Space Technology: a Critical Investment for Our Nation’s Future by Bobby Braun Essay

Introduction

The author devoted the article called Space Technology: A Critical Investment for our Nation to discussing the advantages of the process and positive outcome of the American aerospace industry. He mentions the large history of technological investments and their influence on the US’ economic prosperity and how NASA is dealing with financial complications as a leading organization on aerospace development. Bobby Braun’s main goal, in my opinion, was to shed the light on the complexities of highly innovative American technology and promote the investment in space discovering of NASA. Indeed, the writer argues that people’s great expectations are reasonable and justified when it comes to space technology. To my mind, Bobby Braun wants to manipulate the readers about the continuation of working on space technology. Moreover, three modes of persuasion are used to reel in the audience being politicians about all the successful works of Nasa. The author uses facts to focus on the depth development of the idea on space technology in order to show a convincing reasoning.

Summary of article

The publisher of the article, Bobby Braun, is a retiring chief technologist of NASA, so he is surely well-aware of the technicalities of this global organization. The author recalls all the great achievements of NASA, states the aerospace-related discoveries. Moreover, the chief technologist argues that space development is suffering from the problem of underinvestment and emphasizes the significance of space research and its affirmative influence on America’s technological leadership on the planet. The audience, the publisher is dedicating his article to, is the new generation of open-minded young people who can make many positive changes in the industry if they learn necessary information. Robert D. Braun says, “For many of the tens of thousands of engineering and science students in our nation’s universities today, the space program provides the opportunity to invent technologies…” (8^th paragraph). Therefore, the author is hoping to attract students in space engineering. Further, the chief technologist assumes that NASA can continue its quick and efficient development in the nearest future and all the Americans’ expectations are valid and based on the real statistics of company’s modernization.

Logos

In the text, the author uses logos for better persuasion, this term can be described as an argument that appeals to readers’ logic and intellect. There are quite a few various examples of using logos in the article because it is a very useful method of making convincing and powerful writing. Bobby Braun mentions the statistics of the governmental investment to prove his idea that NASA is underinvested: “…sustained federal investment in space technology, at a funding level approaching 5 percent of NASA’s budget” (8^th paragraph). Moreover, the author uses multiple sociological terms and phrases, such as rocket science or deep-space exploration future, to make his arguments persuasive. Thus, the audience has to believe the writer when he is using this rhetoric skill.

Ethos

Another important rhetorical method in persuasion is called ethos which is usually used to catch readers’ attention and understanding by referring to the writer’s authority or credibility. Indeed, in the very end of Bobby Braun’s work, the audience learns about his profession and devotion to NASA’s industry. His professional background, “Braun is retiring as the NASA chief technologist”, makes the readers value author’s opinions and suggestions (the last paragraph). The readers realize that the author is responsible for his words because of his credibility: “NASA will mature the systems required for its future missions while lowering the cost of other government agency…” (6^th paragraph). The audience believes in what Bobby Braun believes in because he has well-known reputation and supported arguments.

Pathos

The third mode of persuasion that was identified by Aristotle that is frequently used in this text is called pathos. It is a method of powerful writing when the author appeals to the emotions and feelings of the audience. Bobby Braun is using bright and expressive words to underline the main issues and amplify his voice, “America is beginning an exciting new chapter in human space exploration” (5^th paragraph). In this example, the writer wants to make people excited and hopeful about new space discoveries and explorations. Robert B. Braun mentions, “America is beginning an exciting new chapter in human space exploration in basic and applied research” (4^th paragraph). By invoking these strong emotions Bobby Braun makes the audience empathetic towards the main author’s ideas, so they are easily convinced in the great and promising future of the NASA company.

Counterarguments and Logical Fallacies

The arguments of Bobby Braun are quite persuasive and interesting; however, I have found two quite controversial opinions of him that are not backed by scientific research. First, the author constantly mentions the positive impact of space exploration on the socio-economical level of the US. Nevertheless, he does not discuss that the money that goes to aerospace technology could have gone to satisfy the needs of regular Americans who do not benefit from any of the federal investments in this sphere. Second, Bobby Braun argues that it is highly significant to put more resources in space technology in the future. On the contrary, many scientists talk about much more relevant ecology-related issues that need urgent funding to stop the inevitable climate crisis.

Conclusion

To conclude, I find Bobby Braun’s opinions quite convincing and captivating because he uses powerful modes of persuasion: logos, ethos, and pathos. The article seems rather sincere and personal because he is professionally influenced by NASA and its innovations. The writing becomes effective in convincing people and promoting the idea that space technology is essential for the development of our country. However, the audience may provide some aforementioned counterarguments which makes Braun’s writing ponderous and thought-provoking for the reader.

Work Cited

Braun, Bobby. “Space Technology: A Critical Investment for Our Nation’s Future.” The Hill (2011).