Andrew Owen
@owenam.bsky.social
Reposted by Andrew Owen
This whole thread, but especially this part.
Driving safely in a city winter is a community activity. One does not simply drive alone in Minneapolis in February. One participates in a delicate interchange with every other soul on or near the roads—which are often completely covered in snow and ice.
Driving safely in a city winter is a community activity. One does not simply drive alone in Minneapolis in February. One participates in a delicate interchange with every other soul on or near the roads—which are often completely covered in snow and ice.
No autonomous car will ever stop to help push another vehicle stuck on those snowy ridges that develop at intersections. No autonomous car will help jump a neighbor's dead battery. No autonomous car will stop mid-block to gesture a freezing neighbor onboard, as a bus driver might.
November 20, 2025 at 8:55 PM
This whole thread, but especially this part.
Driving safely in a city winter is a community activity. One does not simply drive alone in Minneapolis in February. One participates in a delicate interchange with every other soul on or near the roads—which are often completely covered in snow and ice.
Driving safely in a city winter is a community activity. One does not simply drive alone in Minneapolis in February. One participates in a delicate interchange with every other soul on or near the roads—which are often completely covered in snow and ice.
Reposted by Andrew Owen
Updated for 2025: timeline maps of every metro system in the world transit-timelines.github.io
Rapid Transit Timelines and Scale Comparison
Maps every 5 years, 1840-2025
transit-timelines.github.io
November 19, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Updated for 2025: timeline maps of every metro system in the world transit-timelines.github.io
Reposted by Andrew Owen
anyone know of an algorithm that makes offsets of overlapping routes like this automatically?
couldn't find anything that did exactly this, so a student is developing one for gtfs.
note in gtfs, the overlapping portions linestrings probably won't be identical.
couldn't find anything that did exactly this, so a student is developing one for gtfs.
note in gtfs, the overlapping portions linestrings probably won't be identical.
November 17, 2025 at 11:53 PM
anyone know of an algorithm that makes offsets of overlapping routes like this automatically?
couldn't find anything that did exactly this, so a student is developing one for gtfs.
note in gtfs, the overlapping portions linestrings probably won't be identical.
couldn't find anything that did exactly this, so a student is developing one for gtfs.
note in gtfs, the overlapping portions linestrings probably won't be identical.
Reposted by Andrew Owen
Great analysis here by David on the tale of two cities we still have in Mpls as revealed again in the 2025 election, but highlighting signs of hope from wards 8 and 12.
🧵 The great @maxhailperin.bsky.social was kind enough to do some Minneapolis 2025 election crosstabs on mayoral-council votes in wards 8 (Stevenson>Bassais) & 12 (Chowdhury>Thompson). These are inferred from the cast vote record which seems to have unintentionally sync’d mayor and council votes. 1/
November 17, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Great analysis here by David on the tale of two cities we still have in Mpls as revealed again in the 2025 election, but highlighting signs of hope from wards 8 and 12.
Reposted by Andrew Owen
Doing some election analysis on some estimated precinct demographics and it looks like the strongest correlate of Frey vote share is median household income (0.75) [1 is perfect correlation]. Strongest negative correlation is between Frey vote share and share taking transit to work (-0.65)
November 13, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Doing some election analysis on some estimated precinct demographics and it looks like the strongest correlate of Frey vote share is median household income (0.75) [1 is perfect correlation]. Strongest negative correlation is between Frey vote share and share taking transit to work (-0.65)
Reposted by Andrew Owen
The Amazing World Of Tomorrow
November 3, 2025 at 6:48 PM
The Amazing World Of Tomorrow
Reposted by Andrew Owen
I wrote about the should-be-illegal trend of fencing off sidewalks because poor people are nearby. www.minnpost.com/cityscape/20...
Using fencing to curb homelessness in the Twin Cities is an insult - MinnPost
Agencies and governments turn to fencing instead of actual solutions for problems related to people experiencing homelessness.
www.minnpost.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:10 PM
I wrote about the should-be-illegal trend of fencing off sidewalks because poor people are nearby. www.minnpost.com/cityscape/20...
Reposted by Andrew Owen
I've been calculating the amount of each Seattle neighborhood elementary attendance area that overlaps with its walk zone. In how much of the city can kids walk to their assigned neighborhood school? Here's the answer!
October 27, 2025 at 8:27 PM
I've been calculating the amount of each Seattle neighborhood elementary attendance area that overlaps with its walk zone. In how much of the city can kids walk to their assigned neighborhood school? Here's the answer!
Reposted by Andrew Owen
Good review of the new game Subway Builder. Warning: The game is not based on real US construction costs, because, in the designer's words, "it would have made the game unplayable." www.fastcompany.com/91421609/thi...
This addictive game is like ‘SimCity’ but for transit nerds
The goal of ‘Subway Builder’ is to move people from A to B. Some believe it might just start a transit revolution in the process.
www.fastcompany.com
October 20, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Good review of the new game Subway Builder. Warning: The game is not based on real US construction costs, because, in the designer's words, "it would have made the game unplayable." www.fastcompany.com/91421609/thi...
Reposted by Andrew Owen
Apply this language to higher levels of government in this country and see how it sounds: "the executive is having his allies push to change the constitution so that he can hire whoever he wants to lead vital executive departments, with no confirmation vote from the legislative branch."
POWER GRAB: 6-5 majority of commissioners on this work group say council shouldn't get a confirmation vote for mayor's picks for directors of public works, community planning/economic development, civil rights, health, emergency management, regulatory services, assessor.
October 8, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Apply this language to higher levels of government in this country and see how it sounds: "the executive is having his allies push to change the constitution so that he can hire whoever he wants to lead vital executive departments, with no confirmation vote from the legislative branch."
Reposted by Andrew Owen
Looks like Minneapolis hit 90°F today, October 4th — the latest 90-degree day in city history.
October 4, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Looks like Minneapolis hit 90°F today, October 4th — the latest 90-degree day in city history.
A TV show about a restaurant famous for its grilled mortadella sandwiches:
Bologna Burgers in the Building
Bologna Burgers in the Building
a tv show about an apartment complex where neighbors endorse each other's books:
only blurbers in the building
only blurbers in the building
October 3, 2025 at 2:26 AM
A TV show about a restaurant famous for its grilled mortadella sandwiches:
Bologna Burgers in the Building
Bologna Burgers in the Building
Got a fun email from "Minneapolis residents" / "2025MPRBelection" instructing me to "NOT mark any second or third choices" when voting for park board commissioners — after ranking their preferred candidates first, of course.
September 29, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Got a fun email from "Minneapolis residents" / "2025MPRBelection" instructing me to "NOT mark any second or third choices" when voting for park board commissioners — after ranking their preferred candidates first, of course.
When this happens to my gutters I find that an effective treatment is to cover the dam with a porous tube filled with salt. Long socks or pantyhose work surprisingly well!
Then in the spring I harvest the resulting pickle dams! The sharp flavor distracts me while I write the check to the roofer.
Then in the spring I harvest the resulting pickle dams! The sharp flavor distracts me while I write the check to the roofer.
When gutters are overwhelmed, it's critical to address it promptly. An abundance of cucumbers can lead to the formation of "cucumber dams," which can damage your home.
September 28, 2025 at 9:22 PM
When this happens to my gutters I find that an effective treatment is to cover the dam with a porous tube filled with salt. Long socks or pantyhose work surprisingly well!
Then in the spring I harvest the resulting pickle dams! The sharp flavor distracts me while I write the check to the roofer.
Then in the spring I harvest the resulting pickle dams! The sharp flavor distracts me while I write the check to the roofer.
The Precedents of the United States of America
Ruin a band with law
FOIA Fighters
FOIA Fighters
September 24, 2025 at 1:18 AM
The Precedents of the United States of America
Reposted by Andrew Owen
Streets.mn is excited to announce that we are seeking writers, storytellers, photographers to research and write articles for a recently-awarded Minnesota Historical Society grant.
Each of the 4 projects is paid $1000, to be split between the storyteller and photographer.
Each of the 4 projects is paid $1000, to be split between the storyteller and photographer.
Call for Pitches, Paid Opportunities to Discuss Equity in Highway Design
Streets.mn is excited to announce that we are seeking writers, storytellers, photographers to research and write articles for a recently-awarded MNHS grant.
streets.mn
September 23, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Streets.mn is excited to announce that we are seeking writers, storytellers, photographers to research and write articles for a recently-awarded Minnesota Historical Society grant.
Each of the 4 projects is paid $1000, to be split between the storyteller and photographer.
Each of the 4 projects is paid $1000, to be split between the storyteller and photographer.
Reposted by Andrew Owen
New research is constantly confirming variations of the same basic fact: bicycling for transportation is an incredible way to fit a little bit of low intensity exercise into your daily routine (oh, and also to save a ton of money, and reduce carbon emissions, and improve your mental health).
The humble bicycle is such an incredible, miraculous technology www.cnn.com/2025/09/20/h...
Cycling linked with lower dementia risk, study finds | CNN
Cycling instead of driving has been linked with a lower risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, a large study has found.
www.cnn.com
September 23, 2025 at 2:17 PM
New research is constantly confirming variations of the same basic fact: bicycling for transportation is an incredible way to fit a little bit of low intensity exercise into your daily routine (oh, and also to save a ton of money, and reduce carbon emissions, and improve your mental health).
Cf. April 2025.
I had always assumed the former Rudolph's building was *much* newer than 1948!
I had always assumed the former Rudolph's building was *much* newer than 1948!
September 22, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Cf. April 2025.
I had always assumed the former Rudolph's building was *much* newer than 1948!
I had always assumed the former Rudolph's building was *much* newer than 1948!
Reposted by Andrew Owen
Election 2025: Minneapolis Mayor Race (the four contenders).
My ranking:
(1) DeWayne Davis (2) Omar Fateh (3) Jazz Hampton
naomikritzer.com/2025/09/18/e...
My ranking:
(1) DeWayne Davis (2) Omar Fateh (3) Jazz Hampton
naomikritzer.com/2025/09/18/e...
Election 2025: Minneapolis Mayoral Race (the four contenders)
There are fifteen people running for Minneapolis mayor. You only have to worry about four of them, and this post will talk about those four. If you want to know more about all the others, that is i…
naomikritzer.com
September 18, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Election 2025: Minneapolis Mayor Race (the four contenders).
My ranking:
(1) DeWayne Davis (2) Omar Fateh (3) Jazz Hampton
naomikritzer.com/2025/09/18/e...
My ranking:
(1) DeWayne Davis (2) Omar Fateh (3) Jazz Hampton
naomikritzer.com/2025/09/18/e...
Streets where separated bike lanes were installed became safer for *everyone using the street* — on bikes, on foot, *and in cars*.
On Boston streets where separated bike lanes were installed, crashes involving bikes dropped 57%, and crashes involving only cars dropped 29%, according to a city analysis.
www.boston.gov/sites/defaul...
www.boston.gov/sites/defaul...
www.boston.gov
September 8, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Streets where separated bike lanes were installed became safer for *everyone using the street* — on bikes, on foot, *and in cars*.
Reposted by Andrew Owen
In the last 15-20 years Minneapolis went from being a majority home owner city to majority renter city. The wildcard has been higher turnout among renters.
Frey’s team blocking access for voter outreach in apartments is an attempt to shift power back to home owners.
Frey’s team blocking access for voter outreach in apartments is an attempt to shift power back to home owners.
September 8, 2025 at 2:29 PM
In the last 15-20 years Minneapolis went from being a majority home owner city to majority renter city. The wildcard has been higher turnout among renters.
Frey’s team blocking access for voter outreach in apartments is an attempt to shift power back to home owners.
Frey’s team blocking access for voter outreach in apartments is an attempt to shift power back to home owners.
Reposted by Andrew Owen
This Day in Labor History: September 7, 1933. Cranberry workers on Cape Cod went on strike to protest their terrible wages and working conditions. The threat to providing taste to America's horrible Thanksgiving meal didn't last long, but is an important moment to discuss!
September 7, 2025 at 12:48 PM
This Day in Labor History: September 7, 1933. Cranberry workers on Cape Cod went on strike to protest their terrible wages and working conditions. The threat to providing taste to America's horrible Thanksgiving meal didn't last long, but is an important moment to discuss!
Reposted by Andrew Owen
"Age verification" laws are actually "upload your ID or get your face scanned to access every website, ending anonymity and associating your identity with everything you do online" laws and if more people understood that they would not be down for this authoritarian nonsense
April 2, 2025 at 12:57 PM
"Age verification" laws are actually "upload your ID or get your face scanned to access every website, ending anonymity and associating your identity with everything you do online" laws and if more people understood that they would not be down for this authoritarian nonsense
A while ago we noticed our 7yo seemed really interested in basketball.
“Should we sign you up for a basketball camp so you can practice and learn more?”
“Well I already know about dribbling and shooting so I don’t see why I would do that.”
“Should we sign you up for a basketball camp so you can practice and learn more?”
“Well I already know about dribbling and shooting so I don’t see why I would do that.”
Cognitive resistance training is the defense against slop and brainrot. “Every hard task you delegate is a rep you didn’t do, a pattern your neurons didn’t carve deeper.” [pauljun.substack.com]
August 22, 2025 at 6:59 PM
A while ago we noticed our 7yo seemed really interested in basketball.
“Should we sign you up for a basketball camp so you can practice and learn more?”
“Well I already know about dribbling and shooting so I don’t see why I would do that.”
“Should we sign you up for a basketball camp so you can practice and learn more?”
“Well I already know about dribbling and shooting so I don’t see why I would do that.”
Reposted by Andrew Owen
I wrote an unusually strongly worded thing about the transit crisis in Pennsylvania, which is coming soon to Oregon and Illinois. humantransit.org/2025/08/the-...
The Fall of Philadelphia — Human Transit
The Pennsylvania State Senate has decided that the transit system of America’s fifth largest city should be substantially destroyed. Similar dramas are playing out in Illinois, Oregon, and Rhode Isla...
humantransit.org
August 22, 2025 at 1:06 PM
I wrote an unusually strongly worded thing about the transit crisis in Pennsylvania, which is coming soon to Oregon and Illinois. humantransit.org/2025/08/the-...