Dr David R Brake
@drbrake.bsky.social
Journalist, policy wonk (transit, urban planning, EVs, climate, internet/media regulation), PhD (Media@LSE), dad, newly-adoptive Britghtonian
Reposted by Dr David R Brake
"What is certain, and felt instinctively by almost everybody, is that things cannot go on in their present way" – The Times, May 1975
“It is difficult to imagine a previous period when such an all-pervasive hopelessness was exhibited at all levels of British life” – Professor Stephen Haseler, 1975
“It is difficult to imagine a previous period when such an all-pervasive hopelessness was exhibited at all levels of British life” – Professor Stephen Haseler, 1975
November 14, 2025 at 9:13 AM
"What is certain, and felt instinctively by almost everybody, is that things cannot go on in their present way" – The Times, May 1975
“It is difficult to imagine a previous period when such an all-pervasive hopelessness was exhibited at all levels of British life” – Professor Stephen Haseler, 1975
“It is difficult to imagine a previous period when such an all-pervasive hopelessness was exhibited at all levels of British life” – Professor Stephen Haseler, 1975
Reposted by Dr David R Brake
Oh, Canada...
November 13, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Oh, Canada...
it’s not just suburbs either. Even relatively dense cities can be car dependent - I live in one!
This is a joke, but this is one reason car-dependent suburbs are actually terrible places to raise kids. You have to drive them everywhere. Kids resent the lack of autonomy. Parents resent the drain on their time.
i just want my kids to be able to walk to the store to get stuff so I don't have to.
November 13, 2025 at 9:12 PM
it’s not just suburbs either. Even relatively dense cities can be car dependent - I live in one!
Reposted by Dr David R Brake
This is the chaos I want in my life.
POV: trying to cross the street during rush hour.
November 11, 2025 at 10:57 PM
This is the chaos I want in my life.
Reposted by Dr David R Brake
Microsoft and Google say data centers will create thousands of jobs in Chile, but an analysis of permit filings by @restofworld.org shows only a small number of potential positions — and most are not skilled IT jobs, but those in security and cleaning. restofworld.org/2025/data-ce...
Microsoft, Google say their data centers create thousands of jobs. Their permit filings say otherwise
Chile and tech giants promise economy-wide impact but permits show fewer onsite jobs after construction.
restofworld.org
November 10, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Microsoft and Google say data centers will create thousands of jobs in Chile, but an analysis of permit filings by @restofworld.org shows only a small number of potential positions — and most are not skilled IT jobs, but those in security and cleaning. restofworld.org/2025/data-ce...
🧵 Not surprising that even "better" meat production is much worse for the planet than plant based agriculture. But plenty of damning details (assuming this is accurate).
Yet more science showing that regenerative grazing is overblown as a climate solution.
A better path? Cut back on beef production altogether, and return grazing lands to nature.
iffs.earth/living-repor...
A better path? Cut back on beef production altogether, and return grazing lands to nature.
iffs.earth/living-repor...
Living Report: Regenerative Agriculture vs. Rewilding
A comprehensive analysis of peer-reviewed evidence on regenerative grazing vs. rewilding through dietary shifts that reduce land use and restore soil, water, climate, and biodiversity
iffs.earth
November 10, 2025 at 6:23 PM
🧵 Not surprising that even "better" meat production is much worse for the planet than plant based agriculture. But plenty of damning details (assuming this is accurate).
Reposted by Dr David R Brake
Claims of felling 250 year-old trees + shipping them thousands of miles to burn in a power station, releasing fine particulate pollution linked to breathing + heart conditions.
Perhaps, instead of subsidising this, our tax money could go to treating people with those conditions?
🧵 1/2
Perhaps, instead of subsidising this, our tax money could go to treating people with those conditions?
🧵 1/2
Official data from government of British Columbia, along with satellite monitoring, backs claims that a Canadian subsidiary owned by Drax sourced 250-year-old trees to manufacture biomass pellets as recently as this year
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Drax still burning 250-year-old trees sourced from forests in Canada, experts say
Exclusive: report by Stand.earth says subsidiary of power plant received truckloads of whole logs at biomass pellet sites
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Claims of felling 250 year-old trees + shipping them thousands of miles to burn in a power station, releasing fine particulate pollution linked to breathing + heart conditions.
Perhaps, instead of subsidising this, our tax money could go to treating people with those conditions?
🧵 1/2
Perhaps, instead of subsidising this, our tax money could go to treating people with those conditions?
🧵 1/2
Reposted by Dr David R Brake
Extremely funny that the abundance-aligned tech industry created the single most effective weapon for development opponents they've ever got their hands on
Going to be a fun time when the anti-wind and anti-solar groups get going on this stuff
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Going to be a fun time when the anti-wind and anti-solar groups get going on this stuff
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
AI-powered nimbyism could grind UK planning system to a halt, experts warn
Tools that help people scan applications and find grounds for objection have potential to hit government’s housebuilding plans
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Extremely funny that the abundance-aligned tech industry created the single most effective weapon for development opponents they've ever got their hands on
Going to be a fun time when the anti-wind and anti-solar groups get going on this stuff
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Going to be a fun time when the anti-wind and anti-solar groups get going on this stuff
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
I hope this does get made and that it is preserved through history as a warning of how even a celebration of 250 years of a (flawed) struggle for liberty can be corrupted to serve a would-be tyrant.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/u...
November 9, 2025 at 1:48 PM
I hope this does get made and that it is preserved through history as a warning of how even a celebration of 250 years of a (flawed) struggle for liberty can be corrupted to serve a would-be tyrant.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/u...
I am joining @greenparty.org.uk and like @zackpolanski.bsky.social's approach but there are not enough millionaires and billionaires to tackle our fiscal issues on their own. How about a middle tier of income tax?
Trevor Philips, "You don't want a rise in income tax?"
Zack Polanski, "No, people are tired and exhausted"
"How can you take from the hardest working people with extra tax, while allowing multimillionaires and billionaires to continue to not paying CGT?"
Zack Polanski, "No, people are tired and exhausted"
"How can you take from the hardest working people with extra tax, while allowing multimillionaires and billionaires to continue to not paying CGT?"
November 9, 2025 at 12:59 PM
I am joining @greenparty.org.uk and like @zackpolanski.bsky.social's approach but there are not enough millionaires and billionaires to tackle our fiscal issues on their own. How about a middle tier of income tax?
Reposted by Dr David R Brake
"World's first potential trillionaire has killed 600,000 people, including 400,000 children" is the only headline that anyone should ever read about Elon Musk
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 7, 2025 at 1:33 AM
"World's first potential trillionaire has killed 600,000 people, including 400,000 children" is the only headline that anyone should ever read about Elon Musk
Reposted by Dr David R Brake
Fact-Checking Claims About Zohran Mamdani https://theonion.com/fact-checking-claims-about-zohran-mamdani/
November 7, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Fact-Checking Claims About Zohran Mamdani https://theonion.com/fact-checking-claims-about-zohran-mamdani/
Reposted by Dr David R Brake
Performative decency is actually *so* important for this reason.
It tricks the 10% of ghouls into thinking that there are only 1% of ghouls.
And it makes the 30% of people that don't care one way or another follow the mostly decent crowd
It tricks the 10% of ghouls into thinking that there are only 1% of ghouls.
And it makes the 30% of people that don't care one way or another follow the mostly decent crowd
November 7, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Performative decency is actually *so* important for this reason.
It tricks the 10% of ghouls into thinking that there are only 1% of ghouls.
And it makes the 30% of people that don't care one way or another follow the mostly decent crowd
It tricks the 10% of ghouls into thinking that there are only 1% of ghouls.
And it makes the 30% of people that don't care one way or another follow the mostly decent crowd
Reposted by Dr David R Brake
This might be of interest to a few people
The Boring Fund: Small (£200) grants to UK non-profits, charities and voluntary groups who just need a bit of help to pay for boring running costs like web hosting, admin, insurance etc
Apply by 30 November
www.christinapoultoncreative.co.uk/boring-fund
The Boring Fund: Small (£200) grants to UK non-profits, charities and voluntary groups who just need a bit of help to pay for boring running costs like web hosting, admin, insurance etc
Apply by 30 November
www.christinapoultoncreative.co.uk/boring-fund
Boring Fund | Christina Poulton
Applications now open!
£200 grants available for small charities, CICs and voluntary groups towards some of those boring but hard-to-fund costs.
www.christinapoultoncreative.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 11:43 AM
This might be of interest to a few people
The Boring Fund: Small (£200) grants to UK non-profits, charities and voluntary groups who just need a bit of help to pay for boring running costs like web hosting, admin, insurance etc
Apply by 30 November
www.christinapoultoncreative.co.uk/boring-fund
The Boring Fund: Small (£200) grants to UK non-profits, charities and voluntary groups who just need a bit of help to pay for boring running costs like web hosting, admin, insurance etc
Apply by 30 November
www.christinapoultoncreative.co.uk/boring-fund
Reposted by Dr David R Brake
Brilliant new ad campaign I just spotted at the Southwark tube station in London.
November 8, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Brilliant new ad campaign I just spotted at the Southwark tube station in London.
Reposted by Dr David R Brake
Someone put this "blue plaque" on a London Tesla showroom to mark his becoming the world's first trillionaire. “World’s first trillionaire Elon Musk. Could have solved world hunger but funded fascists instead. Bellend.” […]
[Original post on social.vivaldi.net]
[Original post on social.vivaldi.net]
November 8, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Someone put this "blue plaque" on a London Tesla showroom to mark his becoming the world's first trillionaire. “World’s first trillionaire Elon Musk. Could have solved world hunger but funded fascists instead. Bellend.” […]
[Original post on social.vivaldi.net]
[Original post on social.vivaldi.net]
Reposted by Dr David R Brake
WATCH: Seriously, if you’re following ANY bike-lane debate, you HAVE TO WATCH this news story. You actually can’t make this up. Ford claims without evidence that bike-lanes are bad for small business, and THE ACTUAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION obliterates him with data.
Safe bike-lanes mean business.
Safe bike-lanes mean business.
Annex businesses tell Ford to back off Bloor bike lanes
Stores in the Annex say the Bloor bike lanes have been a big boost to business. As Michelle Mackey reports, the neighborhood's BIA wants the province to back off its new bill that could see the lanes ...
toronto.citynews.ca
November 8, 2025 at 3:13 PM
WATCH: Seriously, if you’re following ANY bike-lane debate, you HAVE TO WATCH this news story. You actually can’t make this up. Ford claims without evidence that bike-lanes are bad for small business, and THE ACTUAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION obliterates him with data.
Safe bike-lanes mean business.
Safe bike-lanes mean business.
Reposted by Dr David R Brake
@bmj.com, a renowned health journal, slams car bloat:
"Cars are becoming steadily larger, [and] with this comes potential harms to health...Action is needed locally, nationally, and internationally to curb sales of new SUVs and to reduce their presence in urban areas."
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
"Cars are becoming steadily larger, [and] with this comes potential harms to health...Action is needed locally, nationally, and internationally to curb sales of new SUVs and to reduce their presence in urban areas."
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
November 8, 2025 at 1:09 PM
@bmj.com, a renowned health journal, slams car bloat:
"Cars are becoming steadily larger, [and] with this comes potential harms to health...Action is needed locally, nationally, and internationally to curb sales of new SUVs and to reduce their presence in urban areas."
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
"Cars are becoming steadily larger, [and] with this comes potential harms to health...Action is needed locally, nationally, and internationally to curb sales of new SUVs and to reduce their presence in urban areas."
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
Wow - this is horrifying and unsubtle!
There’s no daylight between what Candace says here about “the Jews” & what Nazi propagandists & Father Coughlin said about the Jews in the 1930s. Her show is one of the top 5 “conservative” podcasts in the US. She has 5.5 million subscribers on YouTube and 7.3 million followers on X.
November 8, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Wow - this is horrifying and unsubtle!
Reposted by Dr David R Brake
Incredible- Meta projected 10% of its 2024 revenue would come from ads for scams and banned goods, documents seen by Reuters show. And the social media giant internally estimates that its platforms show users 15 billion scam ads a day."
Meta earns $3.5 billion every six months from showing Faceboon and Instagram users 15 billion “higher legal risk” scam ad impressions a day, internal documents state.
That haul vastly exceeds how much the company expects regulators
To fine it for running scam ads.
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
That haul vastly exceeds how much the company expects regulators
To fine it for running scam ads.
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
www.reuters.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Incredible- Meta projected 10% of its 2024 revenue would come from ads for scams and banned goods, documents seen by Reuters show. And the social media giant internally estimates that its platforms show users 15 billion scam ads a day."
Reposted by Dr David R Brake
Clearly a lot of details to work through in how it’s implemented but this new pay per mile charge for EVs is a necessary& fair policy. Hope HMT are engaging with devolved nations & local gov on its design as this is a real opportunity to think creatively & more holistically about motoring taxation
EV drivers could face new tax in Budget
The BBC understands there have been
www.bbc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Clearly a lot of details to work through in how it’s implemented but this new pay per mile charge for EVs is a necessary& fair policy. Hope HMT are engaging with devolved nations & local gov on its design as this is a real opportunity to think creatively & more holistically about motoring taxation
Reposted by Dr David R Brake
hey y'all! my questionnaire on player experience in historical videogames is now LIVE! if you play videogames about the past, we want to hear from you! edu.nl/7w3yn
November 6, 2025 at 10:35 AM
hey y'all! my questionnaire on player experience in historical videogames is now LIVE! if you play videogames about the past, we want to hear from you! edu.nl/7w3yn
Reposted by Dr David R Brake
New York just elected @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social, who offers real hope, over billionaire funded opponents.
In May, Sussex & Brighton will face a similar choice between real hope and real change with a @greenparty.org.uk mayor or a big money backed Reform mayor with no real plan for the future.
In May, Sussex & Brighton will face a similar choice between real hope and real change with a @greenparty.org.uk mayor or a big money backed Reform mayor with no real plan for the future.
November 5, 2025 at 5:29 PM
New York just elected @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social, who offers real hope, over billionaire funded opponents.
In May, Sussex & Brighton will face a similar choice between real hope and real change with a @greenparty.org.uk mayor or a big money backed Reform mayor with no real plan for the future.
In May, Sussex & Brighton will face a similar choice between real hope and real change with a @greenparty.org.uk mayor or a big money backed Reform mayor with no real plan for the future.
Reposted by Dr David R Brake
“Do you understand the assignment of fighting fascism right now?”
AOC: We have a future to fight for, and we're either going to do that together or you're going to be left behind. It's not about Progressive. It's not moderate, it's not liberal. This is about do you understand the assignment of fighting fascism right now? And the assignment is you come together…
November 5, 2025 at 12:01 PM
“Do you understand the assignment of fighting fascism right now?”
Reposted by Dr David R Brake
ACTUAL GOOD NEWS WARNING
65% of the planned coal capacity from 2015 ended up not existing, thanks almost entirely to climate policy and renewable energy construction
China is an outlier - but maybe not for long
@e3g.bsky.social
www.e3g.org/publications...
65% of the planned coal capacity from 2015 ended up not existing, thanks almost entirely to climate policy and renewable energy construction
China is an outlier - but maybe not for long
@e3g.bsky.social
www.e3g.org/publications...
November 4, 2025 at 2:29 PM
ACTUAL GOOD NEWS WARNING
65% of the planned coal capacity from 2015 ended up not existing, thanks almost entirely to climate policy and renewable energy construction
China is an outlier - but maybe not for long
@e3g.bsky.social
www.e3g.org/publications...
65% of the planned coal capacity from 2015 ended up not existing, thanks almost entirely to climate policy and renewable energy construction
China is an outlier - but maybe not for long
@e3g.bsky.social
www.e3g.org/publications...