[nhebb]

I keep seeing stories pop up here that NASA has some upcoming announcement, but I never remember to follow up on the announcement day to find out what the hubbub was about. I'm starting to get annoyed that a government agency thinks it needs to save "the big reveal" for a press conference. Why not just make the announcement?

[ugh]

That’s the contrarianism you are going to pick? A bunch of scientists having a for the general public probably harmless but for the scientists in the field no doubt somewhat exciting announcement?

You are not the target audience. This is a press release. Before the existence of the web you would have never heard about the announcement unless you are a science journalist. (The vast majority of people will never hear about this announcement. Reading HN or other places where this announcement might conceivably pop up is clearly not normal.) You really shouldn’t be annoyed about something that is not even directed at you.

[ANH]

* Because they want to make sure people are listening.

* The media outlets can assign people to cover it.

* It's fun for the researchers.