Join Oliver Morton, the Planetary Affairs editor for The Economist, as he provides expert insights on SpaceX's monumental Starship launch, signaling a revolutionary era in affordable space missions. Meanwhile, Anna Lankes, the Brazil correspondent, dives into the lingering influence of Jair Bolsonaro on right-wing politics in Brazil, exploring the country's evolving political landscape post-elections. The conversation also touches on the intriguing evolution of self-help books, highlighting societal anxieties reflected through time.
SpaceX's Starship program is set to revolutionize space travel through reusability and efficiency, enabling ambitious missions beyond low Earth orbit.
Jair Bolsonaro's enduring influence on Brazilian politics highlights a growing conservative resurgence despite his removal from office and the 2026 elections looming.
Deep dives
Bolsonaro's Political Resurgence
Jair Bolsonaro remains a significant figure in Brazilian politics despite being banned from holding office. He actively influenced the recent municipal elections by endorsing candidates and raising support for far-right movements. Notably, he capitalized on the political climate, as evidenced by the success of right-wing candidates in several major cities, including São Paulo, where candidates sought to align closely with his populist image. This dynamic suggests a conservative resurgence and indicates how Bolsonaro's continued presence may shape future elections, particularly the upcoming presidential contest in 2026.
The Evolution of Self-Help Literature
Self-help books have evolved from their origins in the 19th century to become a significant portion of today's literary market, representing 3% of all book sales in Britain. The genre began with Samuel Smiles' book, promoting the idea that anyone could succeed through sheer effort, which resonated with readers and influenced societal norms around self-improvement. Over time, critiques emerged due to the proliferation of poorly written works and questionable claims within the genre. However, this literary category reveals the evolving anxieties and desires of readers across different eras, reflecting cultural shifts and societal concerns.
The Power of SpaceX's Starship Program
SpaceX's Starship program represents a significant advancement in aerospace technology, aimed at revolutionizing space travel with reusability and efficiency. The recent launch demonstrated the rocket's impressive capabilities, including its stage separation and the booster’s return landing, which was lauded for its execution and engineering prowess. Future iterations of the Starship will potentially carry heavier payloads than ever before, which could facilitate ambitious missions beyond low Earth orbit, such as manned missions to Mars by the 2030s. This program not only aims to make space exploration more accessible but also aligns with Elon Musk's vision for humanity's expansion into the cosmos.
The fifth test flight of the absolutely enormous Starship went entirely to plan, returning everything to Earth for reuse and heralding a new era of big space missions with small price tags. Two years after Brazilians ejected Jair Bolsonaro, their inept and dangerous former president, he still shapes right-wing politics (11:30). And the anxiety-lined past and present of self-help books (19:22).