Zero-Gravity = Cheap Ego Stroke = Whitey On the Moon!

Billionaires blasting off into space to float around in zero-gravity for a few minutes, seems to be the stupidest & costliest of cheap thrills ever. As someone else pointed out, maybe it just perfectly demonstrates the ridiculous, unsustainable income disparity between rich and poor? Maybe it's time to adjust the tax code for filthy-rich billionaires?  WTF. The planet is burning. The people are jumpy. Lots of problems on terra-firma that need to be addressed. Some rich dude burning cash and fuel on a mad ego-burnishing-quest.  This is not a positive new trend. Reminds me of that great Gil Scott-Heron tune inspired by the first Moon Landing: "Whitey on the Moon." Yikes. Come on Humans, we can, and must do better.

Whitey On the Moon

A rat done bit my sister Nell.

(with Whitey on the moon)

Her face and arms began to swell.

(and Whitey's on the moon)

I can't pay no doctor bill.

(but Whitey's on the moon)

Ten years from now I'll be payin' still.

(while Whitey's on the moon)

The man jus' upped my rent las' night.

('cause Whitey's on the moon)

No hot water, no toilets, no lights.

(but Whitey's on the moon)

I wonder why he's uppi' me?

('cause Whitey's on the moon?)

I was already payin' 'im fifty a week.

(with Whitey on the moon)

Taxes takin' my whole damn check,

Junkies makin' me a nervous wreck,

The price of food is goin' up,

An' as if all that sh*t wasn't enough

A rat done bit my sister Nell.

(with Whitey on the moon)

Her face an' arm began to swell.

(but Whitey's on the moon)

Was all that money I made las' year

(for Whitey on the moon?)

How come there ain't no money here?

(Hm! Whitey's on the moon)

Y'know I jus' 'bout had my fill

(of Whitey on the moon)

I think I'll sen' these doctor bills,

Airmail special

(to Whitey on the moon)

by Gil Scott-Heron - 1970