Daily Tech News 7 March 2026

Top Story

New NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has killed the Exploration Upper Stage project for the SLS and will be open to bids for a replacement that might actually exist some day. (Ars Technica)

Development of the Exploration Upper Stage has been in progress since 2016, with the initial launch date set for 2021. It's five years behind schedule and with $3.5 billion spent so far - nearly ten times the initial estimate - is no close to reality.

The lead contractor for the project was Boeing, for what it's worth.

Tech News

Lenovo's new ThinkPad T14 Gen 7 received a 10 out of 10 score for repairability on iFixit. (Liliputing)

It comes in both Intel (Panther Lake) and AMD (Ryzen 400 series) models, and uses LPCAMM2 rather than soldered memory. The display, keyboard, and battery are easily swapped out, as are the memory and SSD. The Thunderbolt ports are modular - there's a little adaptor that connects the socket to a matching socket on the motherboard, so if you trip over the cable you break a $2 part rather than the entire $2000 laptop.

A welcome change.
Indie game Slay the Spire 2 has 393,000 players on Steam right now. (WCCFTech)

That's a thousand times more than much-hyped TenCent-backed title High Guard, which received top billing at the Video Game Awards. (Which are, apparently, bigger than the Super Bowl, though I resolutely watch neither.)

Video games are alive and well. The video game industry is dying of self-inflicted wounds. Latest heir to the Concord crown is expected to be Marathon, though it's been out for two days and isn't dead yet.
AI startup Hayden AI is suing its former CEO over alleged instances of fraud and theft and pettifoggery and exaggerating on his resume. (Ars Technica)

The mopery and dopery appears to go back a ways:
According to Carson's LinkedIn profile, he completed a doctorate from Waseda University in Tokyo in 2007.
"That is a lie," the complaint states. "Carson does not hold a PhD from Waseda or any other university. In 2007, he was not obtaining a PhD but was operating 'Splat Action Sports,' a paintball equipment business in a Florida strip mall."
Did he use Cluely to get the job?
Things are bad, but not that bad. (Tom's Hardware)

Yes, prices of 32GB memory kits did hit $4000 on Newegg, up almost tenfold in a single day.

It only affected a couple of ranges of G.Skill memory - 27 products in all - including some bundles containing that specific memory. Affected prices should be back to the new normal now.

Musical Interlude

Disclaimer: You can't go wrong with a potato. Or you can, I guess, but you'll at least know you messed up.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 04:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 w00t

Posted by: m at March 07, 2026 04:01 AM (+YA9H)

2 Morning all

Posted by: Tuna at March 07, 2026 04:01 AM (lJ0H4)

3 Morning.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at March 07, 2026 04:03 AM (BLOW1)

4 Morning, 'rons and 'ettes.

Posted by: olddog in mo at March 07, 2026 04:03 AM (bQ4nt)

5 According to Carson's LinkedIn profile, he completed a doctorate from Waseda University in Tokyo in 2007.

"That is a lie," the complaint states. "Carson does not hold a PhD from Waseda or any other university. In 2007, he was not obtaining a PhD but was operating 'Splat Action Sports,' a paintball equipment business in a Florida strip mall."

Maybe call up one or two of the references, rather than just trusting his resume? See if they're all real people, or just the same guy talking through AutoTune?

Posted by: mikeski at March 07, 2026 04:04 AM (VHUov)

6 >>>AI startup Hayden AI is suing its former CEO over alleged instances of fraud and theft and pettifoggery and exaggerating on his resume. (Ars Technica)

The mopery and dopery appears to go back a ways

>Let the AI prosecute the case. He may have bailed with his retirement because he knew the product was shit.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at March 07, 2026 04:15 AM (M9gjJ)

7 Maybe call up one or two of the references, rather than just trusting his resume? See if they're all real people, or just the same guy talking through AutoTune?
Posted by: mikeski at March 07, 2026 04:04 AM (VHUov)

I was grossly disappointed when I got older and found out that older people are actually mostly just better at keeping their mouths shut, and otherwise the same dumbasses that they were when they were younger people.

Posted by: SciVo at March 07, 2026 04:18 AM (Sy6m/)

8 via @redsteeze

David M. McIntosh
@DavidMMcintosh
17h
Trump's State Department discovers what the Biden State Department was up to for 4 years: "I think we were trying to make the maps more gay."

accompanying video!

Posted by: m at March 07, 2026 04:20 AM (+YA9H)

9 They cancelled Exploration Upper Stage but are continuing with Artemis in hopes of increasing flight rotation.
Rotation 1
Rotation 1
Rotation 1

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at March 07, 2026 04:22 AM (83+LM)

10 >>>... fraud and theft and pettifoggery ... (Ars Technica)

lions and tigers and bears
oh, my

Posted by: m at March 07, 2026 04:24 AM (+YA9H)

11 @visegrad24 . 1h
Romanian TV news:

“Our only chance to solve the demographic crisis in Romanian is for migrants to come here and have children with Romanian women”

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at March 07, 2026 04:28 AM (83+LM)

12 >Let the AI prosecute the case. He may have bailed with his retirement because he knew the product was shit.
Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at March 07, 2026 04:15 AM (M9gjJ)

Funny thing about Imposter Syndrome: sometimes it's because they really don't know what they're doing, they tried the ol' "fake it 'til you make it" when they shouldn't have, and their subsequent freak-out is justifiable and correct. Well, that's not to justify their behavior; I mean, they should've panicked sooner, before it reached the point where quitting had consequences for others.

Posted by: SciVo at March 07, 2026 04:28 AM (Sy6m/)

13 7 I was grossly disappointed when I got older and found out that older people are actually mostly just better at keeping their mouths shut, and otherwise the same dumbasses that they were when they were younger people.
Posted by: SciVo

Don't be disappointed. That's 90% of true wisdom right there.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at March 07, 2026 04:29 AM (BLOW1)

14 he UK announced it’s sending the air defense-destroyer HMS Dragon to protect UK airbases on Cyprus from Hezbollah’s suicide drone attacks against the island.

That deployment has now been delayed.

The union says repairs are held up because the naval base only operates 9–5
_Telegraph

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at March 07, 2026 04:30 AM (83+LM)

15 11 @visegrad24 . 1h
Romanian TV news:

“Our only chance to solve the demographic crisis in Romanian is for migrants to come here and have children with Romanian women”

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at March 07, 2026 04:28 AM (83+LM)

Ethnocide, straight up. They are ruled by evil.

Posted by: SciVo at March 07, 2026 04:33 AM (Sy6m/)

16 Mornin'

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at March 07, 2026 04:35 AM (Wg6v7)

17 16 Mornin'
Posted by: Puddleglum at work at March 07, 2026 04:35 AM (Wg6v7)

That it is!

Posted by: m at March 07, 2026 04:36 AM (+YA9H)

18 13 7 I was grossly disappointed when I got older and found out that older people are actually mostly just better at keeping their mouths shut, and otherwise the same dumbasses that they were when they were younger people.
Posted by: SciVo

Don't be disappointed. That's 90% of true wisdom right there.
Posted by: Pixy Misa at March 07, 2026 04:29 AM (BLOW1)

What you say reflects my experience, too. Except for the rather large number of older people--elderly, maybe--who simply cannot shut up, maybe a reversion to childhood?

Posted by: m at March 07, 2026 04:38 AM (+YA9H)

19 >>>I was grossly disappointed when I got older and found out that older people are actually mostly just better at keeping their mouths shut, and otherwise the same dumbasses that they were when they were younger people.
Posted by: SciVo

Don't be disappointed. That's 90% of true wisdom right there.

>It's better to just watch the drama without volunteering anything unless asked directly. Sure, people lack experience, but you will soon learn who the narcissists are and those are the dangerous ones. Enjoy the spectacle!

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at March 07, 2026 04:55 AM (M9gjJ)

20 The union says repairs are held up because the naval base only operates 9–5
_Telegraph

But you've got dreams he'll never take away
In the same boat with a lot of your friends
Waitin' for the day your ship'll come in
And the tide's gonna turn an' it's all gonna roll your way

Posted by: Dolly Parton at March 07, 2026 05:03 AM (D0HYP)

21 >>>The union says repairs are held up because the naval base only operates 9–5
_Telegraph

>That's hilarious. The Brits are becoming the French. Surrender now and save yourselves the trouble.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at March 07, 2026 05:08 AM (M9gjJ)

22
g'mornin', 'rons

Posted by: AltonJackson at March 07, 2026 05:25 AM (tljrc)

23 Morning, Tech Peeps

Posted by: fluffy at March 07, 2026 05:26 AM (AN2gy)

24 19 It's better to just watch the drama without volunteering anything unless asked directly. Sure, people lack experience....
Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at March 07, 2026 04:55 AM (M9gjJ)

1) Don't answer a question that hasn't been asked.
2) Just because someone asks a question doesn't mean you have to answer it.

Posted by: m at March 07, 2026 05:27 AM (+YA9H)

25 >>> That's hilarious. The Brits are becoming the French. Surrender now and save yourselves the trouble

I saw a meme yesterday showing the names and flags of Islamic countries in favor of actions in Iran. Basically every Gulf state. The Islamic countries opposed: England, France and Spain.

Posted by: fluffy at March 07, 2026 05:31 AM (AN2gy)

26 What you say reflects my experience, too. Except for the rather large number of older people--elderly, maybe--who simply cannot shut up, maybe a reversion to childhood?
Posted by: m at March 07, 2026 04:38 AM (+YA9H

Yeah, they're "special." Some people are unbright and just get older without ever growing up -- they can leave high school, but it never leaves them -- and others might have "second childhood" senescence. However, I'm convinced (without proof) that there are two other categories of Unfiltered Ones: those with brain damage from chronic drug and alcohol use, and then the selfish ones that just give themselves permission to be childish when they're finally able to stop having to keep a job.

Posted by: SciVo at March 07, 2026 05:35 AM (Sy6m/)

27 11 @visegrad24 . 1h
Romanian TV news:

“Our only chance to solve the demographic crisis in Romanian is for migrants to come here and have children with Romanian women”

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at March 07, 2026 04:28 AM (83+LM)

Or they could advertise really cheap spring break beach packages to attract some young men to visit Romania!

Posted by: m at March 07, 2026 05:36 AM (+YA9H)

28 Tis better to be silent and thought to be a fool than speak and remove all doubt.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at March 07, 2026 05:39 AM (qFwJc)

29 >>>That's hilarious. The Brits are becoming the French. Surrender now and save yourselves the trouble

I saw a meme yesterday showing the names and flags of Islamic countries in favor of actions in Iran. Basically every Gulf state. The Islamic countries opposed: England, France and Spain.

Posted by: fluffy

>Let's get some Germans in there and really kick this thing off!

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at March 07, 2026 05:40 AM (M9gjJ)

30 26 ... Some people are unbright and just get older without ever growing up -- they can leave high school, but it never leaves them -- and others might have "second childhood" senescence.

However, I'm convinced (without proof) that there are two other categories of Unfiltered Ones: those with brain damage from chronic drug and alcohol use, and then the selfish ones that just give themselves permission to be childish when they're finally able to stop having to keep a job.
Posted by: SciVo at March 07, 2026 05:35 AM (Sy6m/)

Old age isn't for the faint of heart.
Or words to that effect.

Posted by: m at March 07, 2026 05:40 AM (+YA9H)

31 >>> the selfish ones that just give themselves permission to be childish when they're finally able to stop having to keep a job.

You just described my retirement plans. I don't plan to do much talking, but I intend to treat the world as my playground, as much as possible.

Posted by: fluffy at March 07, 2026 05:41 AM (AN2gy)

32 You can't go wrong with a potato.

Ah, that's how I proposed to my wife!

Posted by: Brian Stelter at March 07, 2026 05:52 AM (eOFY+)

33 Evening to the Saturday toilers, morning to the early risers for the last day of real time before Daylight Shaving comes in! Yes, it'll be dark in the morning. But then the endless yellow daylight, hot and humid and draining, will drag on until seven in the evening, bringing with it despair and depression . . .

Ahem. That's, uh, just me, isn't it?

Still, I'd prefer regular time.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 07, 2026 05:53 AM (wzUl9)

34 7 I was grossly disappointed when I got older and found out that older people are actually mostly just better at keeping their mouths shut, and otherwise the same dumbasses that they were when they were younger people.
Posted by: SciVo

***
Most people are just making it up as they go along.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 07, 2026 05:54 AM (wzUl9)

35 >>> But then the endless yellow daylight, hot and humid and draining, will drag on until seven in the evening, bringing with it despair and depression

The further north you go, the longer summer days will last. Don't move to Grand Forks, ND.

Posted by: fluffy at March 07, 2026 06:01 AM (AN2gy)

36 https://x.com/miguelifornia/status/2029960126762021290

Posted by: TheCatAttackedMyFoot at March 07, 2026 06:02 AM (jrgJz)

37 The Gospel of John read by David Suchet at Westminster Abbey. If you have an interest you'll have to cut it off where you chose to, because it's the whole gospel . I read it from chapter one to verse 14. I love all the references to the light:

https://tinyurl.com/52putshy

And thanks to LASue ( I may have garbled her handle-sorry-who was so kind to bring up David Suchet reading the NT)

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at March 07, 2026 06:05 AM (looXz)

38 G'Day everyone

Posted by: Skip at March 07, 2026 06:08 AM (Ia/+0)

39 Bloodhound tracks down and rescues a 13 year old boy with autism. Scroll down for video:

https://tinyurl.com/marmww6h

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at March 07, 2026 06:09 AM (looXz)

40 Shaquille ONeal who seems like a generous, nice guy helps a boy with a sports dream:

https://tinyurl.com/3anvympk

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at March 07, 2026 06:13 AM (looXz)

41 https://moonbattery.com/open-thread_260306/#disqus_thread

Posted by: TheCatAttackedMyFoot at March 07, 2026 06:14 AM (jrgJz)

42 Good morning morons

Avalon is a very good song, ethereal and hypnotic, creating a sense of being "someplace else"

Posted by: San Franpsycho at March 07, 2026 06:15 AM (RIvkX)

43 I wish we would stop changing clocks 2 times a year

Posted by: Skip at March 07, 2026 06:18 AM (Ia/+0)

44 Powerline Week In Pictures:

https://tinyurl.com/4yrbxa82

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at March 07, 2026 06:19 AM (eOFY+)

45 In a twist, Grok claims the Roxy Music "Avalon" video was directed by Ridley Scott. I guess in his pre-Alien, pre-Gladiator days, he was making music videos.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at March 07, 2026 06:21 AM (hs23C)

46 Update: Boy's meeting was held as scheduled and went fairly well, they may be able to expand some of his social-recreational opportunities away from mom and dad. On employment, she completely punted to Department of Rehabilitation. Good news is I started an application there 3 months ago and his intake is scheduled next week.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at March 07, 2026 06:21 AM (RIvkX)

47 Moar memes from Bookworm Room:

https://tinyurl.com/399r4ke5

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at March 07, 2026 06:22 AM (eOFY+)

48 Devotional from the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews and Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord and Lean not on your own understanding"

https://tinyurl.com/3pdzrnjm

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at March 07, 2026 06:24 AM (looXz)

49 Waiting for my coffee IV drip

Posted by: Skip at March 07, 2026 06:25 AM (Ia/+0)

50 Grok also says the ethereal woman in the video was played by Sophie Ward, an English actress who went on to act in numerous movies and also in many stage productions. Along the way she collected a PhD in comparative literature with a sideline in philosophy, before deciding she is a lesbian and marrying a poetess.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at March 07, 2026 06:26 AM (q6S/B)

51 Posted by: San Franpsycho at March 07, 2026 06:21 AM (RIvkX)

Thanks for the update. Hopefully they will be able to do that, and good for you for contacting the Dept of Rehabilitation some time ago. Will continue to pray.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at March 07, 2026 06:26 AM (looXz)

52 Wither the Royal Navy?

Both Queen Elizabeth carriers are tied to piers for the foreseeable future.

All Astute class attack submarines are similarly immobilized.

In fact, the Royal Navy can deploy only ONE 'major' combatant to guard Britain's base at Cyprus, which is the eastern Med and not the far distant Pacific, is HMS Dragon a Type 45 destroyer.

Posted by: Anna Puma at March 07, 2026 06:27 AM (2GVsD)

53 Good news is I started an application there 3 months ago and his intake is scheduled next week.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at March 07, 2026 06:21 AM (RIvkX)
===================
Tiger dad for the win. Smart parents devoted to children's success are a blessing to their kids.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at March 07, 2026 06:28 AM (q6S/B)

54 Two cups of coffee and a fragrant pipe to start off my Saturday. Maybe this week I will take a road trip up to Jackson, MS, to the full-scale pipe shop there. I need a road trip to shake me out of the early-summer doldrums.

Breakfast? Dunno. Maybe I'll go out to my favorite neighborhood grill today. Or have the solid food here, and stop in there for a coffee and a slice of cake.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 07, 2026 06:31 AM (wzUl9)

55 Great ____ing Pratchett reference!

Posted by: Grouchy Dino at March 07, 2026 06:33 AM (CHt+W)

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