In message <[log in to unmask]>, [log in to unmask] writes

>One easy way to judge the value of any attribute on society -- in a
>completely unbiased manner -- is to somehow measure the rate at which
>the attribute is regarded, not in a manner where people tell you what
>they're doing or what they believe, but in how they act.

>After attending now 40 years worth now of scientific conferences, military
>and NASA planning sessions, at a rate of anywhere from two to five a year, I
>cannot ever remember a single line being quoted on any slide from a science
>fiction author.

Taking Jeff's protagonist only, and using NASA as another keyword, taken
from your posting, it didn't take me very long to Google up:

http://www.sabine-mag.com/archive/ar05006.htm

(from which I will quote no more than I need)

Heinlein.......received the NASA Public Service Medal posthumously which
is "only granted for citizens....who have provided meritous service...to
the accomplishment of the mission of NASA".

As you say, 'measure the rate at which the attribute is regarded, in how
they act'.  And that's how Heinlein is regarded, in NASA's actions. (And
yes it is Robert A - I checked).

To Stan, Wirt says:
>I'm tempted to ask what planet you're living on, but I won't. It seems too
>cheap a shot :-).

And Wirt also said:
>Science fiction books aren't spat upon by "real" scientists, as some of
>you seem to believe.

I haven't seen that view in this thread; is this from private messages
you received? The only person I can see here spitting on science fiction
books is you.

And I'm tempted to say that I do not believe that contradicts your
statement above, necessarily. But I won't; that, also, would be too
cheap a shot :-)

--
Roy Brown        'Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be
Kelmscott Ltd     useful, or believe to be beautiful'  Wm Morris

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