Importance Score: 35 / 100 🔵
Joe Rogan Critiques All-Female Blue Origin Space Flight, Dismissing Fan Acclaim
Comedian and podcaster Joe Rogan has voiced strong criticism of the recent all-female Blue Origin space flight, questioning the widespread praise and admiration directed toward the participants. Rogan specifically targeted celebrities like Katy Perry and Lauren Sanchez, among others on the flight crew, for what he perceived as an exaggerated celebration of a brief suborbital journey. The commercial spaceflight, which reached approximately 66 miles above Earth, has faced scrutiny for barely crossing the threshold of space, prompting many to question its significance.
Public Reaction and Katy Perry’s Role
Pop star Katy Perry has received particular attention following the flight. Upon returning to Earth, Perry kissed the ground and delivered a speech describing the experience as a “supernatural journey,” remarks that some critics have labeled as “tone deaf.”
Rogan, in his podcast, specifically addressed Perry’s gesture of bringing a daisy on the 11-minute flight, using it to symbolize what he considered the trivial nature of the expedition. “It demonstrates how short the flight was,” Rogan commented sarcastically, noting that “the dead daisy, severed from its life source, was still alive.”
Flight Participants and Comedian Commentary
The Blue Origin spacecraft carried a crew of women including Perry and Sanchez, alongside CBS co-host Gayle King, filmmaker Kieranne Flynn, NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, and civil rights activist Amanda Nguyne. The brief zero-gravity excursion has become a focal point of public and media discussion.
During a podcast episode featuring comedian Tim Dillon, Rogan continued his critique, sarcastically acknowledging the “profound” nature of the short trip.
“It was very profound. I don’t know if you’ve seen Katy Perry talk about it, but she’s basically a guru now,” Rogan stated, injecting sarcasm into his remarks.
Dillon questioned the flight’s duration, asking if the women were “up there what? 10 minutes?” Rogan responded with further sarcasm, “Let’s not minimize this. Let’s celebrate female astronauts.”
Contrasting Commercial Flight with Professional Space Missions
The comedians drew a contrast between Perry and Sanchez being lauded as ‘astronauts‘ and the recent return of NASA astronaut Suni Williams from an extended mission of nearly 10 months on the International Space Station. They implied irony in the casual use of the term “astronaut” for participants in a brief commercial flight.
Joe Rogan criticized the all-female Blue Origin space flight and the celebratory reactions to what he deemed a short trip to the edge of space.
Rogan specifically targeted Perry for bringing a daisy on the 11-minute flight, stating, “It shows you how quick the flight was, the dead daisy that’s snipped from its life source was still alive.”
Singer Katy Perry faced mockery after the flight for kissing the Earth upon landing and describing the experience as a “supernatural journey.”
Satirical Comparison and Perry’s Scientific Claims
Rogan and Dillon satirized the enthusiastic praise for the all-female flight, contrasting it with the effects on seasoned astronauts like Williams, whose extended space mission resulted in visible physical changes such as graying hair.
“These ladies seem fine though,” Dillon commented, adding to the sarcastic tone.
“Well, for now, let’s not minimize this,” Rogan reiterated, his tone clearly indicating jest. “Let’s not minimize the sacrifice they’ve made for a great nation, for the world, in fact. They’re profoundly different now.”
Rogan suggested that celebrating the Blue Origin flight in the same vein as professional space missions was patronizing to dedicated female astronauts, noting the rigorous selection and military backgrounds typically associated with space travel compared to participants like Perry.
Perry also faced ridicule for comments regarding her scientific background prior to the space flight. She claimed to have prepared by “listening to Cosmos by Carl Sagan and reading a book on string theory.”
“I’ve always been interested in astrophysics and interested in astronomy and astrology and the stars. We are all made of stardust, and we all come from the stars,” Perry stated before the mission.
The commercial spacecraft carried Perry and Sanchez, along with CBS co-host Gayle King, filmmaker Kieranne Flynn, and NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe on the brief zero-gravity excursion.
Questions on the Flight’s Purpose and Impact
Following Perry’s remarks regarding her scientific interests, Dillon questioned on the podcast, “What were her findings? That’s my question. What did she learn?”
“Well, she brought a daisy, which was super important,” Rogan responded facetiously.
“It shows you how quick the flight was, the dead daisy that’s snipped from its life source was still alive, was still vibrant,” Rogan continued, emphasizing his point about the brevity of the trip.
Perry’s Reaction to Criticism
Sources indicated to DailyMail.com that Perry has been significantly affected by the backlash, reportedly surprised by the negative public perception labeling her actions as “tone deaf” and “embarrassing.”
“Katy doesn’t regret going to space. It was life changing. What she does regret is making a public spectacle out of it,” the insider reportedly disclosed to DailyMail.com.
Wendy’s Social Media Response
Adding to the criticism, fast food chain Wendy’s responded to a social media post suggesting to “send (Perry) back” to space.
Perry’s Blue Origin space mission was the subject of mockery by Wendy’s, who responded to a suggestion to “send her back” to space on social media.
Perry’s Post-Flight Statements on Unity and Love
In statements that were met with skepticism by some, Perry expressed that viewing Earth from space made her feel “connected to love.”
“I hope they can see the unity that we modeled and replicate that and understand that we weren’t just taking up space, we were making space for the future,” Perry stated during an interview with Good Morning America, in response to a question about the mission’s potential for “affect change.”
“And for me, like Gayle [King] said, this wasn’t a ride, it wasn’t a destination, it was a journey, and it was a supernatural one, and my journey has always been about love and belonging,” Perry concluded.