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K-Pop’s Biggest Labels Join Forces to Plan Coachella-Style Global Festival
A ‘K-pop Coachella’ might be coming. The industry’s biggest players are in talks to launch a massive global event.
\'It\'s personal to me\': Bill requiring mental health awareness training for coaches passes in state House
A bill requiring mental health awareness training for school athletics staff is headed to the Pennsylvania Senate after passing in the state House on Wednesday.
K-Pop’s Biggest Labels Are Joining Forces to Build a Coachella Rival Called ‘Fanomenon’
K-pop’s Big 4 are considering a Coachella-style event that could launch as early as 2027.
Volunteers Discover Rare Space Weather Events Using Their Ears
Scientists are working to understand exactly how these waves behave, and the team behind NASA’s Heliophysics Audified: Resonances in Plasmas (HARP) citizen science project approaches this in a unique way: they compare the Earth’s magnetic field to a giant harp in space.
West Salem High teacher advocates for unified sports as Mrs. Salem pageant contestant
A West Salem High School teacher is using a pageant platform to advocate for inclusion and unified sports programs across Oregon.
Pop star boyfriend posting from Coachella, celebrity statesman, global brand: Justin Trudeau’s offbeat political afterlife
While Canadian prime ministers have taken staid routes after leaving office, Trudeau has tread a different path
Atrium Health doubles down on Carolina Panthers partnership with new naming rights deal
Atrium Health and the NFL Carolina Panthers have reached a long-term extension of the health-care system’s sponsorship that adds naming rights to an indoor practice facility now under construction near Bank of America Stadium.
Columbus Business Beat: Capitol Square plan on pause, The Little Bar demolition
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – This week on Columbus Business Beat, Digital Anchor Rachel Ramsey talks to Mark Somerson, Managing Editor of Columbus Business First, about business news across ce…
Coachella 2026: We talked to L.A.'s beloved Bob Baker Marionettes about the festival
The Bob Baker Marionettes made their Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival debut on April 10.
CBS Has Revealed What's Taking Over Stephen Colbert's Time Slot — And It's Not A New Host
After three decades, the 11:35 p.m. slot is going to look a lot different.
Rachel Reeves warns other budgets may be cut to lift defence spending
Chancellor says she is ‘working through a range of options’ to boost the armed forces but does not want to put up taxes
Coachella 2026: 4 differences between Weekend 1 and 2
What's different at Coachella's second weekend? For starters, Anyma will get another chance to debut his set at the festival and Kacey Musgraves has been added to the lineup.
Cuba Tried to Deliver Secret Letter Directly to Trump Via a Cuban Businessman
Analysts saw the missive as an attempt to go around Secretary of State Marco Rubio, though it’s unclear whether the message reached the president
Small business owner travels from SA to California as official vendor for Karol G pop-up event
Around her birthday, the woman behind San Antonio boutique Chasing Camila learned that she’d been selected as an official vendor at Karol G’s “Bichota” Flea Market — a pop-up event in California during Coachella.
Connecting to Community Business Leaders through Storytelling
As a part of Montclair State University’s mission, deepening our understanding of shared experiences is an important part of our work. This Spring Session, Bloomfield Campus Library provided the space for an open discussion about leadership for Black and Latina women. Bloomfield Campus Library invited a panel of speakers to reflect on their journeys as […]
UNC Hussman offers new sports play-by-play class | UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media
This story, written by UNC Hussman alumna Caroline Daly ’24, was originally published on unc.edu. The UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media has a new, hands-on class available for students interested in sports careers. Students in “MEJO 390: Sports Commentary and Play-By-Play” can call live radio broadcasts for Carolina sporting events, streamed live on the Go Heels website. This spring, 11 students are calling mostly softball games to gain experience and learn the preparation needed for a successful broadcast. The class is capped at a small number to provide consistent, individual feedback. Matt Krause, the radio voice of Carolina women’s basketball, teaches the class to help students sharpen their skills, using his experience with the Tar Heels and calling games for ACC Network and ACC Network Extra. “There is no substitute for live reps, and that is the only way you get better. The classroom component teaches you how to get better, but going about that requires sitting in that chair, making mistakes and being able to know your broadcast is going somewhere,” Krause said. “These students are doing real live games, and they will have tape where if they want to pursue this. They will have ready-made demos to send for jobs. Being able to utilize all the resources of UNC, GoHeels Productions and the Carolina Athletics brand and create these opportunities for students is really impactful.” In the class, students learn fundamentals like how to announce starting lineups for different sports and how to conduct research before games. Krause has led the class in mock preparation exercises, looking at game charts with information about the different teams and players that they can refer to at pivotal moments during the game. Krause and the students then critique each other, listening to clips from the past week to find ways to improve. It’s a rare class without a slew of quizzes or assignments. Their main tasks are calling games and making a portfolio or demo reel of their best calls at the end of the semester, all with the goal of being ready to step into similar roles after graduation. Laible live streams her coverage on the GoHeels website. Calling a live game while broadcasting her coverage allows her to get hands on experience. (Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill) Junior Anna Laible ’27 wished for a class just like this. Her first year at Carolina, she interned with the Coastal Plain League, where she was introduced to play-by-play for baseball. “I enjoy the challenge and uncertainty of each game being different because each sport looks a little different,” said Laible. “Each game is different — not just with teams but what could happen with certain records being broken or random trends. That’s what I enjoy most.” She wanted more opportunities for reps during college to prepare for a career after Carolina, so she pitched an idea for the class to Livis Freeman ’99, distinguished associate professor of sports communication. Laible and Freeman reached out to GoHeels Productions for a partnership and then connected with Krause. “This is how at UNC Hussman we separate ourselves: Our students go into the field ready,” said Freeman. “The biggest compliment we get it is when our students start their careers, they don’t need any hand-holding.” Laible calls a Carolina softball game at Kessing Stadium – after pitching the idea to Hussman faculty. Her interest in sports commentary allowed her to apply her interest as she attends Carolina. (Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill) Laible is now a student in the class, which has helped her strengthen her skills and deepen her passion for the field. The goal is to expand to other sports like soccer, lacrosse and field hockey. “The hands-on experience I’ve gotten here is invaluable. I’ve loved the classes and professors because they’ve taught me a lot, but it’s also the things outside of class, too, that have helped me grow,” said Laible. “Since being at UNC, I’ve grown a lot in the versatility, from doing writing to production and commentating. UNC Hussman and Carolina have given me the ability to be strong and well rounded.”
The making of modern science
Any history of the West's scientific revolution must explain how science generates new discoveries and ways of thinking about the natural world. Social-constructivist approaches have failed to provide a convincing account.
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D Is Making A Comeback In Q2 2026 As AM4 Turns 10
AMD is re-launching the Ryzen 7 5800X3D in Q2 2026, featuring 8 cores, 16 threads, and 3D V-Cache for superior gaming performance.
Spectrum Science hires MSL’s chief client officer to lead comms offering
Lisa Talbot started in the role last month.
Gina Procaccio to be Inducted to the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
PHILADELPHIA—Villanova women's track & field and cross country head coach Gina Procaccio earned a top honor on Thursday morning when she was announced as part of the 23rd inductee class to the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame. Procaccio will be recognized along with other top athletes, coaches, contributors, and teams whose legacies have shaped the rich history of Philadelphia sports when the 2026 Inductee Class is celebrated on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at Live! Casino & Hotel Event Center. The public is invited to join in honoring these remarkable individuals and teams.
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s pathetic 'science of reading' fiasco
Credit Gov. Kathy Hochul with recognizing that New York needs to drastically up its game when it comes to teaching kids to read — but mock her for paying the state teachers' union to produce a...
Only the champions might be happy with Minnesota’s student-athlete transfer system
Inside an imperfect system: Because the high school league is “not an investigative body,” athletic directors own the burden of enforcing Minnesota’s trust-based transfer process. Coaches are often caught in the middle, too.
NBA says Ball's takedown of Adebayo should have been flagrant, merited ejection
The NBA says Charlotte's LaMelo Ball should have been ejected for an uncalled flagrant foul when he reached out and tugged on the ankle of Miami's Bam Adebayo.
Safe2Eat in 2026 – Science-backed guidance for all Europeans!
Now in its sixth year, Safe2Eat remains a flagship EU-wide initiative designed to make food safety science accessible and relevant to everyday life. By translating complex scientific knowledge into practical guidance, the campaign helps consumers better understand how food safety works and how it supports their health and wellbeing.Growing reach across Europe and neighbouring countriesSince its launch, Safe2Eat has steadily expanded its geographical scope. From an initial group of 9 participating countries, the campaign reaches 23 countries across Europe and beyond in 2026. This year’s edition...
Indigenous Leadership for Health: Virtual Preparatory Webinar to UNPFII 2026
English - French - Portuguese - Spanish - Russian Indigenous Peoples have the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. WHO invites you to join Indigenous Leadership for Health, a virtual preparatory webinar to the 25th Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII 2026), to be held on Thursday, 16 April 2026, from 13:30 to 16:00 CEST, via Zoom. Interpretation will be available in English, French, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.This event brings together Indigenous leaders working on health to help shape the forthcoming WHO Global Plan of Action on the Health of Indigenous Peoples (GPoA). It is co-organized by WHO, the Government of Brazil, the Government of the Philippines, and the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health.The webinar will be divided into two parts, each with a corresponding objective:Part I – Contents of the draft Global Plan of Action. Part I's objective is to provide an update on the process for development of the Global Plan of Action on the Health of Indigenous Peoples, to share important lessons learnt from previous work and inputs received thus far, and to invite participants to send written inputs to the Plan. The linkages to the health topics to be discussed at the forthcoming UNPFII will also be highlighted.Part II – Panel on Indigenous Leadership for Health. Part II's objective is to highlight Indigenous leadership, knowledge systems, and community-driven approaches that contribute to improving the health and well-being of Indigenous Peoples, through the sharing of select country and regional examples.Registration is free and open to all. Register hereWe encourage all Indigenous organizations, communities, partners, and individuals to join us and contribute to this important global process.
UC Health reaches milestone with 10,000 robotic surgeries: ‘Incredibly proud’
UC Health has achieved a major milestone, completing 10,000 robotic surgeries that are transforming operating rooms with advanced technology.
PinkPantheress makes strong Seattle debut after Coachella 2026 performance
Fresh off her appearance at Coachella last weekend, the now almost 25-year-old British pop figure made her Seattle debut at WAMU Theater.
Rancho Mirage Chamber highlights sports and entertainment’s economic impact in Coachella Valley
Sports and live events are driving major growth in the Coachella Valley. The Rancho Mirage Chamber’s speaker series spotlighted how venues like Acrisure Arena a
The economic outlook of women’s sports reached a tipping point this week
This week's free sports business newsletter from The Athletic, featuring Amazon's NBA snafu, Tax Day and some outstanding story recs.
River City Science Academy teacher arrested, accused ‘grooming’ student using messages on Canva app
A River City Science Academy teacher was arrested Tuesday and charged with felony counts alleging he solicited a romantic relationship with a student and unlawfully used a communication device, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said.
Private credit's $20 billion redemption rush in 3 charts
Private credit redemptions reached record levels in the first quarter of this year, and these charts explain how investors asked for about $20 billion back.
Communicating About Measles for Health Professionals
Join our upcoming webinar to get the latest data, learn evidence-based communication approaches, and get practical tools to help professionals navigate conversations about measles vaccination, respond to concerns, and support informed decision-making.
At Guilford College, sports are more than a game
Guilford Professor Michael White teaches students to build careers not on wins, but on the experiences that endure.
Detroit science teacher named one of Michigan's best
DPSCD Teacher Shirley Brezzell was named the 2026 Elementary School Science Teacher of the year.
CMAT came to Coachella with politics on her mind and an Irish dance step for California
Irish country-pop star CMAT made her Coachella debut after achieving major fame at home, bringing her blend of American cultural obsession and Irish identity to California crowds.
Water main break causes headaches for Gwinnett County business owners
The water main break took over 12 hours to repair.
100 Points: Breaking Apart Bruins’ Win Over Devils
BOSTON – The Boston Bruins reached 100 points on Tuesday, and so did David Pastrnak, just in a different way. […] The post 100 Points: Breaking Apart Bruins’ Win Over Devils appeared first on Boston Hockey Now.
Aegon to sell UK business for 2 billion pounds to Standard Life
Aegon said on Tuesday it had reached an agreement with Standard Life to divest its UK business for a total consideration of 2 billion pounds ($2.7 billion).
Schmaltz scores 2 goals as Mammoth defeat Jets 5-3
Nick Schmaltz scored twice as the Utah Mammoth beat the Winnipeg Jets 5-3 on Tuesday night and secured the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Schmaltz scored his first goal for the Mammoth 4:54 into the second period on the power-play, assisted by Mikhail Sergachev and Dylan Guenther. He added a power-play goal 7:16 into the third, assisted by Logan Cooley and Clayton Keller.
Rezz Cancels Coachella Weekend Two Performance Due to Health Issues
The electronic musician has canceled her weekend two Coachella performance due health issues.
Former All-Star closer Brad Lidge is now an archaeologist
Some retired MLB players become coaches. Some retired MLB players become broadcasters. The former Phillies star chose a different path.
Atletico Madrid 1-2 Barcelona (agg: 3-2): Diego Simeone's men lose on the night but reach Champions League semi-finals
Atletico Madrid reached the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2016/17 after a 3-2 aggregate win over Barcelona.
Letter: It's not politics, it's the Gospel
"Funny how (Sen.) Cramer thinks it's OK to twist Biblical passages to defend his political cruelty, but not for the Pope to speak out on the very thing all ministers of the Gospel are called to proclaim – advocacy for the least of these and the message of peace, love, grace and acceptance that’s the core of who God is and what preachers are ordained to preach," writes Rev. Paula V. Mehmel.
OPINION | More than a vote: discovering my place in politics
In high school, I viewed politics as one of the most mind-numbing subjects imaginable. From my perspective, Congress was dominated by wealthy, older white men and my single vote felt insignificant, as though it could never truly represent me. Politics seemed distant, unrelatable and ultimately pointless. In 2024, however, Congress reached a record high of...
More than a vote: discovering my place in politics
In high school, I viewed politics as one of the most mind-numbing subjects imaginable. From my perspective, Congress was dominated by wealthy, older white men and my single vote felt insignificant, as though it could never truly represent me. Politics seemed distant, unrelatable and ultimately pointless. In 2024, however, Congress reached a record high of...
How the rewards app Freecash scammed its way to the top of the app stores
Freecash was removed from Apple's App Store after TechCrunch reached out for comment.
Ally Bank reached 50/50 spend on men’s and women’s sports. Now its CMO is taking on ‘fanflation’
Women’s sports are booming, but rising prices could push out the very fans who built them.
Hobbs Named Fellow of Indiana Academy of Science
Huntington University is a private, four-year, Christian school of the liberal arts in Indiana offering more than 70 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.
Ally reaches ’50/50 pledge’ on women’s sports spending ahead of schedule
The pledge, which aimed for gender parity in sports media investment within five years, has been realized in just four.
The best, boldest and most 'wait, what?' Coachella outfits — from Hailey Bieber's peekaboo lace to Joe Jonas's dad shorts
Celebrities are using Coachella as their runway. Here's a look at the best fashion from weekend one.
Ultimate science trip
Thirteen juniors and seniors, led by three Westminster Christian Academy science teachers, spent their spring break exploring Quito, Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands. The trip was an unforgettable hands-on journey
Civic Entertainment Group acquires Wave Kilo
The deal marks Civic’s first acquisition in the PR space.
Pirates’ Paul Skenes reaches historic milestone in 59 starts
As Paul Skenes continues to stack milestones early in his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the 23-year-old added another historic note Monday in a 16-5 rout of the Washington Nationals. Making just his fourth MLB start of the season, Skenes…
Southcoast Health recognizes team for patient discharge support
Marylouise Gamache and the EOHHS Complex Discharge Support Team received the Southcoast Health Hero for Health Award.
How Entertainment Exec Hassan Smith Built an Art Collection Championing Black Artists
Atlanta-based collector Hassan Smith, John Legend’s longtime advisor, approaches collecting art as a way to forge a legacy for his children.
The business of being Rachel Zoe
This week, I checked in on Rachel Zoe’s return to the spotlight and how she's leveraging value of the “Real Housewives” empire.
Class of 2026: As an Earth science teacher, Linda Le carries forward t
With two VCU degrees – including her new master’s from the School of Education – she will bring her classroom passion to new generations.
Bleacher Report Lists Diamondbacks Top 5 in MLB Power Rankings
BALTIMORE – The No. 4 spot in Bleacher Report’s latest power rankings says as much about identity as it performs.
4 shows to see in the Coachella Valley this weekend
Mariachazo will perform on Friday at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.
Justin Bieber’s YouTube Coachella set had nothing to do with who owns his music
“The Daily Mail is wrong about that.”
Scientists Uncover Brain Changes That Link Pain to Depression
A hidden process in the brain may quietly decide whether long-term pain results in resilience or depression.
Kansas baseball rises into top 25 of USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
Kansas baseball jumped into the top 25 of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. Take a look to see where the Jayhawks are going to be ranked this week.
ShinyHunters breached Rockstar Games in ransomware attack, sets April 14 deadline
Rockstar can't stop getting hacked.
College baseball rankings for Week 9: Updated USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, D1Baseball top 25
UCLA remains the top team in the updated USA TODAY Coaches college baseball rankings, but a number of teams saw sizeable drops and rises this week:
‘Wheel of Fortune’: Vanna White Parties With Her Kids at Coachella
The longtime co-host, 69, shares two adult children, Nikko and Gigi, with her ex-husband.
Student view: Celebrating learning as much as winning
Navya Bhardwaj will graduate on May 3 with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and engineering and minors in data science, and computational mathematics, science and engineering. She is president of MSU Women in Computing and served as co-director of SpartaHack.
Mackenzie Thomas Is The E-Girl Supreme
She doesn’t believe in “oversharing.” She isn’t afraid of her digital footprint. And she may have just inspired Justin Bieber’s Coachella performance.
Stanford HAI 2026 AI Index: AI posts gains in science and medicine while often struggling to read a clock
Stanford HAI’s 2026 AI Index paints a split-screen picture for R&D. In the report’s science chapter, “frontier models outperform human chemists on average on ChemBench,” yet “score below 20% on replication in astrophysics and 33% on Earth observation questions.” In medicine, the report reaches a similarly mixed conclusion, saying AI is transforming clinical care, but…
After shedding legacy units, Kustom cuts annual loss by nearly $12M
Revenue from continuing operations reached $13.8M as stockholders' equity rose $11.4M; stronger working capital backs Kustom's entertainment-only pivot.
Data Breaches Announced by DermCare Management; Option Care Health; Aetna
Data breaches have recently been announced by DermCare Management in Florida, Option Care Health in New York, and Aetna in Connecticut. DermCare Data breaches have recently been announced by DermCare Management in Florida, Option Care Health in New York, and Aetna in Connecticut.
Deloitte's Space Business Reaches New Heights as Two New Satellites Enter Orbit
/PRNewswire/ -- Key takeaways Deloitte-2 and Deloitte-3, launched on March 29, 2026, from Vandenberg Space Force Base to expand Deloitte's on-orbit footprint....
How to make a high-deductible health plan work for you
An elementary school teacher chose a low-price health insurance plan but soon realized she wasn't clear about what it would mean for her family's finances.
Coachella 2026: The 21 best moments from the fest's 25th-anniversary weekend
From Justin Bieber and his laptop to the high-production headlining sets from Sabrina Carpenter and Karol G and the best of everything in between at Coachella.
1 in 10 health ad dollars go to sites spreading misinformation
Advertising on health misinformation websites reached $336.4 million, with $35.7 million from public health entities, threatening credibility in health info.
What it takes to build Coachella's most recognizable icon
INDIO, Calif. — Scroll through Instagram any time in April and you'll see a stream of photos that are instantly recognizable as being from the Coachella Valley Music and Arts
About His Business
Elder Kearon teaches that callings from the Lord are tailor-made for our growth and that when we respond to a call, we don’t merely fill an assignment but join the Saviour in His redeeming work.
I rode in the Goodyear blimp over Coachella
The Times’ Mikael Wood got an invite to float over Coachella. Hey, why not?
Coachella 2026: The story of the festival's Ferris wheel, La Grande XL
You've seen Coachella's Ferris wheel throughout your social media feeds. We talked to the operators about what it takes to put together La Grande XL.
The transformative power of sports with Telemundo and FC Dallas
Players aged 5 – 12 took part in soccer clinics w/ FC Dallas coaches, giveaways & more!
Coachella 2026 YouTube livestream: How to watch Karol G on Sunday
How to watch Coachella 2026 Day 3 YouTube livestream: Karol G, BigBang, Laufey, Little Simz, Kaskade, Young Thug, FKA Twigs, Subtronics and more.
Mark Andrews calls new Ravens OC Declan Doyle 'dynamic'
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews describes new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle as 'dynamic' and a great teacher.
Politics chat: Vance says talks with Iran haven't reached an agreement
Vice President JD Vance said the U.S. and Iran did not reach an agreement to end the war after meeting on Saturday. Control over the Strait of Hormuz remains a flash point in the war.
Photos: Local business I-CYCLE teaches adults and children how to ride a bicycle
Photos: Local business I-CYCLE teaches adults and children how to ride a bicycle
UK’s Reeves to Set Out Plans to Help Business With Energy Bills
The UK government will set out plans to boost the competitiveness of businesses at a time of rising energy bills, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said, while warning against heavy government borrowing.
Trump Was Watching a U.F.C. Fight in Miami While Iran Talks Collapsed
On his way to Florida, President Trump said it did not matter to him if a deal with Iran was reached or not: “We win, regardless,” he said.
Photo highlights from the Coachella Music and Arts Festival
INDIO, Calif. (AP) — The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, in its 25th edition, returns to the Empire Polo Club.
10 minutes backstage with David Lee Roth at Coachella
INDIO, Calif. — David Lee Roth popped out at the Coachella Valley and Arts Festival on Friday to sing Van Halen's classic "Jump" with Teddy Swims. After the show, we
Photo highlights from the Coachella Music and Arts Festival
INDIO, Calif. (AP) — The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, in its 25th edition, returns to the Empire Polo Club.
GTA 6's Rockstar breached by hacker group with secret data up for ransom
GTA 6 could be in the crosshairs as a suspicious hacker group flaunts a ransom across the dark web
GTA 6 Developer Rockstar Reportedly Hacked, Data Being Ransomed
Well known hacking group, ShinyHunters, claims to have breached the GTA 6 developers cloud servers
Aerospace engineer who worked on Artemis II thanks middle school science teachers
A little more than a decade ago, Nate Eller was an standout student at Twin Hills Middle School in Sebastopol. Today, he’s an aerospace engineer at NASA who played a role in the Artemis II mission.
All eyes are going to be on Justin Bieber at Coachella
Justin Bieber’s headlining set at Coachella on Saturday will be important moment in his slow-walked return to the stage following a turbulent few years marked by health struggles and cancelled tours.
UMA, UMPI launch online medical laboratory science bachelor's degree to expand Maine’s healthcare workforce
The University of Maine at Presque Isle and the University of Maine at Augusta are launching a bachelor of science in medical laboratory science degree
UMA, UMPI launch online medical laboratory science bachelor's degree to expand Maine’s healthcare workforce
The University of Maine at Presque Isle and the University of Maine at Augusta are launching a bachelor of science in medical laboratory science degree
Shohei Ohtani passes Ichiro Suzuki for another Japanese MLB record
Ohtani has reached base in 44 consecutive regular season games, dating back to last August.
In praise of popular science
As a kid, I was enthusiastically and unreservedly in favor of a manned space program. Our destiny lay in the stars, I figured. Get people out there. We need Star Trek here and now. As I got older, I became rather disenchanted with the idea. Humans are expensive, fragile, and inefficient as space cargo. We could flood the solar system with 100 robotic probes for the price of any single manned mission and get back just as useful data. Besides, it turns out space travel is dangerous. Tusk is a reader-supported publication. To support this work, please become a paid subscriber. Subscribe When it came to the recent Artemis II mission, my cynical side didn’t really see the point. Flying around the Moon and back is literally something we did before I was born, and I once owned a Members Only jacket. Apollo 8 circled the Moon ten times and returned to Earth safely the same month that “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” was released. What was the point of repeating a feat that far braver people once did with tin foil and slide rules? Yet I’ve surprised myself with how moving I’ve found the Artemis II mission to be. The photos have been stunning. The crew has been professional and engaging. There have been modest but important milestones — the farthest humans have travelled from Earth; the first woman, person of color, and non-American to leave low-Earth orbit; innovations in communication, and more. One thing that really stood out is that this is really NASA at its finest. Not that this is the most important mission they ever pulled off, but they did this in a competent way that celebrated the achievements and kept the crew and the science at the forefront of the project. This wasn’t some billionaire throwing celebrities or cars into orbit as a vanity project — this was a collective effort to send experts in to do a job and come home safely. We don’t see that sort of thing much these days. I’m guessing few people would describe many government agencies as inspiring, but this one counts for me. We’re living through a profoundly anti-science era, in which pathbreaking, lifesaving discoveries like mRNA vaccines are routinely downplayed or even vilified. As I’ve noted previously, this era is something like that of the Red Scare in the 1940s and 50s, in which “egghead” professors were portrayed as out of touch or even hostile to regular Americans. One of the things that helped break that spell was Sputnik — the Soviet communications satellite that demonstrated that the United States was falling behind in crucial scientific research and applications. Its launch triggered a new appreciation for American science and goaded the federal government into supporting research universities and labs. I’m not saying that Artemis is the equivalent of Sputnik, but it potentially reminds people that there’s some value to scientific endeavors and the human faces attached to them. Despite my love for the show “For All Mankind,” I’m far from convinced that there’s any real value to putting colonies on the Moon or Mars that would justify the capital investment and the massive health risks to the astronauts. But sending scientific good will ambassadors on a trip into space once in a while? Bring it. Share
Dark Matter Experiment Reaches Critical Milestone Deep Underground
Hundreds of times colder than outer space.