Zach Glaser
@ziglaser.bsky.social
Climate PhD student at Caltech. Listless young adult and blogger.
ziglaser.substack.com
ziglaser.substack.com
Pinned
Zach Glaser
@ziglaser.bsky.social
· Aug 12
Frankenstein's Voting System
the single transferable vote is genius, but walking subcaucuses are cooler
open.substack.com
The final installment of my series on my April precinct caucus.
What can go wrong when a former Park Board President hijacks the delegate selection process to avoid walking subcaucuses? What lessons can we take away about proportional representation?
What can go wrong when a former Park Board President hijacks the delegate selection process to avoid walking subcaucuses? What lessons can we take away about proportional representation?
This is a post about why software engineering is difficult
The @jakesteinberg.com and @jeffhargarten.bsky.social analysis somewhat misstates its result. Yes, 26,573 ballots were "Jacob Fry, undervote, undervote" but no, that isn't the number "that only ranked Frey" (and similarly for Fateh) because there are other ways to only rank Frey.
November 16, 2025 at 12:56 AM
This is a post about why software engineering is difficult
holy shit
“The prohibited activities would include joint research, co-authorship on papers, and advising a foreign graduate student or postdoctoral fellow. The language is retroactive, meaning any interactions during the previous 5 years could make a scientist ineligible for future federal funding.”
U.S. Congress considers sweeping ban on Chinese collaborations
Researchers speak out against proposal that would bar funding for U.S. scientists working with Chinese partners or training Chinese students
www.science.org
November 14, 2025 at 5:00 AM
holy shit
The cognitive dissonance of trying to convince the NSF to give me $159,000 for aerosol climate modeling research, pointing to its relevance for future strategic readiness, but being unsure if I should cite a 2024 report from the "Department of Defense"...
November 14, 2025 at 12:27 AM
The cognitive dissonance of trying to convince the NSF to give me $159,000 for aerosol climate modeling research, pointing to its relevance for future strategic readiness, but being unsure if I should cite a 2024 report from the "Department of Defense"...
My 4th estate... bro, my look at my 4th estate...
Fall 2017: Then-NYT reporter literally warning Epstein that someone is "digging around again."
![From:
Thomas Jr., Landon
Sent:
9/27/2017 2:47:47 PM
To:
Subject:
Got another call from Connelly..
Importance:
High
Jeffrey Epstein [jeevacation@gmail.com]
He is digging around again -- not clear if its another book/or expanded paperback version. Was asking me all sorts of questions about why you hired Ken Starr. I told him I had no idea - I think he is doing some Trump-related digging too.
Anyway, for what its worth...
Landon Thomas, Jr.
Financial Reporter
New York Times
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/t/landon_ir thomas/index.h
tml](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:36eqtmzysqf7wsslczw4uxcd/bafkreia6463yzmb2suqn5rbfslvtta667av3ryynaetbsl7x6tniezyawu@jpeg)
November 13, 2025 at 4:39 AM
My 4th estate... bro, my look at my 4th estate...
Reposted by Zach Glaser
Hate to be dying on this hill while everyone (myself included) is livid, but I find it so frustrating that the whole "Democratic party" is always held to blame
8 Senators folded of a 47 member caucus--that's less than 20%. The OVERWHELMING majority of our party stayed principled and held the line!
8 Senators folded of a 47 member caucus--that's less than 20%. The OVERWHELMING majority of our party stayed principled and held the line!
November 10, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Hate to be dying on this hill while everyone (myself included) is livid, but I find it so frustrating that the whole "Democratic party" is always held to blame
8 Senators folded of a 47 member caucus--that's less than 20%. The OVERWHELMING majority of our party stayed principled and held the line!
8 Senators folded of a 47 member caucus--that's less than 20%. The OVERWHELMING majority of our party stayed principled and held the line!
This is true, and my angle on the solution is that all researchers think more of themselves as "statistician w/ specialized knowledge in [X]"
In applied fields, every fact we "know" is filtered by our ability to infer it from data. If you can't think critically through how that works, you're ngmi
In applied fields, every fact we "know" is filtered by our ability to infer it from data. If you can't think critically through how that works, you're ngmi
it's a combination of a couple different things:
-social science data gen. processes genuinely are noisy and messy in ways that physical sciences aren't
-the actual problem is very hard
-lots of research is done by people from research is not their real vocation
-many incentives to be dishonest
-social science data gen. processes genuinely are noisy and messy in ways that physical sciences aren't
-the actual problem is very hard
-lots of research is done by people from research is not their real vocation
-many incentives to be dishonest
Education seems like the domain where the low standards of social science research have had the most consequence. Every single robust finding would be actionable.
November 6, 2025 at 9:44 PM
This is true, and my angle on the solution is that all researchers think more of themselves as "statistician w/ specialized knowledge in [X]"
In applied fields, every fact we "know" is filtered by our ability to infer it from data. If you can't think critically through how that works, you're ngmi
In applied fields, every fact we "know" is filtered by our ability to infer it from data. If you can't think critically through how that works, you're ngmi
Reposted by Zach Glaser
i stopped by the katie cashman party at bruhaven in loring park. rep katie jones is there. campaign volunteers have face paint like it’s a sports game. there is pizza
@katiecashman.bsky.social @katiejonesmpls.bsky.social @dunktankdoug.bsky.social @ziglaser.bsky.social
@katiecashman.bsky.social @katiejonesmpls.bsky.social @dunktankdoug.bsky.social @ziglaser.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 2:42 AM
i stopped by the katie cashman party at bruhaven in loring park. rep katie jones is there. campaign volunteers have face paint like it’s a sports game. there is pizza
@katiecashman.bsky.social @katiejonesmpls.bsky.social @dunktankdoug.bsky.social @ziglaser.bsky.social
@katiecashman.bsky.social @katiejonesmpls.bsky.social @dunktankdoug.bsky.social @ziglaser.bsky.social
Reposted by Zach Glaser
Noah and i ran our last voter to the polls with FOUR MINUTES TO SPARE!
November 5, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Noah and i ran our last voter to the polls with FOUR MINUTES TO SPARE!
Moon Duchin--my former boss at the Data and Democracy Lab--has a good interview in the NYT today outlining the state of play in “democracy science”
How do we run towards where the ball *will be* in terms of democratic reforms by the time we have policy makers and courts receptive to change?
How do we run towards where the ball *will be* in terms of democratic reforms by the time we have policy makers and courts receptive to change?
Moon Duchin on the ‘Mathematical Quagmire’ of Gerrymandering
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Moon Duchin--my former boss at the Data and Democracy Lab--has a good interview in the NYT today outlining the state of play in “democracy science”
How do we run towards where the ball *will be* in terms of democratic reforms by the time we have policy makers and courts receptive to change?
How do we run towards where the ball *will be* in terms of democratic reforms by the time we have policy makers and courts receptive to change?
Gotta say, I’m pretty anti-cussing out any campaign worker trying to reach out in a normal way. I’ve been the campaign worker to get those texts and it sucks. Don’t bring down some random 18-year-old kid‘s day just to indulge a vengeful spirit!
Do better things with you time and text Stop2Quit
Do better things with you time and text Stop2Quit
Counterpoint: saying fuck you to a campaign text is as private and sacred as doctor patient confidentiality.
Also the manager of team Minneapolis has spoken
November 2, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Gotta say, I’m pretty anti-cussing out any campaign worker trying to reach out in a normal way. I’ve been the campaign worker to get those texts and it sucks. Don’t bring down some random 18-year-old kid‘s day just to indulge a vengeful spirit!
Do better things with you time and text Stop2Quit
Do better things with you time and text Stop2Quit
Reposted by Zach Glaser
I wanted to offer some thoughts on the Gates climate memo that has been circulating this week. While I can't directly speak for others, I can say that my own response is one of dismay & deep frustration (and that this view is shared by many climate/Earth scientists). [1/n]
October 30, 2025 at 5:02 PM
I wanted to offer some thoughts on the Gates climate memo that has been circulating this week. While I can't directly speak for others, I can say that my own response is one of dismay & deep frustration (and that this view is shared by many climate/Earth scientists). [1/n]
The Minneapolis Ward 7 race might be the most expensive in Minneapolis history, but we know it's people power that will tip the balance!
I'll be going all out door knocking to get out the vote for @katiecashman.bsky.social in the final few days of the election. Join me: mobilize.us/katieforcoun...
I'll be going all out door knocking to get out the vote for @katiecashman.bsky.social in the final few days of the election. Join me: mobilize.us/katieforcoun...
Re-Elect Katie Cashman: the only proudly pro-labor, pro-choice, pro-environment candidate running in Ward 7 · Katie Cashman for Council on Mobilize
Find events, petitions, volunteer opportunities, fundraisers and more with Katie Cashman for Council.
mobilize.us
October 29, 2025 at 1:53 AM
The Minneapolis Ward 7 race might be the most expensive in Minneapolis history, but we know it's people power that will tip the balance!
I'll be going all out door knocking to get out the vote for @katiecashman.bsky.social in the final few days of the election. Join me: mobilize.us/katieforcoun...
I'll be going all out door knocking to get out the vote for @katiecashman.bsky.social in the final few days of the election. Join me: mobilize.us/katieforcoun...
I know it isn't worth my time to treat NYT opinion columnists like coherent thinkers, but it's just so galling to watch filibuster-supporter David Brooks insist that Democrats trying to win the bipartisan concessions he so fetishizes are the real problem with our democracy
October 24, 2025 at 7:35 PM
I know it isn't worth my time to treat NYT opinion columnists like coherent thinkers, but it's just so galling to watch filibuster-supporter David Brooks insist that Democrats trying to win the bipartisan concessions he so fetishizes are the real problem with our democracy
Not at all a dunk on @joelhs.bsky.social, but I don't find this particularly vexing
Why should we expect people who think that Jews and Muslims should be treated differently under the law in Israel draw the line at the US? More evidence for the fundamental incompatibility of Liberalism and Zionism
Why should we expect people who think that Jews and Muslims should be treated differently under the law in Israel draw the line at the US? More evidence for the fundamental incompatibility of Liberalism and Zionism
I don't see a way you can make the argument "Zionism is so fundamental to Jewish identity that anti-Zionism is antisemitism" without also requiring either:
A. "Anti-Zionism is so fundamental to Muslim identity that Zionism is anti-Muslim bigotry"
B. Treating Jews and Muslims differently under law
A. "Anti-Zionism is so fundamental to Muslim identity that Zionism is anti-Muslim bigotry"
B. Treating Jews and Muslims differently under law
October 23, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Not at all a dunk on @joelhs.bsky.social, but I don't find this particularly vexing
Why should we expect people who think that Jews and Muslims should be treated differently under the law in Israel draw the line at the US? More evidence for the fundamental incompatibility of Liberalism and Zionism
Why should we expect people who think that Jews and Muslims should be treated differently under the law in Israel draw the line at the US? More evidence for the fundamental incompatibility of Liberalism and Zionism
Reposted by Zach Glaser
This is going to be my soapbox for a while, but we're seeing this jurisprudence change in real time. When Rucho was decided, the Court at least acknowledged that partisan gerrymandering was unfortunate. Today, it's treated as a legit goal for states to pursue and one that VRA districts must respect
October 15, 2025 at 7:46 PM
This is going to be my soapbox for a while, but we're seeing this jurisprudence change in real time. When Rucho was decided, the Court at least acknowledged that partisan gerrymandering was unfortunate. Today, it's treated as a legit goal for states to pursue and one that VRA districts must respect
LMAO
Even in Ward 7 this is hilariously stupid political comms
Even in Ward 7 this is hilariously stupid political comms
October 16, 2025 at 11:47 PM
LMAO
Even in Ward 7 this is hilariously stupid political comms
Even in Ward 7 this is hilariously stupid political comms
People saying stuff like this are cranks, and almost as far outside the scientific mainstream as climate deniers
Under the SSP2-4.5 "middle road" scenario (which imo is a bit pessimistic) we expect warming of 1.4-3 deg C by 2100 (IPCC AR6)
Corresponding sea level rise of less than a meter
Under the SSP2-4.5 "middle road" scenario (which imo is a bit pessimistic) we expect warming of 1.4-3 deg C by 2100 (IPCC AR6)
Corresponding sea level rise of less than a meter
September 23, 2025 at 6:52 PM
People saying stuff like this are cranks, and almost as far outside the scientific mainstream as climate deniers
Under the SSP2-4.5 "middle road" scenario (which imo is a bit pessimistic) we expect warming of 1.4-3 deg C by 2100 (IPCC AR6)
Corresponding sea level rise of less than a meter
Under the SSP2-4.5 "middle road" scenario (which imo is a bit pessimistic) we expect warming of 1.4-3 deg C by 2100 (IPCC AR6)
Corresponding sea level rise of less than a meter
Reposted by Zach Glaser
With the news cycle focused on ABC's suspension of Jimmy Kimmel, a journalist with a valid US work permit and pending green card application is about to be deported for the crime of reporting www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
US appeals court orders deportation of Atlanta journalist detained by Ice
Mario Guevara faces imminent removal from US as his attorney files emergency petition
www.theguardian.com
September 19, 2025 at 6:25 PM
With the news cycle focused on ABC's suspension of Jimmy Kimmel, a journalist with a valid US work permit and pending green card application is about to be deported for the crime of reporting www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Zach Glaser
Rucho still is one of the stupidest Supreme Court decisions of my lifetime, and it is impossible to watch Texas and California’s ruthless redistricting arms race without remembering John Roberts being like, “Well, how could we, humble jurists, ever KNOW know if gerrymanders go Too Far To Be Legal??”
John Roberts Is Responsible For America’s Embarrassing Gerrymandering Mess
In Rucho, the conservatives worried about courts answering hypothetical questions that might be hard. All they did is prevent courts from answering very questions that are not.
ballsandstrikes.org
August 21, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Rucho still is one of the stupidest Supreme Court decisions of my lifetime, and it is impossible to watch Texas and California’s ruthless redistricting arms race without remembering John Roberts being like, “Well, how could we, humble jurists, ever KNOW know if gerrymanders go Too Far To Be Legal??”
Democratic theory and experiment have come a long way in the last 250 years. Single-member districts are terminally flawed and undermine the fundamental democratic notion of "one person, one vote"
(states and municipalities can implement w/o constitutional amendments, even congressional districts!)
(states and municipalities can implement w/o constitutional amendments, even congressional districts!)
Multi member districts absolutely weakens the power of gerrymandering and strengthens democtatic representation....as proven in other countries throughout the world.
With all this talk of redistricting and gerrymandering, maybe proportional representation should be a part of the conversation. Idk, it might fix a few things 🤔
August 18, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Democratic theory and experiment have come a long way in the last 250 years. Single-member districts are terminally flawed and undermine the fundamental democratic notion of "one person, one vote"
(states and municipalities can implement w/o constitutional amendments, even congressional districts!)
(states and municipalities can implement w/o constitutional amendments, even congressional districts!)
Reposted by Zach Glaser
The statement "Jews lived through the Holocaust, and therefore they (we) have a special obligation to fight the genocide of other communities" is a statement that is at best problematic, if not outright antisemitic, when said by non-Jews, but is also foundational to my own sense of Jewish ethics.
August 17, 2025 at 12:29 AM
The statement "Jews lived through the Holocaust, and therefore they (we) have a special obligation to fight the genocide of other communities" is a statement that is at best problematic, if not outright antisemitic, when said by non-Jews, but is also foundational to my own sense of Jewish ethics.
Given this campaign has way less demagoguery about antisemitism, this feels a little more awkward than “Jews for Zohran”
Just has a bit of “White Guys for Kamala” energy
Just has a bit of “White Guys for Kamala” energy
Save the date for a Jews for Fateh fundraiser this fall!
www.mobilize.us/omarfatehfor...
🗓️Sun. 9/7
⏰6-8 PM
I’m running for Mayor to create an affordable city that’s accountable to all residents that call Minneapolis home. Join neighbors & friends as we discuss our vision for our city!
www.mobilize.us/omarfatehfor...
🗓️Sun. 9/7
⏰6-8 PM
I’m running for Mayor to create an affordable city that’s accountable to all residents that call Minneapolis home. Join neighbors & friends as we discuss our vision for our city!
August 16, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Given this campaign has way less demagoguery about antisemitism, this feels a little more awkward than “Jews for Zohran”
Just has a bit of “White Guys for Kamala” energy
Just has a bit of “White Guys for Kamala” energy
The final installment of my series on my April precinct caucus.
What can go wrong when a former Park Board President hijacks the delegate selection process to avoid walking subcaucuses? What lessons can we take away about proportional representation?
What can go wrong when a former Park Board President hijacks the delegate selection process to avoid walking subcaucuses? What lessons can we take away about proportional representation?
Frankenstein's Voting System
the single transferable vote is genius, but walking subcaucuses are cooler
open.substack.com
August 12, 2025 at 3:06 PM
The final installment of my series on my April precinct caucus.
What can go wrong when a former Park Board President hijacks the delegate selection process to avoid walking subcaucuses? What lessons can we take away about proportional representation?
What can go wrong when a former Park Board President hijacks the delegate selection process to avoid walking subcaucuses? What lessons can we take away about proportional representation?