Evan Foss
@scribblesonnapkins.bsky.social
Engineer, Public Transit Enthusiast, Concerned Citizen.
Personally : Trying to improve public transit in MA
Professionally : +15 years designing mostly electronics for hearing research.
Mastodon : @[email protected]
Personally : Trying to improve public transit in MA
Professionally : +15 years designing mostly electronics for hearing research.
Mastodon : @[email protected]
Pinned
Evan Foss
@scribblesonnapkins.bsky.social
· Feb 17
OPINION: Harvard, other Mass. institutions should clean up their own backyard before trumpeting clean energy efforts elsewhere by Regina LaRocque, Mariel Tai Sander, Avi Cohen and Madeleine Kline
https://buff.ly/4jX5qZL
https://buff.ly/4jX5qZL
I am an engineer & I worked for Mass Eye & Ear for 13yrs, left in '22. I was there to do research but I dug into this issue because I care about the environment. That said this piece is I believe wrong. Yes Harvard is green washing to an extent with these projects but urban power plants are complex🧵
Reposted by Evan Foss
Along 14th Street in Denver
December 12, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Along 14th Street in Denver
Reposted by Evan Foss
Celebrity chefs told Californians that PFAS-coated pans were “safe,” and successfully lobbied Gavin Newsom to veto a bill phasing them out
They didn’t mention they all sell PFAS-coated pans.
New joint investigation with @mirandagreen.bsky.social and @atmosmag.bsky.social is out:
They didn’t mention they all sell PFAS-coated pans.
New joint investigation with @mirandagreen.bsky.social and @atmosmag.bsky.social is out:
Why are famous chefs fighting PFAS bans?
The answer, in retrospect, is obvious—and it’s part of a larger campaign to stop bans on Teflon cookware nationwide.
heated.world
December 10, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Celebrity chefs told Californians that PFAS-coated pans were “safe,” and successfully lobbied Gavin Newsom to veto a bill phasing them out
They didn’t mention they all sell PFAS-coated pans.
New joint investigation with @mirandagreen.bsky.social and @atmosmag.bsky.social is out:
They didn’t mention they all sell PFAS-coated pans.
New joint investigation with @mirandagreen.bsky.social and @atmosmag.bsky.social is out:
Reposted by Evan Foss
December 11, 1895 – Svante Arrhenius reads his “Influence of Carbonic Acid in the Air” paper to Swedish Academy of Science…
allouryesterdays.info/2022/12/10/d...
allouryesterdays.info/2022/12/10/d...
December 11, 1895 - Arrhenius reads his "Influence of Carbonic Acid in the Air" paper to Swedish Academy of Science... - All Our Yesterdays
On this day, December 11 in 1895, Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius read his would-eventually-be-’famous’ paper On the Influence of Carbonic Acid in the Air upon the Temperature of the Ground at th...
allouryesterdays.info
December 10, 2025 at 9:52 PM
December 11, 1895 – Svante Arrhenius reads his “Influence of Carbonic Acid in the Air” paper to Swedish Academy of Science…
allouryesterdays.info/2022/12/10/d...
allouryesterdays.info/2022/12/10/d...
Reposted by Evan Foss
a third cognitive examination has struck the president
December 10, 2025 at 5:12 AM
a third cognitive examination has struck the president
Hitler once had a typographer kicked out of Germany for advocating san serif fonts.
Marco Rubio ordered diplomats to return to using Times New Roman font in official communications, calling his predecessor's decision to adopt Calibri a “wasteful” diversity move
Rubio Stages Font Coup: Times New Roman Ousts Calibri
The secretary of state called it a "wasteful" diversity move, according to an internal department cable seen by Reuters.
www.huffpost.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Hitler once had a typographer kicked out of Germany for advocating san serif fonts.
Reposted by Evan Foss
Vancouver city councillor @lucymaloney.bsky.social has introduced a new Council motion that would get rid of right turns on red lights in the city. Via @dailyhivevancouver.bsky.social
Unquestionably the smart, evidence-based move for EVERYONE’s safety, but especially for people walking & on bikes.
Unquestionably the smart, evidence-based move for EVERYONE’s safety, but especially for people walking & on bikes.
Ban right turns on red at intersections, proposes Vancouver city councillor | Urbanized
OneCity councillor Lucy Maloney is pushing for a ban on right turns during the red-light traffic signal at intersections across Vancouver.
dailyhive.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Vancouver city councillor @lucymaloney.bsky.social has introduced a new Council motion that would get rid of right turns on red lights in the city. Via @dailyhivevancouver.bsky.social
Unquestionably the smart, evidence-based move for EVERYONE’s safety, but especially for people walking & on bikes.
Unquestionably the smart, evidence-based move for EVERYONE’s safety, but especially for people walking & on bikes.
Reposted by Evan Foss
‘No one knows where it came from’: first wild beaver spotted in Norfolk for 400 years
‘No one knows where it came from’: first wild beaver spotted in Norfolk for 400 years
Cameras capture lone creature collecting materials for its lodge in riverside nature reserve
A wild beaver has been spotted in Norfolk for the first time since beavers were hunted to extinction in England at the beginning of the 16th century.
It was filmed dragging logs and establishing a lodge in a “perfect beaver habitat” on the River Wensun at Pensthorpe, a nature reserve near Fakenham in Norfolk. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 7, 2025 at 6:17 AM
‘No one knows where it came from’: first wild beaver spotted in Norfolk for 400 years
Reposted by Evan Foss
Because of a state law, residential property owners in Boston are projected to face a 13% tax spike next year.
Meanwhile, corporations will pay their lowest share of property taxes in 43 years.
I’m hosting an AMA on Reddit about our plan to protect homeowners and deliver residential tax relief.
Meanwhile, corporations will pay their lowest share of property taxes in 43 years.
I’m hosting an AMA on Reddit about our plan to protect homeowners and deliver residential tax relief.
From the boston community on Reddit: Mayor Wu here! AMA about the fight to keep residential property taxes from spiking next year under state law
Explore this post and more from the boston community
www.reddit.com
December 6, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Because of a state law, residential property owners in Boston are projected to face a 13% tax spike next year.
Meanwhile, corporations will pay their lowest share of property taxes in 43 years.
I’m hosting an AMA on Reddit about our plan to protect homeowners and deliver residential tax relief.
Meanwhile, corporations will pay their lowest share of property taxes in 43 years.
I’m hosting an AMA on Reddit about our plan to protect homeowners and deliver residential tax relief.
Reposted by Evan Foss
This is ominous:
Waymo said on Friday it was "continuing to operate" and it believes its software updates have made its vehicles' performance "better than human drivers in this important area."
"better than human drivers" doesn't comply w AV laws anywhere, AFAIK.
www.reuters.com/world/waymo-...
Waymo said on Friday it was "continuing to operate" and it believes its software updates have made its vehicles' performance "better than human drivers in this important area."
"better than human drivers" doesn't comply w AV laws anywhere, AFAIK.
www.reuters.com/world/waymo-...
Waymo to issue recall over self-driving vehicles driving past stopped school buses
Alphabet unit Waymo said Friday it would issue a recall for its self-driving vehicles after Texas officials said they illegally passed school buses at least 19 times since the start of the school year...
www.reuters.com
December 6, 2025 at 2:38 AM
This is ominous:
Waymo said on Friday it was "continuing to operate" and it believes its software updates have made its vehicles' performance "better than human drivers in this important area."
"better than human drivers" doesn't comply w AV laws anywhere, AFAIK.
www.reuters.com/world/waymo-...
Waymo said on Friday it was "continuing to operate" and it believes its software updates have made its vehicles' performance "better than human drivers in this important area."
"better than human drivers" doesn't comply w AV laws anywhere, AFAIK.
www.reuters.com/world/waymo-...
Reposted by Evan Foss
Happy Federal Way Link opening eve to all celebrate!
This is the 1 Line to: Angle Lake (for now!!)
🗣️ Please Hold On
#RideTheWave @sound-transit.bsky.social
This is the 1 Line to: Angle Lake (for now!!)
🗣️ Please Hold On
#RideTheWave @sound-transit.bsky.social
December 6, 2025 at 5:39 AM
Happy Federal Way Link opening eve to all celebrate!
This is the 1 Line to: Angle Lake (for now!!)
🗣️ Please Hold On
#RideTheWave @sound-transit.bsky.social
This is the 1 Line to: Angle Lake (for now!!)
🗣️ Please Hold On
#RideTheWave @sound-transit.bsky.social
Reposted by Evan Foss
Everything is dumb as fuck
It’s got everything: ridiculous music, digital confetti, a giant gold orb trophy, a blue ribbon medal, a fawning corrupt dude, and an orange aspiring fascist
December 6, 2025 at 6:28 AM
Everything is dumb as fuck
Reposted by Evan Foss
One of the virtuous cycles of transit is that fixing slow zones raises ridership and lets you run more service with the same equipment and labor.
The @mbta.com is running hundreds of additional subway trips every day thanks to new trains and the elimination of dozens of slow zones.
mass.streetsblog.org/2025/12/02/m...
mass.streetsblog.org/2025/12/02/m...
MBTA Adds More Bus, Subway Service With Winter Schedule Updates - Streetsblog Massachusetts
The MBTA’s winter schedule updates will deliver a 3 percent increase in bus service and shorter waits between trains on three subway lines starting on Sunday, December 14th. The T typically adjusts it...
mass.streetsblog.org
December 5, 2025 at 2:04 PM
One of the virtuous cycles of transit is that fixing slow zones raises ridership and lets you run more service with the same equipment and labor.
The focus by the environmental movement on EV's (which I was a very active participant in) was a mistake.
We need to address VMT (Vehicle Miles Traveled) and their ecological impact. The only way to do that is public transit. Just making a car electric is a mistake.
www.ucs.org/resources/fr...
We need to address VMT (Vehicle Miles Traveled) and their ecological impact. The only way to do that is public transit. Just making a car electric is a mistake.
www.ucs.org/resources/fr...
December 5, 2025 at 2:54 PM
The focus by the environmental movement on EV's (which I was a very active participant in) was a mistake.
We need to address VMT (Vehicle Miles Traveled) and their ecological impact. The only way to do that is public transit. Just making a car electric is a mistake.
www.ucs.org/resources/fr...
We need to address VMT (Vehicle Miles Traveled) and their ecological impact. The only way to do that is public transit. Just making a car electric is a mistake.
www.ucs.org/resources/fr...
Reposted by Evan Foss
TransLink’s board voted six in favour of continued contracting out, with three voting to bring #HandyDART service in-house. Split votes are really rare at the #TransLink board, which usually rubber stamps managements decisions.
northdeltareporter.com/2025/12/03/t... #vanpoli #bclab #bcpoli
northdeltareporter.com/2025/12/03/t... #vanpoli #bclab #bcpoli
December 4, 2025 at 4:07 PM
TransLink’s board voted six in favour of continued contracting out, with three voting to bring #HandyDART service in-house. Split votes are really rare at the #TransLink board, which usually rubber stamps managements decisions.
northdeltareporter.com/2025/12/03/t... #vanpoli #bclab #bcpoli
northdeltareporter.com/2025/12/03/t... #vanpoli #bclab #bcpoli
Reposted by Evan Foss
“The highest levels were found in Irish breakfast cereal, followed by Belgian wholemeal bread, then German wholemeal bread, then French baguette. It was found across a huge range of products, from spaghetti, to cheese scones and ginger bread.” 🥖
High levels of ‘forever chemical’ found in cereal products across Europe – study
Pesticide Action Network Europe study finds average concentrations 100 times higher than in tap water
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:34 AM
“The highest levels were found in Irish breakfast cereal, followed by Belgian wholemeal bread, then German wholemeal bread, then French baguette. It was found across a huge range of products, from spaghetti, to cheese scones and ginger bread.” 🥖
Wampus says "Hi"
December 3, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Wampus says "Hi"
Reposted by Evan Foss
The Boston Globe is complicit in the inundation of American culture with the whims of creepy billionaires, routinely backslapping the undeserved. In *every* example of a “gift,” including this one, the donor is sacrificing nothing in relative terms. www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/02/n...
Michael and Susan Dell donate $6.25 billion to encourage families to claim ‘Trump Accounts’ - The Boston Globe
Billionaires Michael and Susan Dell pledged a historic $6.25 billion on Tuesday to provide an incentive to families to adopt new investment accounts for children.
www.bostonglobe.com
December 2, 2025 at 7:48 PM
The Boston Globe is complicit in the inundation of American culture with the whims of creepy billionaires, routinely backslapping the undeserved. In *every* example of a “gift,” including this one, the donor is sacrificing nothing in relative terms. www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/02/n...
Reposted by Evan Foss
Indigenous People protesting on the last day of COP30 said it ended the same way it started, a lot of promises, but still no real seat at the table ...
November 29, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Indigenous People protesting on the last day of COP30 said it ended the same way it started, a lot of promises, but still no real seat at the table ...
Reposted by Evan Foss
Not sure which is more inconceivable: that Salem's city seal is what it is even today or that the historian defending it (or the article in fact) fails to mention the word "opium" even once, even as the family who traded it (Peabodys) commissioned the seal!
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/27/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/27/m...
Cultural tribute or Asian stereotype? Salem roiled by dispute over city seal. - The Boston Globe
To one side, the seal contains an anachronistic, racial caricature of a 19th-century Asian merchant. To the other, it honors a progressive, cross-cultural commerce that benefited peoples a world apart...
www.bostonglobe.com
November 29, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Not sure which is more inconceivable: that Salem's city seal is what it is even today or that the historian defending it (or the article in fact) fails to mention the word "opium" even once, even as the family who traded it (Peabodys) commissioned the seal!
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/27/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/27/m...
Reposted by Evan Foss
Good Morning. It is Small Business SHUT UP AND PET THE LADY PET THE LADY RIGHT NOW
November 29, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Good Morning. It is Small Business SHUT UP AND PET THE LADY PET THE LADY RIGHT NOW
We don't hear enough about Moss Landing or the drawbacks of lithium or the alternative: Pumped Hydro Storage
Northfield Mountain stores more power (GW hours) than we could realistically ever do with every battery project currently planned in the state. We should do this with quabben reservior
Northfield Mountain stores more power (GW hours) than we could realistically ever do with every battery project currently planned in the state. We should do this with quabben reservior
Battery storage is a key part of Massachusetts' plan to make the grid more reliable, affordable, and green 🔋
But increasingly, developers proposing projects are meeting a strong wall of local opposition 🪫
www.wbur.org/news/2025/11... @wbur.org #energysky
But increasingly, developers proposing projects are meeting a strong wall of local opposition 🪫
www.wbur.org/news/2025/11... @wbur.org #energysky
As Mass. pushes for big batteries on the grid, some communities push back
Massachusetts officials says batteries will bring down energy costs and help the grid run on more renewables. But there's a growing movement of people who say they don't want this technology in their ...
www.wbur.org
November 26, 2025 at 9:59 PM
We don't hear enough about Moss Landing or the drawbacks of lithium or the alternative: Pumped Hydro Storage
Northfield Mountain stores more power (GW hours) than we could realistically ever do with every battery project currently planned in the state. We should do this with quabben reservior
Northfield Mountain stores more power (GW hours) than we could realistically ever do with every battery project currently planned in the state. We should do this with quabben reservior
This guy was the biggest disaster for the MBTA. Don't put him anywhere near a public office.
We asked gubernatorial candidate Brian Shortsleeve about his plan to best Republican primary opponents and take on Healey, as well as President Trump’s efforts to cut federal funding in Massachusetts, increase immigration enforcement here and attack local universities.
We asked, they answered: GOP gubernatorial candidate Brian Shortsleeve
WBUR sat down with gubernatorial candidate Brian Shortsleeve to discuss his plan to best two Republican primary opponents and take on Healey, as well as President Trump’s efforts to cut federal fundin...
www.wbur.org
November 26, 2025 at 9:58 PM
This guy was the biggest disaster for the MBTA. Don't put him anywhere near a public office.
Reposted by Evan Foss
Overhearing people normalize paying $60,000 for a vehicle that sits parked 95% of the time.
November 26, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Overhearing people normalize paying $60,000 for a vehicle that sits parked 95% of the time.