Loop makes earplugs designed to do this. They have different models, like their Experience one is designed for going to concerts that are too loud, but you still want to be able to hear the music properly, just quieter. Or Engage let’s you hear voices, but it helps block out background noises. They’re pretty discreet and most people won’t notice you’re wearing them in my experience.

Your sources are 11 months and 17 months old. I don’t think that refutes your basic argument, but it does certainly cause me to doubt the specific $3M figure. For example here is an article from 6/2023 that describes a new contract between SpaceX and USDoD: https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/pentagon-buys-starlink-ukraine-statement-2023-06-01/

It doesn’t include costs, but it’s hard to believe a new contract wouldn’t increase the $3M originally paid last year.

It’s also interesting to consider the marketing impact of donating terminals and service to Ukraine. Does that drive paid service in other parts of the world that exceeds the cost of operations in Ukraine? I think that data is not likely to be available outside SpaceX, although Wikipedia does list pretty steady growth of subscriber numbers (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starlink#Subscribers). So Musk’s support of Ukraine may not be entirely altruistic.

Oh, at my last job I used my Leatherman a ton. Wire cutters, screw driver, pliers, etc. I used the blade for opening boxes and stuff too. I don’t know that I’d say everyone needs one, but they are pretty handy. I don’t usually carry it anymore at my new job since it’s pretty different, but I still occasionally find myself reaching for it.

To the OP question, I would say everyone should have a “go bag” with essential stuff you need in an emergency that’s already packed and ready to go. A multitool is a great addition to a Go Bag since it can take the place of a lot of tools in a compact way.

Every time I go to buy a first aid kit I realize I don’t really know how to use anything inside besides like the bandaids and simple stuff.

There are some Leatherman tools without blades: https://www.leatherman.com/knifeless

And lots more options if you look at multitools from other companies.

You should use one with an AMOLED dark mode. Usually the screen uses the most battery and if your phone supports AMOLED it actually turns the pixels off to make blacks, which is more energy efficient. I have Connect, Liftoff, and Jerboa and they all offer it as a theme option although Jerboa calls it System Black (I think that’s the same thing anyway).

I use SyncThing to backup our cell phones to my on-prem server, and then use BackBlaze Personal Backup for a cloud copy.