Torsten Kathke
@kathke.com
Historian. 19th/20th century US & Germany. JGU Mainz. 70s/80s cultural criticism, pop science, futurology. Book: Wires That Bind.
It’s been half a century and it seems like this still isn’t widely understood.
(from Robert Caro, 'The Power Broker', Vintage: 1975, p. 897)
(from Robert Caro, 'The Power Broker', Vintage: 1975, p. 897)
![Even before the war, of course, some urban planners had begun to see largely because of the effects of Moses' creations that building more traffic facilities would not in itself cure traffic congestion. These planners had said the Regional Plan Association had been saying it since 1929 and, after the opening of Moses' creations during the 1930's, w ith increasing urgency that the movement of people and goods In a great metropolitan region required a balanced transportation system, one in which the construction of mass rapid transit facilities kept pace w ith the construction of roads. During the last two or three years before the war, a few planners had even begun to understand that, w ithout a balanced system, roads not only would not alleviate transportation congestion but would aggravate it. Watching Moses open the Triborough Bridge to ease congestion on the Queensborough Bridge, open the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge to ease congestion on the Triborough Bridge and then watching traffic counts on all three bridges mount until all three were as congested as one had been before, planners could hardly avoid the conclusion that "traffic generation" was no longer a theory but a proven fact: the more highways were built to alleviate congestion, the more automobiles would pour onto them and congest them and thus force the building of more highways —which would generate more traffic and become congested in their turn in an inexorably widening spiral that contained the most awesome implications for the future of New York and of all urban areas. The only remedy that could check that vicious spiral was the coordination of new highways with new mass transit facilities– […]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:x4d7yazerbjhjwnwfgi4tv7q/bafkreieazhjjvr5ha3rdble7h6dwrgatwvhsd6pbr7frfwcqjawt4ck6eq@jpeg)
December 29, 2025 at 2:45 PM
It’s been half a century and it seems like this still isn’t widely understood.
(from Robert Caro, 'The Power Broker', Vintage: 1975, p. 897)
(from Robert Caro, 'The Power Broker', Vintage: 1975, p. 897)
Just a quick year-end review of things I meant to do. Ah yes, buy that one book. Let’s go.
One hour and €100+ later I somehow have half a dozen books coming in the mail.
One hour and €100+ later I somehow have half a dozen books coming in the mail.
December 29, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Just a quick year-end review of things I meant to do. Ah yes, buy that one book. Let’s go.
One hour and €100+ later I somehow have half a dozen books coming in the mail.
One hour and €100+ later I somehow have half a dozen books coming in the mail.
Reposted by Torsten Kathke
Artificial Intellligence as a breeding ground for male entitlement and supremacy.
This is no less than MaaS - Misogyny as a Service.
This is no less than MaaS - Misogyny as a Service.
"And I never say no"
We need to have a serious talk about the way "AI companion" apps not only prey on the vulnerable, but are priming their users to ignore consent and to conflate love with control.
We need AI regulations across so many sectors, but this area is particularly horrifying.
We need to have a serious talk about the way "AI companion" apps not only prey on the vulnerable, but are priming their users to ignore consent and to conflate love with control.
We need AI regulations across so many sectors, but this area is particularly horrifying.
December 29, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Artificial Intellligence as a breeding ground for male entitlement and supremacy.
This is no less than MaaS - Misogyny as a Service.
This is no less than MaaS - Misogyny as a Service.
Die Praxisgebühr war in den 2000ern so allseitig unbeliebt und unsinnig, dass sie 2012 *ohne Gegenstimmen* (!!!) abgeschafft wurde.
Eine Kontaktgebühr beim Arztbesuch würde kaum zur Schließung der Finanzierungslücke im Gesundheitssystem beitragen, aber Frust von Patienten & Ärzten sowie sozialen Sprengstoff bedeuten. Sie würde vor allem arme Menschen vom Arztbesuch abhalten. Ich halte das daher für ungeeignet.
Entlastung für Krankenkassen: Kassenärztechef Andreas Gassen fordert Gebühren für Arztbesuche
Die Kassenärztliche Bundesvereinigung plädiert für eine Eigenbeteiligung der Patienten bei Arztbesuchen. KBV-Chef Andreas Gassen will so die Zahl der Mehrfachbehandlungen reduzieren und die Krankenkas...
www.spiegel.de
December 29, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Die Praxisgebühr war in den 2000ern so allseitig unbeliebt und unsinnig, dass sie 2012 *ohne Gegenstimmen* (!!!) abgeschafft wurde.
Reposted by Torsten Kathke
Eine Kontaktgebühr beim Arztbesuch würde kaum zur Schließung der Finanzierungslücke im Gesundheitssystem beitragen, aber Frust von Patienten & Ärzten sowie sozialen Sprengstoff bedeuten. Sie würde vor allem arme Menschen vom Arztbesuch abhalten. Ich halte das daher für ungeeignet.
Entlastung für Krankenkassen: Kassenärztechef Andreas Gassen fordert Gebühren für Arztbesuche
Die Kassenärztliche Bundesvereinigung plädiert für eine Eigenbeteiligung der Patienten bei Arztbesuchen. KBV-Chef Andreas Gassen will so die Zahl der Mehrfachbehandlungen reduzieren und die Krankenkas...
www.spiegel.de
December 29, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Eine Kontaktgebühr beim Arztbesuch würde kaum zur Schließung der Finanzierungslücke im Gesundheitssystem beitragen, aber Frust von Patienten & Ärzten sowie sozialen Sprengstoff bedeuten. Sie würde vor allem arme Menschen vom Arztbesuch abhalten. Ich halte das daher für ungeeignet.
Reposted by Torsten Kathke
That means I’m giving y’all a few more days to nominate public scholarship from throughout the year for the best-of-2025 thread, which I'll drop on New Year’s Eve. Check out the call & make sure to nominate great work from any time in 2025, especially your own!
blackwhiteandread.com/announcements/
blackwhiteandread.com/announcements/
blackwhiteandread.com
December 28, 2025 at 1:30 PM
That means I’m giving y’all a few more days to nominate public scholarship from throughout the year for the best-of-2025 thread, which I'll drop on New Year’s Eve. Check out the call & make sure to nominate great work from any time in 2025, especially your own!
blackwhiteandread.com/announcements/
blackwhiteandread.com/announcements/
I watched this in the cinema and everyone laughed when the joystick popped up.
Turns out that's just good design if you need to react quickly.
Turns out that's just good design if you need to react quickly.
December 28, 2025 at 7:46 AM
I watched this in the cinema and everyone laughed when the joystick popped up.
Turns out that's just good design if you need to react quickly.
Turns out that's just good design if you need to react quickly.
Reposted by Torsten Kathke
Do you teach?
Because I have to admit it doesn’t matter how professors might want to engage with gAI but how students end up using gAI because they are being sold this technology as a magical shortcut machine, by administrators and tech companies, and who can blame them for buying the pitch?
Because I have to admit it doesn’t matter how professors might want to engage with gAI but how students end up using gAI because they are being sold this technology as a magical shortcut machine, by administrators and tech companies, and who can blame them for buying the pitch?
In that frame, education should be actively engaging with AI, but not in "write me my essay" mode or an "assistant" type posture. Instead as a thinking space which expands rather than shortcuts cognition when done right.
December 27, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Do you teach?
Because I have to admit it doesn’t matter how professors might want to engage with gAI but how students end up using gAI because they are being sold this technology as a magical shortcut machine, by administrators and tech companies, and who can blame them for buying the pitch?
Because I have to admit it doesn’t matter how professors might want to engage with gAI but how students end up using gAI because they are being sold this technology as a magical shortcut machine, by administrators and tech companies, and who can blame them for buying the pitch?
Reposted by Torsten Kathke
All of the money that changed hands in the Teapot Dome scandal totaled less than $10 million after adjusting for inflation, and it was considered so corrupt we still teach it in high school government classes a century later.
Corruption so pungent, it wafts right off the page:
Lobbyists who do pardon deals “say their going rate is $1 million. Pardon-seekers have offered some lobbyists close to the president success fees of as much as $6 million if they can close the deal.”
Gift link www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Lobbyists who do pardon deals “say their going rate is $1 million. Pardon-seekers have offered some lobbyists close to the president success fees of as much as $6 million if they can close the deal.”
Gift link www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Inside the New Fast Track to a Presidential Pardon
Even some of the president’s closest advisers have been surprised by a number of the recent series of pardons.
www.wsj.com
December 27, 2025 at 9:24 PM
All of the money that changed hands in the Teapot Dome scandal totaled less than $10 million after adjusting for inflation, and it was considered so corrupt we still teach it in high school government classes a century later.
Reposted by Torsten Kathke
90% of bluesky posts, to me
this fellow has broken loose from somewhere; he’s talking about something and somebody we don’t know
December 27, 2025 at 10:00 PM
90% of bluesky posts, to me
He was in a tv romcom in the 90s that I still think about.
Testing.
Testing, testing.
Check— 1, 2, 3.
Check— 1, 2, 3.
Any movie with Christoph Waltz is a good movie.
Thank you for your attention.
Testing, testing.
Check— 1, 2, 3.
Check— 1, 2, 3.
Any movie with Christoph Waltz is a good movie.
Thank you for your attention.
a man in a suit and tie is saying `` i 'm sorry i couldn 't resist '' .
ALT: a man in a suit and tie is saying `` i 'm sorry i couldn 't resist '' .
media.tenor.com
December 27, 2025 at 5:32 AM
He was in a tv romcom in the 90s that I still think about.
If a billionaire not paying taxes leaves a place that starts taxing them, can anyone hear it?
Billionaires are considering cutting or reducing their ties to California by the end of the year because of a proposed ballot measure that could tax the state’s wealthiest residents.
A Wealth Tax Floated in California Has Billionaires Thinking of Leaving
It’s uncertain whether the proposal will reach the statewide ballot in November, but some billionaires like Peter Thiel and Larry Page may be unwilling to take the risk.
nyti.ms
December 27, 2025 at 5:22 AM
If a billionaire not paying taxes leaves a place that starts taxing them, can anyone hear it?
you've just opened up a star trek-themed restaurant
what are you calling it?
PHASE II
what are you calling it?
PHASE II
THE PRIME RIB DIRECTIVE
you've just opened up a star trek-themed restaurant
what are you calling it?
THE READY ROOM
what are you calling it?
THE READY ROOM
December 27, 2025 at 5:17 AM
you've just opened up a star trek-themed restaurant
what are you calling it?
PHASE II
what are you calling it?
PHASE II
Reposted by Torsten Kathke
Nasa Ugly Christmas Sweater - Nouvette
Nasa Ugly Christmas sweater, Hoodie…All available.
nouvette.com
December 25, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Reposted by Torsten Kathke
The figure of the Main Character on Other Platform is central to Bluesky soteriology. In this essay I will…
December 26, 2025 at 11:26 PM
The figure of the Main Character on Other Platform is central to Bluesky soteriology. In this essay I will…
J. D. Vance is the answer to the question "What if Orson Welles had been cast in Doctor Strangelove"?
JD VANCE THINKS BRITAIN & FRANCE ARE AMERICAS LIKELY ENEMIES.
The world is getting bizarrely screwed with this kind of bull being spewed out.
The world is getting bizarrely screwed with this kind of bull being spewed out.
December 26, 2025 at 11:19 PM
J. D. Vance is the answer to the question "What if Orson Welles had been cast in Doctor Strangelove"?
With Stranger Things ending after five seasons, at least these kids will be able to have some time to enjoy their teenage y…
I'm sorry, I'm being informed every single one of them is somehow 32 years old?
I'm sorry, I'm being informed every single one of them is somehow 32 years old?
December 26, 2025 at 11:15 PM
With Stranger Things ending after five seasons, at least these kids will be able to have some time to enjoy their teenage y…
I'm sorry, I'm being informed every single one of them is somehow 32 years old?
I'm sorry, I'm being informed every single one of them is somehow 32 years old?
Next up: All beds in the White House will have fully stainless steel mattresses. Gold plated, naturally.
Siri, show me a guy who has never ever gone to see a show.
December 26, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Next up: All beds in the White House will have fully stainless steel mattresses. Gold plated, naturally.
Reposted by Torsten Kathke
james cameron every few years
December 26, 2025 at 3:49 PM
james cameron every few years
Reposted by Torsten Kathke
We‘ve covered several holiday movies on @infrontofira.bsky.social so if you‘re not sure what to watch, give us a listen!
We may be the last 2 people who have nice things to say about Love Actually and also did
- The Holiday
- Heidelberg Holiday
- Round & Round
- Hot Frosty
- Serendipity (this Fri!)
We may be the last 2 people who have nice things to say about Love Actually and also did
- The Holiday
- Heidelberg Holiday
- Round & Round
- Hot Frosty
- Serendipity (this Fri!)
a room with a radiator and two lamps on tables
ALT: a room with a radiator and two lamps on tables
media.tenor.com
December 24, 2025 at 12:18 PM
We‘ve covered several holiday movies on @infrontofira.bsky.social so if you‘re not sure what to watch, give us a listen!
We may be the last 2 people who have nice things to say about Love Actually and also did
- The Holiday
- Heidelberg Holiday
- Round & Round
- Hot Frosty
- Serendipity (this Fri!)
We may be the last 2 people who have nice things to say about Love Actually and also did
- The Holiday
- Heidelberg Holiday
- Round & Round
- Hot Frosty
- Serendipity (this Fri!)
Reposted by Torsten Kathke
And the Serendipity episode is live! We surprisingly talk about 9/11 a lot. Merry Christmas?
December 26, 2025 at 12:38 PM
And the Serendipity episode is live! We surprisingly talk about 9/11 a lot. Merry Christmas?
Reposted by Torsten Kathke
Don't need to imagine, Sinatra had something to say about multicultural liberal democracies 🧵
December 26, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Don't need to imagine, Sinatra had something to say about multicultural liberal democracies 🧵
Bahn-Bingo letzte Fahrt des Jahres: Ausnahmsweise pünktlich, dafür hustet der halbe Wagen und mehr als eine Person sitzt direkt vor dem Ruhewagen-Schild und versteht es scheinbar nicht.
December 26, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Bahn-Bingo letzte Fahrt des Jahres: Ausnahmsweise pünktlich, dafür hustet der halbe Wagen und mehr als eine Person sitzt direkt vor dem Ruhewagen-Schild und versteht es scheinbar nicht.
Reposted by Torsten Kathke
Since the humanities and history in particular are all about context, it is worth noting that Lauren’s post is in response to someone who works in tech/AI telling historians how we should be using gAI in the classroom, and arguing when we said no. He deleted his post, but yes, context.
December 26, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Since the humanities and history in particular are all about context, it is worth noting that Lauren’s post is in response to someone who works in tech/AI telling historians how we should be using gAI in the classroom, and arguing when we said no. He deleted his post, but yes, context.