Drew Barrett

@drewbarrett
4 Followers
70 Following
32 Posts
Atlanta Based
very cool
Was cleaning up a few weeks ago and packed away something that had been out and ugly in the room for a long time - now that I want it again I have to figure out if I was mad and threw it in the trash or cool and packed it neatly and just did such a good job that I’ll never find it.
A new comic book character that’s pretty much the Punisher but he just scolds and maims both people that litter and bad Presidents.

It’s time to take off the kid gloves and stop the clear and present danger to the world.

https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-administration-funding-freeze-workarounds

The Courts Blocked Trump’s Federal Funding Freeze. Agencies Are Withholding Money Anyway.

Agencies continue to suspend funding, despite multiple court orders blocking the federal freeze. Experts say the Trump administration’s actions set the stage for challenges to Congress’ authority — and the limits of the presidency.

ProPublica

Before it’s illegal to mention “nature” save these things to your device. Reading materials good for the inevitable long ride to Mars in a SpaceX “Woke Mind Virus Quadantine Pod.”

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/02/after-trump-killed-a-report-on-nature-researchers-push-ahead-with-release/

After Trump killed a report on nature, researchers push ahead with release

Major report was designed to answer the public’s biggest questions on nature.

Ars Technica

I've been seeing hate on NASA lately, being bought into by leftists even, and I just want to point out something very important:

Musk has hated NASA for a *long* time. There is a reason it is being attacked, and a reason public opinion is being swayed against NASA: It *keeps SpaceX in line* more than anything else.

NASA is being seen as "competition" to SpaceX, as the obstacle in his way. It has been like this for quite some time, and now, with DOGE and other things, he can do something about it.

I would like to point out a few things:

1. SPACEX IS NOT CHEAPER
They boast they can "do what NASA does for 10% the cost!" Sure, it's easy when you did none of the R&D.
SpaceX saved on:
Landing tech: DC-X project in 1991-1996
Tank structure: Shuttle SLWT tank, 1998-2011
Merlin Engines: direct descendant of the Fastrac Engine, 1997-2001.

Those three things alone saved SpaceX over 90% of the R&D costs. It's easy to "appear" cheap when you're using off the shelf tech someone else (NASA!) developed.

2. NASA IS GREAT FOR THE ECONOMY!
For every $1 spent on NASA, $8 is put into economy. Its stupid to not invest in that kind of ROI! 800%! At times, its ROI Has been 1600%!

Simply put, if you defund NASA, the economy would shrink so much you would actually have to RAISE taxes to make up for the lost revenue, and without its existence we would be 30 years behind in technology and the quality of life for everyone would be much lower. Science and research is GOOD for society, it's the fuel for all progress.

3. WHAT HAS NASA DONE FOR ME?! (Surely you just mean NASA is good for tech & science folk....)

Nope! Good for all!
Ever have an MRI or CAT Scan? They wouldn't exist without the Apollo program! The software that made them possible was originally written to analyze lunar photography.

Low power digital x-Rays was planetary body research.

Heart pumps are modeled after space shuttle turbopumps.

The software that designed your car was originally written to design spacecraft!

Who do you think pioneered all the early research into alternative power like solar panels, hydrogen fuel cells, and durable batteries? NASA!

NASA developed tech and satellites is also what improves agricultural yields while reducing the needs for water, fertilizer, and pesticides.

Do you really think Musk gives two shits? No. He wants the money, he wants to let SpaceX run amok without any oversight for safety, without any "competition".

All fights are important, but do realise that this one is a huge thorn in his side, and one that is keeping a huge problem from ballooning and swallowing us all whole.

Do not be fooled or swayed by lies, of tactics meant to divide, of things being done to make you be angry at NASA. If he can make you hate NASA, he won.

Expect far more space junk to fall, the night sky to be ruined by satellites, and the loss of all things good that proper research and design does for humanity and gives back to the world. Not to mention: enjoy seeing the horrible things he can accomplish fully unchecked.

ETA: Now that you know, call / fax / email your senators and reps, and whatever else too! Boosting gets people thinking, but thinking is not action!

#SpaceX #nasa #space #earth #science #technology

On Blocking, Mastodon HOA Edition.

One of Mastodon's biggest barriers to entry is the Mastodon HOA, the massive volunteer army of scolds who take it upon themselves to tell strangers that they are doing it wrong. It's like you're waiting in line at...
https://jwz.org/b/ykho

These adult male dolphins pee in the air. Scientists have questions.

A new study observed Amazon river dolphins for 218.9 hours and saw males spurt urine into the air 36 times—proof that the behavior is more common than we thought. The dolphin rolls lazily onto his back, pokes his penis out of the water, and shoots an enthusiastic jet of urine into the air. The …

National Geographic - Melissa Hobson
Academic journals push back on Trump's changes to health data https://t.co/ItaS1MTgiM
Academic journals push back on Trump's changes to health data

Lack of visibility into what's been altered is raising questions about the integrity of government reports.

Axios
Measles outbreak erupts in one of Texas’ least vaccinated counties
9 cases are confirmed and 3 are probable. Officials says more are likely to come.
https://arstechnica.com/health/2025/02/measles-outbreak-erupts-in-one-of-texas-least-vaccinated-counties/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
Measles outbreak erupts in one of Texas’ least-vaccinated counties

Nine cases are confirmed, 3 are probable. Officials says more are likely to come.

Ars Technica