Edgardo Block
@edgardoblock.bsky.social
Personal account for personal comments, which are solely my responsibility and no one else’s.
Argentina-born American, transport infrastructure professional. Started the very empty @evalpavement.bsky.social.
Argentina-born American, transport infrastructure professional. Started the very empty @evalpavement.bsky.social.
Pinned
Well, I’m going to play “Battle of the Chopin waltzes.” We* will play with 16 of them; 14 recorded by Dinu Lipatti and two more of my choosing. Lack of a voting app on bluesky means we’ll just do this by hand. I will pin this thread and add a link to each vote.
Rules for playing: +
Rules for playing: +
YESSSSS
Tell any of the scientists you know who have remained on the site everyone still calls Twitter, even though it's nothing like Twitter.
Bluesky is the new science Twitter, new study by @whysharksmatter.bsky.social and Julia Wester concludes!
"Results show that for every reported professional benefit that scientists once gained from Twitter, scientists can now gain that benefit more effectively on Bluesky than on Twitter."
"Results show that for every reported professional benefit that scientists once gained from Twitter, scientists can now gain that benefit more effectively on Bluesky than on Twitter."
February 14, 2026 at 3:03 AM
YESSSSS
I did enough too
You did enough too
You did enough too
February 14, 2026 at 3:00 AM
I did enough too
You did enough too
You did enough too
February 14, 2026 at 2:52 AM
Chupacabras sighting
February 13, 2026 at 7:44 PM
Chupacabras sighting
Red Sox legend David Ortiz’s nickname is Big Papi, which some who know the Spanish language think means Big Daddy but, because self-reciprocal kinship is very much a feature of familiar address in Spanish, actually can be translated as Big Kid and in fact it is a better nickname understood that way.
February 13, 2026 at 7:23 PM
Red Sox legend David Ortiz’s nickname is Big Papi, which some who know the Spanish language think means Big Daddy but, because self-reciprocal kinship is very much a feature of familiar address in Spanish, actually can be translated as Big Kid and in fact it is a better nickname understood that way.
Reposted by Edgardo Block
Screenshot of map showing areas of London & home counties predicted to be below annual flood level by 2050. This is a screenshot from a global map. You can investigate how flood risk is predicted to rise where you live via link below:
share.google/V1FP4UpSUEHY...
share.google/V1FP4UpSUEHY...
February 13, 2026 at 8:16 AM
Screenshot of map showing areas of London & home counties predicted to be below annual flood level by 2050. This is a screenshot from a global map. You can investigate how flood risk is predicted to rise where you live via link below:
share.google/V1FP4UpSUEHY...
share.google/V1FP4UpSUEHY...
Reposted by Edgardo Block
9 fun things to do on Valentine's Day in Montreal, regardless of relationship status montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
February 13, 2026 at 12:45 PM
9 fun things to do on Valentine's Day in Montreal, regardless of relationship status montrealgazette.com/news/local-n...
Connections
Puzzle #977
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟩🟨🟪🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟪🟪🟪🟪
Puzzle #977
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟩🟨🟪🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟪🟪🟪🟪
February 13, 2026 at 3:51 AM
Connections
Puzzle #977
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟩🟨🟪🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟪🟪🟪🟪
Puzzle #977
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟩🟨🟪🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟪🟪🟪🟪
From my reply but pointing to the head skeet.
Great teams I have watched
the AC Milan of van Basten, Gullit, Baresi Costacurta and company (late 80s) (I don’t even like AC Milan)
Barcelona through the Rijkaard+Guardiola+Vilanova era
( Ronaldinho Henry Iniesta Alonso and Messi Puyol Pique)
… +
Great teams I have watched
the AC Milan of van Basten, Gullit, Baresi Costacurta and company (late 80s) (I don’t even like AC Milan)
Barcelona through the Rijkaard+Guardiola+Vilanova era
( Ronaldinho Henry Iniesta Alonso and Messi Puyol Pique)
… +
A question: My sense is that in Soccer, the best club teams tend to have more talent than the best international teams, something that doesn’t seem to be true in other sports.
Is that just a product of my relatively limited understanding of soccer, or is this a real thing? And if so, why is that?
Is that just a product of my relatively limited understanding of soccer, or is this a real thing? And if so, why is that?
February 13, 2026 at 2:00 AM
From my reply but pointing to the head skeet.
Great teams I have watched
the AC Milan of van Basten, Gullit, Baresi Costacurta and company (late 80s) (I don’t even like AC Milan)
Barcelona through the Rijkaard+Guardiola+Vilanova era
( Ronaldinho Henry Iniesta Alonso and Messi Puyol Pique)
… +
Great teams I have watched
the AC Milan of van Basten, Gullit, Baresi Costacurta and company (late 80s) (I don’t even like AC Milan)
Barcelona through the Rijkaard+Guardiola+Vilanova era
( Ronaldinho Henry Iniesta Alonso and Messi Puyol Pique)
… +
proper tres leches
February 13, 2026 at 1:13 AM
proper tres leches
what are the chances John Bolton is the only one who realizes something true that no one else sees? (my reaction whether to read a monthly Atlantic article when I get just one click)
Write down the p for that, subtract from 1, which is the chance he’s pushing his world view, and click elsewhere. +
Write down the p for that, subtract from 1, which is the chance he’s pushing his world view, and click elsewhere. +
February 11, 2026 at 4:07 AM
what are the chances John Bolton is the only one who realizes something true that no one else sees? (my reaction whether to read a monthly Atlantic article when I get just one click)
Write down the p for that, subtract from 1, which is the chance he’s pushing his world view, and click elsewhere. +
Write down the p for that, subtract from 1, which is the chance he’s pushing his world view, and click elsewhere. +
So it’s a 1985 throwback, long live Raymond Berry!
February 9, 2026 at 3:03 AM
So it’s a 1985 throwback, long live Raymond Berry!
Reposted by Edgardo Block
Disturbingly detailed analysis of my first rewatch incoming
February 9, 2026 at 2:30 AM
Disturbingly detailed analysis of my first rewatch incoming
Who is doing the most granular (frequent) bad bunny liveskeeting I do not have access to TV and the wifi is slooooow
February 9, 2026 at 1:26 AM
Who is doing the most granular (frequent) bad bunny liveskeeting I do not have access to TV and the wifi is slooooow
the world is now ready for “The Last Ski Jump”
George R.R. Martin wrote a story with this premise called "The Last Super Bowl." But in truth, humans want new things that are real. It's amusing to simulate Tyson v. Ali, but we know it's just a simulation. Sports is engaging because it isn't a sim.
people who say that all creative endeavor can be replaced with AI probably need to reckon with the fact that all televised sports events with human athletes could easily be replicated by high-definition computer-animated simulations….and yet we don’t do this and no one seems to want to.
February 8, 2026 at 10:18 PM
the world is now ready for “The Last Ski Jump”
Still a good benchmark
I was once given a file of data. supposedly authoritative (official,) but with unknown accuracy. Upon a quick random check comprising 30 records, my sample yielded 7 errors, and on expanding my check I estimates it was about 80% accurate, but with no pattern; any record had an 80% chance… +
the nuzzi profile in nyt feels like… a betrayal to political reporters who do deep & serious investigative work *without* hiding their love affairs with the candidates they were trusted to report on…
February 8, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Still a good benchmark
Reposted by Edgardo Block
It's Superbowl Sunday! So here's our traditional, and predictable Superb Owl.
🏈🦉
#SuperbOwl #SuperbOwl2026
🏈🦉
#SuperbOwl #SuperbOwl2026
February 8, 2026 at 2:57 PM
It's Superbowl Sunday! So here's our traditional, and predictable Superb Owl.
🏈🦉
#SuperbOwl #SuperbOwl2026
🏈🦉
#SuperbOwl #SuperbOwl2026
Reposted by Edgardo Block
Keep this in mind when people claim cars mean business — closing Central #Madrid to cars over holidays resulted in a 9.5% boost in retail spending on its main shopping street: STUDY.
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
Closing Central Madrid To Cars Resulted In 9.5% Boost To Retail Spending, Finds Bank Analysis
City of Madrid significantly boosted the takings of its shops and restaurants last Christmas by banning cars from the CBD, finds an analysis by Spain's second largest bank.
www.forbes.com
February 8, 2026 at 5:09 AM
Keep this in mind when people claim cars mean business — closing Central #Madrid to cars over holidays resulted in a 9.5% boost in retail spending on its main shopping street: STUDY.
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
as a visitor to NYC, I support this!
New York City's curbside outdoor dining will return to being year-round. This feature is a big plus and something the city needs to support and encourage. They really shot themselves in the foot last year with the changes they had made. nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/02/04/c...
City Council to Bring Back Year-Round Outdoor Dining After Adams-Era Decimation - Streetsblog New York City
New York City's curbside outdoor dining will return to being year-round, Council Speaker Julie Menin announced on Wednesday.
nyc.streetsblog.org
February 8, 2026 at 1:30 PM
as a visitor to NYC, I support this!
I would like to say something here, but in my case the best course of action is to Dr Pössel’s initial skeet into the conversation and keep on reading all the way through this conversation. Tell me if you don’t feel like picking up physics
The brief version of my previous argument: by insisting that cosmic expansion is not „motion through space,“ we are cutting ourselves off from the usual concepts of acceleration and force, which are derived from describing motion in space. But for questions like „if the cosmos expands, do 1/ 🔭🧪🎢⚛️
Near the top of the FAQs I get from curious readers:
How can galaxies collide if the Universe is expanding?
The short answer is: gravity. The longer answer is fun to read, IIDSSM.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/if-t...
🔭 🧪
How can galaxies collide if the Universe is expanding?
The short answer is: gravity. The longer answer is fun to read, IIDSSM.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/if-t...
🔭 🧪
February 7, 2026 at 1:37 PM
I would like to say something here, but in my case the best course of action is to Dr Pössel’s initial skeet into the conversation and keep on reading all the way through this conversation. Tell me if you don’t feel like picking up physics
*We have a winner! It’s Option 1, the Opus 34 #1 Waltz.
Although I must say, I don’t know if it’s Rubinstein or it’s just underrated, but the Opus 64 #3 one gave it a better run than I would have thought before listening it for this battle. Introspective, complex, really very grown-up Chopin
Although I must say, I don’t know if it’s Rubinstein or it’s just underrated, but the Opus 64 #3 one gave it a better run than I would have thought before listening it for this battle. Introspective, complex, really very grown-up Chopin
Voting closes 11:59PM tomorrow February 5th.
February 7, 2026 at 3:09 AM
*We have a winner! It’s Option 1, the Opus 34 #1 Waltz.
Although I must say, I don’t know if it’s Rubinstein or it’s just underrated, but the Opus 64 #3 one gave it a better run than I would have thought before listening it for this battle. Introspective, complex, really very grown-up Chopin
Although I must say, I don’t know if it’s Rubinstein or it’s just underrated, but the Opus 64 #3 one gave it a better run than I would have thought before listening it for this battle. Introspective, complex, really very grown-up Chopin
Jamaica wins the cutest “Country name in Italian” contest 🇯🇲
February 7, 2026 at 2:27 AM
Jamaica wins the cutest “Country name in Italian” contest 🇯🇲
Reposted by Edgardo Block
Call for Contributions to a Sourcebook for Histories of Weather & Weathering teleskopos.wordpress.com/2026/02/05/c...
Full details linked and here teleskopos.wordpress.com/wp-content/u...
It will be edited by me, @lottaleiwo.bsky.social and Tamara Culkins. Please share! #histSTM #envhist 🗃️📜
Full details linked and here teleskopos.wordpress.com/wp-content/u...
It will be edited by me, @lottaleiwo.bsky.social and Tamara Culkins. Please share! #histSTM #envhist 🗃️📜
Call for Contributions: Histories of Weather & Weathering
Call for Contributions: A Sourcebook for Histories of Weather and Weathering (working title) Editors: Rebekah Higgitt, Tamara Caulkins and Lotta Leiwo We invite contributions to this planned open a…
teleskopos.wordpress.com
February 6, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Call for Contributions to a Sourcebook for Histories of Weather & Weathering teleskopos.wordpress.com/2026/02/05/c...
Full details linked and here teleskopos.wordpress.com/wp-content/u...
It will be edited by me, @lottaleiwo.bsky.social and Tamara Culkins. Please share! #histSTM #envhist 🗃️📜
Full details linked and here teleskopos.wordpress.com/wp-content/u...
It will be edited by me, @lottaleiwo.bsky.social and Tamara Culkins. Please share! #histSTM #envhist 🗃️📜
Reposted by Edgardo Block
But a recurring pattern where each Prime Minister gets trapped in a cliquish intellectual bunker that magnifies bad decision-making and disrupts open channels of dialogue with key aspects of state and society is an indicator of structural dysfunction enabling personal failings.
Johnson's downfall was entirely due to his own failings and choices. Sunak's fate was sealed even before he took office, but even he chose to pursue an agenda that highlighted his government's failure to deliver on its pledges (e.g. the Rwanda scheme) and advantaged opponents.
February 6, 2026 at 12:23 PM
But a recurring pattern where each Prime Minister gets trapped in a cliquish intellectual bunker that magnifies bad decision-making and disrupts open channels of dialogue with key aspects of state and society is an indicator of structural dysfunction enabling personal failings.