The ideas outlined below are especially designed to make NASA competitive so that the goals that are currently set today are not only met but exceeded. The ideas outline strategic methods that will make it possible for NASA to stretch the capital it has and stimulate the economy while doing it. Some of the ideas listed might seem simple and latter ones radical but a case is made for all of them.
Keith mentioned in a previous comment that HQ reads these posts. If it is true I think that is great, that they care so much as to try to listen to us. But I do ask that they stop reading our postings like anthropologists and start reading it like empathetic leaders. Like any good leader they should not be moved at every whim of those they lead, but they should also not ignore those that follow.
I think that those of us in Gen Y (at least I am) are upset because NASA is supposed to represent high-tech, but the industry that is supposed to be ahead of everyone else is sadly about 8-10 years behind industry. Sure there are projects that are amazing in and of themselves, but the resources going into them don’t compare with the results obtained.
Just a few hours ago I found out about the Gen-Y presentation and opennasa.com. I must say that I am extremely excited that there are like minded people that are working at making NASA great. I got introduced to the presentation from one of my project leads (who has listened to me bring up many of the same things mentioned in the presentation) and I must say that I really like it; however, my lead brought up a good point. He stated that the presentation was very “hip” but that the presentation style was likely to get very little attention from NASA management. It falls under what I call “know your audience”, the presentation was a great presentation for young people and I am certain that anybody our age will love it (as I and many others did and will). Yet, older generations are more acclimated to having things presented to them more formally with charts and figures. I expect that NASA management will consider the presentation as “selfish” as Mensah stated in “The Larger Picture” because the NASA culture is military in nature. In their minds a good soldier does what they are told and doesn’t sass back. Don’t try telling them we are not in the miliatry because they will likely think you are being “selfish”.
Anyway the point to this post is to suggest that we should create a new presentation geared towards conveying the pressing issues that are blatantly apparent to Gen Y to the older generation leaders in a way that they can understand and not feel we are being “selfish”. I have read Wikinomics and that book has many good case studies that could be used in the presentation. I am certain that the users of opennasa.com are aware of much more information that would help make a compelling argument that will motivate our leaders to not only listen to us but agree with us.
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