Jim Conley

I’m a retired Trent University sociologist, interested in French pragmatic sociology (Boltanski, Thévenot, Latour, et al.), urban mobilities, STS, environment, social movements. I cycle, cross-country ski, and volunteer at a community bike shop, where I love rebuilding vintage donated bikes. Terrified by climate change. Being retired means I get to read more novels.

Jim Conley boosted:
2025-04-27
Jim Conley boosted:
2025-04-11

Science fiction author: "I have created this extremely alien alien."

Biologists: "We have an insect that does that."

Jim Conley boosted:
2025-04-04
Jim Conley boosted:
Tod Maffin 🇨🇦tod@hci.social
2025-04-03

We heard anecdotally that Canadians weren’t visiting the states, now we have the data. A massive, shocking drop.

2025-03-30

Delightful and informative:

Occasional paper: The Suplex Bird by Doug Muir on March 25, 2025.
Today I’d like to talk about that delightful little companion of field and garden: the shrike.

crookedtimber.org/2025/03/25/o

#birds #shrike

Jim Conley boosted:
Stefan H., born at 322 ppmvdufthummel@digitalcourage.social
2025-03-30

In London...

2025-03-29

@sundogplanets
I'd say freezing rain is worse, although also pretty.

Red rose hips covered in ice, with a centimetre-long icicles hanging from them.
2025-03-29

@kjhealy I wrote my PhD diss on an Atari 520ST; sadly I didn't keep it.

2025-03-28

@kjhealy
Do you have one of these? If not, why not?

Jim Conley boosted:
In the photo, you can see a beautiful and elegant crow perched on a tree branch. Its black plumage shimmers in the rays of light, contrasting with the blurred background of the green forest of moss-covered trees.
Jim Conley boosted:
Robert McNeesmcnees
2025-03-27

French civil engineer Charles Joseph Minard was born in 1781. He was known for his contributions to information graphics, including his famous map of the losses suffered by Napoleon during the 1812 Russian campaign.

Writing about Minard's map, Edward Tufte said “It may well be the best statistical graphic ever drawn.”

Image: Charles Minard / Public domain

Minard’s map famously encodes multiple streams of data describing Napoleon’s disastrous 1812 Russia campaign. A thick beige, which grows narrower from the left edge (Europe) to the right edge (Moscow) of the image, shows the number of troops making up Napoleon’s force. A black line that narrows from right to left across the page shows the same number on the return journey. A plot at the bottom shows temperature on the journey, and numerous other piece of information are inscribed on the map.
Jim Conley boosted:
Cameron MacLeodc_9@mstdn.ca
2025-03-25

Did you know Elections Canada hires hundreds in each riding across the country to work during the election? Poll workers are needed for advance voting days, and many many more are needed Election Day April 28.

Pay starts at $20/hour (for a long day!), and training is paid too.

If you’re freelance, between jobs, or even want to take a vacation day off your regular job if you have that option… your local returning officer may have something for you!

Learn more: elections.ca/content2.aspx?sec

#elxn45

Jim Conley boosted:
2025-03-23

We have viewed you as our closest friend and ally for a century. We thought of you as brothers and sisters. We answered the call, again and again, for any support you needed from us. Most of Canadians visit the USA so much that we've seen more of the US than we have the rest of Canada.

American products have been taken off our shelves. Canadians are cancelling travel plans to the US. Photo after photo has been shared on social media of empty flights from Canada to the USA.

This isn't a joke to us. We're not overreacting. We don't think he's just saying this shit to cause chaos or negotiate a deal. We wholeheartedly believe that our closest ally and friend is about to bring violence across our border, economically destroy us, and eliminate our way of life.

The main driver for Canada's creation in 1867 was SPECIFICALLY to not be part of America, and to end America's very public threats and plans to annex our territory.

We're angry. We're really, really fucking angry. Open your eyes to what's happening because we're tired of trying to make you understand why and asking you why it seems like none of you care. **

I still hope that there is time to repair this. I still believe that this is the result of one man's plan to burn it all down. But time is running out, and fast.

Jim Conley boosted:
2025-03-20

Before spring there are days like these;
Under the dense snow the meadow rests,
The trees merrily, drily rustle,
And the warm wind is tender and supple.
And the body marvels at its lightness,
And you don’t recognize your own house,
And that song you were tired of before,
You sing like a new one, with deep emotion.

- Anna Akhmatova

#poetry

Jim Conley boosted:
Paul Bassett Daviesthewritertype@mastodonapp.uk
2025-03-18

Don’t become the victim of a phone scammer. It’s easy to fall for a hoax, and in a shocking recent case the president of the United States was duped by a Russian phone scammer named Putin who persuaded him to part with power, sovereignty, and the last remaining shreds of American integrity. Tragic.

Jim Conley boosted:
A pair of baby Nile geese eat grass on the shore of a small lake.
Jim Conley boosted:
2025-03-15

“Canada is actively looking at potential alternatives to the U.S-built F-35 stealth fighter and will hold conversations with rival aircraft makers, Defence Minister Bill Blair said late Friday, just hours after being reappointed to the post as part of Prime Minister #MarkCarney 's new cabinet.” #Canada

cbc.ca/news/politics/f35-blair

Jim Conley boosted:
2025-03-11

I find it baffling that Musk‘s eugenicist world view is almost completely missing from the coverage of his political actions. Why does he hate USAID & is willing to cause deaths? Because he only views certain people worthy of life and dignity. It’s not a mystery. It’s out there for all of us to see.

Jim Conley boosted:
2025-03-11

If anyone is wondering why Canadians are all saying, "Elbows Up!", it's a hockey reference. When the other team is playing dirty you put your elbows up, fight back, and stand up for yourself and your team.

Trump has united Canadians behind Team Canada. Our elbows are up. Trump and his minions will deeply regret playing dirty with us.

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