Preface: This document was released one year ago. Which would make it ineligible for publication on almost any other news-pegged blog -- except this one! Because Pop Vox didn't exist a year ago, and therefore, we couldn't write about this very newsworthy thing at the time of its Very Newsworthiness.
[Insert title card: One Year Later...]
A full list, in PDF format, of all the books, movies and songs aboard the space station. Why? Why not?! is really the question here. Currently bumping up against the state capitals now in my Brain Attic is the knowledge that astronauts can watch the second -- but not first, or third -- installments of the Austin Powers. (That's "The Spy Who Shagged Me," for curious parties). And that "Elephunk," the Black-Eyed Peas third effort, is indeed available for blasting at any NASA pregames or mixers.
Not surprisingly, the titles in all genres skew scientific, nerdy and boyish. In the mood for a romantic comedy? If you're not feeling "Sleepless in Seattle" or "Something's Gotta Give," well, you're S.O.L.
Also, as NEWSWEEK videographer Sarah Frank -- the sharp eyes behind this discovery -- points out: there are some Oxford reference books in up there. Meaning, yes: NASA has yet to embrace the Kindle, against all odds and physical formulas about drag and weight and velocity and crap. There are, in fact, still some heavy-ass reference books in elliptical orbit. Which has got to make some people at Encyclopedia Brittanica perk up. There's hope, guys!
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
