FORGET COMPOUND INTEREST…

…cognitive dissonance might actually be the most powerful force in the universe.

THE NEW SPACE RACE: China readies first commercial resupply craft, first booster reflight, and next landing attempt.

As its launch cadence continues to grow, China is stepping further towards reusable rockets as it prepares for the first re-flight of a previously-flown booster, while the Chang Zheng 12A will attempt to become China’s third rocket to have its first stage recovered, on its second attempt.

In addition to testing droneships for future ocean landings, China is also increasing the number of vehicles that can be launched from platforms at sea. Meanwhile, its two major broadband megaconstellations are preparing to roll out a domestic service; China’s long-established navigation and positioning constellation has completed an upgrade; and China’s new commercial resupply spacecraft are moving closer to launch.

They’ve been busy — and they’re getting really good at this stuff.

COMMON SENSE AND IRELAND ARE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE TERMS: Irish pol calls for ‘common sense’ after gov-funded PSA urged grandparents to get consent before hugging grandkids.

An Irish politician has called for “a bit of common sense” after a government-supported campaign urged grandparents to seek consent before hugging their grandkids.

Released by the group We-Consent — a project of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre which is supported by government agencies — the 25-second public service announcement boldly declares: “Not everyone wants a hug. Even from the people who love them.”

“Awkward? Maybe. Important? Absolutely,” the campaign adds.

Oh, it’s definitely an awkward video:

THE COURTS MIGHT AS WELL HAVE HANDED OUT TORCHES AND PITCHFORKS:

Although this being Europe, maybe I shouldn’t give them any ideas.

20 MINUTES INTO THE FUTURE:

Tweet concludes, “Our $ and elections are at risk.”

Flashback: Paper ballots are hack-proof. It’s time to bring them back.

—Glenn in USA Today, June 30th, 2017.

And: Paper Ballots.

—Glenn at Tech Central Station, November 5th, 2002.

HUDDLED MASSES, YEARNING FOR FREE STUFF AT YOUR EXPENSE:

“Massachusetts is the best place for you to be — for the immigrants — you get health insurance. You get a lot of help as an immigrant here.”

IT’S GOOD TO BE THE NOMENKLATURA: Declassified Documents Show Ukrainian Diplomat Was Set to Testify About Hunter Biden Before US Revoked His Visa.

The White House released the information to reporters late Wednesday about the State Department and Treasury Department taking action in 2020 to revoke the visa of Andrii Telizhenko, the Ukrainian diplomat. Telizhenko had worked for the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington.

Republican Sens. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin had called him to testify in early 2020, shortly after the first President Donald Trump impeachment, regarding the president’s phone call to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in which Trump inquired about then-former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden’s links to the energy company Burisma.

Democrats accused Telizhenko of promoting Russian disinformation.

Just like the laptop.

FAI IN MODO CHE SIA COSÌ: Alfa Romeo’s New Giulia Shooting Brake Looks Too Good to Be True. “If there is one thing that Alfa can take away from this render, it’s that the design of the Cuorerosso Concept will work on a shooting brake. The language translates nicely into this kind of body style. It still looks sleek; it still looks like an Alfa, and it’s reminiscent of one of my personal favorite Alfa Romeos of all time, the Brera.”

WHERE ARE THE AI COUNTER-BOTS?

MUSTN’T GET THE HOI POLLOI ALL RILED UP AND RUINING A PERFECTLY GOOD GRIFT:

DISPATCHES FROM THE BLUE ZONES: Forget LA to SF: California Democrats Can’t Even Build A 2.25 Mile Rail System. “I’m skipping over all the various physical defects (including electric arcing) the system has experienced. Third rail electric systems have only been around since the late 19th century, so you’d think this would be a solved problem by now.”

That’s the best I could do for an excerpt, since it’s a long post with one unbelievable failure stacked up on another.

GETTING TO FIFTYPLUSONE IS SO MUCH EASIER WHEN THEY SPOT YOU FIVE:

Like the media, so much polling is now just an op.

ELECTING FORMER SPOOKS TURNS OUT TO BE A BAD IDEA*:

*See also: Abigail Spanberger.

ANALYSIS: TRUE. Socialism Isn’t Just Deadly — It’s Soul-Crushing.

Far-left political influencer Hasan Piker was recently grilled on a satirical internet show—and the clips it generated were gold.

“Now, Karl Marx said, ‘To each according to his needs.’ You live in a $2.7 million house,” the host said. “Why are your needs more important than 90% of other Californians?”

Piker appeared uncomfortable as he answered—and it wasn’t because he was fully decked out in a Mao suit.

To put it simply, proudly sporting the uniform of a regime that took the lives of an estimated 80 million people, all while enjoying the prosperity of a $2.7 million house and invitations to Oscar parties, isn’t a good look.

But of the socialist states Piker views favorably, former Yugoslavia arguably ranks among the highest. He once published a video titled “Yugoslavia Was Awesome!” in which he praised aspects of the former socialist country, including its living standards.

That idea might seem laughable to survivors like Slavenka Drakulic—literally.

Talk about soul-crushing — ever get behind the wheel of a Yugo?

ELON HAS HIGH-LEVEL ACCESS TO PALANTIR AND, I SUSPECT, AN EXTRA-STRENGTH VERSION OF GROK.