Peter Som de Cerff
@psomdecerff.bsky.social
@psomdecerff.bsky.social He/Him
Red-state urbanist, sometimes cyclist, walkable city proponent.
Systems engineer, safe systems advocate, rail supporter.
Working collectively to make cities better for people: more housing, more transit, fewer cars!
Red-state urbanist, sometimes cyclist, walkable city proponent.
Systems engineer, safe systems advocate, rail supporter.
Working collectively to make cities better for people: more housing, more transit, fewer cars!
Port Authority adds PATH runs, for most coverage in 25 years.
Just a reminder that mass transit is safe (much safer than driving), and keeps our streets safer for walking (with fewet cars).
www.panynj.gov/port-authori...
@eleanalittle.bsky.social
Just a reminder that mass transit is safe (much safer than driving), and keeps our streets safer for walking (with fewet cars).
www.panynj.gov/port-authori...
@eleanalittle.bsky.social
EVERY LINE, EVERY DAY: PORT AUTHORITY PROPOSES MAJOR SERVICE INCREASES ACROSS PATH SYSTEM FOLLOWING CONCLUSION OF THE PATH FORWARD REHABILITATION PROGRAM IN 2026
www.panynj.gov
November 14, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Port Authority adds PATH runs, for most coverage in 25 years.
Just a reminder that mass transit is safe (much safer than driving), and keeps our streets safer for walking (with fewet cars).
www.panynj.gov/port-authori...
@eleanalittle.bsky.social
Just a reminder that mass transit is safe (much safer than driving), and keeps our streets safer for walking (with fewet cars).
www.panynj.gov/port-authori...
@eleanalittle.bsky.social
Reposted by Peter Som de Cerff
It’s real! Pretty moving to actually see this in person. 🥲
November 8, 2025 at 12:33 AM
It’s real! Pretty moving to actually see this in person. 🥲
I am again reminded that it is a unrecognized luxury of exquisite value to be able to ignore one's digestive system and to take the functioning of one's organs for granted.
Most young people luxuriate without even noticing, and many oldsters lament the unexpected loss.
Most young people luxuriate without even noticing, and many oldsters lament the unexpected loss.
August 19, 2025 at 7:38 PM
I am again reminded that it is a unrecognized luxury of exquisite value to be able to ignore one's digestive system and to take the functioning of one's organs for granted.
Most young people luxuriate without even noticing, and many oldsters lament the unexpected loss.
Most young people luxuriate without even noticing, and many oldsters lament the unexpected loss.
#jerseycity
When last I visited JC, about Feb, a car ran into a house a few blocks from my grandchild's home. A month or two ago, a 73-year-old man was killed in a cross-walk, crossing legally, less than a mile away. Yesterday, a 6-year-old boy on his bike was run over by a UPS driver....
When last I visited JC, about Feb, a car ran into a house a few blocks from my grandchild's home. A month or two ago, a 73-year-old man was killed in a cross-walk, crossing legally, less than a mile away. Yesterday, a 6-year-old boy on his bike was run over by a UPS driver....
June 16, 2025 at 1:32 AM
#jerseycity
When last I visited JC, about Feb, a car ran into a house a few blocks from my grandchild's home. A month or two ago, a 73-year-old man was killed in a cross-walk, crossing legally, less than a mile away. Yesterday, a 6-year-old boy on his bike was run over by a UPS driver....
When last I visited JC, about Feb, a car ran into a house a few blocks from my grandchild's home. A month or two ago, a 73-year-old man was killed in a cross-walk, crossing legally, less than a mile away. Yesterday, a 6-year-old boy on his bike was run over by a UPS driver....
For a long time, the US has been energy independent - on a net basis. But NOT on an isolated basis.
Our refineries are optimized for heavy oils, from the days of KSA and VZ crude imports. Now, well, up until Trump, we exported much of our light shale oil and imported cheap Canadian sour heavy.
Our refineries are optimized for heavy oils, from the days of KSA and VZ crude imports. Now, well, up until Trump, we exported much of our light shale oil and imported cheap Canadian sour heavy.
April 20, 2025 at 2:31 PM
For a long time, the US has been energy independent - on a net basis. But NOT on an isolated basis.
Our refineries are optimized for heavy oils, from the days of KSA and VZ crude imports. Now, well, up until Trump, we exported much of our light shale oil and imported cheap Canadian sour heavy.
Our refineries are optimized for heavy oils, from the days of KSA and VZ crude imports. Now, well, up until Trump, we exported much of our light shale oil and imported cheap Canadian sour heavy.
In the 90's, we had a balanced budget, a peace dividend, and a reasonable chance to pay off our nat'l debt.
In 2008, we had a chance to turn away from financial bloat, bigger cars/trucks, and suburban sprawl.
In 2014, we became energy independent, and could have transitioned to renewables.
In 2008, we had a chance to turn away from financial bloat, bigger cars/trucks, and suburban sprawl.
In 2014, we became energy independent, and could have transitioned to renewables.
April 20, 2025 at 1:50 PM
In the 90's, we had a balanced budget, a peace dividend, and a reasonable chance to pay off our nat'l debt.
In 2008, we had a chance to turn away from financial bloat, bigger cars/trucks, and suburban sprawl.
In 2014, we became energy independent, and could have transitioned to renewables.
In 2008, we had a chance to turn away from financial bloat, bigger cars/trucks, and suburban sprawl.
In 2014, we became energy independent, and could have transitioned to renewables.
#SystemsThinking
It's been a while since I've posted. I took a break from social media to focus on work and family (some time-consuming issues). Plus, I had little to say, post election, except really "well, let's wait and see".
Mostly, I can't add much context beyond all the other smart people.
It's been a while since I've posted. I took a break from social media to focus on work and family (some time-consuming issues). Plus, I had little to say, post election, except really "well, let's wait and see".
Mostly, I can't add much context beyond all the other smart people.
April 19, 2025 at 10:38 PM
#SystemsThinking
It's been a while since I've posted. I took a break from social media to focus on work and family (some time-consuming issues). Plus, I had little to say, post election, except really "well, let's wait and see".
Mostly, I can't add much context beyond all the other smart people.
It's been a while since I've posted. I took a break from social media to focus on work and family (some time-consuming issues). Plus, I had little to say, post election, except really "well, let's wait and see".
Mostly, I can't add much context beyond all the other smart people.
#ArtificialIntelligence
Given that AIs are rapidly improving on their performance on HLE (new a month ago, about?), does this imply that the next AI benchmark will need to developed by an AI?
Given that AIs are rapidly improving on their performance on HLE (new a month ago, about?), does this imply that the next AI benchmark will need to developed by an AI?
February 15, 2025 at 10:11 AM
#ArtificialIntelligence
Given that AIs are rapidly improving on their performance on HLE (new a month ago, about?), does this imply that the next AI benchmark will need to developed by an AI?
Given that AIs are rapidly improving on their performance on HLE (new a month ago, about?), does this imply that the next AI benchmark will need to developed by an AI?
#ArtificialIntelligence
Systems Engineering Minute: Narrow AI?
I've been traveling a good bit, and haven't much posted. While working an AI slide for work, I happened across a nice graph, and I though it worth passing along.
Systems Engineering Minute: Narrow AI?
I've been traveling a good bit, and haven't much posted. While working an AI slide for work, I happened across a nice graph, and I though it worth passing along.
February 15, 2025 at 9:57 AM
#ArtificialIntelligence
Systems Engineering Minute: Narrow AI?
I've been traveling a good bit, and haven't much posted. While working an AI slide for work, I happened across a nice graph, and I though it worth passing along.
Systems Engineering Minute: Narrow AI?
I've been traveling a good bit, and haven't much posted. While working an AI slide for work, I happened across a nice graph, and I though it worth passing along.
Got hassled at border entry into Quebec for not having an invite letter. First time for this.
Thanks, Trump.
Thanks, Trump.
February 3, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Got hassled at border entry into Quebec for not having an invite letter. First time for this.
Thanks, Trump.
Thanks, Trump.
#ArtificialIntelligence #SystemsEngineering
Here's a short Systems Engineering Minute on my pragmatic views on AI, as an interested but only lightly educated technical layman. Take it with a grain of salt.
When people about AGI - artificial general intelligence - they often mean "human thinking".
Here's a short Systems Engineering Minute on my pragmatic views on AI, as an interested but only lightly educated technical layman. Take it with a grain of salt.
When people about AGI - artificial general intelligence - they often mean "human thinking".
February 2, 2025 at 1:06 AM
#ArtificialIntelligence #SystemsEngineering
Here's a short Systems Engineering Minute on my pragmatic views on AI, as an interested but only lightly educated technical layman. Take it with a grain of salt.
When people about AGI - artificial general intelligence - they often mean "human thinking".
Here's a short Systems Engineering Minute on my pragmatic views on AI, as an interested but only lightly educated technical layman. Take it with a grain of salt.
When people about AGI - artificial general intelligence - they often mean "human thinking".
If this is actually done, it will mostly support poorer, uneducated white communities. Educated people tend to have fewer kids, and later.
Surely some minority areas have high birth rates too, though, so that'll be interesting.
Surely some minority areas have high birth rates too, though, so that'll be interesting.
ConstructionDrive [Jan 31] -- Dept of Transportation reflecting WCN emphasis on procreation, announces it will prioritize fertile families thru “preference to communities with marriage & birth rates higher than average.” In other words DEI for white communities.
[by @rikiwilchins.bsky.social]
[by @rikiwilchins.bsky.social]
DOT says it will tie funding to birth, marriage rates
The agency issued a memo after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy took the reins this week and authorized a series of actions to advance Trump’s agenda.
www.constructiondive.com
February 1, 2025 at 12:32 PM
If this is actually done, it will mostly support poorer, uneducated white communities. Educated people tend to have fewer kids, and later.
Surely some minority areas have high birth rates too, though, so that'll be interesting.
Surely some minority areas have high birth rates too, though, so that'll be interesting.
My wife has a work friend who is DACA. She's paid SS for decades, which she'll never get benefits from. Her husband is undocumented - he came alone when he was 11. He's worked at the same place for 20 years now.
I don't know what Trump and his minions are thinking, but it's hateful and stupid.
I don't know what Trump and his minions are thinking, but it's hateful and stupid.
January 30, 2025 at 2:18 AM
My wife has a work friend who is DACA. She's paid SS for decades, which she'll never get benefits from. Her husband is undocumented - he came alone when he was 11. He's worked at the same place for 20 years now.
I don't know what Trump and his minions are thinking, but it's hateful and stupid.
I don't know what Trump and his minions are thinking, but it's hateful and stupid.
I found myself in a line of cars going 12mph. Occasionally I saw somebody pass, using the full oncoming lane (2 lane, not really any passing zones).
No honking, no obvious ire, just toodling along for 1/2 mile.
Of course, it's was a tractor, not a bike, taking the lane.
Why do bikes raise ire?
No honking, no obvious ire, just toodling along for 1/2 mile.
Of course, it's was a tractor, not a bike, taking the lane.
Why do bikes raise ire?
January 28, 2025 at 11:01 PM
I found myself in a line of cars going 12mph. Occasionally I saw somebody pass, using the full oncoming lane (2 lane, not really any passing zones).
No honking, no obvious ire, just toodling along for 1/2 mile.
Of course, it's was a tractor, not a bike, taking the lane.
Why do bikes raise ire?
No honking, no obvious ire, just toodling along for 1/2 mile.
Of course, it's was a tractor, not a bike, taking the lane.
Why do bikes raise ire?
Note the cautious tone of the intellectually curious & knowledgeable urbanists, with comments about "early days" and "initial data" & "preliminary results" yet fully supported by hard, empirical data plus previous studies.
Then compare to those against CP, who cry loudly & surely with no back-up.
Then compare to those against CP, who cry loudly & surely with no back-up.
Too early to draw conclusions but link btwn reduced traffic & reduced casualties is backed up by earlier research by Todd Litman VTPI (www.vtpi.org/ntsp.pdf).
Important for Vision Zero in London that @london.gov.uk delivers traffic volume reduction now that Pay-per-mile charging is off the table.
Important for Vision Zero in London that @london.gov.uk delivers traffic volume reduction now that Pay-per-mile charging is off the table.
January 28, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Note the cautious tone of the intellectually curious & knowledgeable urbanists, with comments about "early days" and "initial data" & "preliminary results" yet fully supported by hard, empirical data plus previous studies.
Then compare to those against CP, who cry loudly & surely with no back-up.
Then compare to those against CP, who cry loudly & surely with no back-up.
#ArtificialIntelligence
How many of y'all realized the US was in a AI tech-war with China since 2016?
Do you realize it yet?
How many of y'all realized the US was in a AI tech-war with China since 2016?
Do you realize it yet?
January 28, 2025 at 1:18 AM
#ArtificialIntelligence
How many of y'all realized the US was in a AI tech-war with China since 2016?
Do you realize it yet?
How many of y'all realized the US was in a AI tech-war with China since 2016?
Do you realize it yet?
Is it just me or are immigration sweeps happening so far in deep-blue cities only? Am I just not hearing about them in red states?
January 27, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Is it just me or are immigration sweeps happening so far in deep-blue cities only? Am I just not hearing about them in red states?
#ArtificialIntelligence #SystemsEngineering
Systems Engineering Minute: Wall-E or Human Robots?
AI is rapidly evolving, after decades of up-and-down enthusiasm (and funding) coupled with slow but steady progress.
Today, we have surprising capable AI linguistics thanks to language models,
Systems Engineering Minute: Wall-E or Human Robots?
AI is rapidly evolving, after decades of up-and-down enthusiasm (and funding) coupled with slow but steady progress.
Today, we have surprising capable AI linguistics thanks to language models,
January 25, 2025 at 6:03 PM
#ArtificialIntelligence #SystemsEngineering
Systems Engineering Minute: Wall-E or Human Robots?
AI is rapidly evolving, after decades of up-and-down enthusiasm (and funding) coupled with slow but steady progress.
Today, we have surprising capable AI linguistics thanks to language models,
Systems Engineering Minute: Wall-E or Human Robots?
AI is rapidly evolving, after decades of up-and-down enthusiasm (and funding) coupled with slow but steady progress.
Today, we have surprising capable AI linguistics thanks to language models,
#urbanism
Systems Engineering Minute
I was surprised as I went through my Master's program how many of the classes were "soft topics" about how people think and interact. Stuff like decision theory (a little bit technical and a lot about human limitations and biases), motivation (all about people)
Systems Engineering Minute
I was surprised as I went through my Master's program how many of the classes were "soft topics" about how people think and interact. Stuff like decision theory (a little bit technical and a lot about human limitations and biases), motivation (all about people)
January 25, 2025 at 3:32 PM
#urbanism
Systems Engineering Minute
I was surprised as I went through my Master's program how many of the classes were "soft topics" about how people think and interact. Stuff like decision theory (a little bit technical and a lot about human limitations and biases), motivation (all about people)
Systems Engineering Minute
I was surprised as I went through my Master's program how many of the classes were "soft topics" about how people think and interact. Stuff like decision theory (a little bit technical and a lot about human limitations and biases), motivation (all about people)
#urbanism #congestionpricing
Bertrand Russell once said, 'In the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.'
When it comes to CP, we see this. Urbanists and supports see this as a critical experiment, and while very hopeful about the overall impacts and...
Bertrand Russell once said, 'In the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.'
When it comes to CP, we see this. Urbanists and supports see this as a critical experiment, and while very hopeful about the overall impacts and...
January 23, 2025 at 11:17 PM
#urbanism #congestionpricing
Bertrand Russell once said, 'In the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.'
When it comes to CP, we see this. Urbanists and supports see this as a critical experiment, and while very hopeful about the overall impacts and...
Bertrand Russell once said, 'In the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.'
When it comes to CP, we see this. Urbanists and supports see this as a critical experiment, and while very hopeful about the overall impacts and...
Reposted by Peter Som de Cerff
Looks who's a DINO....
CP is great for NJ train commuters, every resident along the Hudson who will breath less exhaust, and the remaining drivers who will save time.
Stop the silly lawsuits and negotiate something reasonable for support NJT and PATH a bit...
CP is great for NJ train commuters, every resident along the Hudson who will breath less exhaust, and the remaining drivers who will save time.
Stop the silly lawsuits and negotiate something reasonable for support NJT and PATH a bit...
Today I sent a letter to President Trump urging his Administration to reexamine New York’s congestion pricing scheme.
Congestion pricing is a disaster for New Jersey commuters and must receive the close look it deserves from the federal government.
Congestion pricing is a disaster for New Jersey commuters and must receive the close look it deserves from the federal government.
January 21, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Looks who's a DINO....
CP is great for NJ train commuters, every resident along the Hudson who will breath less exhaust, and the remaining drivers who will save time.
Stop the silly lawsuits and negotiate something reasonable for support NJT and PATH a bit...
CP is great for NJ train commuters, every resident along the Hudson who will breath less exhaust, and the remaining drivers who will save time.
Stop the silly lawsuits and negotiate something reasonable for support NJT and PATH a bit...
AI data centers will likely be what gets us a new generation of fission - maybe micronukes - and funds fusion.
Solar would be cheaper but takes grid upgrades that will be politically harder…but would benefit everybody.
Solar would be cheaper but takes grid upgrades that will be politically harder…but would benefit everybody.
January 19, 2025 at 1:02 PM
AI data centers will likely be what gets us a new generation of fission - maybe micronukes - and funds fusion.
Solar would be cheaper but takes grid upgrades that will be politically harder…but would benefit everybody.
Solar would be cheaper but takes grid upgrades that will be politically harder…but would benefit everybody.
Reposted by Peter Som de Cerff
Tweets about urban biking in #Dutch cities are routinely replied to with some version of “well, they have the big advantage of being relatively flat.”
The Dutch also have the big advantage of not constantly making excuses and straw man arguments about why they can’t make clearly smarter decisions.
The Dutch also have the big advantage of not constantly making excuses and straw man arguments about why they can’t make clearly smarter decisions.
January 18, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Tweets about urban biking in #Dutch cities are routinely replied to with some version of “well, they have the big advantage of being relatively flat.”
The Dutch also have the big advantage of not constantly making excuses and straw man arguments about why they can’t make clearly smarter decisions.
The Dutch also have the big advantage of not constantly making excuses and straw man arguments about why they can’t make clearly smarter decisions.
Reposted by Peter Som de Cerff
Cars ruin cities (Houston in the 70s)
January 18, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Cars ruin cities (Houston in the 70s)