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NBC's Brian Williams calls Mars Phoenix Lander "brave" ???

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BridgeTheGap Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-12-08 12:29 PM
Original message
NBC's Brian Williams calls Mars Phoenix Lander "brave" ???
Did anyone else catch this on the Nightly News last night? It torque's me to no end when they attribute human qualities to machines or the weather.
"That cold front is trying to reach us..." No it isn't! It has no volition, no will.

A machine can not, in any way, shape or form, be BRAVE! I guess Williams had just seen Wall-E.
While not quite the same, it also irks me that they refer to everyone serving in the military as heroes. Our MSM - what a bunch of hucksters!
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Warren DeMontague Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-12-08 12:30 PM
Response to Original message
1. It's not only brave, it's horny.
It was hoping for a date with Viking I, but it's totally far away.
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baldguy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-12-08 02:14 PM
Response to Reply #1
22. Long distance relationships suck.
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wryter2000 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-12-08 12:31 PM
Response to Original message
2. self delete
Edited on Wed Nov-12-08 12:32 PM by wryter2000
Must read entire posts before I respond.
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Lex Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-12-08 12:31 PM
Original message
decaf?
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ThoughtCriminal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-12-08 12:31 PM
Response to Original message
3. Brave Little Toaster
Edited on Wed Nov-12-08 12:31 PM by ThoughtCriminal
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Richardo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-12-08 12:32 PM
Response to Reply #3
4. My exact first thought
:thumbsup:
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ThoughtCriminal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-12-08 12:37 PM
Response to Reply #4
7. The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars
I did not know until a few minutes ago that there was a book sequel:

"The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Brave_Little_Toaster_Goes_to_Mars
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bahrbearian Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-12-08 12:37 PM
Response to Original message
5. I heard that they had to dragg him Kicking and Screaming to the Launch Vehicle.
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groovedaddy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-12-08 12:37 PM
Response to Original message
6. you're forgetting "The Little Engine That Could" ;-> n.t
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Democrats_win Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-12-08 12:39 PM
Response to Original message
8. Typical of the media to focus on a pile of nothing! There are heros in America to honor.
Edited on Wed Nov-12-08 12:40 PM by Democrats_win
William's editorial was on (or around) Veterans day. Even if we were to discount heros of the past, it would not be difficult to find people who prove themselves heros every day.
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Kajsa Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-12-08 12:42 PM
Response to Reply #8
10. Who or what is the "pile of nothing"?

The space rover or our Veterans?

I want to be clear here.
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Kajsa Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-12-08 12:40 PM
Response to Original message
9. Well- that pretty much
covers anyone who talks to his/her car.

That would be me, btw.
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groovedaddy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-12-08 12:56 PM
Response to Reply #9
11. I usually don't refer to my car as brave, though I will call it a worthless piece of sh@%!!
So I do, on occassion, "talk to it!" But brave, it isn't!
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Kajsa Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-12-08 01:09 PM
Response to Reply #11
14. LOL!
:rofl:

I lose patience with my car, too.

:)
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wtmusic Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-12-08 01:05 PM
Response to Original message
12. About as brave as dropping bombs
But everything American is brave, doncha know.
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Warren DeMontague Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-12-08 03:37 PM
Response to Reply #12
26. I'm sorry, but I don't think peaceful scientific exploration of the universe has jack to do
with "dropping bombs".

Yes, actually, we all can be proud of what NASA and JPL have done on Mars in recent years, with very limited resources. We have gained a treasure trove of information about our planetary neighbor.
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wtmusic Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-12-08 11:19 PM
Response to Reply #26
27. You're right
That was a wacky comment.

Note to self...think, THEN click Post Message. :crazy:
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Warren DeMontague Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Nov-13-08 01:45 PM
Response to Reply #27
36. Ah, no worries.
I really think that those rovers, in particular, are a stunning testament to American know-how and technological ingenuity. Exactly what we need more of these days.
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BridgeTheGap Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Nov-13-08 07:52 AM
Response to Reply #26
28. It is nothing short of amazing what NASA has accomplished with Phoenix and
the rovers. I have no problem at all with my tax dollars going to NASA.
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AlCzervik Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-12-08 01:09 PM
Response to Original message
13. i knew he was automaton.
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JohnnyRingo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-12-08 01:10 PM
Response to Original message
15. I didn't hear that, but you'd think he could come up with a better choice of words...
to describe one of NASA's greatest accomplishments to date.

Since it lasted twice as long as it's predicted 90 days, how about "persistant", or "tenacious". With it's ground breaking discoveries it could be called "pioneering" or "unparalleled", But I think "brave" ignores that the lander had little to lose personally.

Maybe Williams can use a vacation after the long campaign season. He's not a robot y'know.
Hahaha
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edbermac Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-12-08 01:30 PM
Response to Original message
16. R2-D2 was brave!
Of course C3PO was a wuss.
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DemoTex Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-12-08 01:42 PM
Response to Original message
17. Anthropomorphism
Main Entry: an·thro·po·mor·phism
Pronunciation: \-ˌfi-zəm\
Function: noun
Date: 1753
: an interpretation of what is not human or personal in terms of human or personal characteristics : humanization
— an·thro·po·mor·phist \-fist\ noun

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anthropomorphism
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tigereye Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Nov-13-08 02:02 PM
Response to Reply #17
37. yup, nothing new about that
why do people call their cars, boats, etc. him and her, or give them names.


Not much harm in it.
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zbdent Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-12-08 01:46 PM
Response to Original message
18. the lander is like a Republican accountant ...
a cold heartless unfeeling machine ...

You're right ... he must have seen WallE ... and thought it was a documentary ...
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BridgeTheGap Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-12-08 01:58 PM
Response to Reply #18
19. Ha ha! Good one! n.t
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Crankie Avalon Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-12-08 02:03 PM
Response to Original message
20. That's nothing...
...last night he called his wife's vibrator a "sneaky little bastard."
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groovedaddy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-12-08 02:50 PM
Response to Reply #20
24. How brave of him! n.t
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wryter2000 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-12-08 02:57 PM
Response to Reply #20
25. You need to issue a spew alert on stuff like that
:rofl:

I've already alerted a certain DUzyer to this thread, but he shall also hear about your post.
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onenote Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-12-08 02:08 PM
Response to Original message
21. and sometimes news anchors sign off with "see you tomorrow"
can they really do that?
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BridgeTheGap Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-12-08 02:37 PM
Response to Reply #21
23. Maybe big brother really is watching! n.t
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groovedaddy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Nov-13-08 08:46 AM
Response to Original message
29. More: "Mars Phoenix Will Bravley and Passionately Twitter Until the Final Beat of Its Adorable
Electronic Heart" -- Maybe this is where Williams is getting his "lines."

http://gizmodo.com/5046922/mars-phoenix-will-bravely-and-passionately-twitter-until-the-final-beat-of-its-adorable-electronic-heart
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deutsey Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Nov-13-08 09:04 AM
Response to Original message
30. To show you how awake I am, my first thought was "Who the hell is Mars Phoenix Lander?"
I thought you were referring to some celeb I hadn't heard of.

Need more caffeine. :hangover:
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BridgeTheGap Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Nov-13-08 10:21 AM
Response to Reply #30
31. Mars Phoenix Lander has retired from his movie career, bless his brave heart! n.t
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DU GrovelBot  Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Nov-13-08 10:21 AM
Response to Original message
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MilesColtrane Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Nov-13-08 10:33 AM
Response to Original message
33. Is it brave to be thrust into a harsh, corrosive environment where there's no intelligent life?
Just ask Obama after January.
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groovedaddy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Nov-13-08 01:24 PM
Response to Reply #33
34. Ha ha! Good point though. I feel like I'm coming out of hibernation. n.t
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Neurotica Donating Member (412 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Nov-13-08 01:32 PM
Response to Original message
35. Don't forget Mike Mulligan's steam shovel Mary Anne... bravely digging the
cellar for the new town hall in Popperville!
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