Friday, February 01, 2008

The Beatles in space

Scientists worry that astronomy and space and the universe and the possibility of other life isn't fascinating enough in its own, which leads them to attempt to hook-up with popular culture in awkward and slightly stilted ways. For example, NASA has just announced plans to pump Across The Universe by The Beatles into space. It's the first song ever to be beamed directly into space, claims NASA, although it doesn't seem to offer any real explanation as to why they're doing it.

Macca is thrilled:
"Well done, Nasa," he added. "Send my love to the aliens. All the best, Paul."

Although he'd probably rather NASA sends his ex-love to the aliens instead.

Yoko also embraced this opportunity to open new a market for John Lennon branded babygros and peace-enabled pencils:
"I see this as the beginning of the new age in which we will communicate with billions of planets across the universe."

EMI is readying boxed sets even as we speak. Just in case. It's not yet clear if aliens living on the other side of the universe will be asked to imagine a lack of heaven below them, or if that would constitute cultural imperialism.

4 comments:

  1. Olive1/2/08 11:02 pm

    Am I the only one that is slightly worried that NASA of all people are unaware as to how electromgnetic radiation (from say, oh, I don't know - A CENTURY OF RADIO AND TELEVISION BROADCASTS) is propagated?

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  2. Unknown5/2/08 8:36 am

    What if aliens don't like the Beatles. What if they prefer the Stones, or Aqua, or indeed the sound of silence instead? What if "across the universe" translates in alien to "Feck you and the horse you rode in on?" If we end up in a trans-galactic war, I'm blaming John Lennon and NASA, though not necessarily in that order.

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  3. Simon Hayes Budgen5/2/08 9:37 am

    Good point, Flotsky. ... and what if aliens worship Cliff, and feel the low production values on The Beatles' early work is an insult to their highly developed ears?

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  4. Anonymous5/2/08 12:59 pm

    What if "across the universe" translates in alien to "Feck you and the horse you rode in on?"

    I (and probably every other Douglas Adams fan) wondered that as well...personally, I see it as a waste of taxpayer money. Cute, but doesn't actually accomplish anything. *insert joke re American consumerism here*

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