How Berndt (Lockheed) Promotes "Two-Way" Technical Discussion

From: Jon S. Berndt )
Subject: To All Readers www.mission51.com
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Date: 2001-02-11 16:22:02 PST


"OverSoul ©" wrote:

"Jon Berndt" wrote:

The really sad thing about this is that with a title like it has,
it will surely appeal to the gullible, ignorant, and the
aeronautical rubber-neckers out there.

I just ordered the book and I don't consider myself gullible or
ignorant. I define ignorance as the lack of knowledge. When I'm
interested in finding the "truth" about anything, I try to obtain all
possible information. What is wrong with that? The greatest source of
information is contained in books (I'm sure the internet will overtake
that someday).

There is truth in this argument, in my opinion, I will agree to some extent.
But
I view this case differently than reading two textbooks on a subject to
compare
approaches; or reading BBC, American, and other reports on a story in order
to
squeegee out the nationalistic and subjective slants. It is a matter of
principle. I don't want to give this guy my money, I don't want to be
involved
with supporting this kind of blatant attempt to hijack the truth. If you
really
want to read this, why not wait for a few reviews of the book? That might
save
you some money. Or, go to the library.

What I try to do is gather information from a variety of
sources, no matter how "ridiculous" some of them may sound. I then form
an opinion as to what the truth may be. Using this method (which is
ongoing), I believe that I can get as close to the truth as possible.

Can you give me an instance of a book or two that was written years after a
heavily investigated 20th century historical event that isn't now on sale at
a
half price bookstore for $0.95? There's a reason for that.

More imporantly, there's a reason this book is not instead a special report
in a
respected industry journal, such as Aviation Week and Space Technology, or
even
a fairly respected newspaper such as The Washington Post. Seems you can only
"buy" the truth - as seen by one person. I'd be much more comfortable
reading
the Rogers Commission Report, with the combined efforts of a group of
qualified
individuals.

There are also plenty of people out there who don't have your discernment.
What
effects might this book have on the public perception of NASA? Or of other
engineers involved? Or of the participants in the Rogers Commission report?
Once
a slanderous statement - however incorrect - has been made, it is hard to
retract the effects.

I think many people today rely on CNN or their local newspaper to TELL
them the truth. They don't take an active role in finding their own
answers.

I can agree with this. But you have to be selective in your choice of
knowledge
sources, and the motives.

It is said that "you are what you eat". That is literally true. Too many
people
(myself included) choose fast food and other nutritionally deficient food to
eat. It ain't healthy. I am a little more careful about what I choose to
read,
staying away from fluff and sensationalism.

I haven't been following this thread too closely but one thing
I don't understand is that alot of you are attacking this book without
ever having read it. THAT is a true sign of ignorance. I would have
more respect for someone who attacks the book AFTER they have read it.

Go to www.mission51l.com. Reading what was there was enough to really make
me
question the motivation behind such a book. As well as the content. If you
went
to a bookstore and read the overleaf on a book and thought what was
contained
there was full of crap, would you still buy the book to find out what *kind*
of
crap it was? Again, it is also a matter of principle. I don't buy the
National
Enquirer either.

At least they have a leg to stand on. Maybe many of you feel that you
don't want to waste money on the book. Fine...that's your choice but
again, don't criticize something that you haven't read. Do I think Mr
Maxson's book is the gospel truth or a bunch of nonsense? I don't
know....I haven't read it yet. Am I wasting my money by purchasing it?
Maybe....but again, I won't know that until after I've read it. Have I
ever regretted buying a book? You bet I have, but knowledge (the first
step towards wisdom) comes at a price. If you want to educate yourself
you'll have to accept the good along with the bad. If you limit
yourself to one viewpoint, you will never find truth in anything.

True. But I have precious little time to waste on garbage. I'd rather read
something that has a prayer of adding to my wisdom. Go ahead and read it and
tell us what he says. I will listen to my own well-trained intuition, as
well as
the wise inputs from experienced people in the industry.

Must we attack people because they have different ideas?

Certainly Not. Only when they have misleading or wrong ideas. And then the
first
attempt should be to gently ask for clarification. Others here mcuh closer
to
the subject matter than I have written very clearly about this.

Jon

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Jon S. Berndt
League City, Texas