Rocket ... Man
October 4, 2021 9:45 AM Subscribe
"Mostly you find that SJW's have an agenda of hate where no injustice actually occurs."
-William Shatner, 2017 May 21
I'm all for sending him into space. I'm less bullish on bringing him back down.
posted by foldedfish at 10:01 AM on October 4, 2021 [45 favorites]
-William Shatner, 2017 May 21
I'm all for sending him into space. I'm less bullish on bringing him back down.
posted by foldedfish at 10:01 AM on October 4, 2021 [45 favorites]
Has Been is an excellent album.
posted by wmo at 10:10 AM on October 4, 2021 [12 favorites]
posted by wmo at 10:10 AM on October 4, 2021 [12 favorites]
A friend and I do a podcast (I know, I know) where we take turns picking an album and talking about it; our last episode was about Jim Sullivan's cosmic country-rock oddity U.F.O. During the episode, my friend pointed out that at roughly the same time, Jim Sullivan and William Shatner both made spacey records that at least sort of involved going out into the desert and communing with aliens. The important difference: Shatner quickly recanted and said that no, he didn't really believe in aliens, while not long after, Sullivan went out into the desert and never came back.
SO my friend's argument is that clearly Sullivan was rewarded for his faith by bring picked up and given a ride to space, while Shatner's renunciation led the aliens to leave him here to grow old and become a total dickhead (we also suggested that, in light of this, he should now be called "The Coward William Shatner."
I guess what I'm saying here is that when I saw this headline, I assumed that our mockery had gotten to Shatner and he wants to redeem himself by going up and meeting somebody.
and also the back half of U.F.O. has some great music on it
posted by COBRA! at 10:14 AM on October 4, 2021 [14 favorites]
SO my friend's argument is that clearly Sullivan was rewarded for his faith by bring picked up and given a ride to space, while Shatner's renunciation led the aliens to leave him here to grow old and become a total dickhead (we also suggested that, in light of this, he should now be called "The Coward William Shatner."
I guess what I'm saying here is that when I saw this headline, I assumed that our mockery had gotten to Shatner and he wants to redeem himself by going up and meeting somebody.
and also the back half of U.F.O. has some great music on it
posted by COBRA! at 10:14 AM on October 4, 2021 [14 favorites]
Orbit, the final frontier, these are the tribulations of the blue origin enterprise, it's 12 minute journey is to seek out new orbital trajectory, public relations and to boldly go have were many gone before.
posted by clavdivs at 10:29 AM on October 4, 2021 [12 favorites]
posted by clavdivs at 10:29 AM on October 4, 2021 [12 favorites]
I'm always conflicted by this sort of news - I mean its both grotesque that so much time, money, and attention will be sent on sending him up there (especially given some of his comments in the last few years)....yet does it give me hope (if somehow the environmental cost magically reduces) that space travel may be something my kids may experience in a few decades, having spent last evening just watching the stars on a super clear night
posted by inflatablekiwi at 10:32 AM on October 4, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by inflatablekiwi at 10:32 AM on October 4, 2021 [1 favorite]
I worry that Jeff Bezos will forever be remembered as the man who killed captain Kirk.
Not that Bezos or Shatner don't deserve some hate or at least serious dislike, but still, Shatner doesn't deserve to be a test dummy for Bezos' crappy AmazonBasics tier of rockets.
Shatner is 90, this could kill him even if everything goes nominally.
posted by deadaluspark at 10:36 AM on October 4, 2021 [11 favorites]
Not that Bezos or Shatner don't deserve some hate or at least serious dislike, but still, Shatner doesn't deserve to be a test dummy for Bezos' crappy AmazonBasics tier of rockets.
Shatner is 90, this could kill him even if everything goes nominally.
posted by deadaluspark at 10:36 AM on October 4, 2021 [11 favorites]
I had a boss who, during a staff meeting was bragging that in his 20s he'd made a bucket list of a hundred things he wanted to do before he died and that the only thing left on the list was travelling to space, then lamented that he was probably too old now.
I said I didn't get the problem; after all it was the last thing on his list.
(Another time he was going off about some Libertarian survivalist nonsense and commented, "You probably think I'm some sort of gun nut, don't you?" To which I immediately answered, "Oh, of course." Tweaking that guy was so fun... and so easy.)
posted by sjswitzer at 10:47 AM on October 4, 2021 [7 favorites]
I said I didn't get the problem; after all it was the last thing on his list.
(Another time he was going off about some Libertarian survivalist nonsense and commented, "You probably think I'm some sort of gun nut, don't you?" To which I immediately answered, "Oh, of course." Tweaking that guy was so fun... and so easy.)
posted by sjswitzer at 10:47 AM on October 4, 2021 [7 favorites]
> seek out new orbital suborbital trajectory
posted by sjswitzer at 10:51 AM on October 4, 2021 [6 favorites]
posted by sjswitzer at 10:51 AM on October 4, 2021 [6 favorites]
Sure it could kill him. But he's also one of those likely to respond with "So what? You're saying I'm better off staying on earth, getting up three times a night to pee, until I can't get up at all? I'd rather my rocket explodes."
And some of you seem to want him dead anyway, sounds like.
For me, I will continue my personal tradition, begun with a childhood crush on Judy Resnik, of hollering a celebratory
'JEWS! in! SPAAAAAAACE!' This time even get to add a bonus 'Canadian!' to the front.
Wikipedia: List of Jewish Astronauts.
posted by bartleby at 10:52 AM on October 4, 2021 [11 favorites]
And some of you seem to want him dead anyway, sounds like.
For me, I will continue my personal tradition, begun with a childhood crush on Judy Resnik, of hollering a celebratory
'JEWS! in! SPAAAAAAACE!' This time even get to add a bonus 'Canadian!' to the front.
Wikipedia: List of Jewish Astronauts.
posted by bartleby at 10:52 AM on October 4, 2021 [11 favorites]
And some of you seem to want him dead anyway, sounds like.
Not just that he's obnoxious on Twitter, but that we lost Leonard first.
posted by Halloween Jack at 11:02 AM on October 4, 2021 [4 favorites]
Not just that he's obnoxious on Twitter, but that we lost Leonard first.
posted by Halloween Jack at 11:02 AM on October 4, 2021 [4 favorites]
Shatner is a true icon, and this is awesome. I'm not much a "omg space awesome!" kind of guy, but with Shatner on board, I'm excited.
And yes, he is indeed very much alive - a few weeks ago wife and I watched him diving with sharks on Josh Gates' show.
posted by davidmsc at 11:09 AM on October 4, 2021 [1 favorite]
And yes, he is indeed very much alive - a few weeks ago wife and I watched him diving with sharks on Josh Gates' show.
posted by davidmsc at 11:09 AM on October 4, 2021 [1 favorite]
i think he's awesome. newsflash, people are flawed. and yet, some remain awesome.
posted by j_curiouser at 11:10 AM on October 4, 2021 [8 favorites]
posted by j_curiouser at 11:10 AM on October 4, 2021 [8 favorites]
I don't have much respect for Bill Shatner the person, but as a lifelong Star Trek fan - by which I mean, my earliest memories include watching The Animated Series when it originally aired, when I was a pre-schooler - I really can only think this is awesome. Why the hell not.
posted by Occula at 11:14 AM on October 4, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by Occula at 11:14 AM on October 4, 2021 [3 favorites]
Yeah, that Twitter remark is a mark against him, I don't want that to be overshadowed. I had seen speculation that those remarks were actually the words of some social media flunky, although even if that were excused, with someone like Shatner you just know if you dig long enough you could find something else.
But mostly, I just wanted to say the wording of the FPP made me think of the title William Shatner Is Alive And Well And Living On Ganymede.
posted by JHarris at 11:21 AM on October 4, 2021 [1 favorite]
But mostly, I just wanted to say the wording of the FPP made me think of the title William Shatner Is Alive And Well And Living On Ganymede.
posted by JHarris at 11:21 AM on October 4, 2021 [1 favorite]
I guess John Glenn is the current record holder for oldest person in space; he was 77 on his space shuttle trip. A nonagenarian? That’s one small step for a geezer...
posted by ricochet biscuit at 11:30 AM on October 4, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by ricochet biscuit at 11:30 AM on October 4, 2021 [2 favorites]
When I awoke from the dangers of space
I looked and I saw a familiar face
The time warp in space made a change in me
For I was the Captain and the Captain was me
posted by thatwhichfalls at 11:41 AM on October 4, 2021 [4 favorites]
I looked and I saw a familiar face
The time warp in space made a change in me
For I was the Captain and the Captain was me
posted by thatwhichfalls at 11:41 AM on October 4, 2021 [4 favorites]
5 ... 4 ... 3 ... 2 ... KHAAAAAAAAAAN
posted by ZenMasterThis at 11:43 AM on October 4, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by ZenMasterThis at 11:43 AM on October 4, 2021 [3 favorites]
Are we just avoiding the link? Because I'll do it...
posted by Nanukthedog at 11:59 AM on October 4, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by Nanukthedog at 11:59 AM on October 4, 2021 [4 favorites]
What’s the German word for something that is simultaneously grotesque and kind of awesome?
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 12:01 PM on October 4, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 12:01 PM on October 4, 2021 [1 favorite]
Shatner. He works incredibly hard, and he's a good sport. If this makes him happy, by gum, he deserves it.
posted by Capt. Renault at 12:13 PM on October 4, 2021 [8 favorites]
posted by Capt. Renault at 12:13 PM on October 4, 2021 [8 favorites]
What’s the German word for something that is simultaneously grotesque and kind of awesome?
mënschlech
posted by y2karl at 12:16 PM on October 4, 2021 [1 favorite]
mënschlech
posted by y2karl at 12:16 PM on October 4, 2021 [1 favorite]
Frankenfliegenschwanzgötterdammerung! Mit Schatner, jawohl!
posted by Oyéah at 12:25 PM on October 4, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by Oyéah at 12:25 PM on October 4, 2021 [1 favorite]
Shatner lent his voice as Grand Pear, Applejack's grandfather, to My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. It wasn't a weird thing, like him arguing with Discord (John De Lancie). It was just a heart-felt moment. I have felt affection for Bill ever since.
posted by SPrintF at 12:42 PM on October 4, 2021 [6 favorites]
posted by SPrintF at 12:42 PM on October 4, 2021 [6 favorites]
I guess John Glenn is the current record holder for oldest person in space; he was 77 on his space shuttle trip.
Actually Glenn's record was broken by Wally Funk, who flew with Bezos in July. But that was a suborbital flight, so Glenn retains the age record for going into orbit, and will still do so after Shatner's suborbital flight.
posted by beagle at 12:48 PM on October 4, 2021 [6 favorites]
Actually Glenn's record was broken by Wally Funk, who flew with Bezos in July. But that was a suborbital flight, so Glenn retains the age record for going into orbit, and will still do so after Shatner's suborbital flight.
posted by beagle at 12:48 PM on October 4, 2021 [6 favorites]
Age records are one thing -- this is Bill's chance to be the first man in space with a bobby pin.
posted by Capt. Renault at 12:58 PM on October 4, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by Capt. Renault at 12:58 PM on October 4, 2021 [2 favorites]
Shatner's turning Sarah Palin's insane speech into a beatnik jazz number was pretty funny.
I do agree that it might not be the best plan to send a 90 year old into space in an experimental space vehicle. Bezos's last flight had an 82 year old woman. What is Bezos trying to prove? I know he's investing in anti-aging technology. I wonder if this has something to do with some anti-aging obsession.
posted by eye of newt at 12:59 PM on October 4, 2021 [6 favorites]
I do agree that it might not be the best plan to send a 90 year old into space in an experimental space vehicle. Bezos's last flight had an 82 year old woman. What is Bezos trying to prove? I know he's investing in anti-aging technology. I wonder if this has something to do with some anti-aging obsession.
posted by eye of newt at 12:59 PM on October 4, 2021 [6 favorites]
Sure it could kill him. But he's also one of those likely to respond with "So what? You're saying I'm better off staying on earth, getting up three times a night to pee, until I can't get up at all? I'd rather my rocket explodes."
Indeed, Shatner is a man comfortable with his own mortality, and has a song to remind you of your own.
posted by automatronic at 1:19 PM on October 4, 2021 [3 favorites]
Indeed, Shatner is a man comfortable with his own mortality, and has a song to remind you of your own.
posted by automatronic at 1:19 PM on October 4, 2021 [3 favorites]
A willingness to do PR for Bezos and his gross vanity space program doesn't add any additional shine to whatever I already thought of Shatner.
posted by Sing Or Swim at 1:40 PM on October 4, 2021 [6 favorites]
posted by Sing Or Swim at 1:40 PM on October 4, 2021 [6 favorites]
I can't really object to this. But, also. . . it could have been Takei!
posted by eotvos at 1:40 PM on October 4, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by eotvos at 1:40 PM on October 4, 2021 [3 favorites]
The lack of magesty in these space-dalliances is astounding.
posted by Jack Karaoke at 1:46 PM on October 4, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by Jack Karaoke at 1:46 PM on October 4, 2021 [2 favorites]
I hope they’re taking extra precautions against sabataj.
posted by rodlymight at 4:00 PM on October 4, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by rodlymight at 4:00 PM on October 4, 2021 [3 favorites]
There was a removed sequence from the start of Star Trek: Generations which involved Kirk orbital skydiving.
Just a suggestion.
posted by dumbland at 5:50 PM on October 4, 2021 [2 favorites]
Just a suggestion.
posted by dumbland at 5:50 PM on October 4, 2021 [2 favorites]
As my SO is fond of saying, "Shatner makes me smile."
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 6:09 PM on October 4, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 6:09 PM on October 4, 2021 [3 favorites]
Something new for George to seethe over. Shatner is one of a kind and irreplaceable. Good for him.
posted by Beholder at 8:12 PM on October 4, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by Beholder at 8:12 PM on October 4, 2021 [1 favorite]
Is he at least bringing Leonard Nimoy's DNA?
posted by Soliloquy at 8:50 PM on October 4, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by Soliloquy at 8:50 PM on October 4, 2021 [1 favorite]
My brother texted me about this and I replied:
posted by kirkaracha at 11:11 PM on October 4, 2021 [8 favorites]
1) Cool? 2) Eat the richI mean, 1) I do think it's cool Captain Kirk is going to actual space, and 2) it's obscene that on my way to work I pass people living on the street in a country where rich motherfucking jagoffs like these motherfucking shitheels can blast their pasty billionaire asses to space on a whim. In conclusion, my feelings on this are a land of contrasts.
posted by kirkaracha at 11:11 PM on October 4, 2021 [8 favorites]
William Shatner thinks "cis" is a slur people use against him
I hope he survives the rocket and dies forgotten.
posted by zymil at 12:47 AM on October 5, 2021 [4 favorites]
I hope he survives the rocket and dies forgotten.
posted by zymil at 12:47 AM on October 5, 2021 [4 favorites]
We send a gold record of our best musicians out into the aether, one day, and the author of TekWar, the next. The universe is indeed a strange place.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 3:08 AM on October 5, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 3:08 AM on October 5, 2021 [2 favorites]
William Shatner, for better or worse, is an old man who is far beyond caring what other people think of him. (Indeed, he probably never really cared what people thought of him.) I would say that this leads him to do both awesome things and horrible things.
posted by tallmiddleagedgeek at 7:07 AM on October 5, 2021 [5 favorites]
posted by tallmiddleagedgeek at 7:07 AM on October 5, 2021 [5 favorites]
Is he at least bringing Leonard Nimoy's DNA?
Slash fic lives.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 7:42 AM on October 5, 2021 [1 favorite]
Slash fic lives.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 7:42 AM on October 5, 2021 [1 favorite]
If they don't let him sing in space, it's a crime against humanity.
posted by Beholder at 2:32 PM on October 5, 2021
posted by Beholder at 2:32 PM on October 5, 2021
If they don't let him sing in space, it's a crime against humanity.
No one stopping him here on earth, he just genuinely doesn’t seem to be able, aside from the odd row row row your boat now and again.
posted by rodlymight at 6:10 PM on October 5, 2021
No one stopping him here on earth, he just genuinely doesn’t seem to be able, aside from the odd row row row your boat now and again.
posted by rodlymight at 6:10 PM on October 5, 2021
No one stopping him here on earth, he just genuinely doesn’t seem to be ableHis Mr. Tambourine Man is the most interesting recording of the song yet. (To be clear, the bar is really low. Even the Stevie Wonder version is hard to celebrate.) I'm less convinced by Lucy in the Sky, but at least it was memorable.
posted by eotvos at 6:31 PM on October 5, 2021
"I want to press my nose up against the plastic window. What I don't want to see is somebody else out there looking back at me."
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 6:57 PM on October 6, 2021
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 6:57 PM on October 6, 2021
William Shatner thinks "cis" is a slur people use against him
I hope he survives the rocket and dies forgotten.
I can't say I'm surprised that a 90 year old man might misinterpret that term - - it can be difficult to shake the ancient echoes of playground taunts from one's youth.
posted by fairmettle at 2:10 AM on October 8, 2021 [1 favorite]
I hope he survives the rocket and dies forgotten.
I can't say I'm surprised that a 90 year old man might misinterpret that term - - it can be difficult to shake the ancient echoes of playground taunts from one's youth.
posted by fairmettle at 2:10 AM on October 8, 2021 [1 favorite]
Looking at the uniforms, does anyone else get the impression that this is actually the origin story for an upcoming movie?
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:25 PM on October 12, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:25 PM on October 12, 2021 [1 favorite]
Well, that was all pretty fun. I'm stupidly happy about this. Congratulations, Bill!
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:27 AM on October 13, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:27 AM on October 13, 2021 [1 favorite]
It was great hearing Shatner babble on to Bezos, an old man reliving his glory days that just happened minutes before.
posted by Capt. Renault at 10:49 AM on October 13, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by Capt. Renault at 10:49 AM on October 13, 2021 [2 favorites]
Wikipedia: List of Jewish Astronauts.
Updated
posted by bartleby at 1:05 PM on October 13, 2021 [2 favorites]
Updated
posted by bartleby at 1:05 PM on October 13, 2021 [2 favorites]
Shatner manages to have 3 torrid love affairs during 10 minute space flight (The Beaverton)
posted by Iris Gambol at 2:13 PM on October 13, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by Iris Gambol at 2:13 PM on October 13, 2021 [3 favorites]
Happy to see he's home safe. Kirk lives on.
posted by deadaluspark at 2:42 PM on October 13, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by deadaluspark at 2:42 PM on October 13, 2021 [2 favorites]
"I once captained my own spaceship!”
-Denny Crane.
posted by clavdivs at 4:26 PM on October 13, 2021 [3 favorites]
-Denny Crane.
posted by clavdivs at 4:26 PM on October 13, 2021 [3 favorites]
This thread should be on the front page again. It's an incredible pop culture moment for nerds everywhere. Yes, yes, Lord British did it first, but still, Captain James T Kirk.
posted by Beholder at 5:37 PM on October 13, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by Beholder at 5:37 PM on October 13, 2021 [1 favorite]
Not everyone can fly to space, but I think everyone should hear what Shatner said after he got off the craft.
posted by polymodus at 3:54 AM on October 14, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by polymodus at 3:54 AM on October 14, 2021 [1 favorite]
“It was... fun.”
posted by ricochet biscuit at 6:26 AM on October 14, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by ricochet biscuit at 6:26 AM on October 14, 2021 [1 favorite]
Shatner is not even the first Star Trek actor in space, by the way. Nor were the ashes of James Doohan.
That honour belongs to Mae Jemison, who was a mission specialist on STS-47 in 1992, spending 8 days in orbit on Endeavour, before later having an acting role in TNG 6x24, Second Chances.
But sure, let's hear from the old white dude rather than the black woman who did it 25 years earlier.
posted by automatronic at 12:47 PM on October 18, 2021 [1 favorite]
That honour belongs to Mae Jemison, who was a mission specialist on STS-47 in 1992, spending 8 days in orbit on Endeavour, before later having an acting role in TNG 6x24, Second Chances.
But sure, let's hear from the old white dude rather than the black woman who did it 25 years earlier.
posted by automatronic at 12:47 PM on October 18, 2021 [1 favorite]
« Older Blackpink! | Facebook is down Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by JoeZydeco at 9:59 AM on October 4, 2021 [9 favorites]