Keith Watanabe * NET 2.0

I've been viewing NASA's webpage regarding their future Mars exploration missions.  Now that Phoenix is well on its way towards the Red planet, there's only one mission left that has its own dedicated website.  And only within the past few months has that site been updated (sad to say).

I'm a huge believer that constantly updated content equals an increase in the public's potential interest in material (as well as the distribution of that content through forms of syndication like RSS feeds via bloggers  like myself).  When the content of a website is left unchanged, there is absolutely no reason for the public to return, thus being able to spark interest in a topic.  With NASA and this site, I think they need to put an equal amount of effort in journalism to stimulate the interest of the public at large, rather than being these scientists who are a bit introverted with their thoughts.

Even if no concrete, critical updates are being made on a daily basis, blogs or small news items on discoveries or thought processes are very much appreciated.  This helps providing the stimulus for the public to want to learn more about what goes on with groups like NASA, especially for tantalizing programs like the Mars exploration missions.

Of course, that's not to say that all facets of their website are like this.  However, I do personally believe that Mars is a real critical point in mankind's future and that part of NASA's duty to the world is to create interest to help push the public in asking the government to divert their tax money towards such programs.  People seem to react more towards an issue like a faulty bridge where tons of finger pointing go on, as opposed to something progressive and cool like a Mars probe being successfully launched.  It's really disconcerting for me seeing this type of thing take place in society.