the perfect name for the waste pod. Point taken.
 
They don't have to accept the top vote getter and probably won't.

But all won't be lost for Colbert: http://www.sciam.com/blog/60-second-science/post.cfm?id=stephen-colbert-may-be-honored-with-2009-03-24
 
BobG said:
They don't have to accept the top vote getter and probably won't.

But all won't be lost for Colbert: http://www.sciam.com/blog/60-second-science/post.cfm?id=stephen-colbert-may-be-honored-with-2009-03-24

Stephen Colbert may be the Thomas Crapper of zero-G.

Excuse me, I have to take a Colbert.
 
  • #10
Ivan Seeking said:
He would go ballistic!
*rimshot*
 
  • #12
Meanwhile, during all of this hullaballoo about the ISS pod, Colbert got himself knighted by Queen Noor of Jordan. He is now Sir Doctor Stephen T. Colbert, DFA.

This man is on my short list of favorite people.
 
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  • #13
Jimmy is a nice name.
 
  • #14
Chi Meson said:
Meanwhile, during all of this hullaballoo about the ISS pod, Colbert got himself knighted by Queen Noor of Jordan. He is now Sir Doctor Stephen T. Colbert, DFA.

This man is on my short list of favorite people.

lol, if only they knew they just let the camel's nose under the tent
 
  • #15
Proton Soup said:
lol, if only they knew they just let the camel's nose under the tent

Come on man, this is Colbert we're talking about. He's probably backing in. :biggrin:
 
  • #16
So NASA now makes announcements on comedy central! Too funny!
 
  • #17
I voted for Colbert, I admit to being part of his Nation.
 
  • #19
whybother said:
I voted for Colbert, I admit to being part of his Nation.

We find out tomorrow.

If Colbert wins, does that mean that we have a Colbert Orbit as well as a Colbert Nation?
 
  • #20
Drum roll please.

And the winner is...
 
  • #21
Tranquility!


But he will have a treadmill on the space station named after him - the Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill (COLBERT).
 
  • #22
Ivan Seeking said:
Tranquility!

But he will have a treadmill on the space station named after him - the Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill (COLBERT).

As important he gets the cool patch with his picture running the treadmill.

He did raise a good point about using the power from the treadmill to power the station. That would seem to be a useful feature of it if they could capture the power from it.
 
  • #23
The rumors were rampant that they were going to name the toilet after him. "Hold on, I have to go hit the Colbert". "One person's waste is another person's drinking water. Let's have a toast to our Colbert."
 
  • #24
Colbert is in Iraq wearing a camouflage suit. :smile:
 
  • #25
Yes, and Gen. Ray Odierno gave him his HAIRCUT! :smile: :smile: (even funnier... It was apparently a Commander in Chief order from President Obama).
 
  • #26
Yep, Obama came on and ordered the General to shave Colbert's head. Too funny!
 

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