Who writes this stuff? (Starship X article)

  • Context: Lingusitics 
  • Thread starter Thread starter DaveC426913
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The forum discussion critiques an article about SpaceX's Starship program, highlighting the absurdity of phrases like "unmanned crew" and the vague explanation of the variable distance between Earth and Mars. Participants express frustration over the article's lack of clarity and precision, referencing Edwin Newman's book "A Civil Tongue" to emphasize the misuse of language. The consensus is that the article fails to communicate effectively, leading to confusion and misinterpretation of key concepts in space exploration.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of space exploration terminology
  • Familiarity with SpaceX's Starship program
  • Knowledge of basic astronomical concepts, such as planetary distances
  • Awareness of effective communication principles in technical writing
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the latest updates on SpaceX's Starship program
  • Study effective technical writing practices
  • Learn about the physics of planetary distances and orbits
  • Explore critiques of popular science communication
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for writers, space enthusiasts, and anyone involved in technical communication, particularly those interested in improving clarity in discussions about space exploration and technology.

DaveC426913
Gold Member
2025 Award
Messages
24,219
Reaction score
8,344
"... rockets that keep on exploding into fiery columns of fire ..."

...as opposed to those non-fiery columns of fire ...


"...Musk said he plans to send an unmanned crew to Mars next year..."

"An unmanned crew"....

I'm picturing a team of crew members who have tiny little pilot chairs with consoles in their skulls where their brains should be, but all the little pilot's chairs are empty.

Because, you know, the crew is unmanned.


"Depending on the position of Earth and Mars from one another, the distance between the two planets can vary from 35 million to over 200 million miles."

Let me get this straight: the distance between the two planets being variable is dependent on their position.

So, at certain positions, the distance beween them stops varying from 35 million to over 200 million miles?

(OK, now I'm just being b*tchy).





https://futurism.com/the-byte/starship-explosion-spacex
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Likes   Reactions: sbrothy, PhDeezNutz, Hornbein and 3 others
Science news on Phys.org
DaveC426913 said:
"... rockets that keep on exploding into fiery columns of fire ..."

...as opposed to those non-fiery columns of fire ...


"...Musk said he plans to send an unmanned crew to Mars next year..."

"An unmanned crew"....

Those are right out of the pages of Edwin Newman's book "A Civil Tounge".

"The United States is the most wasteful country in the world, and our use of words is extravagant. This waste has two causes. One is the feeling not seldomly encountered that an idea is more effective if it is repeated and reinforced. . . . The second cause of waste is a failure to understand what words mean."
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: PhDeezNutz and BillTre
The distance depends on the distance……who would have thought?

That article is exceptionally bad.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: sbrothy

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
6K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
9K