Mastodawn

PhillipBrandon Feb 24, 2023

GovTrack.us Feb 24, 2023

"Politwoops was built on the idea that what elected officials and candidates said on Twitter mattered, at least a little. ... [T]he deletions sometimes spoke volumes." Our friend @derekwillis explains that legislators can now erase tweets from public memory and the end of very a long-running open government project. https://www.propublica.org/article/politwoops-deleted-tweets-twitter-politicians-musk

After a Decade of Tracking Politicians’ Deleted Tweets, Politwoops Is No More

Whether officials were deleting an embarrassing post or just correcting a typo, Politwoops tracked them all. But service changes made after Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter have rendered it impossible for us to continue tracking these tweets.

ProPublica

PhillipBrandon Feb 23, 2023

In light of the case currently in front of the Supreme Court, here's a great episode from Intelligence Squared US Debates about "free speech" and social media.

https://www.intelligencesquaredus.org/debate/constitutional-free-speech-principles-can-save-social-media-companies-themselves/

Constitutional Free Speech Principles Can Save Social Media Companies from Themselves - Intelligence Squared US

How should the world’s largest social media companies respond to a pernicious online climate, including hate speech and false content posted by users? For some, the answer is clear: take the fake and offensive content down. But for others, censorship – even by a private company – is dangerous in a time when digital platforms have become the […]

Intelligence Squared US

PhillipBrandon Feb 9, 2023

David Zipper Feb 9, 2023

In CityLab, I explained why e-bike rebate programs have a hidden benefit: They can be a powerful catalyst for building safer streets.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-02-09/denver-s-e-bike-rebate-program-has-a-hidden-power

#biking #cycling #safety

PhillipBrandon Feb 9, 2023

I missed this episode last spring. It is an admirably tight encapsulation of so many aspects endangering people on US roads:

https://newrepublic.com/article/165661/rise-traffic-deaths-car-crashes-pandemic-stress

Too Fast or Too Furious?

More people are dying in traffic crashes. Is pandemic rage to blame?

The New Republic

PhillipBrandon Jan 9, 2023

People on bikes must come to terms with the fact that every time they ride they are endangering themselves.
Every one I know does.
People driving cars must come to terms with the fact that every time they drive, they are endangering other people.
Almost no one I know does.

PhillipBrandon Jan 9, 2023

"In 1913 the New York Court of Appeals observed that it was 'common knowledge' that the 'great size and weight' of automobiles could make them 'a most serious danger,' and so the responsibility for preserving the safety of the streets lay overwhelmingly with motorists."

https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/when-cities-treated-cars-as-dangerous-intruders/

When Cities Treated Cars as Dangerous Intruders

To many urban Americans in the 1920s, the car and its driver were tyrants that deprived others of their freedom.

The MIT Press Reader

PhillipBrandon Jan 5, 2023

The current #House debacle is another reminder not to put Republicans in charge of your government for the same reason not to put the Amish in charge of your IT department.

PhillipBrandon Dec 22, 2022

Zelenskyy's address for the joint meeting of Congress is really worth a watch. #zelenskyy #ukraine
https://www.c-span.org/video/?525000-1/ukrainian-president-zelensky-address-congress

Ukrainian President Zelensky Address to Congress

"Against all odds, and doom and gloom scenarios, Ukraine didn't fall," said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as he began his remarks to a joint meeting of Congress on U.S. support for Ukraine in its war against Russia's invasion. He thanked Congress for the United States' financial assistance, but said, "Your money is not charity. It's an investment in the global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way." As President Zelensky ended his remarks, he presented to Congress a "battle" flag from the front lines of Ukraine, calling it a "symbol of our victory in this war." As the president concluded, outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) in turn presented to him an American flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol earlier in the day in honor of his visit. President Zelensky enters the chamber approximately 24 minutes into this program.

C-SPAN.org

PhillipBrandon Nov 23, 2022

David Zipper Nov 23, 2022

The need of curbside [EV] chargers is often exaggerated."

Good news for those hoping to see curbs enlivened with parklets, outdoor dining, and bikeshare -- not covered with stationary, empty cars.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2022.103526

#cars #cities #urbanism

PhillipBrandon Nov 17, 2022

I want to see if I can open this up to the wider #urbanism community with a question about on #transit #landuse #development.

#Charlotte, NC is evaluating options to redevelop its current #bus terminal; Ground Level, Split Level Up to existing light rail, and Below Grade, the most expensive, and preferred by the developer.

Is filling a city block with busses a good idea? Is placing them below ground inequitable? Is it worth the $$$?

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/dbd0e04aeed9485ea3baa88597211d04

Charlotte Transportation Center

Proposed Redevelopment

Esri