One of the Contributing Factors to the Shuttle's Demise? Read About NASA's DIVERSITY DIRECTORATE

NASA ^ | NASA

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

The Flight Projects Directorate will conduct its missions by creating productive teams of diverse employees.

Excellent strategy. No wonder they missed Mars a couple of years ago.

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

I mean... they might have missed Mars but the crew that helped missiing it was quite self-esteemed.

[jammer]

Bump. I, as I am sure we all have, have been criticizing this stuff for 20 years and screaming it for 4 days. Big government, with the sometimes exception of the military, has become a minority jobs program.

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

'missing' - whatever (cold fingers, lack of self-esteem)

[Quilla]

Although this thread deals with diversity practices, allow me share part of our last night's dinner table conversation. My 16 y.o. daughter's history teacher, Mr. P., spends a considerable amount of time on current events. Last night, she explained Mr. P's theory on what happened to the shuttle: Bill Clinton and environmental fanatics required NASA to change to a sub-standard tile adhesive.

[astounded]

I believe NASA started having problems with the arrival of the GenX engineers who were raised with calculators and computers, and it has gone downhill from there. The "diversity directorate" certainly cannot benefit NASA if it is in reality a quota system to ensure the presence of black and brown skin in the agency regardless of qualifications. It is my opinion that the newer scientists may not truly understand the mathematical concepts that underlie the physics because they are dependent on calculators to do the math. This may in part explain the rash of losses and mistakes we have witnessed in the past decade. It is a long way from the day when the Apollo mission control and flight engineers used slide rules to calculate trajectories. Those folks truly understood the physics because they worked them out by hand. On the other hand, the problems may be a consequence of undertaking more complex, difficult missions than in the past that have a higher potential for disaster. It's a good question, in my mind, however.

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

Also from NASA's site. I guess hiring capable people only is... reactionary.

Definition of Diversity "Diversity" includes a number of important human characteristics that affect an individual's values and opportunities and perceptions of self and others at work. These primary characteristics include, but are not limited to age, ethnicity, gender, ability, race, and sexual orientation. They also include secondary characteristics such as: geographic location, military experience, work experience, income, religion, first language, organizational role and level, communication style, family status, work style, and education. from Marilyn Loden "Implementing Diversity"

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

I know, it's not fair to say that if B follows A then A causes B, but I simply can't believe that one of NASA's 'diversity' goals is to employ people that may not be the best in their field (see 'ability' as part of their definition of 'diversity' above). It's like they are willing to tolerate disasters if that's what it takes to achieve their diversity goals.

[PeterPrinciple]

Peter Principle in action................read the book (maybe we need to make a movie for the liberals)

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

The managers will be advised of the goals and will be reminded of the Directorate’s plans for achieving maximum productivity through employing a culturally diverse workforce as part of their performance reviews.

[jammer]

That's what they say. That's not what it means in real life, and you know it. You don't have to shout. B.S. is B.S., no matter how loud you scream it.

[fivecatsandadog]

The managers will be advised of the goals and will be reminded of the Directorate’s plans for achieving maximum productivity through employing a culturally diverse workforce as part of their performance reviews.

I have yet to see "maximum productivity" as a result of employing a "culturally diverse workforce". If anything, quite the opposite is achieved. The non-minority "workforce" becomes bitter and non-productive. Discrimination of the non-minority population does not produce diversity. Diversity can not be forced. That's like manipulating the composition of water and expecting to get water.

[Bill Davis FR]

and america quickly slides down that multicultural path...good bless us all...

[MrB]

The seven astronauts were certainly diverse, but I have no doubt that they were the best at what they do.

I heard that if you looked at their resumes, you would think they were made up because these were outstanding achievers.

It is possible to have diversity and excellence.

Too often though, excellence is sacrificed on the diversity altar.

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

When a manager's 'performance review' depends on his subordinates' race, sexual orientation, or gender, then the manager is likely to consider these factors when hiring, promoting or keeping individuals in his team. I can imagine managers trading their employees: "I can let you have my extra homosexual if I can have 2 of your semi-retards".

[William Terrell]

Diversity can not be forced.

Careful. You may be getting uncomfortably close to Plessy v Ferguson.

[Renfield]

NASA's diversity initiative is indeed part of the problem. I am close to someone who was, at one time, very highly placed in the shuttle program, and he confirmed problems 10 years ago.

[abner]

Last night, she explained Mr. P's theory on what happened to the shuttle: Bill Clinton and environmental fanatics required NASA to change to a sub-standard tile adhesive.

Really? Things are looking up!

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

I don't believe it was the astronauts on board who brought down Columbia. But... speaking of which, I heard A LOT about the commander, the Israeli, the black guy and the 2 women. Almost nothing about THE OTHER 2 WHITE GUYS. Wonder why?

[fivecatsandadog]

will be reminded .....

I get visions of some poor guy sitting in a smokey, dark room with a single light-bulb hanging down over the table, while a guy in a cheap suit stands back in the corner....