Intel Science Talent Search 2010 - Erika DeBenedictis

[CosmicKitten89]

@5random1 That's all nice, but I am concerned that her privileged background might affect her sense of reality. In one news interview she stated that faulty faucet design is a serious problem. Is she fully aware that some people cannot afford water to come out of their poorly designed faucets?

Also, the messed up thing is that she did not have the privilege of competing with the best of the best, just the best of those who had the privilege to do this kind of thing:(

[CosmicKitten89]

@5random1 I hate to burst your bubble, but, having done some research on Miss DeBenedictis, I have discovered that she has had everything handed to her. Where are the real heroes -- those that triumph against the odds, that WORK for everything they have?

It depresses me that there don't seem to be any...:'(

[QuantumTheorist]

What an intelligent, elegant, and beautiful young lady. I think I'm in love!

[anyusmoon1]

Astroid mining done via low energy paths... sort of like taking a barge rather than a jet. :-) Pretty cool.

[GrapheneNanobubble]

Just spin mercury around a circular base at extreme speeds while keeping it from freezing to create anti gravtiy - duh! lol jk

[Eisenmond]

I love where she is going, but basic orbital dynamics teaches about gravitational assists, and the downside to this constant falling technology is time - she stated "it takes a little more time" but when you are talking raw ore or human travelling, a 6 month trip is much more appealing to the psyche and the pocketbook than a 9 year interplanetary mission.

Now, if we are talking about unmanned probes, you have to take into account vehicle lifespan and specific mission objectives. Tough sell

[James120756]

Congratulations Erika! You give me hope for the next generation. After 15 years of working with young people from delinquent backgrounds, its really encouraging to see this kind of success.

[CosmicKitten89]

@James120756 She is NOT from a delinquent background. Now IF she were, she would be my hero.  No such luck:(

[CosmicKitten89]

@James120756 Are you insulting us "delinquents"?

I could have easily become a delinquent, after all that has happened to me, but I chose not to; I chose to reach for the stars like Erika has.

Unfortunately, that background of mine has repressed me. I had an abusive and bullysome foster parent who treated me like I was retarded (which isn't the same as Asperger's Syndrome).

So far seeing rich kids doing this kind of thing only gives me hope for the next generation of rich kids:(

[fw5blue]

Congrats! I am currently teaching a science literacy course and you will inspire these kids to follow their own scientific passions! Of course, when you wondered what else could be done with your research, I thought, 'space pirates!'

[deepelements]

wow what a sharp young lady!! and super attractive as well.

[matt247ryan]

we should always congratulate someone so young for having the maturity to take an interest in something other than mtv and britney spears. this is how we make progress. the part i like most though is at the end where all the chinese are gathered round looking on with envious eyes!

i love the

[CosmicKitten89]

@matt247ryan But she's RIIIIIIIIIIICH! Her daddy probably pushed it on her...

He's a computer scientist:/

[kiroo54]

sounds like a dummy

[YamilGU]

would you explain why?

[Prestonboy13]

shes hot

[Snowflake70]

@Prestonboy13 Intelligence is just plain sexy.

[kurtu5]

Probably a linux cluster doing some sort of monte carlo.

[DestroyerOfWorldz]

Cray.

[themeloninc]

Mac or PC?

[ziqueez]

puh-lease, you'll need at least a linux to be taken seriously by the scientific community, although your own OS is preferred.