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.
Science fiction author: "I have created this extremely alien alien."
Biologists: "We have an insect that does that."
We heard anecdotally that Canadians weren’t visiting the states, now we have the data. A massive, shocking drop.
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.
https://crookedtimber.org/2025/03/25/occasional-paper-the-suplex-bird/
In London...
@sundogplanets
I'd say freezing rain is worse, although also pretty.
@kjhealy I wrote my PhD diss on an Atari 520ST; sadly I didn't keep it.
@kjhealy
Do you have one of these? If not, why not?
French civil engineer Charles Joseph Minard was born #OTD 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
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: https://elections.ca/content2.aspx?section=job&document=index&lang=e
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.
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
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.
“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
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.
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.