A truly classic South Park episode, aired a few years back, still offers valuable lessons for investors, not just in space, but really any industry. In this episode, the boy’s teacher assigns a report on current events. Being totally unschooled in such, they instead decide to write about mysterious “underpants gnomes” that have been spied […]

Read More Kool-Aid lessons from South Park

I’ve been following the discussion on this site and others regarding two recent articles on space radiation. The first article appeared in the March 2006 edition of Scientific American. This article was written by Eugene N. Parker. The second article appeared in the June 2006 issue of Discover Magazine and was written by M.G. Lord. […]

Read More Professor L Speaks Out On The Space Radiation Issue

Dan Schrimpsher asked a perfectly reasonable question after I recently slammed a blogger for pooh-poohing the radiation hazards of manned space flight to Mars, although I believe he over-reacted. Dan wonders why I would slam a blogger for his opinion if he isn’t asking for money. There are 2 reasons: First, anyone is entitled to […]

Read More Why Slam?

Space Cynic There seems to be some confusion about defining what is and is not Kool-Aid in alt.space. The following, reprinted with permission, can be used as a Kool-Aid filter when applied to your favorite alt.space start-up: If you see any of the following, run away — 1. The principals cannot understand why the coolness […]

Read More Kool-Aid Filter for Alt.Space

I have to agree with Shubber that indeed this humble little blog appears to have ruffled some feathers here and there. Some offline criticisms – gleaned via internal e-mail threads passed around among ourselves – indicates we’re still not being clear enough in our definitions of what constitutes a “dream” alt.space company, versus that of […]

Read More More on Dreams, Fantasies, and Kool-aid

Well. It appears we seem to have ruffled a few feathers out in the alt.space community by creating this blog. We’ve been accused of being snarky, condescending, and judgemental. Perhaps. But here’s a chance to prove to us that you (and you know who you are) have an alt.space business that is a “dream” business […]

Read More The Space Cynic Challenge to Alt.Space

Dreams, Fantasy, and Kool Aid: Exploring The Meaning and Use For These Terms in Alt.space by Professor L on May 23, 2006 Abstract: Dreams, fantasy and Kool Aid are terms often used to describe various projects in the alt.space, entrepreneurial or New Space developing industries. Each term actually has a unique definition, however, as used […]

Read More Dreams, Fantasy, and Kool Aid: Exploring The Meani…

It’s monday morning, i’ve got heaps on my desk to take care of as the week begins, and so of course i start off by a quick surf through Cyberspace. War still on in Iraq? Check.War drums beating for Iran? CheckChinese IPO flying off the shelves? CheckImmigration friends/foes fighting over the border troops? CheckDaVinci code […]

Read More Notes on a Monday Morning

So one of the great things about living here in Sydney is that life is a lot more civlised and less rat-race like than the normal big city i’m used to from the US. This Sunday morning, around 9 am, i heard the usual shrill whistling sound that comes every sunday morning, blasted out from […]

Read More Calling all REAL Journalists