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Fireworks
People respond to incentives, although not necessarily in ways that are predictable or manifest. Therefore, one of the most powerful laws in the universe is the law of unintended consequences.
—Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner, SuperFreakonomics
The clear, peaceful sky made the perfect backdrop for a beautiful explosion. The Kestrel Heavy rocket—three skyscraper-tall white cylinders strapped together, poised to launch another habitat module—gleamed in the morning sun.
The first explosions began so majestically. Huge fireballs from twenty-seven rocket engines appeared simultaneously below the craft, pushing it gracefully yet relentlessly upward. Controlled explosions these were, and all five of the people in the control room sighed with relief as she accelerated and began t
