Brian Goldstein
@bgoldst.bsky.social
Urban & architectural historian at Swarthmore. Writing: If Architecture Were for People: The Life and Work of J. Max Bond Jr. Wrote: The Roots of Urban Renaissance: Gentrification and the Struggle Over Harlem. Architecture & race, cities, baseball, jazz.
Pinned
Brian Goldstein
@bgoldst.bsky.social
· Nov 22
New to the party, and finding friends I haven’t seen on social media since 2022! Seems like a decent party to wander into.
For new folks: I’m a historian of architecture and planning, writing a book about architect J. Max Bond Jr. I also sometimes post about the Cincinnati Reds and records. 🤷🏻♂️
For new folks: I’m a historian of architecture and planning, writing a book about architect J. Max Bond Jr. I also sometimes post about the Cincinnati Reds and records. 🤷🏻♂️
Jewel just glitched and sang the "Dreams last for so long
Even after you're gone" verse twice in a row in the Macy's parade (more likely, the lip sync track glitched).
Even after you're gone" verse twice in a row in the Macy's parade (more likely, the lip sync track glitched).
November 27, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Jewel just glitched and sang the "Dreams last for so long
Even after you're gone" verse twice in a row in the Macy's parade (more likely, the lip sync track glitched).
Even after you're gone" verse twice in a row in the Macy's parade (more likely, the lip sync track glitched).
One of your favorite architectural historians got to opine about the Stahl House for a good long time on yesterday’s BBC Newshour. My spot starts at the 39:40 mark. Take a listen! www.bbc.com/audio/play/w...
BBC Audio | Newshour | Ukraine calls for Trump-Zelensky meeting in US this week
But Ukraine's leader wants European leaders to participate in the meeting over peace deal
www.bbc.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:56 PM
One of your favorite architectural historians got to opine about the Stahl House for a good long time on yesterday’s BBC Newshour. My spot starts at the 39:40 mark. Take a listen! www.bbc.com/audio/play/w...
This is really intriguing bc I'm sure McCrery's reluctance is driven in part by the critiques of architects in general--who are calling into question his chops--and his fellow Classicists on the conservative end, who *also* have asked if he is following the rules, so to speak. wapo.st/4prs3HI
Trump wants a bigger White House ballroom. His architect disagrees.
The president and James McCrery had argued in recent weeks over the project’s size, with Trump pushing him to expand the ballroom.
wapo.st
November 26, 2025 at 6:57 PM
This is really intriguing bc I'm sure McCrery's reluctance is driven in part by the critiques of architects in general--who are calling into question his chops--and his fellow Classicists on the conservative end, who *also* have asked if he is following the rules, so to speak. wapo.st/4prs3HI
Come for the discussion of weak connecting lines between letters, stay for the closing (critical) quotes from the owner of a conservatives-only design firm, which I’ll admit I found a totally fascinating idea.
From fancy fonts to gilded accents, President Trump has made it part of his domestic agenda to do an extensive redecorating spree around the White House.
Design experts read the writing on the Oval Office wall:
Design experts read the writing on the Oval Office wall:
What’s going on with Trump’s gold ‘Oval Office’ sign?
We asked design experts to read the writing on the White House wall and tell us what they see
www.washingtonpost.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Come for the discussion of weak connecting lines between letters, stay for the closing (critical) quotes from the owner of a conservatives-only design firm, which I’ll admit I found a totally fascinating idea.
If we can just keep her busy with her bumbling then she can neither ruin the Smithsonian nor succeed in further weaponizing the DOJ.
Lindsey Halligan, who brought the cases, is a former insurance attorney who once served as President Trump's personal lawyer before his return to office. n.pr/3LUfu9z
Judge tosses Comey, James cases after finding prosecutor unlawfully appointed
Lindsey Halligan, who brought the cases, is a former insurance attorney who once served as President Trump's personal lawyer before his return to office.
n.pr
November 24, 2025 at 6:12 PM
If we can just keep her busy with her bumbling then she can neither ruin the Smithsonian nor succeed in further weaponizing the DOJ.
I'm going to be buying some old-fashioned "groceries" this very weekend, as it happens!
Trump on Mamdani: "We had some interesting conversation and some of his ideas are really the same ideas that I have. But a big thing on cost. The new word is 'affordability.' Another word is just 'groceries.' It's sort of an old fashioned word but it's very accurate."
November 21, 2025 at 9:14 PM
I'm going to be buying some old-fashioned "groceries" this very weekend, as it happens!
This was perhaps the stupidest thing to come out of all the architecture messing around so far (not saying it's worse than tearing down the East Wing, but in terms of pure idiocy it's hard to top).
The Trump administration will freeze potential plans to paint the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, granting a temporary victory to historic preservation groups who sued to block renovation of the 137-year-old building.
Trump administration agrees not to paint the Eisenhower building before 2026
Historic preservationist groups asked for a preliminary injunction to stop the government from making any changes to the building without undergoing a standard review process.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:18 AM
This was perhaps the stupidest thing to come out of all the architecture messing around so far (not saying it's worse than tearing down the East Wing, but in terms of pure idiocy it's hard to top).
The Crimson has a long history of being awesome. A funny coincidence nearly twenty-five years later is that the reporter who covered the Summers presidential pick back in 2021 was @vermontgmg.bsky.social. www.thecrimson.com/article/2001...
November 20, 2025 at 5:14 AM
The Crimson has a long history of being awesome. A funny coincidence nearly twenty-five years later is that the reporter who covered the Summers presidential pick back in 2021 was @vermontgmg.bsky.social. www.thecrimson.com/article/2001...
Thanks for sharing, @wayneb.bsky.social! Elizabeth's essay is awesome and very fun ("Pet Pourri" alone counts as fun).
LA palette cleanse: really great graphic design deep dive into the Ruscha Sunset archive by @goodspeed.bsky.social focusing on the evolution of the signage
www.sunsetoversunset.org/stories/signs
www.sunsetoversunset.org/stories/signs
Sunset Over Sunset
Explore the histories of Los Angeles's iconic Sunset Boulevard through the photographs of artist Ed Ruscha.
www.sunsetoversunset.org
November 20, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Thanks for sharing, @wayneb.bsky.social! Elizabeth's essay is awesome and very fun ("Pet Pourri" alone counts as fun).
Was he ashamed before he got caught?
Breaking news: Former Democratic treasury secretary Larry Summers is “deeply ashamed” of his years-long communication with Jeffrey Epstein and will be “stepping back from public commitments,” he said in a statement Monday night.
Larry Summers stepping back from ‘public commitments’ over Epstein emails
A longtime Democratic adviser, Summers has had significant influence over economic policymaking for decades.
wapo.st
November 18, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Was he ashamed before he got caught?
Not at all the point here but WHAT IS UP WITH THESE GLASSES???? So much of this administration feels like a movie with miscast roles yet they are just forging ahead with it.
November 17, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Not at all the point here but WHAT IS UP WITH THESE GLASSES???? So much of this administration feels like a movie with miscast roles yet they are just forging ahead with it.
The most interesting thing about the House Epstein vote at this point is how illustrative it is of the absolute and pitiful fealty of House Republicans to Trump. "Vote against it." "Yes, sir." "No, vote for it." "Okay, sir."
November 17, 2025 at 5:21 PM
The most interesting thing about the House Epstein vote at this point is how illustrative it is of the absolute and pitiful fealty of House Republicans to Trump. "Vote against it." "Yes, sir." "No, vote for it." "Okay, sir."
This is super cool, and a building known to anyone who has spent time in Harvard Square (picture follows in thread). Incidentally, Paul Rudolph used to have an office across the street, at 26 Church Street.
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
23 Church St. Lights Up After Restoration of Historic Light Fixtures | News | The Harvard Crimson
After nearly 80 years in the dark, 23 Church St. lit up Friday with the restoration of historic lights on the exterior of the art deco-style building.
www.thecrimson.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:37 PM
This is super cool, and a building known to anyone who has spent time in Harvard Square (picture follows in thread). Incidentally, Paul Rudolph used to have an office across the street, at 26 Church Street.
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
Do it for those of us without representation!
Call the United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and they will connect you with your senator's office.
If you're represented by one of the squishier centrists, be sure to make a call. Now.
If you're represented by one of the squishier centrists, be sure to make a call. Now.
Sounds like the squishes in the senate caucus are ready to pull the plug with no ACA changes. This is real. If you want to register your opinion you shld call yr senator in the next hour. They not only want to reopen w/nothing. They want cover from their colleagues who still want to hold out.
November 9, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Do it for those of us without representation!
This actually isn't difficult: the Democratic Party should have an Affordability, Opposing Authoritarianism, and Protecting Democracy vision. And the candidates who pursue that will look different in different regions of the country, as would be expected.
November 9, 2025 at 3:27 PM
This actually isn't difficult: the Democratic Party should have an Affordability, Opposing Authoritarianism, and Protecting Democracy vision. And the candidates who pursue that will look different in different regions of the country, as would be expected.
Sleepy Don dozes through it. wapo.st/4oTia5k
A closer look at Trump’s apparent struggles to fight off sleep in the Oval Office
A Washington Post analysis of multiple video feeds found that Trump spent nearly 20 minutes battling to keep his eyes open at a recent Oval Office event.
wapo.st
November 8, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Sleepy Don dozes through it. wapo.st/4oTia5k
Reposted by Brian Goldstein
Finally as the excellent Paul here points out, they all talked a lot about affordability! bsky.app/profile/ange...
Also Spanberger’s victory speech sure was about affordability including many of the same issues advocated by Mamdani, including with Virginia’s centrality in data center/energy conversation!
November 5, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Finally as the excellent Paul here points out, they all talked a lot about affordability! bsky.app/profile/ange...
Reposted by Brian Goldstein
1,173 days
November 5, 2025 at 1:24 PM
1,173 days
Reposted by Brian Goldstein
2b) you could say all three had the same strategy, which was “running the campaign that works in your jurisdiction.”
November 5, 2025 at 1:15 PM
2b) you could say all three had the same strategy, which was “running the campaign that works in your jurisdiction.”
First mayor of New York City to actually live in New York City since 2021!
November 5, 2025 at 3:44 AM
First mayor of New York City to actually live in New York City since 2021!
As much as I'm thrilled by the youthful surge for Mamdani, I've also been impressed by the large number of older adults who are also excited about him. Doesn't fit the media's narrative but there are a lot of older folks who are inspired by young people's enthusiasm.
November 5, 2025 at 2:23 AM
As much as I'm thrilled by the youthful surge for Mamdani, I've also been impressed by the large number of older adults who are also excited about him. Doesn't fit the media's narrative but there are a lot of older folks who are inspired by young people's enthusiasm.
They’re rich jerks too, they just happened to find their gravy train on the blue side. Schumer would probably announce his impending move to Florida if he could.
I had thought most of my naive idealism had been stomped out of me by now, but it’s amazing to me that this level of public animosity could be directed by Democratic leadership toward a sweet and personable young candidate of their own party seemingly exclusively because of his background.
Q: It's election day in NYC. Did you vote for Mamdani or Cuomo?
Schumer: "Look, I voted, and I look forward to working with the next mayor to help NYC."
Schumer: "Look, I voted, and I look forward to working with the next mayor to help NYC."
November 4, 2025 at 11:18 PM
They’re rich jerks too, they just happened to find their gravy train on the blue side. Schumer would probably announce his impending move to Florida if he could.
I love election day every year, even when it's an off year and I have nothing to vote for. There's always optimism in seeing the results come in.
November 4, 2025 at 10:29 PM
I love election day every year, even when it's an off year and I have nothing to vote for. There's always optimism in seeing the results come in.
The jilted Nobel Prize wannabe goes berserk with war
President Trump said he ordered the Defense Department to prepare for potential strikes in Nigeria, an escalation to pressure the West African country’s government over its alleged failure to stop the persecution of Christians.
Trump threatens potential military action in Nigeria, says aid will cease
The move is an escalation in the president’s campaign against the West African country’s government over allegedly failing to protect Christians.
wapo.st
November 2, 2025 at 4:33 PM
The jilted Nobel Prize wannabe goes berserk with war