Materials found in Martian soil could be used to create rocket fuel that burns with a brilliant red, white, and blue flame. Experiments by researchers focused on turning Martian soil’s blend of 60% calcium perchlorate and 40% magnesium perchlorate into usable rocket propellant are quite promising; it burns almost as efficiently as standard rocket fuel! They’re still determining how to extract these flammable materials from Martian soil, but it opens up the possibility of sending things back from Mars without needing to lug around extra fuel from Earth. Read full article here
Culture
The Priest in the Arena
The phrase “man in the arena” has been popularized in recent years, but a lesser known, more dangerous archetype is the “priest in the arena”. This figure is responsible for a process called theocratic capture, where an institution surrenders to a cult demanding unaccountable authority, fueled by claims to privileged knowledge. These cults often target powerful institutions and attempt to monopolize conversations with scaremongering tactics and hostile treatment of allies. It is important to identify and stop theocratic capture before it can gain control. Read full article here
Merv
May 29, 2023
