‘Artemis II’ Nears Spaceflight Record & NeeDoh Craze Causes Shortage

The Morning Brew Daily episode covers a mix of space, tech, and cultural trends, beginning with the near-completion of NASA's Artemis II mission, where astronauts are set to perform a lunar flyby, capturing stunning iPhone-shot images of Earth and the moon's far side. The episode highlights the unprecedented use of consumer technology in space, including the iPhone 17 and the challenges of life in microgravity—like food constraints and a malfunctioning toilet. Meanwhile, the rise of MedV, a solo-founded $1 billion online prescription platform for weight loss drugs, sparks debate over AI's role in entrepreneurship, with critics questioning the ethics of AI-generated before-and-after images and the company's lack of verified medical partnerships. The episode also explores the viral craze around Neato, a squishy fidget toy that has caused shortages and resale spikes, driven by TikTok trends and consumer demand. On the economic front, a surprisingly strong jobs report shows 178,000 new jobs added in March, though analysts caution that the shrinking labor force and low survey response rates may skew unemployment data. The episode closes with geopolitical tensions over Iran, the Masters golf tournament, and the Coachella music festival, all framed within the show’s signature blend of humor and insight.