Michael
LightNews LightNews
banner
snowrunner.bsky.social
Michael
@snowrunner.bsky.social
110 followers 330 following 330 posts
Books, bikes and beers
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Michael
613afa.bsky.social
December 28, 2025 at 11:26 PM
snowrunner.bsky.social
Merry Christmas
The photo shows a small wooden cabin set in a quiet winter landscape, completely surrounded by deep, pristine snow. The roof is heavily blanketed, with thick layers of snow overhanging the eaves, emphasizing how much has fallen. A short wooden ramp and railing leading to the entrance are almost buried, their shapes softened by snowdrifts. Footprints curve across the snow in the foreground, suggesting recent human presence and guiding the eye toward the cabin. Behind it, tall evergreen trees stand coated in snow, forming a dense forest backdrop. In the distance, faint mountain slopes rise under a clear, vivid blue sky streaked with thin white clouds. Bright sunlight casts crisp shadows across the snow, highlighting its texture and sparkle. The overall mood is peaceful and isolated—an inviting yet remote winter refuge, combining warmth and shelter with the stillness of a snowy wilderness.
December 25, 2025 at 11:07 PM
snowrunner.bsky.social
Happy Holidays

flic.kr/p/2rN99br
Christmas Lights
flic.kr
December 25, 2025 at 6:35 AM
snowrunner.bsky.social
A message
The photo shows an urban street corner on a gray, wet day, likely just after rainfall. In the foreground, a pedestrian crosswalk signal box mounted on a black pole is partially coated with grime and peeling paint. Taped to the front of the box is a weathered paper poster bearing a quote in bold black text: “The sacrifice wasn’t worth what the result that it is now” Beside the text is a small color image of an elderly man wearing a military uniform and medals, standing against a backdrop of red poppies. The poster looks homemade and fragile, its edges curling and torn, suggesting it has been exposed to the elements for some time. In the background, modern office buildings with glass windows line the street. Traffic lights glow yellow and red at the intersection, and a green-painted bike lane runs along the wet pavement. A few pedestrians walk in the distance, blurred slightly by depth and motion. Stickers and residue on the pole add to the layered, gritty feel of the streetscape. Overall, the image juxtaposes contemporary city life with a quiet, poignant political or moral statement—an intimate message of regret or reflection placed amid the everyday flow of an urban intersection.
December 24, 2025 at 6:09 PM
snowrunner.bsky.social
can we bring back that people need to drive waking speed in the park? #Vancouver
The photo is a historic black-and-white image showing the original entrance to Stanley Park in Vancouver, likely from the late 19th or early 20th century. A large wooden archway spans a dirt road, with the words “STANLEY PARK” carved prominently across the curved beam. The structure is built from timber, with vertical posts and decorative elements that give it a formal, ceremonial presence. Beyond the arch, a narrow wooden bridge crosses a body of water, leading into the park. Tall evergreen trees fill the background, creating a dense forest backdrop that emphasizes the park’s natural setting at the edge of the city. On the left side near the water, barrels and supplies are stacked along the shoreline, and a few small buildings or cabins can be seen in the distance, with faint smoke rising—suggesting early settlement or park operations. A single person stands near the base of the arch, providing a sense of scale and reinforcing the quiet, almost pioneering atmosphere of the scene. The unpaved road, simple infrastructure, and absence of vehicles convey a time when the area was far less developed. Overall, the photograph captures a moment from Vancouver’s early history, marking Stanley Park as a gateway between the growing city and the surrounding wilderness.
December 23, 2025 at 1:07 AM
snowrunner.bsky.social
Photo of the day: West Coast Heart

www.flickr.com/photos/darkn...
Milano Espresso Lounge - west coast heart
www.flickr.com
December 22, 2025 at 10:58 PM
snowrunner.bsky.social
All I wan t for Christmas are some orange cones so I can create myself a parking spot wherever I feel like. #vancouver
The photo shows an urban street scene beneath an elevated roadway or overpass. Concrete beams and columns loom overhead, creating a dim, industrial atmosphere. On the right side of the frame, a temporary construction barrier wrapped in black mesh fencing encloses a work area. Attached to it is a large white sign with red and black text reading “ABSOLUTELY NO STOPPING ALONG EXPO BLVD”, with additional instructions for construction vehicles. The sign is marked with graffiti and stickers, adding to the worn, gritty feel. A smaller sign above identifies the address as 701 Expo Blvd. A metal pole stands in the foreground with a traffic sign indicating restrictions on stopping or turning. The sidewalk curves around the corner, bordered by gravel and debris from construction. To the left, cars are parked along the street under the overpass, and the road disappears into shadow. In the background, scaffolding and partially visible buildings suggest ongoing development. Overall, the image conveys a sense of constrained urban space—temporary, utilitarian, and shaped by infrastructure and construction.
December 22, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Reposted by Michael
tomflood.bsky.social
My Christmas wish is that one day our sidewalks will be as wide as our trucks.🎄🎅
A white truck parked on a sidewalk
December 21, 2025 at 4:02 PM
snowrunner.bsky.social
GFL Canada truck driving the wrong way in a one way. Then pretending to be a bicycle. #BadDriver

youtu.be/ZJrwQpLMWmk
GFL Canada Truck going down wrong way in a one way, then pretends to be a bicycle.
YouTube video by Michael Kalus
youtu.be
December 20, 2025 at 5:56 PM
snowrunner.bsky.social
Fragile Moment
The photo captures a quiet city park on a gray, overcast day, with bare trees suggesting late fall or winter. In the middle distance, two people stand on a muddy patch of grass, each holding bubble wands and containers, actively creating soap bubbles. A few other people and dogs are scattered farther back, near apartment buildings that frame the park, reinforcing an urban setting. What dominates the image, though, is a large, iridescent soap bubble in the foreground. It forms a translucent arc across the frame, almost like a glowing dome. The bubble refracts light into vivid blues, purples, greens, and yellows, partially obscuring the ground and reflecting the silhouettes of the people behind it. Smaller bubbles float in the air above. The contrast between the muted, wintry park and the luminous, rainbow colors of the bubble gives the scene a slightly magical, fleeting quality—an ordinary moment transformed by light and motion.
December 20, 2025 at 4:37 AM
Reposted by Michael
jztidecat.bsky.social
UAlbany, one of those, NY state universities, has been hovering around 4 percent tenure track Black faculty since ever. I am THE Black tenure track political scientists. These folks are just little liars.
nkalamb.bsky.social Nathan Kalman-Lamb @nkalamb.bsky.social · 12d
You’ll never guess who else experienced ‘racism’ on the job market despite their unimpeachable academic credentials.
Naomi Wolf: I got pretty far along in the hiring process for a wonderful position teaching at a NY state university before a dean in the department told me I couldn’t go any further because I was white.
December 18, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Reposted by Michael
mcsweeneys.net
"I miss the craftsmanship of the Bush years, you know? George W. Bush and his team didn’t just point to Iraq and go 'I wanna!' like a toddler about to throw a tantrum. They WORKED to get all those soldiers and civilians killed."
Whatever Happened to the Art of Brainwashing America Before Plunging It into an Unnecessary War?
“President Donald Trump on Wednesday assailed his White House predecessors for not pushing back against Venezuela earlier and stated that his inten...
buff.ly
December 19, 2025 at 2:20 AM
snowrunner.bsky.social
After the storm (as usual) (Part 2)
Silhouetted sailboat at dusk A sailboat with a sharply tilted mast is silhouetted against darkening water. A bridge stretches across the background, and the city skyline appears in shadow. The overall mood is quiet and somber, with low light and cool tones. Beach sculpture by the water A large, curved metal sculpture—made of several parallel steel arcs—stands on a sandy beach. The water and distant shoreline lie behind it, with clouds glowing softly in the evening light. Debris-strewn shoreline A sandy beach scattered with driftwood, plastic, and trash fills the foreground. A damaged surfboard lies prominently near the camera. In the distance, modern high-rise buildings and a construction crane rise against a clear sky. Sailboat caught on a rock breakwater (wide view) A sailboat appears stranded against a line of large rocks extending into the water. The sea is textured with small waves, and the horizon shows a low, wooded shoreline beneath a pale blue sky.
December 17, 2025 at 10:00 PM
snowrunner.bsky.social
After the storm (as usual)(part 1)
A close, low-angle view of the bow of a white motorboat resting on wet sand and small rocks. Gentle waves lap against the hull. In the background, a steel truss bridge spans the water, with city buildings visible beyond in warm, late-day light. A wider scene shows the same motorboat beached near the shoreline beneath a large steel bridge. The bridge’s concrete towers catch golden sunlight, while the water and shore lie in cooler shadow. A marina walkway and distant city skyline frame the scene. Abandoned sailboat, angled mast A sailboat sits partially in the water near a sandy beach, its mast leaning dramatically to one side. The deck is cluttered with gear and debris. Across the water, ships and low mountains sit under a pastel evening sky. Kayak foreground, sailboat background The bow of a yellow kayak fills the foreground, pointing toward a damaged or abandoned sailboat resting near shore. The water is choppy, and the sky is pale blue, suggesting dusk. Trees and low buildings line the opposite shore.
December 17, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Reposted by Michael
brenttoderian.bsky.social
As I discussed in the interview, these are the 5 STEPS TO MAKING BETTER CITIES I’ve been using for many years, and eventually wrote about in @fastcompany.com. Too many cities are stuck in Step 2 (doing the wrong things better), and have to really be careful in Step 4 (doing the right things badly).
5 steps to making better cities
Before you can do the right thing, you have to do the right thing badly. And before that, you have to do the wrong thing.
www.fastcompany.com
December 15, 2025 at 5:34 PM
snowrunner.bsky.social
Friends

Full image: www.flickr.com/photos/darkn...
The photo is a black-and-white scene of an indoor ice-skating rink set within a modern public space. In the foreground, a small group of young people stand behind the rink’s railing, smiling and posing together as one of them holds up a phone to take a selfie. They appear relaxed and cheerful, leaning toward each other and the camera. The railing is marked with signage that reads “Skate at your own risk” and “British Columbia.” Behind them, skaters move across the ice—some blurred by motion—giving the image a sense of liveliness and flow. The rink is framed by concrete pillars and a large glass-and-metal dome ceiling overhead, whose geometric structure creates strong lines and patterns. Seasonal details, like decorated Christmas trees and string lights, suggest a festive winter atmosphere. The monochrome treatment emphasizes contrasts between light and shadow, architecture and movement, giving the scene a candid, urban, and slightly nostalgic feel.
December 16, 2025 at 2:12 AM
snowrunner.bsky.social
Radical idea: cities should get the same amount of per capita funding as rural area from Provincial and Federal governments.
December 16, 2025 at 12:42 AM
snowrunner.bsky.social
Lunch at the Ramen Butcher
The photo is an overhead view of a neatly arranged meal on a light wooden table, likely in a restaurant. At the center-left is a black bowl of what looks like a rich, orange-colored soup or ramen—possibly curry or laksa—topped with bean sprouts, fresh cilantro, sliced chili, and what appears to be shrimp. A lemon wedge rests on the edge of the bowl. To the right of the bowl is a small, white, heart-shaped dish holding sliced cucumbers dressed with red chili pieces. Next to it sits a mug filled with green tea, and a translucent blue glass of water is partially visible further to the right. A pair of black chopsticks lies neatly on a folded white napkin beside the bowl. The table surface is clean and warmly lit, with a crumpled napkin in the upper-left corner adding a casual, lived-in touch. Overall, the image conveys a cozy, well-composed dining moment with a focus on comfort food and simple presentation.
December 14, 2025 at 8:46 PM
snowrunner.bsky.social
Persian Bicycle
The photo shows a bicycle displayed like an art object outside a shop window filled with textiles and handmade goods. The bike is leaning against the glass and is heavily decorated: its frame is wrapped in colorful woven fabric, tassels, and strings, giving it a bohemian, almost nomadic feel. A patterned saddle cover and a matching fabric bag hang from the rear, both featuring geometric motifs in warm reds, browns, and creams. Behind the bike, the shop window is densely layered with hanging necklaces, cords, and scarves, creating a textured backdrop of threads and patterns. Rugs and cushions are spread on the ground beneath the bicycle, extending the same earthy, handcrafted aesthetic. Reflections in the glass hint at an urban street setting, contrasting the traditional, artisanal objects with the modern city environment. Overall, the image blends street photography with still life, emphasizing craftsmanship, travel, and a free-spirited lifestyle.
December 14, 2025 at 4:12 AM
snowrunner.bsky.social
Bad design. Why no arrow in the red light instead of a sign indicating it’s the turning light? Bad UI, confusing drivers. @visionzerovancouver.ca @lucymaloney.bsky.social @seanorr.bsky.social
The image shows an urban street intersection in a modern city, photographed from below looking upward. At the center is a tall traffic light pole with multiple signals. The main vehicle traffic lights are red, indicating stopped traffic. Mounted on the same pole is a separate bicycle signal displaying a green bicycle icon, meaning cyclists are permitted to proceed. Nearby, several rectangular road signs read “RIGHT TURN SIGNAL”, and another sign indicates no right turn except bicycles, emphasizing special traffic rules for cyclists. Surrounding the intersection are mid- and high-rise buildings. On the right, there’s a curved, glass-covered modern tower, while on the left are more rectangular residential or office buildings with balconies and windows. Bare trees line the street, suggesting late fall or winter. In the background, additional tall residential towers are visible. The sky is overcast and gray, giving the scene a cool, subdued atmosphere. Overall, the image highlights a city intersection designed with clear cyclist-specific traffic controls amid dense urban architecture.
December 13, 2025 at 9:06 PM
snowrunner.bsky.social
Continues stupid design. Why no arrow I. The red light and instead a sign people need to read? Horrible design and it’s everywhere. @visionzerovancouver.ca @lucymaloney.bsky.social @seanorr.bsky.social
The image shows an urban street intersection in a modern city, photographed from below looking upward. At the center is a tall traffic light pole with multiple signals. The main vehicle traffic lights are red, indicating stopped traffic. Mounted on the same pole is a separate bicycle signal displaying a green bicycle icon, meaning cyclists are permitted to proceed. Nearby, several rectangular road signs read “RIGHT TURN SIGNAL”, and another sign indicates no right turn except bicycles, emphasizing special traffic rules for cyclists. Surrounding the intersection are mid- and high-rise buildings. On the right, there’s a curved, glass-covered modern tower, while on the left are more rectangular residential or office buildings with balconies and windows. Bare trees line the street, suggesting late fall or winter. In the background, additional tall residential towers are visible. The sky is overcast and gray, giving the scene a cool, subdued atmosphere. Overall, the image highlights a city intersection designed with clear cyclist-specific traffic controls amid dense urban architecture.
December 13, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Reposted by Michael
wickeditalian.bsky.social
How about everyone cancel their subscriptions like they did when Kimmel was removed from his late night show? It would probably make a difference like last time.
phillewis.bsky.social Phil Lewis @phillewis.bsky.social · 19d
Disney and OpenAI sign a deal to bring 200+ Disney characters to Sora

Disney makes $1 billion investment in OpenAI and will become a "major" OpenAI customer

openai.com/index/disney...
As part of this three-year licensing agreement, Sora will be able to generate short, user-prompted social videos that can be viewed and shared by fans, drawing on more than 200 Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars characters. Agreement will make a selection of these fan-inspired Sora short form videos available to stream on Disney+. Disney and OpenAI affirm a shared commitment to responsible use of AI that protects the safety of users and the rights of creators. Alongside the licensing agreement, Disney will become a major customer of OpenAI, using its APIs to build new products, tools, and experiences, including for Disney+, and deploying ChatGPT for its employees. As part of the agreement, Disney will make a $1 billion equity investment in OpenAI, and receive warrants to purchase additional equity.
December 11, 2025 at 5:45 PM
snowrunner.bsky.social
Bear Hug
The photo shows a nighttime urban scene with a large, illuminated sculpture of a bear made from golden wire and warm white lights. The bear is sitting upright and appears to be mounted on small wheels, giving it the look of a decorative, mobile installation. The glowing structure stands out vividly against the dark sky. In the background, several Canadian flags are visible on tall flagpoles, and behind them are modern glass buildings with interior lights on, suggesting a downtown public plaza. To the left, a bright marquee-style sign spells out the word “CHEER”, reinforcing a festive, holiday atmosphere. People are scattered around the scene, some walking past and others stopping to look or take photos, which gives a sense of scale—the bear sculpture is quite large. The ground is a wide pedestrian area, and the overall mood feels celebratory and wintry, likely part of a seasonal light display in a city setting.
December 12, 2025 at 4:37 AM
Reposted by Michael
jbenmenachem.com
Our new study provides rare causal evidence about NYC’s speed camera program. We find large reductions in collisions (30%) and injuries (16%) near intersections with cameras. www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1... @astagoff.bsky.social ky.social @brendenbeck.bsky.social nbeck.bsky.social 🧪
Can speed cameras make streets safer? Quasi-experimental evidence from New York City | PNAS
Each year, approximately 40,000 people die in vehicle collisions in the United States, generating $340 billion in economic costs. To make roads saf...
www.pnas.org
December 8, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Reposted by Michael
jjvincent.bsky.social
can't stop watching this clip of a tesla Optimus teleoperator taking his headset off before properly logging out the robot
December 8, 2025 at 9:29 AM