[usbreply]

> The entire internet community came together to deride this

why the persecution complex ? Yes there was criticism, but there is always criticism of everything on the internet.

Another proud Indian.

[melling]

Yes, but the people who do a lot of the criticizing seem to just shrug their shoulders then start criticizing the next thing. As humans, we often don't learn from our mistakes. And in democratic societies, we expend a lot of energy dealing with the noise.

[Cthulhu_]

Almost nobody will admit to being wrong. Plus a lot of people take a lot of satisfaction from being negative about things.

[humanrebar]

On the other hand, people should have listened to critics before the Titanic, the Hindenburg, the last Columbia launch, the last Challenger launch, the Big Dig, the Iraq War, the launch of the Obamacare websites, and a bunch of other large undertakings.

The critics were wrong in this case, but writing them off as noise can lead to other mistakes.

[sidcool]

Not a persecution complex. I did not argue then, I don't wish to deride anyone now. It's just that I feel good about this. Developing countries taking to space. Humanity is progressing.

[eidyia]

Proud: "feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of one's [b]own[/b] achievements"

By definition neither you or sidcool are proud (unless you actually/literally helped the project), you must be looking for a different word, perhaps pleased

[gnurag]

I believe he /literally/ helped the project by paying his taxes on time.

The government plays ads on local TV channels urging citizens to pay their taxes on time and that the money helps government execute projects like this.

[sean_the_geek]

proud:feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of one's own achievements, qualities, or possessions or those of someone with whom one is closely associated.

you conveniently left the second part "or those of someone with whom one is closely associated."

[Cthulhu_]

Pedantic much? You know what he meant.