matt carmichael
@mattcarmichael.com
Futurist, speaker, author, dad, softball coach. You are not alone, and music heals. (past: @mcarmichael, https://rocknroll.net)
Reposted by matt carmichael
Lots of folks captioning aurora photos like "for a few minutes we didn't think about politics"
guess I'm built different, every time I'm out trying to see night sky stuff I frequently think about how much light pollution is entirely preventable with just a tiny bit of regulation
guess I'm built different, every time I'm out trying to see night sky stuff I frequently think about how much light pollution is entirely preventable with just a tiny bit of regulation
November 13, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Lots of folks captioning aurora photos like "for a few minutes we didn't think about politics"
guess I'm built different, every time I'm out trying to see night sky stuff I frequently think about how much light pollution is entirely preventable with just a tiny bit of regulation
guess I'm built different, every time I'm out trying to see night sky stuff I frequently think about how much light pollution is entirely preventable with just a tiny bit of regulation
I think the framing of DOGE as a cost saving plan misses the point. It existed to disrupt and destroy institutions. It did so amazingly well and quickly. It was an unqualified success. Taking it at its face plays into its hands.
Because Trump is an idiot and crap business person who bankrupts and Elon is a toxic narcissist who thinks because he is good at one thing he is good at everything: How Did DOGE Disrupt So Much While Saving So Little? www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/u...
How Did DOGE Disrupt So Much While Saving So Little?
www.nytimes.com
December 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
I think the framing of DOGE as a cost saving plan misses the point. It existed to disrupt and destroy institutions. It did so amazingly well and quickly. It was an unqualified success. Taking it at its face plays into its hands.
Wrong framing of causation. As disinformation rises so does vaccine hesitation and so causally does disease. Disinformation has a literal direct body count.
As Measles Cases Rise, Views of MMR Vaccine Safety and Effectiveness and Willingness to Recommend It Drop.
(@appc.upenn.edu)
More, via Opinion Today:
opiniontoday.substack.com/p/251223
(@appc.upenn.edu)
More, via Opinion Today:
opiniontoday.substack.com/p/251223
December 24, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Wrong framing of causation. As disinformation rises so does vaccine hesitation and so causally does disease. Disinformation has a literal direct body count.
Reposted by matt carmichael
Tariffs are the new Grinch.
During the first 9 months of 2025, Americans paid…
$520 million in tariffs on Christmas decorations,
$685 million in tariffs on video game consoles,
and $1.5 billion in tariffs on construction set toys & scooters.
www.houstonchronicle.com/business/art...
During the first 9 months of 2025, Americans paid…
$520 million in tariffs on Christmas decorations,
$685 million in tariffs on video game consoles,
and $1.5 billion in tariffs on construction set toys & scooters.
www.houstonchronicle.com/business/art...
How $500 million of tariffs on holiday decorations stole Christmas
Tariffs paid on imported Christmas decorations, toys, video game consoles and other gifts have soared this year, according to a new analysis from the Tax Foundation.
www.houstonchronicle.com
December 23, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Tariffs are the new Grinch.
During the first 9 months of 2025, Americans paid…
$520 million in tariffs on Christmas decorations,
$685 million in tariffs on video game consoles,
and $1.5 billion in tariffs on construction set toys & scooters.
www.houstonchronicle.com/business/art...
During the first 9 months of 2025, Americans paid…
$520 million in tariffs on Christmas decorations,
$685 million in tariffs on video game consoles,
and $1.5 billion in tariffs on construction set toys & scooters.
www.houstonchronicle.com/business/art...
This is pretty much everything I care about.
If you haven't already now is a GREAT time to download this album for $7. All proceeds benefit Streetwise, a weekly magazine that assists and employs homeless people. We're trying to hit $500 in donations in the next couple of days
I spoke with Block Club about our little Christmas album a handful of journalists and I released last week. Hear @mauriciopena.bsky.social crush the vocals on "The Christmas Song," me returning to my Midwest emo roots, and an original from @ctoner.bsky.social.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/22/c...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/22/c...
December 23, 2025 at 6:26 PM
This is pretty much everything I care about.
I understand the ethical reasons. But they basically killed the tax incentive unless you itemize, right?
everything I hear from the charity world is apocalyptic at the moment.
Most Americans aren’t making end-of-year charitable giving plans, according to the results of a new AP-NORC poll, despite the many fundraising appeals made by nonprofits that rely on donation surges in the calendar’s final month to reach budget targets. https://to.pbs.org/4prpLIt
December 22, 2025 at 11:42 PM
I understand the ethical reasons. But they basically killed the tax incentive unless you itemize, right?
Gary Bears? I mean you leave the state why should you get to keep the name.
The Chicago Bears are considering a move to northwest Indiana amid growing concerns that Illinois lawmakers will not approve the financial incentives needed to build a new stadium in Arlington Heights, a top team official told the Tribune.
Chicago Bears say they’re looking into building a new stadium in northwest Indiana
In 1995, the Chicago Bears threatened to move to northwest Indiana if the team didn’t get money for a new stadium. They’re doing it again.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Gary Bears? I mean you leave the state why should you get to keep the name.
Reposted by matt carmichael
🔥✊🔥
We got Weird Al out here singing Killing In The Name, the time for moderation is over
December 6, 2025 at 10:25 PM
🔥✊🔥
Reposted by matt carmichael
We first note that hand-wringing about the decline in US college enrollments has mistakenly linked such declines to the price of four-year colleges.
But the decline is entirely driven by two-year community colleges (and by for-profit colleges). The four-year sector is the dog that didn't bark.
But the decline is entirely driven by two-year community colleges (and by for-profit colleges). The four-year sector is the dog that didn't bark.
December 1, 2025 at 1:34 PM
We first note that hand-wringing about the decline in US college enrollments has mistakenly linked such declines to the price of four-year colleges.
But the decline is entirely driven by two-year community colleges (and by for-profit colleges). The four-year sector is the dog that didn't bark.
But the decline is entirely driven by two-year community colleges (and by for-profit colleges). The four-year sector is the dog that didn't bark.
Reposted by matt carmichael
It’s holiday shopping season and the big categories are still gift cards and clothing. But with 1 in 4 planning to spend more on gifts this season, this would seem to indicate people will be stretching their budgets and perhaps buying more, cheaper things.
www.ipsos.com/en-us/gift-c...
www.ipsos.com/en-us/gift-c...
November 25, 2025 at 5:40 PM
It’s holiday shopping season and the big categories are still gift cards and clothing. But with 1 in 4 planning to spend more on gifts this season, this would seem to indicate people will be stretching their budgets and perhaps buying more, cheaper things.
www.ipsos.com/en-us/gift-c...
www.ipsos.com/en-us/gift-c...
Also makes it next to impossible to see pedestrians and bikes with the massive light differential.
to be clear, experts are calling for better regulation of certain kinds of new LED lights, clearly some of the problem is related to that, but I'm skeptical that they have the market penetration to be the only reason people are writing messages on their cars
bsky.app/profile/step...
bsky.app/profile/step...
There is a well documented increase in car headlight brightness. Largely due to the shift to LED's from Halogens.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
November 25, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Also makes it next to impossible to see pedestrians and bikes with the massive light differential.
Reposted by matt carmichael
Baby Boomers won the age-period-cohort lottery.
How baby boomers got so rich and why their kids are unlikely to catch up
The wealthiest generation holds more than $85 trillion in assets thanks to economic conditions Gen X, millennials and others would be hard-pressed to replicate.
wapo.st
November 18, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Baby Boomers won the age-period-cohort lottery.
Reposted by matt carmichael
US drops Biden plan to require passenger compensation for delayed flights reut.rs/4i0E0l2
US drops Biden plan to require passenger compensation for delayed flights
President Donald Trump's administration said on Friday it was formally withdrawing a plan by his predecessor to require airlines to pay passengers cash compensation when U.S. flight disruptions are caused by carriers.
reut.rs
November 14, 2025 at 7:45 PM
US drops Biden plan to require passenger compensation for delayed flights reut.rs/4i0E0l2
The only thing I love more than this post is seeing it first from @greatdismal.bsky.social
What's from Chicago, hates Illinois Nazis, and is holy as fuck?
It's the Pope in 1982.
It's the Pope in 1982.
November 13, 2025 at 4:45 AM
The only thing I love more than this post is seeing it first from @greatdismal.bsky.social
Reposted by matt carmichael
Yes, @profgalloway.com just rocked a Chicago Public Media crop top...
Here’s to public media — in Chicago and across the country! @wbez.org
#PivotTour
Here’s to public media — in Chicago and across the country! @wbez.org
#PivotTour
November 13, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Yes, @profgalloway.com just rocked a Chicago Public Media crop top...
Here’s to public media — in Chicago and across the country! @wbez.org
#PivotTour
Here’s to public media — in Chicago and across the country! @wbez.org
#PivotTour
Reposted by matt carmichael
In the century leading up to 1975, nearly 6000 freighters went down in the Great Lakes.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
November 11, 2025 at 1:50 AM
In the century leading up to 1975, nearly 6000 freighters went down in the Great Lakes.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
This was a remarkable achievement.
On the upside Jonathan Vilma dropped 6,7 into a three minute interview TWICE.
November 9, 2025 at 11:45 PM
This was a remarkable achievement.
Reposted by matt carmichael
More Americans say that imposing tariffs on other countries hurts rather than helps the U.S. economy, inflation and their finances — Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll.
More, via Opinion Today:
opiniontoday.substack.com/p/251105-top...
More, via Opinion Today:
opiniontoday.substack.com/p/251105-top...
November 5, 2025 at 10:58 PM
More Americans say that imposing tariffs on other countries hurts rather than helps the U.S. economy, inflation and their finances — Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll.
More, via Opinion Today:
opiniontoday.substack.com/p/251105-top...
More, via Opinion Today:
opiniontoday.substack.com/p/251105-top...
You gave my j-school commencement address. The difference then was there were good jobs for graduates. That seems way less real now.
Two of the media organizations that have really "met the moment" in national coverage are Teen Vogue and WIRED.
Along with student-run college newspapers in general. And scores of local start-ups.
The main hope for journalism (in its dark times) is the next wave of journalists.
Along with student-run college newspapers in general. And scores of local start-ups.
The main hope for journalism (in its dark times) is the next wave of journalists.
For any unfamiliar with the quality of journalism at Teen Vogue, it's well known for hard-hitting stories on "politically sensitive" topics including climate.
Then there's CBS: the only major network to increase climate coverage in the last few years. They just axed nearly their whole climate team.
Then there's CBS: the only major network to increase climate coverage in the last few years. They just axed nearly their whole climate team.
November 3, 2025 at 10:12 PM
You gave my j-school commencement address. The difference then was there were good jobs for graduates. That seems way less real now.
Reposted by matt carmichael
There are 5 days left in the Kickstarter campaign for the documentary Last Night at Lounge Ax. You can see the full trailer at the Kickstarter page. Please consider participating in the campaign if you can. They are so close to their goal.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lvn...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lvn...
LAST NIGHT AT LOUNGE AX - A DOCUMENTARY FILM
Be immersed in the final 3 days of one of Chicago’s most beloved indie venues, capturing a pre-digital era of live music & community.
www.kickstarter.com
October 30, 2025 at 3:17 AM
There are 5 days left in the Kickstarter campaign for the documentary Last Night at Lounge Ax. You can see the full trailer at the Kickstarter page. Please consider participating in the campaign if you can. They are so close to their goal.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lvn...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lvn...
The CTA has a not in service run skipping my station. It’s run number 666. Nice.
October 29, 2025 at 2:03 PM
The CTA has a not in service run skipping my station. It’s run number 666. Nice.
Reposted by matt carmichael
Reposted by matt carmichael
During Covid Kick and I started a vegetable garden. We tore up half our front lawn and put raised beds in, grew tomatoes and carrots and eggplant and beans. Squash and corn the following year. Of all of that, ONLY the tomatoes and eggplant produced enough to last through the winter.
On Threads, the usual suspects are telling ppl about to lose SNAP benefits to just start a garden. As a gardener, I had to laugh. You need at LEAST an acre of land to feed a family of 4. Start-up costs are enormous. But yes, subsistence farming on the balcony of your rental apartment is the answer
October 23, 2025 at 5:24 PM
During Covid Kick and I started a vegetable garden. We tore up half our front lawn and put raised beds in, grew tomatoes and carrots and eggplant and beans. Squash and corn the following year. Of all of that, ONLY the tomatoes and eggplant produced enough to last through the winter.
Reposted by matt carmichael
USPS PRO TIP: To make sure your mail-in ballot, tax return or legal document gets a postmark on time under the latest USPS changes, you may want to send it early or visit a post office and ask for a manual postmark at the counter in person
Your ballot or other mail may not get postmarked by USPS the day it's dropped off
Close to a deadline for mailing your ballot, tax return or legal document? To make sure it gets a postmark on time under the latest USPS changes, you may want to send it early or visit a post office.
www.npr.org
October 23, 2025 at 11:44 AM
USPS PRO TIP: To make sure your mail-in ballot, tax return or legal document gets a postmark on time under the latest USPS changes, you may want to send it early or visit a post office and ask for a manual postmark at the counter in person
Reposted by matt carmichael
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤’𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 (a four-part thread):
How the U.S. population has evolved.
www.howtoreadthisch.art/r/e0489c52?m...
How the U.S. population has evolved.
www.howtoreadthisch.art/r/e0489c52?m...
October 18, 2025 at 7:25 PM
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤’𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 (a four-part thread):
How the U.S. population has evolved.
www.howtoreadthisch.art/r/e0489c52?m...
How the U.S. population has evolved.
www.howtoreadthisch.art/r/e0489c52?m...