The differences that make opposites attract in relationships can also be what tears them apart. ... More Heres why as well as how they can find common ground.gettyOpposites attractor at least, they often do. Theres something inherently thrilling about being drawn to a partner whose strengths and perspectives differ from your own.In good times, this can create a wonderful sense of balance in a relationship where each persons traits complement the others. However, when conflict arises, that balance can feel more like teetering seesaw. These differences, which once seemed charming and complementary, are now obstacles.Heres why these differences become apparent during conflict, and how they can be overcome.Differences In Cognitive StylesWhen one person thrives on verbalizing thoughts and brainstorming out loud while the other needs quiet time to think before responding, it can feel nearly impossible to meet in the middle. This isnt to say that one method is better than the other theyre simply different. But when it comes to problem-solving, they can clash in ways that feel deeply personal.Whats happening here is a classic case of conflicting cognitive styles. According to research from Psychological Bulletin, cognitive styles refer to the different ways in which individuals prefer to process incoming information. The preference for verbalization over rumination is just one of many ways in which clashes in cognition can manifest. As 2016 research from Personality and Individual Differences explains, cognitive styles fall on a broad spectrum:Impulsivity vs. reflectivity. This cognitive style captures how quickly and thoughtfully a person makes decisions. Impulsive thinkers favor speed over accuracyoften making snap decisions without much deliberation and embracing risk-taking. Reflective thinkers, by contrast, take their time to carefully consider options. They prioritize accuracy and thoroughness over speed. For instance, when deciding on a major purchase like a new gadget, an impulsive thinker might buy on impulse based on excitement, while a reflective thinker would spend time researching, comparing models and weighing pros and cons before making a decision.Field dependence vs. independence. This cognitive style reflects how much an individual relies on external versus internal cues when processing information. Field-dependent thinkers are guided by external cues and tend to see things holistically; they also excel in collaborative and social environments. However, they may struggle to identify individual elements within a complex whole. In contrast, field-independent thinkers are guided by internal cues and excel at analyzing parts of a whole independently of context. They tend to break down complex tasks efficiently and prefer working autonomously. For example, when solving a puzzle, a field-dependent thinker might focus on how each piece fits into the overall imagewhile a field-independent thinker might examine the individual shapes and colors to figure out logical connections.Narrow vs. wide range of equivalence. This dimension represents how narrowly or broadly a person categorizes or groups similar objects and ideas. Individuals with a narrow range of equivalence make fine distinctions between similar items; they categorize them very specifically. For instance, when organizing books, they might separate them by genre, author and even subgenre. Conversely, those with a wide range of equivalence group a broader variety of items into fewer, more generalized categories theyd likely lump all fiction and non-fiction novels together without further differentiation.Flexibility vs. rigidity of cognitive control. This style highlights how adaptable or fixed a persons thinking is when faced with new information or changing circumstances. Flexible thinkers are adept at shifting perspectives and trying new approaches, and theyre always open to new ideas. Rigid thinkers, on the other hand, tend to maintain a consistent way of thinking; they find it challenging to adapt to changes or think outside their pre-established patterns. For example, when encountering an obstacle at work, a flexible thinker might brainstorm alternative solutions. A rigid thinker would rather stick to the original plan, despite its impracticality.Concrete vs. abstract conceptualization. This style distinguishes between practical, fact-based thinking and theoretical, idea-driven thinking. Concrete thinkers focus on tangible details and practical applications; they prefer hands-on experiences and real-world examples. Abstract thinkers, on the other hand, prefer delving into ideas and concepts through theoretical discussions and hypothetical scenarios. For example, when discussing the concept of freedom, a concrete thinker might focus on basic human rightswhile an abstract thinker might favor philosophical perspectives on autonomy, or even existentialism.Tolerance vs. intolerance of unrealistic experience. This dimension reflects a persons comfort level with imaginative, hypothetical or fantastical concepts. Those who are tolerant of unrealistic experiences enjoy speculative ideas, imaginative storytelling and abstract thinking. On the other hand, those who are intolerant of unrealistic experiences prefer realism and logic; theyre less interested or comfortable with whimsy or hypothetical scenarios. For example, when watching a science fiction movie, someone with high tolerance might be captivated by imaginative worlds and futuristic ideas, whereas someone with low tolerance might feel frustrated by the lack of realism and dismiss it as implausible.When Opposites ClashImagine, for instance, an impulsive and a reflective processor attempting to work through a problem in their relationship. The impulsive partners initial reaction is to immediately start talking about it. They air out every thought, every possible outcome and every feeling that comes to mind in the hopes that talking it out will lead to a solution.Verbalization, in their minds, is like untangling a knot each word they speak helps to loosen it a bit more. For them, silence can feel stagnant or even frustrating because they feel stuck without the ability to work through their emotions out loud. When conflict arises, they may feel a sense of urgency to fix things right away by discussing every angle out loud.Their reflective processing partner, on the other hand, prefers to stay quiet. They make sense of their thoughts and feelings through quiet introspection. They prefer to mentally sift through their ideas, examine how they feel about them and arrive at some degree of clarity before sharing their perspective. Talking before theyre ready can feel uncomfortable or even disingenuous, as they havent yet formed a coherent stance.Before long, frustration builds. The impulsive processor feels ignored or abandoned, as they feel as though theyve been left to do all the mental and emotional labor on their own. Meanwhile, the reflective processor feels overwhelmed and even resentful, as all they want is some time and space to think without being bombarded by a flood of words and feelings.Instead of working together toward a solution, theyve gotten stuck in a pattern where neither of their cognitive needs are being met.How To Meet HalfwayAs 2019 research from Personality and Individual Differences explains, clashes in cognitive processing can make constructive communication markedly difficult during conflict in romantic relationships.When one partner senses that their way of thinking is inherently incompatible with the others, they may feel dismissed, unheard or even stupid for processing information in a way that feels natural to them. In this way, bridging the gap between these styles is essential:For slower, reflective, analytical thinkers. Make a conscious effort to stay verbally engaged during conversations. Even if youre processing information internally, remember to ask questions, acknowledge what your partner is saying and validate their feelings as they go. This reassures them that youre actively listening even if youre not speaking as much as they are.For faster, impulsive, intuitive thinkers. Be mindful not to overwhelm your partner with too much information at once. Practice patience, and try not to let anxiety or fear take over if your partner remains quiet for a moment. Remember, silence doesnt mean theyre ignoring you or that they lack thoughts or feelings; it simply means theyre taking the time to give you the thoughtful consideration that you rightly deserve.Are cognitive clashes common in your relationship? Take this science-backed test, and find out if its cause for concern: Relationship Satisfaction Scale

Why it matters: Major tech players have spent the last few years betting that simply throwing more computing power at AI will lead to artificial general intelligence (AGI) systems that match or surpass human cognition. But a recent survey of AI researchers suggests growing skepticism that endlessly scaling up current approaches is the right path forward. A recent survey of 475 AI researchers reveals that 76% believe adding more computing power and data to current AI models is "unlikely" or "very unlikely" to lead to AGI.The survey, conducted by the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI), reveals a growing skepticism. Despite billions poured into building massive data centers and training ever-larger generative models, researchers argue that the returns on these investments are diminishing.Stuart Russell, a computer scientist at UC Berkeley and a contributor to the report, told New Scientist: "The vast investments in scaling, unaccompanied by any comparable efforts to understand what was going on, always seemed to me to be misplaced."The numbers tell the story. Last year alone, venture capital funding for generative AI reportedly topped $56 billion, according to a TechCrunch report. The push has also led to massive demand for AI accelerators, with a February report stating that the semiconductor industry reached a whopping $626 billion in 2024.Running these models has always required massive amounts of energy, and as they're scaled up, the demands have only risen. Companies like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon are therefore securing nuclear power deals to fuel their data centers.Yet, despite these colossal investments, the performance of cutting-edge AI models has plateaued. For instance, many experts have suggested that OpenAI's latest models have shown only marginal improvements over their predecessor. // Related StoriesBeyond the skepticism, the survey also highlights a shift in priorities among AI researchers. While 77% prioritize designing AI systems with an acceptable risk-benefit profile, only 23% are focused on directly pursuing AGI. Additionally, 82% of respondents believe that if AGI is developed by private entities, it should be publicly owned to mitigate global risks and ethical concerns. However, 70% oppose halting AGI research until full safety mechanisms are in place, suggesting a cautious but forward-moving approach.Cheaper, more efficient alternatives to scaling are being explored. OpenAI has experimented with "test-time compute," where AI models spend more time "thinking" before generating responses. This method has yielded performance boosts without the need for massive scaling. Unfortunately, Arvind Narayanan, a computer scientist at Princeton University, told New Scientist that this approach is "unlikely to be a silver bullet."On the flip side, tech leaders like Google CEO Sundar Pichai remain optimistic, asserting that the industry can "just keep scaling up" even as he hinted that the era of low-hanging fruit with AI gains was over.

Facepalm: Amazon has flagged the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 as a "frequently returned item," advising potential buyers to thoroughly research the product and check customer reviews before purchasing. This warning, shown somewhat prominently on the product page, indicates that the device is being returned at a higher rate than similar products. Amazon does not specify the reasons behind these returns, which are associated only with specific hardware configurations a negative indicator for Microsoft and the Surface Laptop 7.When the Surface Laptop 7 was launched last year, it generally received favorable reviews but with notable caveats. One of the primary concerns was its reliance on the Qualcomm Snapdragon X platform, which uses Arm-based architecture rather than traditional x86 processors from Intel and AMD.This architectural difference introduces software compatibility problems, as many applications are optimized for x86 processors and require emulation to run on Arm-based systems. This limitation has been a common criticism of Windows devices powered by Arm chips and could significantly contribute to the higher return rate.The compatibility issues are not unique to the Surface Laptop 7; they are a broader challenge for Arm PCs. Michelle Johnston Holthaus, interim co-CEO of Intel, has noted that retailers often face high return rates for Arm PCs due to these compatibility problems. However, Qualcomm disputes this account, stating that their device return rates are within industry norms.Despite Microsoft's efforts to improve emulation with Windows on Arm, many Windows applications especially older ones, professional software, and games may still experience reduced performance or fail to run altogether. // Related StoriesThe gaming experience on Windows on Arm platforms is often subpar, with many titles refusing to run or offering lower performance than x86-based platforms. These challenges are reflected in the user reviews.The Surface Laptop 7 currently holds a 4.2-star rating on Amazon, based on over 360 reviews, with 12 percent being one-star. Many users report positive experiences, but there are recurring complaints about software compatibility issues, inconsistent performance, general usability issues, and specific technical challenges. Some users also experience hardware failures, including sudden crashes and screen flickering.Microsoft later on introduced Intel-powered versions of the Surface Laptop, targeting business customers with the Copilot+ line. These models offer improved performance and compatibility with a broader range of applications, which could alleviate some of the return issues associated with the Arm-based models.The Intel versions are priced higher, starting at $1,349, compared to the Qualcomm variants, which start at $839 for the 13.8-inch model and $1,099 for the 15-inch model.While the Qualcomm models may have a slight edge in battery life efficiency, Intel's processors provide better compatibility with a broader range of software a crucial factor for business users who rely on specific applications.

Liane Hentscher / HBOTable of ContentsTable of ContentsThe Handmaids Tale season 6 (April 8)Hacks season 4 (April 10)Your Friends and Neighbors season 1 (April 11)The Last of Us season 2 (April 13)Andor season 2 (April 20)Theres a lot of great TV coming in April 2025. Youll find new shows like Hulus Dying for Sex and Apple TV+s Government Cheese along with returning shows like Doctor Who (Disney+, April 12), Godfather of Harlem (MGM+, April 13), and You (Netflix, April 24). Its going to be a busy month for TV lovers!All the aforementioned shows are worthy of being added to your watchlist this month. However, the five shows below are so exciting that you wont want to miss the episodes when they release. They include four returning shows, one for its final season after a 2.5-year hiatus, and a brand-new series starring Jon Hamm.Recommended VideosNeed more recommendations? Then check out thebest new shows to stream this week, as well as thebest shows on Netflix, thebest shows on Hulu, thebest shows on Amazon Prime Video, thebest shows on Max, andbest shows on Disney+.RelatedThe Handmaids Tale season 6 (April 8)It has been more than 2.5 years since The Handmaids Tale delivered its fifth season, and the story is finally ending with the sixth and final season this month. The story, based on the Margaret Atwood novel of the same name, takes place in a dystopian future whereby a theocratic regime has taken over, forcing child-bearing women to serve as handmaids for the infertile wives of wealthy commanders. June (Elisabeth Moss) is desperate to escape and get back to her husband and her daughter, and she eventually leads the charge for a revolt.By season 5, June has escaped to Canada, but she remains traumatized by her experiences and hellbent on revenge. Plus, the folks in Gilead arent satisfied with letting her get off that easily. The stakes are raised higher as June ends up with Serena (Yvonne Strahovski) and baby Nichole, both fleeing, while Luke (O-T Fagbenie) lets himself get arrested so she can get to safety. The story in The Handmaids Tale has long since diverted from Atwoods writings that inspired the first season, leaving fans guessing as to where it ends. But like Atwoods heartwrenching story, The Handmaids Tale is a deeply troubling tale about societal downfall into oppression and cruelty masked by religion.Stream The Handmaids Tale on Hulu.Hacks season 4 (April 10)Earning several Primetime Emmy Awards through its three-season run to date, Hacksis back for season 4. The story centers around Deborah Vance (Jean Smart), a stand-up comedian looking to reinvent her act for modern times. She is paired with young comedy writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) to help. Despite coming from completely different generations of comedy, Deborah and Ava become a formidable pairing.With an almost a perfect Rotten Tomatoes critics score, Hacks is one of those shows worth binge-watching. Both leads deliver fantastic performances with amazing chemistry. The guest cast keeps you consistently entertained with the eclectic mix of personalities, including Julianne Nicholson, Michaela Watkins, and Eric Balfour.Stream Hacks on Max.Your Friends and Neighbors season 1 (April 11)Sometimes, wasteful extravagance isnt really noticed until you no longer have the means to partake. This is the situation with Andrew Coop Cooper (Jon Hamm) in Your Friends andNeighbors. Hes a hedge fund manager whose life is upended after losing his job. Due to murky contract stipulations, he cant work in the field again for the foreseeable future. With two teenage kids, a mortgage on a house he no longer even lives in, and other struggles, the mounting bills and the personal toll everything is taking on Coop arent just going to disappear. The walls are closing in on him. One day, however, he gets a ridiculous idea: his elitist friends have so much more money and material things than they know what to do with. Would they really miss it if he stole a thing or two?Naturally, Coops actions start to get out of hand, and every move he makes opens another Pandoras Box of problems. Your Friends and Neighbors is as much a story about a mans descent into darkness as it is a wake-up call about greed and excess, told through Coops inner monologue narration. Its when you do everything right and think you have it all that you lose sight of whats actually important. Your Friends and Neighbors isarguably one of Hamms best roles since Don Draper in Mad Men, bringing you back to the suave, businessman swagger for which he first became known.Stream Your Friends and Neighbors on Apple TV+.The Last of Us season 2 (April 13)Its finally here. After an almost two-year wait, The Last of Usis back this month with its second season. Based on the Naughty Dog video game franchise of the same name, our reviewer calls it the most faithful video game adaptation that has ever been produced. Pedro Pascal returns as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie, an unlikely smuggler and teenager duo navigating the post-apocalyptic, virally infected wasteland together. Adapting the story from The Last of Us Part II, season 2 is set five years later as the pair continue their journey.They encounter new people, and tensions run high. Thats especially so given that, based on the trailer, Ellie presumably learns about that big lie Joel told her to save her life. Earning eight Primetime Emmy Awards for its first season (of an impressive 24 nominations), The Last of Us has been one of the most anticipated show returns this year.Stream The Last of Us on Max.Andor season 2 (April 20)Its only going to run for two seasons, and fans have waited almost three years for the return of Andor, one of many new shows within the Star Wars universe. As a prequel to Rogue One, Diego Luna stars as Cassian Andor, with the first season focusing on telling the story of his journey to becoming a revolutionary. Our reviewer calls it a thoughtful, slow-developing story. Season two chronicles the next four years in his life, leading up to the events in Rogue One, another prequel to 1977sStar Wars.Follow Andor as he goes from thief to a core member of the Rebel Alliance, who fights back against the Galactic Empire. Season 1 received universal acclaim and three Primetime Emmy Awards. Season two is poised to be a fitting end to the compelling story that technically marks the beginning point of this massive franchise.Stream Andor on Disney+.Editors Recommendations

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsRelease windowPlatformsTrailersGameplayPreoderWho hasnt wondered how much damage you could do if you brought an assault rifle to a medieval battleground? Kingmakers aims to answer that question, but take things even further by throwing in a host of other modern weapons like grenade launchers, snipers, and even trucks. Even though it is set in a historical period likeGhost of Yotei and Metal Gear Solid Delta, it is clearly taking a lot more liberties. The oddity alone has made it one of the most interesting upcoming video games, but theres more to this game than just the absurdity of plowing through a battalion of knights in a pickup truck. Lets throw on our plate mail and reload our rifles as we learn everything there is to know about Kingmakers.If you cant play this upcoming PC game, we have you covered with all the upcoming PS5 games and upcoming Xbox Series X games as well.Recommended VideostinybuildAs of the time of this writing, Kingmakers doesnt have a firm release date. All we know is that the game is expected to come out in the second quarter of 2025.Please enable Javascript to view this contenttinybuildSorry console players, but Kingmakers is currently a PC exclusive. Based on the size and scope of the game, we wouldnt expect any console ports but would love to be proven wrong.Kingmakers - Official Announcement TrailerKingmakers was announced in February 2024 with a quick trailer that gets straight to the point. The narrator talks up a mysterious hero who led a nation to greatness before cutting to a soldier in a pickup truck driving through a rift and into a medieval war. The rest of the trailer highlights the massive battles and weapons you will be using, as well as some of the other gameplay mechanics.Kingmakers Gameplay Overview - Future Games Show Spring Showcase 2025The gameplay overview trailer from Future Games Show in 2025 gives a deeper dive into the mechanics of the game but keeps the narrative elements light.While the story is not focused on much, there is a bit of lore worth diving into. Your character has traveled 500 years into the past to try and change the course of history and avert a future apocalypse. Players can choose to fight on behalf of England, Scotland, or Wales to earn one of several different endings.tinybuildWhile there is a plot, it is clear that gameplay is king in Kingmakers.The core experience is a third-person shooter set in epic medieval battles of incredible scale. While all your enemies and allies are equipped with time-appropriate swords, bows, and horses, you have pistols, shotguns, rifles, grenade launchers, cars, and even helicopters. In that way, the game has a similar feel to a Musou game where your character cleaves through hundreds and thousands of enemies with little effort. Destruction is also incredibly dynamic and all done in real-time.But Kingmakers isnt just a straight action game with thousands of units acting at once. Theres also a strategy element where you will seamlessly shift to a tactical view to direct your troops on the fly. Beyond that, you can also build various walls and buildings to bolster your defenses.The entire game can be played solo or in co-op with up to four players who can all control their own armies in one massive war simulation.Kingmakers has no release date set quite yet but is expected to have an early access period before launch. Until we learn more and update this article, feel free to wishlist the game to stay in the loop.Editors Recommendations

Beijing is fostering the growth of Chinas commercial space industry in a bid to narrow a space-race gap with the U.S.

True north This launcher is about to displace the V-2 as Germanys largest rocket Isar Aerospace's first Spectrum rocket will launch from Andya Spaceport in Norway. Stephen Clark Mar 23, 2025 12:06 pm | 9 Isar Aerospace's Spectrum rocket on the launch pad at Andya Spaceport in Norway. Credit: Isar Aerospace/Robin Brillert/Wingmen Media Isar Aerospace's Spectrum rocket on the launch pad at Andya Spaceport in Norway. Credit: Isar Aerospace/Robin Brillert/Wingmen Media Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreSeven years ago, three classmates at the Technical University of Munich believed their student engineering project might hold some promise in the private sector.At the time, one of the co-founders, Daniel Metzler, led a team of 40 students working on rocket engines and launching sounding rockets. Josef Fleischmann was on the team that won the first SpaceX Hyperloop competition. Together with another classmate, Markus Brandl, they crafted rocket parts in a campus workshop before taking the leap and establishing Isar Aerospace, named for the river running through the Bavarian capital.Now, Isar's big moment has arrived. The company's orbital-class first rocket, named Spectrum, is set to lift off from a shoreline launch pad in Norway as soon as Monday.The three-hour launch window opens at 12:30 pm local time in Norway, or 7:30 am EDT in the United States. "The launch date remains subject to weather, safety and range infrastructure," Isar said in a statement. Isar's Spectrum rocket rolls out to its launch pad in Norway. Credit: Isar Aerospace Isar said it received a launch license from theNorwegian Civil Aviation Authority on March 14, following the final qualification test on the Spectrum rocket in February to validate its readiness for flight.Notably, this will be the first orbital launch attempt from a launch pad in Western Europe. The French-run Guiana Space Center in South America is the primary spaceport for European rockets. Virgin Orbit staged an airborne launch attempt from an airport in the United Kingdom in 2023, and the Plesetsk Cosmodrome is located in European Russia.No guaranteesSuccess is never assured on the inaugural launch of a new rocket. Isar is the first in a wave of European launch startups to arrive at this point. The company developed the Spectrum rocket with mostly private funding, although Isar received multimillion-euro investments from the European Space Agency, the German government, and the NATO Innovation Fund.All told, Isar says it has raised more than 400 million euros, or $435 million at today's currency exchange rate, more than any other European launch startup.We are approaching the most important moment of our journey so far, and I would like to thank all our team, partners, customers and investors who have been accompanying and trusting us," said Daniel Metzler, Isar's co-founder and CEO, in a statement.Most privately-developed rockets have failed to reach orbit on the first try. Several US launch companies that evolved in a similar mold as Isarsuch as Rocket Lab, Firefly Aerospace, and Astrafaltered on the way to orbit on their rockets' first flights."With this mission, Isar Aerospace aims to collect as much data and experience as possible on its in-house developed launch vehicle. It is the first integrated test of all systems," said Alexandre Dalloneau, Isar's vice president of mission and launch operations."The test results will feed into the iterations and development of future Spectrum vehicles, which are being built and tested in parallel," Isar said in a statement. Look familiar? Isar Aerospace's Spectrum rocket is powered by nine first stage engines arranged in an "octaweb" configuration patterned on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket. Credit: Isar Aerospace/Wingmen Media Europe has struggled to regain its footing after SpaceX took over the dominant position in the global commercial launch market, a segment led for three decades by Europe's Ariane rocket family before SpaceX proved the reliability of the lower-cost, partially reusable Falcon 9 launcher. The continent's new Ariane 6 rocket, funded by ESA and built by a consortium owned by multinational firms Airbus and Safran, is more expensive than the Falcon 9 and years behind schedule. It finally debuted last year.One ton to LEOIsar's Spectrum rocket is not as powerful as the SpaceX's Falcon 9 or Arianespace's Ariane 6. But even SpaceX had to start somewhere. Its small Falcon 1 rocket failed three times before tasting success. Spectrum is somewhat larger and more capable than Falcon 1, with performance in line with Firefly's Alpha rocket.The fully assembled Spectrum rocket stands about 92 feet (28 meters) tall and measures more than 6 feet (2 meters) in diameter. The expendable launcher is designed to haul payloads up to 1 metric ton (2,200 pounds) into low-Earth orbit. Spectrum is powered by nine Aquila engines on its first stage, and one engine on the second stage, burning a mixture of propane and liquid oxygen propellants.There are no customer satellites aboard the first Spectrum test flight. The rocket will climb into a polar orbit from Andya Spaceport in northern Norway, but Isar hasn't published a launch timeline or the exact parameters of the target orbit.While modest in size next to Europe's Ariane launcher family, Isar's Spectrum is the largest German rocket since the V-2, the World War II weapon of terror launched by Nazi Germany against targets in Great Britain, Belgium, and other places. In the 80 years since the war, German industry developed a handful of small sounding rockets, and manufactured upper stages for Ariane rockets.But German governments have long shunned spending on launchers at levels commensurate with the nation's place as a top contributor to ESA. France took the lead in the continent's postwar rocket industry, providing the lion's share of funding for Ariane, and taking responsibility for building engines and booster stages.Now, 80 years to the week since the last V-2 launch of World War II, Germany again has a homegrown liquid-fueled rocket on the launch pad. This time, it's for a much different purpose.As a first step, Isar and other companies in Europe are vying to inject competition with Arianespace into the European launch market. This will begin with small government-funded satellites that otherwise would have likely launched on rideshare flights by SpaceX or Arianespace.In 2022, the German space agency (known as DLR) announced the selection of research and demo payloads slated to fly on Spectrum's second launch. The Norwegian Space Agency revealed a contract earlier this month for Isar to launch a pair of satellites for the country's Arctic Ocean Surveillance program.Within the next few days, ESA is expected to release an "invitation to tender" for European industry to submit proposals for the European Launcher Challenge. This summer, ESA will select winners from Europe's crop of launch startups to demonstrate their rockets can deliver the agency's scientific satellites to orbit. This is the first time ESA has experimented with a fully commercial business model, with launch service contracts to private companies. Isar is a leading contender to win the launcher challenge, alongside other European companies like Rocket Factory Augsburg, HyImpulse, MaiaSpace, and others.Previously, ESA has provided billions of euros to Europe's big incumbent rocket companies for development of new generations of Ariane rockets. Now, ESA wants follow the path of NASA, which has used fixed-price service contracts to foster commercial cargo and crew transportation to the International Space Station, and most recently, privately-owned landers on the Moon."Whatever the outcome, Isar Aerospace's upcoming Spectrum launch will be historic: the first commercial orbital launch from mainland Europe," Josef Aschbacher, ESA's director general, posted on X. "The support and co-funding the European Space Agency has given Isar Aerospace and other launch service provider startups is paying off for increased autonomy in Europe. Wishing Isar Aerospace a great launch day with fair weather and most importantly, that the data they receive from the liftoff will speed next iterations of their rockets."Toni Tolker-Nielsen, ESA's acting director of space transportation, called this moment a "paradigm shift" for Europe's launcher strategy."In the last 40 years, we have had these ESA-developed launchers that we have been relying on," Tolker-Nielsen told Ars in an interview. "So we started with Ariane 1 up to Ariane 6. Vega C came onboard. And it's been working like that for the last 40 years. Now, we are moving into in the '30s, and the next decades, to have privately-developed launchers."Isar Aerospace's first Spectrum rocket will lift off from the remote Andya Spaceport in Norway, a gorgeous location that might be the world's most picturesque launch site. Nestled on the western coast of an island inside the Arctic Circle, Andya offers an open path over the Norwegian Sea for rockets to fly north, where they can place satellites into polar orbit.The spaceport is operated by Andya Space, a company 90 percent owned by the Norwegian government through the Ministry for Trade, Industry, and Fisheries. Until now, Andya Spaceport has been used for launches of suborbital sounding rockets. The geography of Norway permits northerly launches from Andya Spaceport. Credit: Andya Space No better time than nowIsar's first launch comes amid an abrupt turn in European strategic policy as the continent's leaders struggle with how to respond to moves by President Donald Trump in his first two months in office. In recent weeks, the Trump administration put European leaders on their heels with sudden policy reversals and unpredictable statements on Ukraine, NATO, and the US government's long-term backstopping of European security.Friedrich Merz, set to become Germany's next chancellor,said last monththat Europe should strive to "achieve independence" from the United States. "It is clear that the Americans, at least this part of the Americans, this administration, are largely indifferent to the fate of Europe."Last week, Merz shepherded a bill through German parliament to amend the country's constitution, allowing for a significant increase in German defense spending. The incoming chancellor said the change is "nothing less than the first major step towards a new European defense community."The erosion of Europe's trust in the Trump administration prompted rumors that the US government could trigger a "kill switch" to turn off combat capabilities of F-35 fighter jets sold to US allies. This would have previously seemed like a far-fetched conspiracy theory, but some European officials felt compelled to make statements denying the kill switch reports. Still, the recent turbulence in trans-Atlantic relations has some US allies rethinking their plans to buy more US-made fighter jets and weapons systems."Reliable and predictable orders should go to European manufacturers whenever possible," Merz said. Robert Habeck, Germany's vice chancellor and economics minister, tours Isar Aerospace in Ottobrunn, Germany, in 2023. : German Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Bndnis 90/Die Grnen) walks past a prototype rocket during a visit to the space company Isar Aerospace. Credit: Marijan Murat/picture alliance via Getty Images This uncertainty extends to space, where it is most apparent in the launch industry. SpaceX, founded and led by Trump ally Elon Musk, dominates the global commercial launch business. European governments have repeatedly turned to SpaceX to launch multiple defense and scientific satellites over the last several years, while Europe encountered delays with its homegrown Ariane 6 and Vega rockets.Until 2022, Europe and Russia jointly operated Soyuz rockets from the Guiana Space Center in South America to deploy government and commercial payloads to orbit. The partnership ended with Russia's invasion of Ukraine.Europe's flagship Ariane 5 rocket retired in 2023, a year before its replacementthe Ariane 6debuted on its first test flight from the Guiana Space Center. The first operational flight of the Ariane 6 delivered a French military spy satellite to orbit March 6. The smaller Vega C rocket successfully launched in December, two years after officials grounded the vehicle due to an in-flight failure.ESA funded development of the Ariane 6 and Vega C in partnership with ArianeGroup, a joint venture between Airbus and Safran, and the Italian defense contractor Avio.For the moment, Europe's launcher program is back on track to provide autonomous access to space, a capability European officials consider a strategic imperative. Philippe Baptiste, France's minister for research and higher education, said after the Ariane 6 flight earlier this month that the launch was "proof" of European space sovereignty."The return of Donald Trump to the White House, with Elon Musk at his side, already has significant consequences on our research partnerships, on our commercial partnerships," Baptiste said in his remarkably pointed prepared remarks. "If we want to maintain our independence, ensure our security, and preserve our sovereignty, we must equip ourselves with the means for strategic autonomy, and space is an essential part of this."The problem? Ariane 6 and Vega C are costly, lack a path to reusability, and aren't geared to match SpaceX's blistering launch cadence. If Europe wants autonomous access to space, European taxpayers will have to pay a premium. Isar's Spectrum also isn't reusable, but European officials hope competition from new startups will produce fresh launch options, and perhaps stimulate an inspired response from Europe's entrenched launch companies."In today's geopolitical climate, our first test flight is about much more than a rocket launch: Space is one of the most critical platforms for our security, resilience and technological advancement," Metzler said. "In the next days, Isar Aerospace will lay the foundations to regain much needed independent and competitive access to space from Europe."Tolker-Nielsen, in charge of ESA's space transportation division, said this is the first of many steps for Europe to develop a thriving commercial launch sector."This launch is a milestone, which is very important," he said. "It's the first conclusion of all this work, so I will be looking carefully on that. I cross my fingers that it goes well."Stephen ClarkSpace ReporterStephen ClarkSpace Reporter Stephen Clark is a space reporter at Ars Technica, covering private space companies and the worlds space agencies. Stephen writes about the nexus of technology, science, policy, and business on and off the planet. 9 Comments

2025-03-23T15:26:09Z Read in app Reid Hoffman says he uses AI to learn new topics and assess companies as an investor. Frederic J. Brown / AFP via Getty Images This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Reid Hoffman says everyone should be able to find a way to make AI useful for them.Hoffman told The Economist podcast he uses AI for learning and informing potential investments.Despite the hype, a recent Pew Research Center survey said 81% of US workers are "non-AI users."Reid Hoffman has some advice for anyone not finding AI useful: try harder."Frankly, if you haven't found something where it's useful to you, about something you care about, then you're not trying hard enough, you're not being original enough," Hoffman told The Economist podcast in an episode that aired this week.While the LinkedIn cofounder regularly uses AI tools in his personal and professional life, not everyone appears to be embracing it. A Pew Research Center survey found last month that 81% of US workers are "non-AI users." Hoffman, an AI optimist, said he uses the technology to learn new topics and to make decisions as an investor.He gave the example of giving ChatGPT-4 a research paper on quantum mechanics and asking it to explain it at varying levels of complexity as though he were age 12, 18, or a physics undergraduate student. "That's probably my most common case," he said.Hoffman said he also uses OpenAI's Deep Research tool "a lot" and described it as a "super-powered undergraduate research assistant." Although he said it's smart, he added it "lacks a little bit of common sense" and can include incorrect information.While it means he ends up cross-checking information, Hoffman says it still saves him "tens of hours of work" and that it's a "regular personal use" of his.Hoffman, an early Facebook investor, said he also uses AI tools in his capacity as a venture capitalist. When looking at potential companies to invest in, he feeds PowerPoint slides of a startup's business model into an AI tool and asks it to create a due diligence plan."And it generates an effective due diligence plan in, like, two minutes," he said, adding that while some things might be obvious, it provides other suggestions that he "wouldn't have thought of for two or three days."Hoffman is bullish about AI and has published a new book this month, "Superagency," which makes a positive case for humanity's AI future. He says he also used AI to help with feedback for the book including asking it to critique chapters from different perspectives, such as a European professor of technological history.

2025-03-23T15:04:01Z Read in app Champagne-based cocktails can be a fun choice. annabogush/Getty Images/RooM RF This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? We asked three bartenders which drinks they enjoy making and wish more patrons would order.Champagne-based cocktails, like the French 75, can be easy and fun to customize.Some bartenders like making sotol cocktails or a simple but elegant smoked Old Fashioned.Although it's great to have a go-to drink order that never lets you down, it can be fun to try something new. By doing so, you might just find your new favorite cocktail.So, Business Insider asked bartenders and mixologists which drinks they love to make and wish patrons would order more often.Here's what to try if you're looking for your next favorite sip.Champagne is good for more than just mimosas Champagne can add flavor and sparkle to a cocktail. Vicki Jauron, Babylon and Beyond Photography/Getty Images Alex Cabrera, head mixologist at Puente Romano resort, said he loves to create Champagne-based cocktails.One of his favorites has just three ingredients: Champagne, passionfruit juice, and strawberry juice. He said it's refreshing, and the simple ingredients let the fruit flavors shine.Plus, wine-based cocktails like these are generally solid choices for those looking for low-ABV (alcohol by volume) drinks.There are some great spins on a French 75Monica Wells, a Florida-based mixologist, said she enjoys playing with a classic French 75. It's typically made with gin, lemon juice, Champagne, and simple syrup.She called it a solid base drink for bartenders to customize and add flair to. Sometimes, she makes it more unique by swapping the lemon out for a regional citrus or tropical fruit.A smoked Old Fashioned isn't as complex as it seems Smoke can add depth to an Old Fashioned. BURCU ATALAY TANKUT/Getty Images Wells said her favorite cocktail to make is a smoked Old Fashioned because it has a simple, yet elevated vibe.Although it's only a three-ingredient drink usually made with bourbon, simple syrup, and bitters it's surprisingly complex.She said the cocktail can also be customized by switching up the age of the liquor and the wood chips used to smoke it.Try a sotol cocktail if you see one on the menuInstead of another tequila-based cocktail, try ordering one with a different Mexican spirit: sotol.Sotol has a "distinct earthy, herbal, and slightly smoky profile," said Eder Leon, restaurant and bar manager at Bonny Moon beach club.The former bartender said sotol usually has a strong taste, so it shines in cocktails like the Durango, which often contains ingredients like mezcal, grapefruit soda, and jasmine syrup.The mezcal supports the bolder spirit's smokiness while the grapefruit and jasmine uplift its floral and herbal notes.You can't go wrong with a Dark and StormySotol aside, Leon said his favorite cocktail to make is a Dark and Stormy. It's typically made with dark rum and ginger beer and served over ice."The combination of deep, caramelized rum flavors with the zing of ginger beer makes it both bold and refreshing," he said. Plus, it's versatile and easy for bartenders to put their own twists on it."You can add a splash of bitters, swap in a spiced rum, or experiment with different types of ginger beer," Leon told BI.

Theres one thing everyone knew about DCs Absolute universe before it launched: its Absolute Batman was big as hell. Scott Snyder and Nick Dragottas then-new take on the Dark Knight turned him from a silent ninja into a brick bathouse with a literal chest axe and a big-ass Batmobile. Can he get any bigger? No, but his enemies sure can! DC recently released its solicitcs for the month of June, and Absolute Batman#9 will introduce Bane. This version of the character, per the logline, is actually an old adversary of Alfreds recently summoned to Gotham by Joker. His mission? Stop Bruce from uncovering the secrets of Ark M, an institution contributing in the creation of evil within Gotham. His methods? Be literally big as hell. Check him out in Dragottas cover below. Sure is one big Bane, huh? At that size and amped up on Venom, this is probably one of the scarier versions of the villain, and it looks like he could easily eat Batman or just break his spine, as he often does. (The idea that this Bane needs a gun is also hilarious, given Venom makes him the size of a building.) In a February interview with CBR, Snyder teased Absolute Bane would have a new origin, but one that would speak to the old [backstory]. Its very much in conversation with who hes always been, but it just makes him even bigger and more dangerous, in my opinion. So hes scarier, bigger, tougher, smarter all of it. Thats an interesting tease, as is his introduction as an enemy of Alfreds that Bruce inherits. We cant wait to see what this Bane is all about whenAbsolute Batman#9 releases on June 11. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.