Zach Lipton
@zachlipton.com
🌉🚌🚲 || San Francisco || Data infrastructure @COVID19Tracking alum || To stop the train in cases of emergency pull down the chain; penalty for improper use, five pounds (he/him)
Reposted by Zach Lipton
decadent empires build monuments to their rulers; civilized nations build monuments to their auditors.
Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic, La Sabana, San José, Costa Rica 🇨🇷 r/brutalism
December 15, 2025 at 6:17 AM
decadent empires build monuments to their rulers; civilized nations build monuments to their auditors.
Reposted by Zach Lipton
With this piece of bread on the ground in Ottawa, Canada and the one below in Perth, Australia, @drstip.bsky.social and I have successfully created an Earth sandwich.
The hot dog vs sandwich debate is concluded.
If the Earth is sandwiched, everything is a sandwich.
HAPPY EARTH SANDWICH DAY!
The hot dog vs sandwich debate is concluded.
If the Earth is sandwiched, everything is a sandwich.
HAPPY EARTH SANDWICH DAY!
December 14, 2025 at 1:09 PM
With this piece of bread on the ground in Ottawa, Canada and the one below in Perth, Australia, @drstip.bsky.social and I have successfully created an Earth sandwich.
The hot dog vs sandwich debate is concluded.
If the Earth is sandwiched, everything is a sandwich.
HAPPY EARTH SANDWICH DAY!
The hot dog vs sandwich debate is concluded.
If the Earth is sandwiched, everything is a sandwich.
HAPPY EARTH SANDWICH DAY!
Reposted by Zach Lipton
Everyone: Do something about our healthcare premiums.
Senate Dems: Here is legislation that's going to fuck up the internet.
Senate Dems: Here is legislation that's going to fuck up the internet.
December 12, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Everyone: Do something about our healthcare premiums.
Senate Dems: Here is legislation that's going to fuck up the internet.
Senate Dems: Here is legislation that's going to fuck up the internet.
I think about that "once you accept that all positive changes will negatively affect some poor people, and negatively affecting any poor people isn't progressive, then you'll understand the cornerstone of progressivism is doing nothing" tweet a lot.
There’s a problem in large swaths of political advocacy where introducing any negative externality (“but what if a chronic dangerous driver needs to drive to work?”) is an unacceptable evil. Any status quo harms are just the natural order of things.
Unfortunately, almost any change has a downside.
Unfortunately, almost any change has a downside.
for whatever reason, the victims of traffic violence never factor into the calculation. no urgency there. but do something that might affect a suburban lawyer who had a few drinks and then it becomes an “equity” issue
December 12, 2025 at 10:09 PM
I think about that "once you accept that all positive changes will negatively affect some poor people, and negatively affecting any poor people isn't progressive, then you'll understand the cornerstone of progressivism is doing nothing" tweet a lot.
Of course, the weather (well,
climate) these days is also the aggregation of specific policy choices, and we pretend that’s not happening too
climate) these days is also the aggregation of specific policy choices, and we pretend that’s not happening too
most people, left and right, treat traffic violence like the weather and not a specific policy choice
December 12, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Of course, the weather (well,
climate) these days is also the aggregation of specific policy choices, and we pretend that’s not happening too
climate) these days is also the aggregation of specific policy choices, and we pretend that’s not happening too
Reposted by Zach Lipton
most people, left and right, treat traffic violence like the weather and not a specific policy choice
December 12, 2025 at 8:41 PM
most people, left and right, treat traffic violence like the weather and not a specific policy choice
Reposted by Zach Lipton
Every now and again, I like to repost this. Single Family and prohibition of mixed use (proprietors living above businesses) were invented in California and aimed at restricting Asian Americans. It's indefensible
www.kqed.org/news/1184054...
www.kqed.org/news/1184054...
The Racist History of Single-Family Home Zoning | KQED
When single-family zoning got its start, it was about more than separating homes from apartments, it was about separating white families from everyone else.
www.kqed.org
December 11, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Every now and again, I like to repost this. Single Family and prohibition of mixed use (proprietors living above businesses) were invented in California and aimed at restricting Asian Americans. It's indefensible
www.kqed.org/news/1184054...
www.kqed.org/news/1184054...
Reposted by Zach Lipton
Six people taken to hospital, but severity of injuries not immediately clear. Three alarm fire, two properties affected (although others may have some damage from the blast).
Good grief, hopefully no one got hurt. #electrifyeverything #passongas
December 11, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Six people taken to hospital, but severity of injuries not immediately clear. Three alarm fire, two properties affected (although others may have some damage from the blast).
Reposted by Zach Lipton
Ahem: Kuomintoys
I’M LOSING MY SHIT THIS IS SO FUNNY
December 11, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Ahem: Kuomintoys
Reposted by Zach Lipton
I’m but a simple country theoretical physicist, and I can say, in my professional capacity, “datacenters in space” is so colossally, monumentally stupid that it is difficult to know where to start with which laws of physics the idea is spitting in the face of the most.
“.. Skeptics believe the technical risks are being underestimated and say space-based data centers won’t be competitive on cost, especially if power and other constraints ease on the ground.”
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/tech/bezos-a...
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/tech/bezos-a...
December 11, 2025 at 1:29 AM
I’m but a simple country theoretical physicist, and I can say, in my professional capacity, “datacenters in space” is so colossally, monumentally stupid that it is difficult to know where to start with which laws of physics the idea is spitting in the face of the most.
Reposted by Zach Lipton
Next up is a ride up 40th Street on the 57. And, for the first time in at least five years, my transfer from AC Transit to AC Transit is free!
@therealjeanwalsh.bsky.social was instrumental in getting this free transfer policy approved by AC Transit's board years ago - thank you!
@therealjeanwalsh.bsky.social was instrumental in getting this free transfer policy approved by AC Transit's board years ago - thank you!
December 11, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Next up is a ride up 40th Street on the 57. And, for the first time in at least five years, my transfer from AC Transit to AC Transit is free!
@therealjeanwalsh.bsky.social was instrumental in getting this free transfer policy approved by AC Transit's board years ago - thank you!
@therealjeanwalsh.bsky.social was instrumental in getting this free transfer policy approved by AC Transit's board years ago - thank you!
Reposted by Zach Lipton
ALERT: blue line trains are single tracking because of a great miracle occurring at Metro Center
The D.C. Metro is selling these nonsense dreidels as part of the holiday merchandise collection — kind of love it?
December 10, 2025 at 7:59 PM
ALERT: blue line trains are single tracking because of a great miracle occurring at Metro Center
come on. at least make late night writers work for a living instead of just naming your terrible health care plan after Sen Crapo
NEW: Senate Republicans plan vote on a health care alternative as ACA funds look likely to expire
Democrats will force a vote Thursday on a 3-year extension of ACA money.
Thune endorses Crapo-Cassidy bill as the GOP alternative. Here's what it will and won't do.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
Democrats will force a vote Thursday on a 3-year extension of ACA money.
Thune endorses Crapo-Cassidy bill as the GOP alternative. Here's what it will and won't do.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
Senate Republicans plan vote on a health care alternative as ACA funds look likely to expire
The Senate will vote this week on a GOP bill to put money in health savings accounts, as well as a Democratic bill to extend the expiring ACA subsidies. Both are expected to fail.
www.nbcnews.com
December 9, 2025 at 10:02 PM
come on. at least make late night writers work for a living instead of just naming your terrible health care plan after Sen Crapo
Reposted by Zach Lipton
LA quietly stopped repaving all streets last July to avoid fulfilling its ADA obligations. The federal govt says when you repave a street, you have to update all the curb ramps. LA has tons of out of date curb ramps, so the rule makes repaving much more expensive. The city's solution: stop repaving!
LA has stopped repaving our streets
The reason why is probably illegal
futureis.la
December 9, 2025 at 4:44 PM
LA quietly stopped repaving all streets last July to avoid fulfilling its ADA obligations. The federal govt says when you repave a street, you have to update all the curb ramps. LA has tons of out of date curb ramps, so the rule makes repaving much more expensive. The city's solution: stop repaving!
Reposted by Zach Lipton
California Air Resources Board: "To achieve climate goals, we need less driving"
Transportation Researchers: "To reduce driving, we need fewer lane miles"
Caltrans: "We need billions of dollars to keep widening highways."
California Legislature: "You got it."
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/12/02/o...
Transportation Researchers: "To reduce driving, we need fewer lane miles"
Caltrans: "We need billions of dollars to keep widening highways."
California Legislature: "You got it."
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/12/02/o...
Opinion: One Less Lane Ought To Fix It — Streetsblog USA
Federal inaction means states must lead on reducing emissions — but their reluctance to reallocate road space for cars may doom climate goals.
usa.streetsblog.org
December 8, 2025 at 11:56 PM
California Air Resources Board: "To achieve climate goals, we need less driving"
Transportation Researchers: "To reduce driving, we need fewer lane miles"
Caltrans: "We need billions of dollars to keep widening highways."
California Legislature: "You got it."
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/12/02/o...
Transportation Researchers: "To reduce driving, we need fewer lane miles"
Caltrans: "We need billions of dollars to keep widening highways."
California Legislature: "You got it."
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/12/02/o...
Reposted by Zach Lipton
We're half a decade into studies finding that improving airflow in classrooms will reduce disease transmission enormously, and that bleaching surfaces etc. does very little. And yet nothing changes. Waves of flu and colds wash over schools, and the schools pretend it's an act of God.
The relative contribution of close-proximity contacts, shared classroom exposure and indoor air quality to respiratory virus transmission in schools - Nature Communications
The relative importance of close-proximity interactions, shared space and air quality to the transmission of respiratory viruses is not well understood. Here, the authors investigate this question by ...
www.nature.com
December 8, 2025 at 4:23 AM
We're half a decade into studies finding that improving airflow in classrooms will reduce disease transmission enormously, and that bleaching surfaces etc. does very little. And yet nothing changes. Waves of flu and colds wash over schools, and the schools pretend it's an act of God.
Reposted by Zach Lipton
A study on 1.7 million people in Hong Kong shows superior hybrid immunity to Covid in people who got vaccinated before infection vs. people who got infected first. "Our findings are a direct rebuttal to arguments for natural immunity," the authors write. doi.org/10.1016/j.va...
Redirecting
doi.org
December 6, 2025 at 5:02 PM
A study on 1.7 million people in Hong Kong shows superior hybrid immunity to Covid in people who got vaccinated before infection vs. people who got infected first. "Our findings are a direct rebuttal to arguments for natural immunity," the authors write. doi.org/10.1016/j.va...
Reposted by Zach Lipton
Truly the worst crime: crosswalks.
Getting word that LAPD & LAFD broke up a #peoplesvisionzero volunteer crosswalk painting in Westwood today - cuffed and ticketed at least one organizer
December 7, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Truly the worst crime: crosswalks.
Reposted by Zach Lipton
Okay but this would slap, actually. I need this show.
December 6, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Okay but this would slap, actually. I need this show.
Reposted by Zach Lipton
I believe this is known as Shoup's Paradox
Literally just read on Instagram: "No one goes to Balboa park anymore because the parking is full" 😂
December 6, 2025 at 6:08 AM
I believe this is known as Shoup's Paradox
this is insane
BREAKING: A Queens judge on Friday took the unprecedented step of ordering the city to rip up the partially installed protected bike lane on 31st Street in Astoria, defying years of legal precedent that empowers the DOT to redesign city streets as it sees fit. buff.ly/02lWfWs
Queens Judge Orders City to Nix Half-Installed Astoria Bike Lane - Streetsblog New York City
A Queens judge on Friday took the unprecedented step of ordering the city to rip up Astoria's partially installed 31st Street bike lane.
nyc.streetsblog.org
December 5, 2025 at 10:09 PM
this is insane
this is an article about ripping off people by mispricing merchandise, but really it's a story about lack of transportation options:
"Davis, who lives on social security, said she could shop elsewhere, but that would involve paying for a bus ride. 'I don’t have money like that,' she said."
"Davis, who lives on social security, said she could shop elsewhere, but that would involve paying for a bus ride. 'I don’t have money like that,' she said."
How the dollar-store industry overcharges cash-strapped customers while promising low prices
A Guardian investigation reveals Dollar General and Family Dollar stores often fail to honor their shelf prices – charging more at checkout for everything from frying pans to Frosted Flakes
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:51 PM
this is an article about ripping off people by mispricing merchandise, but really it's a story about lack of transportation options:
"Davis, who lives on social security, said she could shop elsewhere, but that would involve paying for a bus ride. 'I don’t have money like that,' she said."
"Davis, who lives on social security, said she could shop elsewhere, but that would involve paying for a bus ride. 'I don’t have money like that,' she said."
high school students build big gingerbread house at Amtrak station
this kind of smart walkable mixed use urbanism is illegal to build...
this kind of smart walkable mixed use urbanism is illegal to build...
December 5, 2025 at 9:01 PM
high school students build big gingerbread house at Amtrak station
this kind of smart walkable mixed use urbanism is illegal to build...
this kind of smart walkable mixed use urbanism is illegal to build...
Reposted by Zach Lipton
It's not the way I expected to confirm that cloudflare is currently down, but it works
December 5, 2025 at 9:02 AM
It's not the way I expected to confirm that cloudflare is currently down, but it works
Reposted by Zach Lipton
This is how we all die.
December 5, 2025 at 5:07 AM
This is how we all die.