I wasn't aware FH had failed, mind expanding on that? I was under the impression it's just that most launches don't require that capability given how ubiquitous F9 has become.

Starlink is a bit of a left field idea but from the sounds of it was designed as a way to provide cashflow long term to develop Starship. Not all that crazy given they owned the launch vehicles and used it to test the reusability of them long term.

I somewhat agree with Starship, it's hard to see that many people with requirements that fit it's capability, but that's also possibly just because those capabilities just a few years ago were hundreds of millions per launch. It's likely the lower launch costs will see a lot more development in the space just as we saw with F9.

I'd agree with you on that last point if they had left it at refurbishable F9 and just taking profits from flights. But they have committed serious funds to develop both a LEO satellite constellation for fast internet and also a fully reusable rocket design that would lift 150t to LEO, both of which have yet to profit, in the true startup fashion.

It's like Amazon, where they didn't 'profit' for 2 decades because they were building AWS. If they'd just left it at the online store they'd have been in profit a long time ago.

Here's the rub though, until you try one of them you won't know which is true. You just gotta start somewhere.

Telegraphing intentions to those around you is considerate, because it may interfere with others and then you have the chance to work on a compromise.

Also telling your friends you'll do something can keep you honest as now you've let it out of your head there's additional pressure to follow through. Even better, get a friend involved and become partners in whatever you're trying to achieve so you both benefit from keeping the other person on track.

Disposable is fine, but it should be the old school type. Have been shaving with a safety razor for a while now and it's superior in every way to a modern one, and a pack of 50 blades is like $10.

I'm with you. I enjoy my job, it's fulfilling though I can imagine better.

But it's hard, and sometimes you just need a break to come back fresh and ready to go.

I've lifted TVs much heavier than that many times.

I have a copy somewhere, it's illustrated and all, but damned if I can find it.

Going to have to buy a new copy I think, my kids would enjoy it.

Not unlike modern soldiers. The US military has ~1.4m enlisted and spends about half a million a year per capita of enlisted members.