What Would the Setbacks Do?
Email questions to advice[at]thesetbacks.com
Anyone interested in visiting space?
November 18th, 2010
Buzz Hammer writes:
Hi guys,
I work for NASA at the White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico as the lead recruitment officer for all of our testing programs. We're reaching out to dormant, obscure rock bands in an effort to gain a better understanding into the effects of zero gravity on mild to moderate hearing loss caused by rock music, as well as the effect of zero gravity on receding hairlines. It was suggested to me by a mutual friend that The Setbacks would be excellent candidates for both of these studies.
Now, before we launch you into space you'll have to complete some pretty rigorous training. It's no Sunday cakewalk in the park, boys. Some of you might feel sick and even throw up. But after you complete your 3 week training stint you'll be invited to participate in the next space mission to make repairs to a highly-advanced type of coffee maker on the International Space Station.
I realize you're all Canadian citizens but I'd like to expedite your entry into the U.S. on temporary work visas that will grant you special permission to undergo the training and the subsequent mission into space.
Yours truly,
Buzz
![]() Trevor |
Listen BUZZ! I think space is awesome so count me in! But I don’t think I will need the training, I’m in pretty good space travel shape. Everyday I spend about 2 hours on a trampoline, and when I’m at the very top of the jump there is an instant where I feel weightless. I’m pretty sure it’s the same as space. I also eat only dehydrated food, so I’m ready there too.
Also, I heard that astronauts keep a cyanide pill in their mouths during space walks so that they can kill themselves if they start floating away. Cancel mine; I think suffocating while floating in the eternal expanse of space would be a better way to go. I know we’ll need Chris’ participation to help you on the receding hairline study, so I’ll try to talk him into it. |
|---|---|
![]() Steve |
Hi Buzz,
I was in White Sands earlier this year for the regatta. Had a wonderful time. On the subject of space travel, I'm definitely interested. I know you didn't mention any specific dates, but my schedule's just been really nuts lately and I'm not sure I can 100% commit to much of anything at this point. You know how it is... I'm slammed at the office and I've got hockey starting back up so that totally cuts into one evening a week. On top of that, I've been meaning to get some stuff done around the house... just a bit of tidying up here and there (nothing major) but it always helps to set aside a bit of time to make sure that it gets done. Anyways, like I said - space sounds really cool and I definitely think that it'd be neat to go - but I'm just not sure timing-wise if it's going to work. Can you maybe text me when you're about to start the training and I can let you know if it's do-able or not? There's just a chance I might be really bushed and want to veg in front of the TV for a night. I know... L-A-M-E... but I'm still getting over this cold and I don't want to have to deal with another bout of the sniffles. You know how it is. |
![]() Paul |
Hey Buzz,
Space travel is serious business. As a person that gets nauseous just thinking about spinning, I’m torn. I relate space travel, for the purpose of this metaphor, to Mexican catamaran tours. Sure they sound like they would be amazing but are you going to enjoy the beautiful scenery or are you going to be passed out in the hull of the ship. For the sake of science, I will assume that my hearing loss and queasiness won’t eliminate me from going to space. Space travel would be amazing. Being in an environment where you are weightless and can view the Earth from a point of view only a handful of people have seen would be worth any amount of crazy training or tests. This question has really peaked my interest. What if we were the first band in space? Would our instruments make any sound? Would the sound go out into space forever? These are really important questions that I think NASA should approach. I’m pretty sure the other guys would be interested…. except for Saracino. Drummers are a dime a dozen. I’m sure we could find someone to join us in space. Thanks for the question. |
![]() Chris |
Hi Buzz,
First of all - are you related to Justin Hammer? You know - Sam Rockwell's character in Iron Man 2? Ha ha. I know you're not. Thought I'd break the ice. First of all...I'm semi very interested. I love coffee, and I have a receding hairline. Only problem is...I've zero interest in going to space, thinking about space, or even watching movies about space. Know why? Cuz we don't fucking belong there. The other day 2010: A Space Odyssey was on AMC. Well I shook my head and changed the channel. No thanks. I'd rather watch 13 going on 30 50 times than think about the vortex that is the observable universe. I've devised some pros and cons for you to consider before embarking on this stupid idea... Pros about space: Quiet View of the earth (depending on where you are - if you're on Saturn, the view sucks). Cons about space: It's crazy Vacuum No air Dark It sucks Need a special suit Your food is in a toothpaste tube Expensive trip Insane If the rest of the gents want to play with their lives as they would a series of chips in a no holds barred game of Crazy Eights - so be it. I'm fine on earth. Also - what the hell makes you think I would be willing to get whipped around like a can of paint at Color Your World before being launched into space? That's the shittiest part of getting prepped to go there. I can barely handle even fucking looking at the Gravitron from the Bank Street bridge in Ottawa when when EX is going down in the summer. Thanks - but no thanks. |



