Matthew Lewis is ready for progressive federalism
@mateosfo.bsky.social
I make things, including bike rides, state housing laws, bread, and trouble. Quality varies with rainfall, political winds, and tire pressure. Run comms at @cayimby for the love of cities.
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Today on Volts: you may have noticed that some climate/energy types (like me) have become obsessed with housing & urban land use lately. Why? Why are they climate issues? What's the connection? The great @mateosfo.bsky.social and I attempt to answer those questions.
Why housing is a pass/fail question for climate
Housing is a climate issue we can't afford to ignore — Matthew Lewis explains why.
www.volts.wtf
This was a lot of fun, both because we covered a lot of topics and because David and I have known each other so long and so the conversation flowed.
But the whole tl;dr of the thing is:
Housing policy is (still) climate policy. And the climate movement should do more to acknowledge this, IMO.
But the whole tl;dr of the thing is:
Housing policy is (still) climate policy. And the climate movement should do more to acknowledge this, IMO.
Reposted by Matthew Lewis is ready for progressive federalism
will never cease to amaze me that china built out it's HSR infra for about a trillion dollars - while the US spends roughly 1.5 trillion a year just on *car ownership*
My whole life we’ve been told that The US is simply too big to have high speed rail
December 28, 2025 at 6:18 PM
will never cease to amaze me that china built out it's HSR infra for about a trillion dollars - while the US spends roughly 1.5 trillion a year just on *car ownership*
They're programming autonomous cars to break the laws in the same ways human drivers break laws.
I got nothing. Surrounded by suckers, there's simply nothing to say. www.fastcompany.com/91461598/tes...
I got nothing. Surrounded by suckers, there's simply nothing to say. www.fastcompany.com/91461598/tes...
Tesla’s ‘Mad Max mode’ points to a big problem for self-driving cars
Mad Max mode exposes a risk for AV innovation. To stay competitive, computer-powered cars are emulating human drivers.
www.fastcompany.com
December 28, 2025 at 6:20 PM
They're programming autonomous cars to break the laws in the same ways human drivers break laws.
I got nothing. Surrounded by suckers, there's simply nothing to say. www.fastcompany.com/91461598/tes...
I got nothing. Surrounded by suckers, there's simply nothing to say. www.fastcompany.com/91461598/tes...
Not only did ICE thugs choose their jobs but they chose those jobs during a period of record low unemployment thanks to the high levels of global trade and immigration that supports the U.S. economy.
And they decided they hate foreigners more than they love themselves.
And they decided they hate foreigners more than they love themselves.
Just thinking... we give so much attention (as we should!) to the victims of state violence, ie, people sent to CECOT.
But, we give little consideration to the psychic violence suffered by those tasked with carrying out the physical violence.
Yes, they "chose" those jobs. But...
But, we give little consideration to the psychic violence suffered by those tasked with carrying out the physical violence.
Yes, they "chose" those jobs. But...
December 28, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Not only did ICE thugs choose their jobs but they chose those jobs during a period of record low unemployment thanks to the high levels of global trade and immigration that supports the U.S. economy.
And they decided they hate foreigners more than they love themselves.
And they decided they hate foreigners more than they love themselves.
Carmakers have known all along that dashboard touch screens kill and maim hundreds of thousands of people.
They didn't adapt them because of "consumer demand" for touchscreens. They adapted them because they're cheaper than knobs and dials.
Extend this ethic to all US car manufacturing.
They didn't adapt them because of "consumer demand" for touchscreens. They adapted them because they're cheaper than knobs and dials.
Extend this ethic to all US car manufacturing.
Amazingly, reaction times using screens while driving are worse than being drunk or high—no wonder 90 percent of drivers hate using touchscreens in cars. Finally the auto industry is coming to its senses.
Rejoice! Carmakers Are Embracing Physical Buttons Again
Amazingly, reaction times using screens while driving are worse than being drunk or high—no wonder 90 percent of drivers hate using touchscreens in cars. Finally the auto industry is coming to its…
wrd.cm
December 28, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Carmakers have known all along that dashboard touch screens kill and maim hundreds of thousands of people.
They didn't adapt them because of "consumer demand" for touchscreens. They adapted them because they're cheaper than knobs and dials.
Extend this ethic to all US car manufacturing.
They didn't adapt them because of "consumer demand" for touchscreens. They adapted them because they're cheaper than knobs and dials.
Extend this ethic to all US car manufacturing.
Reposted by Matthew Lewis is ready for progressive federalism
Help move cars out of your community and onto this graphic!
So much happened this year; we’re still catching up. As we continue to compile 2025's major reforms, we expect 2025 to surpass 15.
If you want to get involved, head to the link in bio and help us reach our $1500 matching donation!
So much happened this year; we’re still catching up. As we continue to compile 2025's major reforms, we expect 2025 to surpass 15.
If you want to get involved, head to the link in bio and help us reach our $1500 matching donation!
December 26, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Help move cars out of your community and onto this graphic!
So much happened this year; we’re still catching up. As we continue to compile 2025's major reforms, we expect 2025 to surpass 15.
If you want to get involved, head to the link in bio and help us reach our $1500 matching donation!
So much happened this year; we’re still catching up. As we continue to compile 2025's major reforms, we expect 2025 to surpass 15.
If you want to get involved, head to the link in bio and help us reach our $1500 matching donation!
civilization hanging on by the thinnest thread woven by the tiny handful of geriatric Republican donors who also believe the good guys won World War II
December 27, 2025 at 5:35 AM
civilization hanging on by the thinnest thread woven by the tiny handful of geriatric Republican donors who also believe the good guys won World War II
man, people are simply not prepared for what geoengineering is going to do to the sky.
i sometimes wonder how we'd be acting if more people knew, but then, i was always a hopeful type
i sometimes wonder how we'd be acting if more people knew, but then, i was always a hopeful type
I think people today don't understand just how dramatically the night sky has changed - it looked like it does in super remote areas *everywhere* before the invention of electric lighting, and light pollution that obscures the sky has gotten dramatically worse in the last 25 years.
If you ever have the experience of seeing a night sky out in the deep countryside you can understand this; it really is a fundamentally different experience, and I can't imagine it not being formative to people.
December 27, 2025 at 5:32 AM
man, people are simply not prepared for what geoengineering is going to do to the sky.
i sometimes wonder how we'd be acting if more people knew, but then, i was always a hopeful type
i sometimes wonder how we'd be acting if more people knew, but then, i was always a hopeful type
Reposted by Matthew Lewis is ready for progressive federalism
unironically a good idea
December 27, 2025 at 1:40 AM
unironically a good idea
Reposted by Matthew Lewis is ready for progressive federalism
This is why we say that vehicular homicide enjoys qualified immunity.
#WindshieldBias
#WindshieldBias
A woman accused of livestreaming herself on TikTok while driving as she struck and killed a man walking in the north suburbs has now been released from custody after she was initially ordered to remain detained, according to court records.
abc7chicago.com/post/tynesha...
abc7chicago.com/post/tynesha...
Woman charged in Zion pedestrian death while allegedly livestreaming on TikTok released from custody
A woman accused of livestreaming herself on TikTok while driving as she struck and killed a man walking in the north suburbs has now been released from custody after she was initially ordered to remai...
abc7chicago.com
December 27, 2025 at 1:18 AM
This is why we say that vehicular homicide enjoys qualified immunity.
#WindshieldBias
#WindshieldBias
The real existential threat to democracy, right here.
"The newspaper industry served as a feeder for our entire news media ecosystem. So when we lose those newspapers, we've lost that journalism. In the early 2000s, we had 40 journalists per 100,000 people. We're now down to 8 journalists per 100,000 people," says @victorpickard.bsky.social.
December 26, 2025 at 11:25 PM
The real existential threat to democracy, right here.
Reposted by Matthew Lewis is ready for progressive federalism
Imagine watching Sinatra, son of Dolly & Antonini born in Genoa & Sicily, respectively, and Martin, son of Gaetano & Angela, born in Montesilvano, Italy & Ohio respectively, (Angela to parents born in Monasterolo, Italy), and crusading against the value of children of immigrants to the U.S.
December 26, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Imagine watching Sinatra, son of Dolly & Antonini born in Genoa & Sicily, respectively, and Martin, son of Gaetano & Angela, born in Montesilvano, Italy & Ohio respectively, (Angela to parents born in Monasterolo, Italy), and crusading against the value of children of immigrants to the U.S.
Reposted by Matthew Lewis is ready for progressive federalism
The U.S. is giving dying mall vibes.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
December 17, 2025 at 8:56 PM
The U.S. is giving dying mall vibes.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.
Huh. I guess Waymo isn't confident in its cars' ability to handle heavy rainstorms?
Seems like a lot of places get heavy rainstorms! www-cnbc-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.cnbc...
Seems like a lot of places get heavy rainstorms! www-cnbc-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.cnbc...
Waymo pauses robotaxis in SF again due to flash flood warnings on Christmas Day
Waymo again paused it robotaxi service, citing a flash flood warning on Christmas Day.
www-cnbc-com.cdn.ampproject.org
December 26, 2025 at 3:22 AM
Huh. I guess Waymo isn't confident in its cars' ability to handle heavy rainstorms?
Seems like a lot of places get heavy rainstorms! www-cnbc-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.cnbc...
Seems like a lot of places get heavy rainstorms! www-cnbc-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.cnbc...
Reposted by Matthew Lewis is ready for progressive federalism
You can pretend to have your shit together if you want. They don’t really check
December 26, 2025 at 1:51 AM
You can pretend to have your shit together if you want. They don’t really check
Signs of our social immune system kicking in.
ICE agent recognized out Christmas shopping—throws tantrum when citizens profile him.
"We're trying to prevent you from kidnapping our neighbors," they say.
"I'm not doing anything but walking, leave me alone!" he yells.
"Not right now you're not—but the past 5 days you have."
Philadelphia, PA
"We're trying to prevent you from kidnapping our neighbors," they say.
"I'm not doing anything but walking, leave me alone!" he yells.
"Not right now you're not—but the past 5 days you have."
Philadelphia, PA
December 26, 2025 at 2:27 AM
Signs of our social immune system kicking in.
"Life expectancy was significantly higher in compact counties than in sprawl. Compactness affects mortality directly [through less traffic violence] & indirectly through vehicle miles traveled (traffic fatalities) and body mass index, a contributor to chronic diseases." www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/15...
www.mdpi.com
December 26, 2025 at 1:03 AM
"Life expectancy was significantly higher in compact counties than in sprawl. Compactness affects mortality directly [through less traffic violence] & indirectly through vehicle miles traveled (traffic fatalities) and body mass index, a contributor to chronic diseases." www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/15...
Reposted by Matthew Lewis is ready for progressive federalism
If your town's economy would collapse the moment that the nearest large city instituted congestion pricing, you are just a suburb.
But then again a lot of suburban America gaslights itself into thinking they're in a rural small town when they're just in a suburb
December 25, 2025 at 11:09 PM
If your town's economy would collapse the moment that the nearest large city instituted congestion pricing, you are just a suburb.
Reposted by Matthew Lewis is ready for progressive federalism
But then again a lot of suburban America gaslights itself into thinking they're in a rural small town when they're just in a suburb
December 25, 2025 at 10:31 PM
But then again a lot of suburban America gaslights itself into thinking they're in a rural small town when they're just in a suburb
Reposted by Matthew Lewis is ready for progressive federalism
This kind of stuff also imo overstates how much of America is actually "small towns"
I don’t always agree with of the broader political takes from some “abundance”-coded pundits but man the abundance critics are just pure nonsense merchants
like, what’s this guy’s deal? literally making up a guy to dunk on the idea that cities should build more housing and transit.
like, what’s this guy’s deal? literally making up a guy to dunk on the idea that cities should build more housing and transit.
December 25, 2025 at 10:29 PM
This kind of stuff also imo overstates how much of America is actually "small towns"
Catching up on some reading and one notable item:
The disconnect between autonomous vehicle experts/researchers and AV social media boosters/marketers just grew into an impassible rift.
Real AV technologists are combing through the SF blackout and finding nothing but bad news for Waymo.
The disconnect between autonomous vehicle experts/researchers and AV social media boosters/marketers just grew into an impassible rift.
Real AV technologists are combing through the SF blackout and finding nothing but bad news for Waymo.
December 25, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Catching up on some reading and one notable item:
The disconnect between autonomous vehicle experts/researchers and AV social media boosters/marketers just grew into an impassible rift.
Real AV technologists are combing through the SF blackout and finding nothing but bad news for Waymo.
The disconnect between autonomous vehicle experts/researchers and AV social media boosters/marketers just grew into an impassible rift.
Real AV technologists are combing through the SF blackout and finding nothing but bad news for Waymo.
Reposted by Matthew Lewis is ready for progressive federalism
This is how much key pollutants are spilling into the sand & ocean annually in Manhattan Beach. 326.6 lbs of Zinc comes from car tires, which are about 1% Zn by weight (UV sunscreen for tires). Implies 32,000 lbs of larger tire crumbs (we breathe smaller ones) on streets, missed by street sweepers
December 24, 2025 at 7:40 PM
This is how much key pollutants are spilling into the sand & ocean annually in Manhattan Beach. 326.6 lbs of Zinc comes from car tires, which are about 1% Zn by weight (UV sunscreen for tires). Implies 32,000 lbs of larger tire crumbs (we breathe smaller ones) on streets, missed by street sweepers
The issue here is that the US is actually just a car company with a pension plan and medicare, play-acting at democracy.
Other countries with domestic car industries actually regulate their carmakers.
But in the US, the carmakers regulate us. And American drivers defend this arrangement.
Other countries with domestic car industries actually regulate their carmakers.
But in the US, the carmakers regulate us. And American drivers defend this arrangement.
Americans will spend the next 20 years paying the price - a market of last resort for Trump's petrostate oligarch allies whose oil reserves would otherwise go stranded.
It's funny how us parochial Americans generally seem to perceive that the EV revolution is stalling or reversing when in fact it's accelerating rapidly worldwide. 25% of cars sold globally in 2025 were EVs!
It's mostly just the US that's being left behind
It's mostly just the US that's being left behind
December 24, 2025 at 6:29 PM
The issue here is that the US is actually just a car company with a pension plan and medicare, play-acting at democracy.
Other countries with domestic car industries actually regulate their carmakers.
But in the US, the carmakers regulate us. And American drivers defend this arrangement.
Other countries with domestic car industries actually regulate their carmakers.
But in the US, the carmakers regulate us. And American drivers defend this arrangement.
Ever since Elon started lying about film self drive a ~ decade ago, I've been amazed by the number of suckers who seem to just not care about their own lives, or the lives of their families.
But this faulty door thing -- folks, don't even get in a Tesla. Ever. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
But this faulty door thing -- folks, don't even get in a Tesla. Ever. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Tesla Faces NHTSA Probe Over Model 3 Emergency Door Handles
Tesla Inc.’s door handles are facing renewed scrutiny in the US after federal auto safety regulators opened a probe into the emergency releases in certain Model 3 vehicles.
www.bloomberg.com
December 24, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Ever since Elon started lying about film self drive a ~ decade ago, I've been amazed by the number of suckers who seem to just not care about their own lives, or the lives of their families.
But this faulty door thing -- folks, don't even get in a Tesla. Ever. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
But this faulty door thing -- folks, don't even get in a Tesla. Ever. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
It's funny IMO that Berkeley, California was one of very first jurisdictions to ban straws/plastic bags -- you know, for the environment --
But soon as we learned the actual leading source of plastic pollution?
Crickets. Performative progressivism. www-pbs-org.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.pbs....
But soon as we learned the actual leading source of plastic pollution?
Crickets. Performative progressivism. www-pbs-org.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.pbs....
One of the biggest microplastic pollution sources isn’t straws or grocery bags – it’s your tires
Every few years, the tires on your car wear thin and need to be replaced. But where does that lost tire material go? The answer, unfortunately, is often waterways, where the tiny microplastic particle...
www-pbs-org.cdn.ampproject.org
December 24, 2025 at 5:33 PM
It's funny IMO that Berkeley, California was one of very first jurisdictions to ban straws/plastic bags -- you know, for the environment --
But soon as we learned the actual leading source of plastic pollution?
Crickets. Performative progressivism. www-pbs-org.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.pbs....
But soon as we learned the actual leading source of plastic pollution?
Crickets. Performative progressivism. www-pbs-org.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.pbs....
This is flagrantly unconstitutional but what makes it even more offensive is that two of the most notorious NIMBYs in Los Angeles County -- Denny Zane and Sue Himmerlich -- also served on the Santa Monica city council while being paid by (anti) housing non-profits.
In Santa Monica, the FPPC has disqualified pro-housing Councilmember Jesse Zwick from all future housing votes. They said that because he works for a housing non-profit, he’s “conflicted” and must recuse.
Pretty absurd. The NIMBY deep state strikes again.
www.smdp.com/state-regula...
Pretty absurd. The NIMBY deep state strikes again.
www.smdp.com/state-regula...
State regulators say Councilman Zwick is conflicted on housing votes
The California Fair Political Practices Commission has ruled that Santa Monica Mayor Pro Tem Jesse Zwick must recuse himself from housing production decisions
www.smdp.com
December 24, 2025 at 8:12 AM
This is flagrantly unconstitutional but what makes it even more offensive is that two of the most notorious NIMBYs in Los Angeles County -- Denny Zane and Sue Himmerlich -- also served on the Santa Monica city council while being paid by (anti) housing non-profits.