Brian Bowen
@brianrbowen.bsky.social
Long-time lurker, sometime poster on climate, energy, transportation, and planning. Also jam bands. ⭕️⚡️
“Say man, you got a license to use my IP?”
“Uhhhh, no not on me man.”
“It’d be a lot cooler if you did.” www.wsj.com/tech/ai/matt...
“Uhhhh, no not on me man.”
“It’d be a lot cooler if you did.” www.wsj.com/tech/ai/matt...
Exclusive | Matthew McConaughey Trademarks Himself to Fight AI Misuse
Actor plans to use trademarks of himself saying ‘Alright, alright, alright’ and staring at a camera to combat AI fakes in court.
www.wsj.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:00 PM
“Say man, you got a license to use my IP?”
“Uhhhh, no not on me man.”
“It’d be a lot cooler if you did.” www.wsj.com/tech/ai/matt...
“Uhhhh, no not on me man.”
“It’d be a lot cooler if you did.” www.wsj.com/tech/ai/matt...
Transportation isn’t something that can just be “solved” with AI. It takes real human effort and investment. (And compared to AI capex, this isn’t that much to spend.) Appreciate this ambitious vision and look forward to checking out the full report.
World-class transit is accessible, frequent, reliable, and convenient. Tripling transit funding over 20 years would help 452 U.S. cities achieve world-class transit service.
Read @T4America’s latest report
t4america.org/resource/wor...
Read @T4America’s latest report
t4america.org/resource/wor...
January 14, 2026 at 6:39 PM
Transportation isn’t something that can just be “solved” with AI. It takes real human effort and investment. (And compared to AI capex, this isn’t that much to spend.) Appreciate this ambitious vision and look forward to checking out the full report.
Starting the New Year off right! www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/my-...
My Fully Optimized Life Allows Me Ample Time to Optimize Yours
I rise blissfully at 4:30 a.m., thanks to my Tibetan singing bowl alarm clock. After twenty minutes of alternate nostril breathing, I start my day ...
www.mcsweeneys.net
January 6, 2026 at 9:19 PM
Starting the New Year off right! www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/my-...
96% of consumers say fuel economy is an important factor in their choice of vehicle - and it’s the single most desired improvement on their current vehicles. Which is why they’re going to love this CAFE standards rollback! advocacy.consumerreports.org/press_releas...
Consumer Reports Survey Finds Majority of Americans Want Better Fuel Economy and Support Standards That Deliver Thousands in Fuel Savings - CR Advocacy
Washington, D.C. — A new nationally representative survey from Consumer Reports finds that fuel economy continues to be important to most Americans, and a majority…
advocacy.consumerreports.org
December 4, 2025 at 1:40 AM
96% of consumers say fuel economy is an important factor in their choice of vehicle - and it’s the single most desired improvement on their current vehicles. Which is why they’re going to love this CAFE standards rollback! advocacy.consumerreports.org/press_releas...
Thinking about how this could align with the "flex funding" concept discussed on the latest @volts.wtf episode. Can RTA keep fares low to encourage more ridership by shifting highway funds to transit?
The Regional Transportation Authority reversed planned 10% fare hikes for CTA, Metra and Pace and will hold a special board meeting Thursday to address transit bill.
RTA walks back 2026 fare increases for CTA, Metra and Pace
The RTA, which must approve each of the agencies' budgets this month, had insisted they all include a fare hike, even if state lawmakers approved a $1.5 billion spending package, which they did last week.
trib.al
November 5, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Thinking about how this could align with the "flex funding" concept discussed on the latest @volts.wtf episode. Can RTA keep fares low to encourage more ridership by shifting highway funds to transit?
Bank sent me a new debit card. It expires in 2030. We are living in the future.
October 19, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Bank sent me a new debit card. It expires in 2030. We are living in the future.
Reposted by Brian Bowen
I’ve mentioned it before but it’s happened again: a very large percentage of our child-related travel is medium-distance trips that don’t line up well with transit (so it’s barely faster than walking) but biking is literally as fast as driving.
Bike-friendly cities are family-friendly cities!
Bike-friendly cities are family-friendly cities!
September 17, 2025 at 3:29 PM
I’ve mentioned it before but it’s happened again: a very large percentage of our child-related travel is medium-distance trips that don’t line up well with transit (so it’s barely faster than walking) but biking is literally as fast as driving.
Bike-friendly cities are family-friendly cities!
Bike-friendly cities are family-friendly cities!
Love seeing @rockymtninst.bsky.social citing StreetLight's research, and anytime you can use that Caltrans bigger roads, more traffic in a post, you've got me. rmi.org/the-domino-e...
The Domino Effect: States Prioritize Affordable Transportation Choices over Traffic - RMI
Minnesota, Colorado, and other states are unlocking time and cost savings from innovative transportation planning.
rmi.org
May 15, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Love seeing @rockymtninst.bsky.social citing StreetLight's research, and anytime you can use that Caltrans bigger roads, more traffic in a post, you've got me. rmi.org/the-domino-e...
This lineup is so good. @evanstonspace.bsky.social making their own @newportfolk.bsky.social out here in Evanston!
April 22, 2025 at 9:31 PM
This lineup is so good. @evanstonspace.bsky.social making their own @newportfolk.bsky.social out here in Evanston!
Car culture is learned helplessness. Thank you for coming to my TED Talk. www.chicagomag.com/chicago-maga...
The L in Crisis
With ridership lagging and a fiscal reckoning looming, the L is in trouble. Here’s why our train is worth saving.
www.chicagomag.com
April 21, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Car culture is learned helplessness. Thank you for coming to my TED Talk. www.chicagomag.com/chicago-maga...
Komar & Melamid predicted AI slop in 1993 www.artsy.net/article/arts...
This Is America’s Most Wanted Painting
Is there an artwork that everyone could agree to love? The Russian art duo tried to find out, running opinion polls to create the “Most Wanted Painting.”
www.artsy.net
April 1, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Komar & Melamid predicted AI slop in 1993 www.artsy.net/article/arts...
#Severance is a long-form animal rights allegory. #EmileThanksYou
March 21, 2025 at 1:25 PM
#Severance is a long-form animal rights allegory. #EmileThanksYou
Weak. International conglomerate can’t deal with ice cream man talking about peace. Next thing they’ll reformulate Cherry Garcia with raw milk. www.detroitnews.com/story/busine...
Ben & Jerry’s says CEO fired by Unilever because of his political stance
Ben and Jerry’s accused parent company Unilever Plc of firing its chief executive officer, claiming he was ousted because of disputes over the ice cream brand’s social mission.
www.detroitnews.com
March 20, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Weak. International conglomerate can’t deal with ice cream man talking about peace. Next thing they’ll reformulate Cherry Garcia with raw milk. www.detroitnews.com/story/busine...
This is just a story about how Chicago-style pizza is an intimidating meal www.nytimes.com/2025/03/18/d...
Are Leftovers at Restaurants Over?
Restaurateurs in big cities have noticed a somewhat surprising shift in diner behavior.
www.nytimes.com
March 19, 2025 at 2:09 PM
This is just a story about how Chicago-style pizza is an intimidating meal www.nytimes.com/2025/03/18/d...
The Gallagher Brothers and John Lennon are Irish and there's no convincing me otherwise www.limerickleader.ie/news/arts---...
'There's no English blood in us' - How Noel Gallagher has embraced his Irish roots
The former Oasis frontman has always been proud of his Irish heritage
www.limerickleader.ie
March 17, 2025 at 9:28 PM
The Gallagher Brothers and John Lennon are Irish and there's no convincing me otherwise www.limerickleader.ie/news/arts---...
Starting to think the 16e launch was a stealth campaign to reinvigorate the MagSafe brand. It’s all anyone talks about. www.macworld.com/article/2616...
The iPhone 16e is a painful reminder of how great Apple can be
Lack of attraction: All the news, rumors, and tips you missed last week.
www.macworld.com
March 4, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Starting to think the 16e launch was a stealth campaign to reinvigorate the MagSafe brand. It’s all anyone talks about. www.macworld.com/article/2616...
Iron laws of children’s movies: 1) All protagonists must be orphans or, at minimum, be traumatically abandoned by their parents. 2) Every film must have this scene. 3) That is all. youtu.be/yi7fhTRCkqg?...
Disney • PIXAR Films in 94 Screaming Seconds
YouTube video by Aaron Vasquez (2009)
youtu.be
February 22, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Iron laws of children’s movies: 1) All protagonists must be orphans or, at minimum, be traumatically abandoned by their parents. 2) Every film must have this scene. 3) That is all. youtu.be/yi7fhTRCkqg?...
Absolutely. And in the US, not only is transportation policy incredibly arcane but also the roads are terrible AND the trains are terrible. Stands to reason that the average person believes they care more about getting from point A to B than the govt does.
We also found - especially in the UK - that most people felt they simultaneously supported driving AND NOT DRIVING more than the government. This might show that government is simply not trusted on travel policy. Speculatively, I wonder if this reflects decades of policy cakeism in this area?
February 21, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Absolutely. And in the US, not only is transportation policy incredibly arcane but also the roads are terrible AND the trains are terrible. Stands to reason that the average person believes they care more about getting from point A to B than the govt does.
Corporate America: Ground your business travelers until the FAA is restored.
Wow there’s new video of the Delta flight landing and rolling over at Toronto’s Pearson Airport yesterday….incredible all survived 🙏
February 19, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Corporate America: Ground your business travelers until the FAA is restored.
Interesting mix of small and huge venues. NH/SC vs. Folsom and United Center
PHISH 2025 SUMMER TOUR
June 20-22 Manchester, NH
June 24 Pittsburgh, PA
June 27+28 Austin, TX
July 3-5 Boulder, CO
July 9 Columbus, OH
July 11-13 North Charleston, SC
July 15+16 Philadelphia, PA
July 18-20 Chicago, IL
July 22+23 Forest Hills, NY
July 25-27 Saratoga Springs, NY
June 20-22 Manchester, NH
June 24 Pittsburgh, PA
June 27+28 Austin, TX
July 3-5 Boulder, CO
July 9 Columbus, OH
July 11-13 North Charleston, SC
July 15+16 Philadelphia, PA
July 18-20 Chicago, IL
July 22+23 Forest Hills, NY
July 25-27 Saratoga Springs, NY
February 18, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Interesting mix of small and huge venues. NH/SC vs. Folsom and United Center
Beyond parody.
Donald Trump’s son has backed a proposed sports event for athletes using performance enhancing drugs as the US president shakes up health policy and sports governance. www.ft.com/content/8f06...
February 13, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Beyond parody.
Dark "stroads" are deadly. This is a choice. It doesn't have to be this way. www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/pedestr...
Pedestrian deaths highest on dark city roads at night: AAA report
Crashes involving pedestrians were also disproportionately higher in socially and economically disadvantaged communities in the cities it studied, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found.
www.smartcitiesdive.com
February 13, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Dark "stroads" are deadly. This is a choice. It doesn't have to be this way. www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/pedestr...
Saw a Deadhead sticker on an IPA www.dogfish.com/blog/Gratefu...
A new brew that’ll have you truckin’ up flavor street ... Introducing, Grateful Dead Juicy Pale Ale!
Behold, the ultimate collaboration of off-centeredness and musical exploration ... Dogfish Head x Grateful Dead!! As beer geeks with a music problem, we couldn’t resist teaming back up with this legen...
www.dogfish.com
February 12, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Saw a Deadhead sticker on an IPA www.dogfish.com/blog/Gratefu...
Chiefs fans this morning.
February 10, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Chiefs fans this morning.
Reposted by Brian Bowen
NBC Producers Deny Using AI In New Series ‘Detective Fireman Lawyer Chicago Los Angeles Show’
theonion.com/nbc-pro...
theonion.com/nbc-pro...
NBC Producers Deny Using AI In New Series ‘Detective Fireman Lawyer Chicago Los Angeles Show’
NEW YORK—Issuing a categorical denial of the accusations, NBC producers announced Thursday there was absolutely no usage of artificial intelligence in the new series Detective Fireman Lawyer Chicago Los Angeles Show. “At NBC, we are passionate about storytelling, and the truth is that machine learning isn’t capable of bringing to life vibrant characters like Jim Jack […]
theonion.com
February 6, 2025 at 9:30 PM
NBC Producers Deny Using AI In New Series ‘Detective Fireman Lawyer Chicago Los Angeles Show’
theonion.com/nbc-pro...
theonion.com/nbc-pro...