Jeff Foust read what appears to be a dumb book so you don’t have to.
All posts by Rand Simberg
Rebuilding Pacific Palisades
Yes, we knew this was coming. And I too am happy to call it sinister.
Science Fiction
What if it’s our best window to the future? A discussion with David Brin.
He’s more down on lunar resources than I am, but I agree with his critique of Artemis.
The New Interim Administrator
Thoughts from Eric Berger on Sean Duffy’s additional job.
Unlike many on this platform, speaking as a space-policy expert, I have no idea whether it will hurt NASA to lose those 2000+ GS13-GS15 "senior executives," or if Duffy will be able to provide any more "leadership" than Janet Petro. I simply know too little about who they are.
— Rand Simberg (@Simberg_Space) July 10, 2025
[Afternoon update]
Speaking of interim administrators, here’s an interesting interview with Jared Isaacman.
Gettysburg
Today is the anniversary of the third day of the battle.
The Battle of Gettysburg: Day 3 🧵
— Manifest History (@ManifestHistory) July 3, 2025
1/ On July 3, 1863, Gettysburg reached its climax, with 140,000 troops locked in a desperate struggle. From Culp’s Hill to the fields south of town, Day 3’s battles—culminating in Pickett’s Charge—produced over 15,000 casualties, deciding the… pic.twitter.com/jVvFZhHIQR
Vicksburg fell the next day, on the Fourth of July, marking the beginning of the end for the South. Vicksburg refused to celebrate the holiday for seven decades.
AI, Emerson, The Diamond Age, and Education
Thoughts on how to make kids more self reliant, from Neils Stephenson and Ferguson (except the latter is a Niall).
Light Blogging
I just had a long-overdue inguinal hernia repair this morning, and between the pain and the pain meds, probably not doing anything serious on the computer today. Disport yourself gently in comments.
Male Novel Readers
…are not fiction.
There seems like a huge opportunity here for a publishing house that serves them.
For New Yorkers Thinking About Fleeing To Florida
As someone exiled there for half a decade two decades ago, I can attest.
[Tuesday-morning update]
Hey, leftist New Yorkers, Mamdani or not, Florida is full.
Trump’s Past Two Weeks
…were very consequential.