Mike Beckstrand
@beckstrand.bsky.social
Research Methodologist @ UMN, CLA.
Saint Paulite, YIMBY urbanist, ebiker, dad.
MNUFC fan & MLS sicko. COYL. he/him.
Saint Paulite, YIMBY urbanist, ebiker, dad.
MNUFC fan & MLS sicko. COYL. he/him.
🧵
The reason the top 10% of income earners pay more than half of all tax revenue is NOT because they are taxed more than ever.
Their tax rate has been cut FIVE times in the last 25 years.
They are paying more because their INCOME has increased astronomically, where the income of the bottom half has
Their tax rate has been cut FIVE times in the last 25 years.
They are paying more because their INCOME has increased astronomically, where the income of the bottom half has
November 29, 2025 at 2:32 PM
🧵
Reposted by Mike Beckstrand
"As you sit in your car on all of those highways, you might wonder: Why not build the actual *places* where the *roads* are? Then you wouldn’t need the roads, since you would already be in the place. Well, if they did that, the whole system would collapse. Don’t think like that."
An excellent essay
An excellent essay
Dallas is the future of America-- physically, spiritually, and politically. I went to the fastest-growing city in America to see what is in store for us all.
Today, the final part of my story: Sprawling to Freedom.
www.hamiltonnolan.com/p/america-is...
Today, the final part of my story: Sprawling to Freedom.
www.hamiltonnolan.com/p/america-is...
America Is Becoming Dallas
Part Two: Sprawling to Freedom
www.hamiltonnolan.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:51 AM
"As you sit in your car on all of those highways, you might wonder: Why not build the actual *places* where the *roads* are? Then you wouldn’t need the roads, since you would already be in the place. Well, if they did that, the whole system would collapse. Don’t think like that."
An excellent essay
An excellent essay
Reposted by Mike Beckstrand
Hey @mayorcarter.bsky.social what the hell? @mayorher.bsky.social are you going to take a stance on this?
November 25, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Hey @mayorcarter.bsky.social what the hell? @mayorher.bsky.social are you going to take a stance on this?
The wild part, looking back, is we all knew it was over when Tani was sold without replacement.
But man, we rode that wave anyway.
Loondom was there-- can ownership and the front office be, too, please going forward?
But man, we rode that wave anyway.
Loondom was there-- can ownership and the front office be, too, please going forward?
It was a fun season, but it ended when the team sold Tani. Big question if they can now better with that cash
November 25, 2025 at 6:36 AM
The wild part, looking back, is we all knew it was over when Tani was sold without replacement.
But man, we rode that wave anyway.
Loondom was there-- can ownership and the front office be, too, please going forward?
But man, we rode that wave anyway.
Loondom was there-- can ownership and the front office be, too, please going forward?
#MNUFC season immediate closing thoughts:
1) I enjoyed champagne (of beers) soccer and its glimpses of the High Life
2) it was amazing how put out People on the Internet™️ (and commentators/press) were about our style of play
3) ownership, pretty please spend the Tani money. The next level awaits!
1) I enjoyed champagne (of beers) soccer and its glimpses of the High Life
2) it was amazing how put out People on the Internet™️ (and commentators/press) were about our style of play
3) ownership, pretty please spend the Tani money. The next level awaits!
November 25, 2025 at 6:21 AM
#MNUFC season immediate closing thoughts:
1) I enjoyed champagne (of beers) soccer and its glimpses of the High Life
2) it was amazing how put out People on the Internet™️ (and commentators/press) were about our style of play
3) ownership, pretty please spend the Tani money. The next level awaits!
1) I enjoyed champagne (of beers) soccer and its glimpses of the High Life
2) it was amazing how put out People on the Internet™️ (and commentators/press) were about our style of play
3) ownership, pretty please spend the Tani money. The next level awaits!
Didn't have a Messi defensive action in the opposing final third to launch a counter on my BINGO card tonight.
#MLSCupPlayoffs
#MLSCupPlayoffs
November 23, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Didn't have a Messi defensive action in the opposing final third to launch a counter on my BINGO card tonight.
#MLSCupPlayoffs
#MLSCupPlayoffs
November 23, 2025 at 5:28 AM
Yikes. Not easy to defend that as a second yellow card on Blackmon, nor there being enough for 9 mins stoppage, but gifting Son a chance for global headlines.
Would hate to be a Whitecaps fan right now. Feeling very hard done.
#MLSCupPlayoffs
Would hate to be a Whitecaps fan right now. Feeling very hard done.
#MLSCupPlayoffs
November 23, 2025 at 4:39 AM
Yikes. Not easy to defend that as a second yellow card on Blackmon, nor there being enough for 9 mins stoppage, but gifting Son a chance for global headlines.
Would hate to be a Whitecaps fan right now. Feeling very hard done.
#MLSCupPlayoffs
Would hate to be a Whitecaps fan right now. Feeling very hard done.
#MLSCupPlayoffs
He's misspelled Champagne (of Beers) Soccer
Some consider it 'anti-football' or 'haram ball.'
For Eric Ramsay, Minnesota United's ruthlessly pragmatic style is simply "the obvious antidote to teams that have got a lot of success on the basis of pure possession dominance."
My chat with the Loons' gaffer:
www.mlssoccer.com/playoffs/202...
For Eric Ramsay, Minnesota United's ruthlessly pragmatic style is simply "the obvious antidote to teams that have got a lot of success on the basis of pure possession dominance."
My chat with the Loons' gaffer:
www.mlssoccer.com/playoffs/202...
Eric Ramsay's unique identity elevates Minnesota United in MLS Cup pursuit | MLSSoccer.com
It might just be the starkest stylistic contrast in Audi MLS Cup Playoffs history.
www.mlssoccer.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:17 AM
He's misspelled Champagne (of Beers) Soccer
Reposted by Mike Beckstrand
Tonight, the Department of Homeland Security announced that on Tuesday they detained 14 of our neighbors on immigration charges. What they initially reported as a targeted criminal enforcement action was in fact an identity-based raid on people who had done nothing but show up for work that day.
November 21, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Tonight, the Department of Homeland Security announced that on Tuesday they detained 14 of our neighbors on immigration charges. What they initially reported as a targeted criminal enforcement action was in fact an identity-based raid on people who had done nothing but show up for work that day.
Reposted by Mike Beckstrand
A Trump supporter started murdering his way through an assassination list of Democratic law makers FIVE MONTHS AGO. He murdered my colleague Melissa Hortman, and her husband Mark — and attempted to assassinate my dear friend John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. I was also on the hit list. WTF
November 20, 2025 at 5:56 PM
A Trump supporter started murdering his way through an assassination list of Democratic law makers FIVE MONTHS AGO. He murdered my colleague Melissa Hortman, and her husband Mark — and attempted to assassinate my dear friend John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. I was also on the hit list. WTF
In sum, MLS is "Prioritizing the exponential financialization of the sport at the direct cost of fan experience: enshittification. It’s taking American soccer, something built on communities, built by fans creating unique atmospheres, and it’s sucking the blood out of it...and repackaging it."
Father, forgive me, for I have spent the morning ranting about MLS and the enshittification of soccer
wburdine.substack.com/p/mls-change...
wburdine.substack.com/p/mls-change...
MLS Changes the Calendar
Whither the fan?
wburdine.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:41 PM
In sum, MLS is "Prioritizing the exponential financialization of the sport at the direct cost of fan experience: enshittification. It’s taking American soccer, something built on communities, built by fans creating unique atmospheres, and it’s sucking the blood out of it...and repackaging it."
Reposted by Mike Beckstrand
Every case i see for “mls growth” prioritizes wealth at the expense of fans. Bigger franchises fees, more money, more subscriptions, more private equity.
Nothing involved with growing the game apparently involves actual fans who make the game unique.
Nothing involved with growing the game apparently involves actual fans who make the game unique.
November 14, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Every case i see for “mls growth” prioritizes wealth at the expense of fans. Bigger franchises fees, more money, more subscriptions, more private equity.
Nothing involved with growing the game apparently involves actual fans who make the game unique.
Nothing involved with growing the game apparently involves actual fans who make the game unique.
Reposted by Mike Beckstrand
WE call ourselves smug, Y’ALL don’t get to call us smug! But this paragraph is gonna have me fist-pumping all damn day:
(archive today version: archive.is/OcaC9 )
(archive today version: archive.is/OcaC9 )
November 13, 2025 at 2:54 PM
WE call ourselves smug, Y’ALL don’t get to call us smug! But this paragraph is gonna have me fist-pumping all damn day:
(archive today version: archive.is/OcaC9 )
(archive today version: archive.is/OcaC9 )
Once again, Jamelle Bouie is "the exception the proves the rule" that the NYT has capitulated.
Honest reporting doesn't save for the Opinion section: "this isn’t an ordinary moment. The president is openly lawless...This extraordinary reality calls for something different."
Gift link in reply.
Honest reporting doesn't save for the Opinion section: "this isn’t an ordinary moment. The president is openly lawless...This extraordinary reality calls for something different."
Gift link in reply.
Opinion | Democrats Sure Taught Trump a Lesson
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Once again, Jamelle Bouie is "the exception the proves the rule" that the NYT has capitulated.
Honest reporting doesn't save for the Opinion section: "this isn’t an ordinary moment. The president is openly lawless...This extraordinary reality calls for something different."
Gift link in reply.
Honest reporting doesn't save for the Opinion section: "this isn’t an ordinary moment. The president is openly lawless...This extraordinary reality calls for something different."
Gift link in reply.
"Will we sober up at some point after Son puts a hat trick up against us in the Conference Finals? Sure, but hey man, the darkness comes for us all and I’m gonna ride this rocket into the sun!"
Grateful for the rocket fuel this past Saturday. Truly Champagne (of Beers) stuff.
#COYL
Grateful for the rocket fuel this past Saturday. Truly Champagne (of Beers) stuff.
#COYL
I broke down and I talked about Minnesota United and how f*cking dumb fun they are and how outside pundits don't get it. open.substack.com/pub/wburdine...
Champagne of Beers Soccer
We need to talk about the Loons
open.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:19 AM
"Will we sober up at some point after Son puts a hat trick up against us in the Conference Finals? Sure, but hey man, the darkness comes for us all and I’m gonna ride this rocket into the sun!"
Grateful for the rocket fuel this past Saturday. Truly Champagne (of Beers) stuff.
#COYL
Grateful for the rocket fuel this past Saturday. Truly Champagne (of Beers) stuff.
#COYL
The never ending fight of the Loons against all odds brought me joy.
And against Seattle, to boot!
#MNUFC #COYL #MLSCupPlayoffs
And against Seattle, to boot!
#MNUFC #COYL #MLSCupPlayoffs
a man in a blue suit is laughing with his mouth wide open
Alt: a man in a blue suit is laughing with his mouth wide open. luthen rael from the star wars series andor
media.tenor.com
November 9, 2025 at 12:35 AM
The never ending fight of the Loons against all odds brought me joy.
And against Seattle, to boot!
#MNUFC #COYL #MLSCupPlayoffs
And against Seattle, to boot!
#MNUFC #COYL #MLSCupPlayoffs
Reposted by Mike Beckstrand
This match had everything! Nightmare beginning, red card, Sounders flopping like salmon, set pieces, more fucking set pieces, goalkeeper sub, Gene and Duggan (??) making pens, post and crossbar knocking balls in and out, goalkeeper scoring, shit talking by both sides, Loons sending Sea home! #MNUFC
a man on a snl show says " la 's hottest club the dmv this place has everything "
Alt: Stefan says " la 's hottest club the dmv this place has everything "
media.tenor.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:49 PM
This match had everything! Nightmare beginning, red card, Sounders flopping like salmon, set pieces, more fucking set pieces, goalkeeper sub, Gene and Duggan (??) making pens, post and crossbar knocking balls in and out, goalkeeper scoring, shit talking by both sides, Loons sending Sea home! #MNUFC
Inside of me there are two wolves.
Or: somehow my job of late is doing both of these things.
Or: somehow my job of late is doing both of these things.
A thing about AI in higher ed right now is that half of us are scrambling to deal with the implosion of our information environment that broke reading/writing/source verification, while the other half is trying to achieve a massive institutional buy-in of the very thing that's causing the implosion
November 7, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Inside of me there are two wolves.
Or: somehow my job of late is doing both of these things.
Or: somehow my job of late is doing both of these things.
This new package slaps.
Do you teach #rstats? Do your students complain about how lame and old-fashioned dplyr is? Don't worry: I have the solution for you: github.com/hadley/genzp....
genzplyr is dplyr, but bussin fr fr no cap.
genzplyr is dplyr, but bussin fr fr no cap.
GitHub - hadley/genzplyr: dplyr but make it bussin fr fr no cap
dplyr but make it bussin fr fr no cap. Contribute to hadley/genzplyr development by creating an account on GitHub.
github.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:40 AM
This new package slaps.
Fantastic explanation of St. Paul's #RankedChoiceVoting reallocation process inside.
eg: "...voted for Chen first, Hilborn second, Dullinger third & Koahly fourth. Their ballot would effectively “transfer” from Chen to Hilborn, then from Hilborn to Dullinger, finally from Dullinger to Kaohly."
eg: "...voted for Chen first, Hilborn second, Dullinger third & Koahly fourth. Their ballot would effectively “transfer” from Chen to Hilborn, then from Hilborn to Dullinger, finally from Dullinger to Kaohly."
How Koahly Her surpassed Melvin Carter to win the mayor's race, even after landing just 34% of all precincts on the first ballot. Key take-aways: she gained 10 percentage points as other challengers fell, and split downtown. www.twincities.com/2025/11/05/r...
Ranked choice voting: How Kaohly Her surpassed Melvin Carter
Carter won 66% of the city’s precincts and was the top vote-getter with 41% of the vote, but still lost the race after ballot reallocation.
www.twincities.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Fantastic explanation of St. Paul's #RankedChoiceVoting reallocation process inside.
eg: "...voted for Chen first, Hilborn second, Dullinger third & Koahly fourth. Their ballot would effectively “transfer” from Chen to Hilborn, then from Hilborn to Dullinger, finally from Dullinger to Kaohly."
eg: "...voted for Chen first, Hilborn second, Dullinger third & Koahly fourth. Their ballot would effectively “transfer” from Chen to Hilborn, then from Hilborn to Dullinger, finally from Dullinger to Kaohly."