Says dumb
It would be easier to teach a trained astronaut how to run a drill than to teach drillers to be astronauts. The film's reason is a punchline, not an argument.
Why did NASA train oil drillers instead of sending astronauts?
Armageddon
Armageddon (1998)
At 0:25:00
Verdict: Guilty. 82% of viewers say this is dumb. Top defense: The film says the drillers have the specific skill and astronauts could not learn drilling in time.
Guilty
82% dumb18% explained
1,400 votes
Dumbness rating
7.6/ 10(1,400 ratings)Easy solution ignoredInconsistent competence
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What happens in this scene
NASA's plan is to drill into the asteroid and set off a nuclear bomb inside it. The agency recruits a team of experienced oil drillers and gives them a short training course. The film says it is easier to train drillers to be astronauts than the other way around.
The tone toggle also switches the reviews below. Contains spoilers for this scene only.
Reviews 4
Says dumb
The film's logic is that drillers are tough, so they can be astronauts. A reasonable person would send a small team of both and call it a day.
Says explained
The film states a reason: there is no time to train a crew of astronauts in a technical skill. It is a convenient premise, but it is the premise.
Says explained
It is fine, the film said so.
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Actually, it’s explained
The film says the drillers have the specific skill and astronauts could not learn drilling in time.
- DumbScenesStaff10 months ago
The film says the drillers have the specific skill and astronauts could not learn drilling in time.
- canon_keeperFounding Critic #3Supporter4 months ago
The premise is stated once and the rest of the film follows it.
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Quick Fix
Fixes are written by people. The smallest change, in 200 characters or fewer, that would have fixed the scene. AI is used only for duplicate detection, length and moderation.
Add a lineAccepted fix
Add one line from Truman: 'We tried to train astronauts for this. Drilling at that depth takes ten years, not ten days.'
Would this fix it?93% say yes
DumbScenesStaff9 months ago
A newer idea
Change an action
Pair each driller with an astronaut who has two weeks of drilling training. The film keeps its cast and it makes sense.
Would this fix it?61% say yes
script_doctor_samSupporter1 month ago
Suggest a fix
Also asked as
- Why not train astronauts to drill?
- Why did NASA send oil drillers to the asteroid?