[kitd]

I've often thought world leaders, upon election/selection, should get a free few orbits of the earth, to give them some perspective on the job they're about to undertake. Maybe offer the first one on Artemis II, a deferred one for the current US administration?

[bayindirh]

James May of Top Gear has flown with a U2 spy plane once [0][1]. When they reached to the edge of space, May said "If everybody could do that once, it would completely change the face of global politics, religion, education, everything".

I can't agree more.

Another thing I believe needs to be watched periodically is Pale Blue Dot [2].

[0]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-COlil4tos

[1]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtsZaDbxCgM

[2]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wupToqz1e2g

[antonvs]

I think you overestimate the effect that would have on the kind of people that most need that sort of humility.

Look at what happened with William Shatner and Jeff Bezos when they came back from space. Shatner started to say something about what an impactful experience it was, but Bezos cut him off and was like “Woo! Partay!” and switched his attention to a magnum of champagne.

[Terr_]

There's probably a strong self-selection factor going on, in terms of the kind of person that typically seeks out that kind of experience.

[notahacker]

And if the actual U2 pilots (air force pilots and CIA operatives) had come back profoundly changed, someone might have cancelled the programme...

Astronauts are regular smart people capable of making good and bad life decisions too.

[fatbird]

I met someone a couple years ago who was a U2 pilot (which are still in active service). He'd flown F-16s until he reached the point in the promotion ladder where flying stopped, then switched to U2s to keep being a pilot. After hitting 20 years, he was taking his retirement and training to fly Grumman S-2Ts with CAL FIRE.

Very down-to-earth guy who knew what he wanted and made his choices. Didn't at all seem like the sort to find edge-of-the-atmosphere flying a mystical experience.

[extraduder_ire]

Jeff went up two flights earlier, in July 2021 on NS-16. Shatner was on NS-18 in October.

I don't know if it's a thing that wears off, if Bezos was just in business-mode the entire time, or just didn't want someone monologuing right after getting back.

[mikkupikku]

Extra tactless considering Shatner is a recovering alcoholic.

[Rodeoclash]

Exactly what I thought of as well

[mlrtime]

"If everybody could do that once, it would completely change the face of global politics, religion, education, everything".

You could have the same effect with LSD/Psilocybin for quite a bit less $$$$.

[kitd]

Yeah, that (and Carl Sagan) was what made me think of the idea.

[shiroiuma]

>I've often thought world leaders, upon election/selection, should get a free few orbits of the earth, to give them some perspective on the job they're about to undertake.

Perhaps, but they should also get a few free orbits of the Earth *after* their term ends, on a launch system built by whichever contractor has given the most "campaign donations" to politicians. Surely they'll trust it to be safe, right?

[eru]

That would only work for countries with a space programme.

[Ekaros]

I would also say give them a year of free vacations in various places. Say a maximum security prison in general population, any type of dark camps, hospitals, mental institutions and care homes.

Give them the rest and recreation they need in these wonderful places.

[kakacik]

Do you think sociopaths like current 'leader' would change significantly upon such experience? I unfortunately don't share such optimism.

[bregma]

"Houston, this is Golden One. I'm looking down on the big, beautiful, blue world. They love me down there. They all love me. I'm the greatest astronaut ever in the history of mankind. No one has ever orbited like this before."

Yeah, you may be right.

[GTP]

Made me chuckle :D

[drfloyd51]

Maybe he should ride on the Artemis II mission?

[allenrb]

Strapped to one of the boosters?

[bayindirh]

You don't have to be an optimist. You have to try.

Trying and seeing what happens is also science, after all.

[discreteevent]

Scientists don't try everything. First they run it through expert critical review. This candidate wouldn't make it past the theory stage.

[InsideOutSanta]

I mean, we can probably predict what will happen based on existing data.

"I've seen things up there that are huge, absolutely huge. And let me tell you, astronauts, they came up to me, they were crying, big men crying. Earth, it's a good name, but it's not big enough, not grand enough. So, I'm thinking we rename it. How about 'The Trump Sphere'? It's got a nice ring to it, doesn't it? And let me tell you, nobody would argue with that name!"

[sheiyei]

The point with the last bit was that they should be put in an unsafe craft.