Author | Lightnews

Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 2d

“Beginning around November 2024, the internet experienced a slop tipping point, in which the quantity of AI-generated articles being published on the web surpassed the quantity of articles written by humans.”

www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...

This Is Just the Internet Now

The slop is winning.

www.theatlantic.com

Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 6d

As usual, the wording of the measures on the NYC ballot in November obscures their true intent.
youtu.be/G-2pDljCfeI?...

Mayor Adams’ Dangerous Ballot Measures, and Why You Should Vote NO in November

YouTube video by Village Preservation

youtu.be

Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · Sep 7

Trump's claiming credit, not “getting” it. Biden didn’t get credit either, although he ushered the law in. I’m not sure there’s credit to be got from achievements in government that aren’t performative (and this largely explains why our govmt functions so poorly).

www.nytimes.com/2025/09/07/u...

Trump Tried to Kill the Infrastructure Law. Now He’s Getting Credit for Its Projects.

www.nytimes.com

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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · Sep 4

From a lot of directions. flung.substack.com/p/the-federa...

The Federal Government Is Coming for Your Beach Vacation

The place we go to forget all of our problems is becoming one of them.

flung.substack.com

1

Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · Jul 1

Check me out in this feature on BBC Radio 4 looking at the changing nature of the summer holiday thanks to overtourism and climate change. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Rethink - Rethink... summer holidays - BBC Sounds

In an age of climate change and over-tourism, what's the future for our summer holidays?

www.bbc.co.uk

4

Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · Jun 27

When a recent press release from the Department of Transportation landed in my inbox, I read between the childish insults and flat-out fantasies to see that something really interesting is happening...

flung.substack.com/p/is-trump-a...

Is Trump All In on Biden’s Transportation Agenda?

A DOT press release shows that beyond the distracting claims and hyperbole, Trump's administration is piggy-backing on many of his predecessor's accomplishments.

flung.substack.com

1

Reposted by Sarah Stodola

Mother Jones @motherjones.com · Jun 6

Tucked inside the 1,200-page appendix to the White House’s budget request to Congress is a proposal to eliminate a grant program that provides domestic violence shelters with money to support survivors’ pets.

So yeah, Republicans want to ban survivors' pets from domestic violence shelters.

Republicans want to ban pets from domestic violence shelters

The budget proposal is the Trump administration's latest attack on services supporting abuse survivors.

www.motherjones.com

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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · Jun 6

My college decision sure would be different if I were making it today: www.nytimes.com/2025/06/05/u...

Republicans Trying to Control Indiana University Meet Little Resistance

www.nytimes.com

Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · Jun 5

"There’s no precedent in the United States for this," said Matt Burris, [the] deputy city manager.

My latest reporting for Bloomberg CityLab on Rancho Cucamonga's transformation thanks to high-speed rail: www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...

Next Stop: Rancho Cucamonga!

As Brightline advances its $12 billion plan to link Southern California and Las Vegas with bullet trains, this LA suburb sees a shot at urban reinvention.

www.bloomberg.com

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Reposted by Sarah Stodola

Nicole Flatow @nicflatow.bsky.social · Jun 5

How delightful for Rancho Cucamonga that they are taking up the chance to rebuild themselves for transit as the western terminus of the bullet train to Las Vegas. Great story by @sstodola.bsky.social ‬ www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...

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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · Jun 2

I'm seeing some themes in the Trump Administration's dealings with Amtrak.

Something Is Going on at Amtrak

On the prospect of privatization and crony capitalism

flung.substack.com

Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · May 3

Space tourism works just like all other tourism...

open.substack.com/pub/flung/p/...

Space Tourism: Katy Perry Did It for the Gram

What a short, strange press trip it's been.

open.substack.com

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Reposted by Sarah Stodola

Auburn Scallon @wsauburn.bsky.social · Apr 23

This piece is filled with so much care in policy-making.

e.g. Collection trucks small enough to pass through ancient, narrow streets arrive before most are awake—except on glass collection day. They arrive later to avoid waking residents with the inevitable clatter of glass dumped from bins.

Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · Apr 23

Learn household recycling in Italy and you'll understand why rates in the US are so low...
grist.org/looking-forw...

How Italy got its citizens — and me — to adopt a rigorous recycling scheme

Italy has become a global leader in recycling, in part by relying on households to do a lot of the work.

grist.org

1

Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · Apr 24

My experience with it in Italy has been truly eye-opening, not only in helping me understand what it actually takes to have robust recycling, but how doable it is once a community is committed to it.

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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · Apr 23

Learn household recycling in Italy and you'll understand why rates in the US are so low...
grist.org/looking-forw...

How Italy got its citizens — and me — to adopt a rigorous recycling scheme

Italy has become a global leader in recycling, in part by relying on households to do a lot of the work.

grist.org

1 2

Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · Apr 21

After that 11-minute space travel junket I’m no longer convinced that the world’s problems would be solved if only women ruled it.

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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · Apr 18

I think this far into the game, it’s fair to say I will never know how to spell “bureau.”

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Reposted by Sarah Stodola

Senator Chris Van Hollen @vanhollen.senate.gov · Apr 16

I’m about to board my flight to El Salvador, where I hope to meet with senior government officials to discuss the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

I also hope to see Kilmar and check on his condition — and remind him that we won’t stop fighting until he’s home.

Headed to El Salvador to meet with government officials and discuss return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia

YouTube video by Senator Chris Van Hollen

youtube.com

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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · Apr 15

It's got everything: tragedy, glamour, gaslighting, and even a few billionaires on the next island over.

flung.substack.com/p/what-is-a-...

What Is a Billionaire's Triangle?

Hint: It both doesn't exist and is taking over South Florida's shoreline.

flung.substack.com

Reposted by Sarah Stodola

Barack Obama @barackobama.bsky.social · Apr 15

Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions - rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom, while taking steps to make sure students can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and mutual respect. Let’s hope others follow suit.

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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · Apr 9

A high-speed train from London to Milan is now in the works, as Europe continues its project to make rail the preferred mode of transportation over air travel.
www.standard.co.uk/news/transpo...