Jonathan Mertzig
@mertzigzag.bsky.social
Madison, WI. - Professional destroyer of software. Sewer Socialist. Queer geek. Wannabe polyglot. Car avoider/Walker/Cyclist/Transit Enthusiast. 🦩🍻 same handle on Fedi @urbanists.social and (formerly) Xitter...
Pinned
Jonathan Mertzig
@mertzigzag.bsky.social
· Nov 15
Wow! Lots of new followers here today. Here’s what you can expect from me:
1) rants about transit & municipal gov (not just in Madison!)
2) poorly informed takes on soccer and sometimes hockey
3) occasional random attempts at arty photography
4) sometimes: beer, tech, Euro and Canadian politics
1) rants about transit & municipal gov (not just in Madison!)
2) poorly informed takes on soccer and sometimes hockey
3) occasional random attempts at arty photography
4) sometimes: beer, tech, Euro and Canadian politics
Found my button from that rally!
February 18, 2026 at 3:17 AM
Found my button from that rally!
Reposted by Jonathan Mertzig
To visit Czechia is to step into a thousand-year consciousness filled with glory and tragedy, rule and misrule. It isn’t a history packaged to deliver a single, congratulatory message. Quite the opposite: it reminds them that anything is possible, but nothing is permanent.
Notes From Prague
Getting out of America to a country with a thousand-year consciousness can be a balm. I just spent ten days in Prague and offer some notes about being an American abroad in 2026.
jeffalworth.substack.com
February 17, 2026 at 4:34 PM
To visit Czechia is to step into a thousand-year consciousness filled with glory and tragedy, rule and misrule. It isn’t a history packaged to deliver a single, congratulatory message. Quite the opposite: it reminds them that anything is possible, but nothing is permanent.
Reposted by Jonathan Mertzig
it's hard to see someone else live your dream
February 17, 2026 at 10:40 PM
it's hard to see someone else live your dream
Reposted by Jonathan Mertzig
They raided the jailed children to steal their letters.
The problem, in federal officials' minds, wasn't confining children in prison-camp conditions; it was that the children could tell the public about it.
The problem, in federal officials' minds, wasn't confining children in prison-camp conditions; it was that the children could tell the public about it.
“I don’t want to be in this place I want to go to my school.”
- 7 year old imprisoned by ICE for 70 days in a concentration camp in Texas.
Today, after @propublica.org published this story, the camp was raided to confiscate letters from the children.
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
- 7 year old imprisoned by ICE for 70 days in a concentration camp in Texas.
Today, after @propublica.org published this story, the camp was raided to confiscate letters from the children.
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
February 17, 2026 at 8:01 PM
They raided the jailed children to steal their letters.
The problem, in federal officials' minds, wasn't confining children in prison-camp conditions; it was that the children could tell the public about it.
The problem, in federal officials' minds, wasn't confining children in prison-camp conditions; it was that the children could tell the public about it.
I was at this event! I’ve still got a “Keep Hope Alive” button from it somewhere. It’s one of my first distinct political memories from childhood.
rev jackson drew a crowd of around 2,000 in my hometown of sheboygan, wi (50,000), at a rally during his presidential campaign. i can't remember if i was there or not, but i have a distinct memory of being considered weird in my 4th grade class because i supported him. i guess i wasn't alone...?
February 17, 2026 at 10:00 PM
I was at this event! I’ve still got a “Keep Hope Alive” button from it somewhere. It’s one of my first distinct political memories from childhood.
Reposted by Jonathan Mertzig
jesse jackson was constantly played as a punchline on 90s late-night TV to the point that i didn't understand his history of activism and serious left-leaning political platform until i was much older. i have to think, to some degree, that was on purpose.
February 17, 2026 at 3:40 PM
jesse jackson was constantly played as a punchline on 90s late-night TV to the point that i didn't understand his history of activism and serious left-leaning political platform until i was much older. i have to think, to some degree, that was on purpose.
Facebook: Now with *two* AI brands I have no interest in using!
February 15, 2026 at 9:48 PM
Facebook: Now with *two* AI brands I have no interest in using!
Reposted by Jonathan Mertzig
I'm not sure you can call it "neoliberalism" when transit fares exist in basically every country, including social democratic ones.
Even communist countries charge fares. The one I've been to, at least (Cuba).
Even communist countries charge fares. The one I've been to, at least (Cuba).
February 14, 2026 at 9:14 PM
I'm not sure you can call it "neoliberalism" when transit fares exist in basically every country, including social democratic ones.
Even communist countries charge fares. The one I've been to, at least (Cuba).
Even communist countries charge fares. The one I've been to, at least (Cuba).
One of those "are we sure correlation isn't causation?" sort of maps. 😂☢️
February 15, 2026 at 12:25 AM
One of those "are we sure correlation isn't causation?" sort of maps. 😂☢️
11 Milwaukee flights and 9 Madison flights from just one airline serving those routes really seems like a slam-dunk argument for building more trains.
United Airlines to increase more Chicago (ORD) daily flights:
ABE 3 → 4
BHM 3 → 4
CAE 3 → 4
CLT 3 → 5
DFW 6 → 7
IND 10 → 11
GRR 8 → 11
MCI 7 → 9
MKE 9 → 11
MSN 8 → 9
PIA 5 → 7
SBN 9 → 10
SCE 4 → 6
SYR 3 → 4
ABE 3 → 4
BHM 3 → 4
CAE 3 → 4
CLT 3 → 5
DFW 6 → 7
IND 10 → 11
GRR 8 → 11
MCI 7 → 9
MKE 9 → 11
MSN 8 → 9
PIA 5 → 7
SBN 9 → 10
SCE 4 → 6
SYR 3 → 4
February 15, 2026 at 12:21 AM
11 Milwaukee flights and 9 Madison flights from just one airline serving those routes really seems like a slam-dunk argument for building more trains.
Reposted by Jonathan Mertzig
Amtrak's Newest Train on film
Their "Airo" trainset in Cascades livery looks fantastic on Fuji 200
Their "Airo" trainset in Cascades livery looks fantastic on Fuji 200
February 14, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Amtrak's Newest Train on film
Their "Airo" trainset in Cascades livery looks fantastic on Fuji 200
Their "Airo" trainset in Cascades livery looks fantastic on Fuji 200
Reposted by Jonathan Mertzig
There is a very dumb update to this, as it turns out in the burst of tech news rushing to cover the story, Ars Technica published an article full of fake quotes. And not by some anonymous freelancer. The article (since deleted but archive here) is bylined by two staff editors.
February 14, 2026 at 3:35 PM
There is a very dumb update to this, as it turns out in the burst of tech news rushing to cover the story, Ars Technica published an article full of fake quotes. And not by some anonymous freelancer. The article (since deleted but archive here) is bylined by two staff editors.
Everyone's favorite Madison census tract gets a nod... 🏗️
February 14, 2026 at 3:18 AM
Everyone's favorite Madison census tract gets a nod... 🏗️
Reposted by Jonathan Mertzig
@wisdot.bsky.social We won't be needing the I90 expansion after all. You can stop now
The bill calls for state-/local-level planning (not funding) for eventual hourly trains from Chicago to:
🚆 Milwaukee
🚆 Madison and St Paul
🚆 Rockford
🚆 St Louis
🚆 Champaign
🚆 Louisville
🚆 Cincinnati
🚆 Columbus
🚆 Detroit
🚆 Moline (every 2 hours)
🚆 Peoria (every 2 hours)
🚆 Galesburg (every 4 hours)
🚆 Milwaukee
🚆 Madison and St Paul
🚆 Rockford
🚆 St Louis
🚆 Champaign
🚆 Louisville
🚆 Cincinnati
🚆 Columbus
🚆 Detroit
🚆 Moline (every 2 hours)
🚆 Peoria (every 2 hours)
🚆 Galesburg (every 4 hours)
February 13, 2026 at 6:21 PM
@wisdot.bsky.social We won't be needing the I90 expansion after all. You can stop now
Reposted by Jonathan Mertzig
This is just unconscionable man
February 13, 2026 at 1:43 AM
This is just unconscionable man
Fidesz-on-Mendota trying to cram in one last illiberalism before fair maps kick in… 🙄
NEW from @millbot.bsky.social at The Recombobulation Area: Bills being proposed in the Wisconsin State Legislature would have far-reaching implications on free speech that should "chill us to the bone."
Let's recombobulate:
www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/attacks-on...
Let's recombobulate:
www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/attacks-on...
Attacks on free speech are escalating in Wisconsin
Bills being proposed in the Wisconsin State Legislature would have far-reaching impact on the right to free speech in the state.
www.therecombobulationarea.news
February 13, 2026 at 1:27 AM
Fidesz-on-Mendota trying to cram in one last illiberalism before fair maps kick in… 🙄
Over on Twitter, I was called an “elitist gentrifier” who “hates working-class POC” for….
Saying Moynihan Train Hall should have more seating. 🤷♂️
Asked the person to explain. They said it should be “self-evident” and I needed to “educate myself”—about the Acela Lounge? They got blocked fast. 🚄
Saying Moynihan Train Hall should have more seating. 🤷♂️
Asked the person to explain. They said it should be “self-evident” and I needed to “educate myself”—about the Acela Lounge? They got blocked fast. 🚄
What’s everyone’s favorite cultural artifact from Peak Woke? Mine is the CIA assassin license you have to fill out in that Call of Duty game which has options for non-binary pronouns and is signed by noted pronoun respecter Ronald Reagan.
February 13, 2026 at 1:20 AM
Over on Twitter, I was called an “elitist gentrifier” who “hates working-class POC” for….
Saying Moynihan Train Hall should have more seating. 🤷♂️
Asked the person to explain. They said it should be “self-evident” and I needed to “educate myself”—about the Acela Lounge? They got blocked fast. 🚄
Saying Moynihan Train Hall should have more seating. 🤷♂️
Asked the person to explain. They said it should be “self-evident” and I needed to “educate myself”—about the Acela Lounge? They got blocked fast. 🚄
Reposted by Jonathan Mertzig
Anthropic head of AI safety quits, warning of "world in peril" & announces plan to study creative writing, as my college charges ahead in deal with Anthropic, which trained its tech on at least 25 books taken without permission from our Creative Writing faculty. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Anthropic AI safety researcher quits with 'world in peril' warning
It comes in the same week an OpenAI researcher resigned amid concerns about its decision to start testing ChatGPT ads.
www.bbc.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:46 AM
Anthropic head of AI safety quits, warning of "world in peril" & announces plan to study creative writing, as my college charges ahead in deal with Anthropic, which trained its tech on at least 25 books taken without permission from our Creative Writing faculty. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Jonathan Mertzig
how it feels to thank the GO rider that's helping me track the bus i'm waiting for 🥰
February 12, 2026 at 10:04 PM
how it feels to thank the GO rider that's helping me track the bus i'm waiting for 🥰
Ron Johnson once again being a disgusting disgrace to the state of Wisconsin.
Ron Johnson to Keith Ellison: "Two people are dead because you encouraged them to put themselves into harm's way! And now you are exploiting those two martyrs. You ought to feel damn guilty about it. Yeah, sit there and smirk. Smirk. It's sick! It's despicable. You disgust me."
February 12, 2026 at 3:42 PM
Ron Johnson once again being a disgusting disgrace to the state of Wisconsin.
Reposted by Jonathan Mertzig
Choosing to believe that the "AI" behind this tool is just a single decent GeoGuessr player
New from 404 Media: we've confirmed cops are buying access to GeoSpy, an AI that can geolocate photos in seconds. Doesn't use metadata, but clues in the photo like soil, architecture, to pinpoint where social media photos taken. Being used in investigations www.404media.co/cops-are-buy...
Cops Are Buying ‘GeoSpy’, an AI That Geolocates Photos in Seconds
404 Media has obtained a cache of internal police emails showing at least two agencies have bought access to GeoSpy, an AI tool that analyzes architecture, soil, and other features to near instantly g...
www.404media.co
February 12, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Choosing to believe that the "AI" behind this tool is just a single decent GeoGuessr player
Reposted by Jonathan Mertzig
as someone who has been on the left for awhile now, it took a lot of effort but I finally learned to spell bourgeuise
February 11, 2026 at 4:03 PM
as someone who has been on the left for awhile now, it took a lot of effort but I finally learned to spell bourgeuise
Birmingham is unexpectedly ticking a few urbanist boxes for me: namely, walkable transit-oriented Waffle House. 🍳🧇🚌
February 12, 2026 at 2:06 AM
Birmingham is unexpectedly ticking a few urbanist boxes for me: namely, walkable transit-oriented Waffle House. 🍳🧇🚌
Regional Burger Chain time: Milo’s!
Sauce gives Salisbury Steak vibes. Blaze orange fry salt is mildly alarming but tasty. Peach pie is super delicious. Comes with an industrial tanker of sweet tea.
Sauce gives Salisbury Steak vibes. Blaze orange fry salt is mildly alarming but tasty. Peach pie is super delicious. Comes with an industrial tanker of sweet tea.
February 11, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Regional Burger Chain time: Milo’s!
Sauce gives Salisbury Steak vibes. Blaze orange fry salt is mildly alarming but tasty. Peach pie is super delicious. Comes with an industrial tanker of sweet tea.
Sauce gives Salisbury Steak vibes. Blaze orange fry salt is mildly alarming but tasty. Peach pie is super delicious. Comes with an industrial tanker of sweet tea.
Post a banger but not in English…
youtu.be/BW64piiktAY
A real ripper of Polish by-way-of Norwegian New Wave… 🇵🇱🇳🇴🎸
youtu.be/BW64piiktAY
A real ripper of Polish by-way-of Norwegian New Wave… 🇵🇱🇳🇴🎸
February 10, 2026 at 4:57 AM
Post a banger but not in English…
youtu.be/BW64piiktAY
A real ripper of Polish by-way-of Norwegian New Wave… 🇵🇱🇳🇴🎸
youtu.be/BW64piiktAY
A real ripper of Polish by-way-of Norwegian New Wave… 🇵🇱🇳🇴🎸