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mapblake.bsky.social
Blake Esselstyn
@mapblake.bsky.social
44 followers 34 following 18 posts
Formerly @districks on the birdsite. Geography, demography, GIS, redistricting, fairmaps. Oh, and dataviz. NC native trying to learn some Dutch.
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mapblake.bsky.social
Blake Esselstyn @mapblake.bsky.social · 23d
Does the event start at 1:04? ;)
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mapblake.bsky.social
Blake Esselstyn @mapblake.bsky.social · 23d
I just learned from a math teacher that it is a day: Perfect Square Day!

And this is a special one for this century, because 2025 is 45²

bsky.app/profile/sara...
saravanderwerf.bsky.social
Sara Van Der Werf @saravanderwerf.bsky.social · Sep 7
9 days until Perfect Square Day! I know 9/9/25 is a perfect square, but 9/16/25 hits a bit different as it connects with a 3/4/5 right traingle. On another note, I made my nephews pose for this pic when the turned ages 3, 4 & 5.
Download a countdown HERE: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
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mapblake.bsky.social
Blake Esselstyn @mapblake.bsky.social · 23d
Also, were you aware that 2025 is 45²?
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mapblake.bsky.social
Blake Esselstyn @mapblake.bsky.social · 23d
I know three people whose birthday is today. I told them that they should celebrate at 1:04. =)
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mapblake.bsky.social
Blake Esselstyn @mapblake.bsky.social · 23d
Do you know anyone whose birthday is today (Sept. 16th)?

If they like math—or even if they don't—you could point out to them that 9 / 16 / 25 is a sequence of perfect squares.

AND! 2025 is also a perfect square (45²).

Best time of day to acknowledge? Perhaps 1:04. 🤓
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Reposted by Blake Esselstyn
chriscooperwcu.bsky.social
Chris Cooper @chriscooperwcu.bsky.social · Sep 6
🗳️Job🗳️

The Buncombe County Board of Elections is hiring an absentee voting coordinator

It's a great team in a terrific location.

Sept 15 deadline.

buncombecounty.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Buncom...
Elections Coordinator
This job posting expires at 11:59PM on September 15, 2025. No applications can be submitted after 11:59PM on September 15, 2025. Job Title: Elections Coordinator Department: External Hiring Range: $29...
buncombecounty.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com
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mapblake.bsky.social
Blake Esselstyn @mapblake.bsky.social · Aug 29
I was a bit surprised to see that searches for "census geopackage" and "tiger geopackage" in Bluesky turned up zero results. May this post remedy that situation!

5/5
mapblake.bsky.social
Blake Esselstyn @mapblake.bsky.social · Aug 29
What does it say about me that I've been on Bluesky since November of 2023 and this is what I choose to make my first original post/thread about? 🤓

4/5
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mapblake.bsky.social
Blake Esselstyn @mapblake.bsky.social · Aug 29
It also appears that this is not new news; the first such release evidently was in 2024.

(For my work, I still mostly use the 2020 geographies because of their alignment with the PL 94-171 redistricting file.)

www.census.gov/newsroom/pre...

3/5
Census Bureau Releases New Geospatial Data
The U.S. Census Bureau today announced the release of new geospatial data, including the first-time release of TIGER/Line files in GeoPackage format.
www.census.gov
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mapblake.bsky.social
Blake Esselstyn @mapblake.bsky.social · Aug 29
And (at least as of today) it would appear that the Census Bureau is making the 2025 TIGER data available as GeoPackages and NOT shapefiles.

www.census.gov/programs-sur...

2/5
TIGER Data Products Guide
Help determining which TIGER Product to use.
www.census.gov
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mapblake.bsky.social
Blake Esselstyn @mapblake.bsky.social · Aug 29
TIL the US Census Bureau is releasing its latest TIGER/Line data in GeoPackage format! 🧵

www.census.gov/geographies/...

1/5
TIGER/Line GeoPackages
View the available TIGER/Line GeoPackages from the Geography program.
www.census.gov
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mapblake.bsky.social
Blake Esselstyn @mapblake.bsky.social · Aug 29
Evidently the 11th.
mapblake.bsky.social
Blake Esselstyn @mapblake.bsky.social · Aug 28
Is the talk on the 4th or the 11th? The CNG post shows both.
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mapblake.bsky.social
Blake Esselstyn @mapblake.bsky.social · Aug 27
The text of this post says Sept 4; the image says Sept 11. Which is accurate?
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mapblake.bsky.social
Blake Esselstyn @mapblake.bsky.social · Aug 25
Sending my sympathies, Ruth.
mapblake.bsky.social
Blake Esselstyn @mapblake.bsky.social · Aug 20
Little typo in Michal Migurski's name. His handle is @mike.teczno.com
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Reposted by Blake Esselstyn
geomenke.bsky.social
Geomenke @geomenke.bsky.social · Apr 17
Big news! QGIS 4.0 is on the horizon! #QGIS
blog.qgis.org/2025/04/17/q...
🎉 Big Changes Ahead: QGIS Is Moving to Qt6 and Launching QGIS 4.0!
Exciting times are ahead for the QGIS project! We’re thrilled to share some major updates coming to the QGIS platform over the next few months. These changes are part of a long-planned technical mi…
blog.qgis.org
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Reposted by Blake Esselstyn
daniellaurison.bsky.social
Daniel Laurison @daniellaurison.bsky.social · Apr 7
JOB! Please RT.

Swarthmore is hiring for our Social Science Quantitative Lab Associate to support & do teaching quant methods to undergrads. Especially looking for people familiar with sociology and/or political science, and R. Apply by 4/18.

apply.interfolio.com/165892

Happy to answer questions.
Maroon banner at the top with the Swarthmore logo, then the text: Social Science Quantitative Laboratory Associate Swarthmore College: Sociology & Anthropology Department Location Swarthmore, Pennsylvania Open Date Apr 05, 2025 Description Swarthmore College is seeking an individual to serve as an Associate in its Social Sciences Quantitative Lab (SSQL). This appointment is for a full-time, academic-year position for three years, with the possibility of renewal upon successful review. The expected starting date is August 2025. The SSQL promotes students’ quantitative skills by providing tutorial services, statistical consultation, and research support to students in the social sciences. More information about the SSQL can be found here: https://www.swarthmore.edu/ssql. Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. It is located in the suburbs roughly 10 miles west of Philadelphia and 15 miles north of Wilmington and has a SEPTA stop right on campus. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to diversity, and actively seeks and welcomes applications from candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to a more inclusive society and world. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information on Faculty Diversity and Excellence at Swarthmore, see http://www.swarthmore.edu/faculty-diversity-excellence/information-candidates-new-faculty Responsibilities (continues in next image) Planning and facilitating in-person workshops and classroom visits to support the teaching of quantitative methods in the social sciences—particularly in Political Science and Sociology/Anthropology—with the goal of familiarizing students with statistical software (R, Stata, and Excel) and helping them develop related data skills, including data collection, management, visualization, analysis, and export Responsibilities (continiued) Providing statistical support to students during regular office hours and by appointment, including assisting students with the identification, manipulation, and analysis of data sets for their empirical research projects Planning and hosting stand-alone workshops to train students to work with statistical software commonly used in the social sciences, such as R, Stata, Python, Matlab, and/or Geographic Information System (GIS) Collaborating with social science faculty teaching quantitative courses on how best to support their courses and their students Creating additional opportunities for students with less experience in quantitative and computational methods to develop skills and confidence Offering supplementary workshops in quantitative social sciences to help students develop skills for success as research assistants and to prepare them for quantitative careers and job markets Qualifications A Master of Arts or Science (MA or MS), or equivalent, in Political Science, Sociology, Economics, Public Policy, Statistics, Data Science, or a related field is required; a PhD in one of these fields is preferred. Familiarity with statistics/econometrics, causal inference methods, and preparing data for quantitative social science research is required. Familiarity with computational and simulation methods is a plus. Programming expertise in R and Excel and ability to learn new technical skills are required. Expertise in Python, Matlab, GIS, and/or other related software is a plus. Demonstrated excellence in inclusive and equitable teaching practices that support the success of students from diverse backgrounds and with varying levels of preparation in quantitative skills. We seek applicants who cultivate welcoming classroom environments and use pedagogical strategies that promote belonging, engagement, and academic growth for all students.
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mapblake.bsky.social
Blake Esselstyn @mapblake.bsky.social · Mar 25
Wish I could be there!
mapblake.bsky.social
Blake Esselstyn @mapblake.bsky.social · Mar 25
I'm fairly sure I know the answer to the trivia question. I was in that country earlier this month before the recent (and distressing) turn of events.
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mapblake.bsky.social
Blake Esselstyn @mapblake.bsky.social · Mar 24
Good thread to review if you want a refresher before the arguments today.
mcpli.bsky.social
Michael Li (李之樸) @mcpli.bsky.social · Mar 23
On Monday, 3/24, the Supreme Court hears oral argument in a Louisiana racial gerrymandering case brought by *white* voters to challenge the state’s congressional map.

At issue is a new Black majority congressional district (LA-06 in the map below). A thread 🧵 on the case.