The Lakers’ Rocket Scientist

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Happy Wednesday, Future Party. Apparently, the Pentagon doesn’t think the times we’re living in are interesting enough, because they’ve released a second batch of videos that may point to the existence of UAPs (or UFOs, for the old-school crowd). Is 2026 the year the government finally comes clean about alien life? Or is this all still part of a stealth marketing campaign for Steven Spielberg’s upcoming alien thriller, Disclosure Day? Honestly, as far as we’re concerned, it could easily be both… we just hope we get to see the Spielberg movie first.

The Los Angeles Lakers have hired former aerospace engineer Rohan Ramadas as one of the team’s two new assistant general managers.

The Big Shot: The tech-ification of professional sports has reached a new level, with AI, data analytics, and robotics becoming critical competitive advantages. As the Lakers approach an existential turning point, having every tool at their disposal could give them an edge in rebuilding a championship team.

Between The Offices: Before rising through the executive ranks with the New Orleans Pelicans organization, Ramadas spent 12 years working as an engineer at The Aerospace Corporation, according to Hypebeast.

So, what exactly is a rocket scientist doing in the front office of an NBA team?

Last Launch: The Lakers have major changes on the horizon, including the eventual retirement of LeBron James and the upcoming free agency of rising star Austin Reaves. Using advanced analytics to determine how best to fill those gaps will likely be Ramadas’ first order of business.

It’s the modern NBA version of Moneyball.

The Future: It’s possible that one day every NBA game will be modeled using advanced AI and statistical systems to inform strategy. Players might want to start brushing up on their technical knowledge.

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A startup called Kickback has gone viral for designing and refurbishing “analog” devices.

Why It Hits: Kickback’s early success highlights young people’s growing desire to disconnect and embrace tech that feels more tactile — devices that seem to rely more on mechanical design than cutting-edge software. While many of these products aren’t truly analog, they evoke a “simpler” era that disappeared during their childhoods.

Behind The Devices: Founded by London Jackson (real name London Glorfield), Kickback is making some smart investments in “dumb” devices, Insider reports.

Final Shipment: Last year, Kickback — whose only full-time employees are Jackson, a designer based in Copenhagen, and a recently hired COO — generated $750,000 in revenue and raised $300,000 in VC funding. Jackson also handles all of the company’s marketing himself, posting TikToks and Reels about wanting to spend less time on his phone.

If that’s not a microcosm of society right now, we don’t know what is.

Prediction: As interest in going analog continues to grow, devices made by startups like Kickback could become a new kind of status symbol. Welcome to the anti-notification generation.

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45.9% of you voted Relaxed at home in yesterday’s poll: How did you spend Memorial Day weekend?

“Everyone’s tired!”

“It was a rainy Memorial Day weekend in Durham, NC. Coming off a two-week trip abroad, it was a great chance for my family and me to relax and settle back in before going back to work.”

“I deep-cleaned our bedroom and got rid of a ton of stuff. It felt good to clear everything out!”

“I visited loved ones in care homes to remind them that they’re also not forgotten.”

“All of the above — spent time working outdoors in the yard, went out for ice cream and dinner, streamed a movie and relaxed at home, and even had our own party.”

Let’s keep the conversation going. Join Poll Of The Day, so your opinions can shine. Discover how your views line up with your peers’, check out cool insights, and have some fun. It’s data with personality.

🎤 Drake is on a historic hot streak with his latest three albums: he’s become the first living solo artist to have 12 albums on the Billboard 200 simultaneously, place 42 songs on the Hot 100 at the same time, and surpass Michael Jackson for the most No. 1 singles by a male artist.

📺 Dutton Ranch posted the biggest debut ever for a Paramount+ original series, drawing 12.9 million viewers.

🎧 Spotify will now let users stream narrated long-form magazine articles.

✈️ American Airlines has struck a deal with SpaceX to install Starlink across its Airbus fleet.

💻 Downloads of DuckDuckGo are up 30% as users react to Google’s AI-driven search overhaul.

☢️ The White House is nearing a plan to transfer plutonium from dismantled nuclear warheads to private companies so it can be repurposed as fuel.

👀 A congressional committee has launched an investigation into alleged insider trading on prediction markets.

🚗 Massachusetts has become the first state to officially recognize a rideshare drivers union.

👕 With profits up 20% this year, is GU the next UNIQLO?