Weird Things

WT: Do the Dew


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The episode opens with a discussion of NASA's wet dress rehearsal for the SLS rocket, the Artemis program, and the tension between the expensive, delayed SLS approach and SpaceX's lower-cost reusable systems. The hosts note that SLS has repeatedly run into problems and that Starship is still unproven, while also arguing that having multiple launch providers is strategically useful. They then broaden into a critique of defense contracting and military logistics, saying the system is often inefficient because of procurement structures, reporting incentives, and the hidden importance of mundane logistics. The conversation then shifts to Elon Musk becoming Twitter's largest shareholder and what that might mean. The hosts argue that Twitter matters less as a place where news is created and more as a news-distribution and amplification engine, with 'King Media' and social proof determining what gets attention. They also debate moderation, free speech, hate speech, and the limits of platform-wide rules, including references to the Hunter Biden laptop episode, ISIS remaining on the platform, and Germany's speech laws. Key topics SLS versus SpaceX and the cost of space launch procurement: The hosts compare NASA's SLS to SpaceX's reusable launch approach, stressing SLS delays, overruns, and high costs while noting that Starship remains unproven and that multiple launch providers may be wise. Defense-industry incentives and cost-plus contracting: They argue that defense contracting can
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Weird ThingsBy Andrew Mayne

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