Episode #206: 01 November 2025

Overview

Thirty-eight posts set today’s tone across space, autonomy, policy, markets, sport, and internet culture. Here are the highlights, grouped for speed.

Space and defence

• Orbital data centres: SpaceX plans Starlink V3 satellites with 1 Tbps links and laser interconnects to host compute in orbit. Big if true for AI energy needs, with thermal challenges still to crack.
  Source: @SciGuySpace

• “Golden Dome” contracts: Multiple reports point to a 2 billion dollar US defence award for SpaceX to build a tracking constellation. Debate focuses on cost, timelines, and reliance on one supplier.
  Sources: @unusual_whales • @MarioNawfal

• Starlink cadence: Falcon 9 missions add 28–29 satellites, taking 2025 totals past prior years and expanding coverage over oceans and polar routes.
  Sources: @SpaceX • @SpaceX

Autonomy and transport

• Road safety and pets: Claims that millions of cats die in traffic spark discussion on how autonomy could cut animal collisions. Evidence is early, but sensors and braking response offer promise.
  Source: @elonmusk

Weather and environment

• Hurricane Melissa: A dramatic cockpit-style clip stuns timelines. Viewers debate authenticity while agencies share context on storm-penetration flights and commercial routing.
  Source: @DailyLoud

Policy and platforms

• Texas vs Google: Texas announces a 1.375 billion dollar settlement over location tracking. Applause and questions follow on how the money reaches residents.
  Source: @KenPaxtonTX

AI, tools, and knowledge

• Grokipedia participation: Users share the quick “Suggest Edit” flow, reinforcing the hybrid model of AI suggestions plus human review.
  Sources: @tetsuoai

• Model progress: SVG tasks used to test reasoning show Grok’s step-up in vector drawing quality over ten months.
  Source: @DataRepublican

Markets and spending

• Las Vegas slowdown: Fewer visitors and empty rooms point to tighter discretionary spend. Replies argue operations matter as much as macro.
  Source: @KobeissiLetter

Football and sport

• Paquetá ruling: The FA is ordered to pay most costs after the betting case fizzles, raising questions about process and evidence.
  Source: @TouchlineX

• Bayern’s aesthetic flex: A playful nudge at Chelsea’s “best visuals” claim with a night shot of the Allianz.
  Source: @FCBayernEN

• Rashford turns 28: Then-and-now nostalgia threads celebrate a homegrown career.
  Source: @basheertk_

Culture, humour, and nostalgia

• Nigerian timelines: House-party games, sachet treats, ironing relief, Halloween pranks, and “zip my dress” jokes show how everyday life drives engagement.
  Sources: @Wizarab10 • @thebigdammy • @Thebigsoll • @PoojaMedia • @waggydey4you

• FAANG, meet GAYMAN: A cheeky acronym swap reflecting Nvidia’s rise and a different big-tech lineup.
  Source: @krishdotdev

• Mars today: A Perseverance rover image rekindles the “we’re really there” feeling.
  Source: @cb_doge

Quick hits

• Space ambitions in one poster: Moon base ideas, Mars habitats, orbital compute, Starlink V3 throughput, even space-based solar.
  Source: @Truthful_ast

• Giveaway threads and fintech reversals: cash “crediting” offers and a refunded police bribe anecdote light up Nigerian X.
  Sources: @Mrbankstips • @khanofkhans11_

• Guess the gaffer: A viral manager riddle lands on Carlo Ancelotti.
  Source: @CFCHaven

• More Starlink: another Falcon 9, another batch to orbit.
  Source: @SpaceX