Commercialization of Superman

On June 15^th, I saw Man of Steel on its opening weekend. This is an uncommon occurrence for me. I rarely see a movie the first or second day it hits the theaters. Honestly, I usually wait until a movie is out in Redbox because I don’t think most movies are worth $10 to $14. The only other movies I have seen opening weekend are the two rebooted Star Trek flicks, Star Trek (2009) and Star Trek Into Darkness.

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I enjoyed the Superman reboot. I think director Zack Snyder did a credible job recreating the mythos that is the Man of Steel I remember from my childhood. This is probably because he has been a Superman fan for a number of years. According to Kryptonsite.com, Snyder is a fan of the series, Smallville which ran on the WB from 2001 through 2011. “Smallville, by itself, quietly has kept Superman in the consciousness …” states Snyder.

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The movie is good; the villain is General Zod … and judging from the fight scenes, which are … epic, it’s obvious we live in a video game era. They are hectic, building razing, no way you are going to pick up everything in single viewing, affairs. It’s funny, though; I couldn’t help but wonder what was happening to all the people who lived and worked in the buildings that were being trashed. I know, suspend belief.

What I can’t believe is the number of products that are woven into this flick. According to Businessweek.com, over 100 companies paid a total of almost $160 million for embedded products.

I know product placement is not a new concept. Mirriad.com reports that in 1896, directors Auguste and Louis Lumière inserted the logo of Sunlight Soap into their movie, Parade of the 8^th Battalion, in exchange for publicity and distribution help.

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But, there are scenes in  Superman when I felt the selling of products interfered with the viewing. In the first two mega-fight scenes, I saw obvious pimping of IHOP and Sears. The second fight ended with Superman standing amidst huge piles of rubble, and the background exhibits the perfectly preserved marque of Sears. Hell, I was in Sears this past Sunday and noted their Sears’ special edition Superman comic book.

As I mentioned earlier, I did like the movie and I understand the importance of product placement, but when does it take precedence over the film?

Does anyone else share my distaste for the blatant insertion of commercials into movies?

Buzz Aldrin – Mars Advocate

In my blog, Mars or Bust, I discuss Mars One Project’s plan to establish a Mars colony by 2023 and in that blog I mention that Neil Armstrong is the first person to walk on the moon.

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Armstrong may have been the first but Dr. Buzz Aldrin was a close second. Buzz Aldrin stepped onto the moon’s surface fifteen minutes after Neil Armstrong.

Buzz Aldrin’s contribution to the United States space program is noteworthy. According to biography.com, Aldrin earned his Ph. D in aeronautics and astronautics. His thesis subject, “Line-of-sight guidance techniques for manned orbital rendezvous” is the study of bringing piloted spacecraft into close proximity to one another. As a result, when he joined NASA he was put in charge of creating docking procedures for spacecraft.

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After retiring from the role of active NASA astronaut, Buzz Aldrin continued to be a proponent of the space program. According to damninterest.com, in 1985 Aldrin reasoned there must be trajectories that swing by Earth and Mars every twenty-six months or so. Consequently, physicists discovered an orbit that behaved as Aldrin predicted. It was named the Aldrin Cycler.

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National Geographic reports that in Aldrin’s latest book, Mission to Mars (2013 National Geographic Society), he details a plan that would lead to a permanent settlement on Mars. He advocates for an international coalition similar to that which built the International Space Station so that the costs would be spread among international teammates.

Aldrin’s plan calls for permanent settlers on Mars. According to National Geographic, he believes that establishing a permanent settlement on Mars will be incentive to build a cycling system so that the settlers are not abandoned.

Once the cycling system is complete, we will have the ability to efficiently ferry people and supplies to Mars.

I wonder if Aldrin has been in contact with the Mars One Project people. It would seem that his knowledge could greatly enhance the chances of success for that program.

What do you think? Would an international entity be our best shot at getting to Mars?

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NEWS

6/17/13: According to ABC News, NASA selects eight new astronauts. ABC News states, “NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said these new candidates will help lead the first human mission to an asteroid in the 2020s, and then Mars …”

6/18/13: On this date in 1983, thirty years ago, Sally Ride became the first American woman in space.

Sally Ride
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Mars or Bust

I’m old enough to remember July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 and Neil Armstrong, the first human to walk on the moon. It was the greatest trip anyone had ever taken.

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Bas Lansdorp and Arno A. Wielders are co-founders of the nonprofit Mars One Project. These men have a vision that the next greatest trip ever taken will be to Mars.

The Mars One Project is soliciting volunteers for a one-way trip to the red planet. Their goal is to have four people travel to Mars and establish a base by 2023.

These four intrepid souls would be followed every two years by more colonists bringing supplies.

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According to the Mars One Project’s website, the plan is built upon existing technologies available from proven suppliers. The roadmap is:

1. Send supplies to the general location of a settlement site
2. Send a rover to scout a permanent settlement site
3. Send living and life support units and a second rover
4. Send the settlers

It’s a lofty endeavor and there are detractors. According to The Register, the Chinese government, via its state run media, has raised concerns. They are branding the Mars One Project a hoax, claiming that BasLansdorp has admitted that a Mars landing in 2023 is unlikely. BBC News reports that Dr. Veronica Bray, from the University of Arizona's Lunar and PlanetaryLaboratory, says, “I have no doubt that we could physically place a human being on Mars. Whether they'd be able to survive for an extended period of time is much more doubtful.”

More than 80,000 people have submitted video applications. 80,000 plus people are willing to risk their lives in an attempt to be the first humans to set foot on Mars.

Even if I was in my twenties and craved excitement, I wouldn’t volunteer …it’s a one way trip! And talk about high risk? The Marstronauts are going to be on their own. There won’t be any rescue … once they are there, they are there...Forever! Think about it … no physicians. If their food and water supplies are contaminated, there’s no ready replacement. If the life support were to fail …

Nope, I think I’ll stay right here on Earth.

However, I’m glad there are people willing to take risks like this. It’s daring people like the Marstronauts that blaze a path to discovery. And, I have to admit … how cool would it be to colonize Mars?

I know I have no desire to leave this planet, but would you volunteer for a trip to Mars? Why or why not? Leave a comment below.