“How much would you pay.. for the universe?” Over the course of my research, this is the question that keeps coming up (Degrasse-Tyson). NASA and the space industry has been an interest of mine for a long time, evident in my decision to choose Aerospace Engineering as my career path, so when I got to put that interest towards something meaningful, I couldn’t wait to get started. Coming into this final unit, I had zero experience with any type of video maker/editor, but the prospect of it really interested me, so I decided to give it a try. Over the course of the last two units that I have been working on this topic, I have visited dozens of websites and have watched many hours of YouTube videos, all with the goal of producing an end product that I can use to make an impact on the World. Even if only ten people ever watch my video or read my unit two blog, I will feel content that I helped spread the word for this worthy cause.
Going into this final unit, I would be lying if I said that the prospect of creating my own alternative media outlet didn’t scare me a little bit. I have used presentation software like PowerPoint frequently throughout my academic career, but to me, it just didn’t seem like an ordinary PowerPoint presentation could pack the punch that I wanted or imagined. The night after we viewed some projects of past students, I went home and viewed some additional videos, and was inspired by the way some of the videos I saw informed me and moved me in a way I didn’t think possible from a two minute clip. In addition, I saw the format of a short video as a more valuable media channel than some of the alternatives, because, unlike a presentation or the like, a video is a stand-alone outlet that allows me to spread my ideas to viewers even when my physical presence is not feasible. In the modern age of technology, long reports and presentations often fail to compete for our attention compared to short snippets and videos. When choosing which media source I was going to use for this project, I had no doubt that creating a short video would allow me to reach a greater audience than my unit 2 report could ever have. What also contributed to my decision to go with a video format was my desired audience. As a proponent for an increased allocation of budget for NASA, my audience isn’t really one small group of people, but every person across the nation. Everyone who could possibly watch my video is responsible for determining things like the federal budget because everyone has a say in our democracy. More than anything, then, my job is simply to educate people on the issue and raise awareness for what I believe to be an injustice in our society. The more people I reach and get to watch my video, the more I will consider myself successful. For this to happen effectively, I needed to use a media outlet that, above all, incorporated ease into the viewing process, and made my stance very straightforward and compelling.
In order to make my argument for this unit as compelling and clear as possible, I came to understand the value in listening to other people’s criticism. Listening to what others have to say and getting their opinions is very important to me because, since everyone is part of my target audience, I feel it is necessary to understand what types of things appeal to many different types of people. One of the most important pieces of feedback I received for this unit came all the way back in unit one during one of our very first assignments, but has stayed with me all semester. During our unit one peer review, Max O'Connell wrote on my blog that my analysis and choice of sources could have been strengthened by touching “upon how some of the positive factors of technology have influenced society,” in addition to the negative factors I had focused on and centered my project around. This hit me and left a permanent mark because I knew he was right. When I am doing a project, and trying to make a single argument in that project, I find it often very easy to overlook the opposing evidence and viewpoints of that argument because any opposing evidence would seem to contrast the point I am trying to make. On the contrary, however, I came to realize, at that point and throughout the semester, that there is value in displaying all opinions when making a case. Showing both sides of an argument is important, I believe, because it adds sophistication to an argument, and shows that a person didn’t base their own standpoint off misguidance. Rather, covering multiple sides of an argument shows that the author put in the time to address and consider all possibilities. As much as I hated peer reflection, I do see the value in it, and do think it can be extremely useful. For this unit, the review and insight I got did not come from my classmates, but from some friends of mine who were very knowledgeable on the subject. Before I was completely done with my video, but at a point when I had the main structure down, I showed it to Matthew Wood and Zachary Harter, two Aerospace Engineering majors, and two of my friends. Since my argument, and really whole topic in general, relies on some knowledge of what exactly NASA does on a day to day basis, these two were probably more qualified than the general public, and thus more than qualified to help me. It was interesting at first conducting peer review with people outside of my writing class, but what they had to say about my project was quite useful and helped me make the changes that I needed to make, which included adding more background info and diversifying some of the visuals and rhetorical techniques I used in my project.
One of the interesting parts of this project was sharing it with not just my friends, but also with other people beyond the scope of my academic career. Since my argument genuinely concerns everybody, I went about sharing it in a couple different ways. In order to make as large a direct impact as possible, I took the initiative to contact our local representative here in Syracuse, John Katco. Back in unit two, I emailed his office my initial pitch, and explained my stance on the subject. This unit I also followed up by sending his office a link to my video. While I am still waiting for a response, I am content whether I receive one or not, because every voice matters in a matter like this. In addition, I also posted a link to my video, along with some additional information, on my Facebook page because I think it is the most effective way I could have reached a large audience. Based on the research I have conducted, and my life experiences in general, I think the biggest hurdle in getting NASA proper funding is undoing the false assumptions and beliefs many people have about the agency and about our federal budget. By sharing my work on Facebook, I feel I have completed my duty to educate as many people as possible, and have given many the tools necessary for them to make their own decisions. I also feel I have succeeded in spreading the word of this national issue, and one that needs to be addressed urgently because I don’t think many voting citizens are aware of the current situation of NASA.
Throughout the eons, man has looked up into the black abyss of the night sky and wished there was some way he could possibly know what it was like outside our own planet. During the 1960’s, we did what many thought could never be done: put a man on the moon. We now find ourselves at a precarious position: stuck deciding between what will aid the nation now, and what will inspire growth and prosperity one or two decades down the road. Diverting tax dollars away from technological research and development, and towards social programs may help Americans in the short run, but what happens when that money dries up? In order for our nation to remain on top, we must not just look at the needs of today, but also at the needs of ages to come through investment in all sectors of technological innovation; by increasing NASA’s budget by a mere half-penny on the tax dollar, “we [could] transform the country from a sullen, dispirited nation, weary of economic struggle, to one where it has reclaimed its 20th century birthright to dream of tomorrow" (DeGrasse-Tyson).
Sources:
DeGrasse-Tyson, Neil. "Dr Neil DeGrasse Tyson Graduation Speech – Video & Transcript." Graduation Speeches RSS. N.p., 8 Mar. 2012. Web. 27 Apr. 2016.
Frank, Adam. "Stuck On Earth: The U.S. Innovation Deficit." NPR. NPR, 29 Mar. 2016. Web. 27 Apr. 2016.
Kelly, Marie-Louise. "NASA Mission: Orion's Next Step." NPR Morning Radio. NPR, 4 Feb. 2016. Web. 27 Apr. 2016.
Mann, Adam. "Why We Can't Send Humans to Mars Yet, and How We'll Fix That (Wired UK)." Wired UK. N.p., 31 May 2013. Web. 27 Apr. 2016.
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