From this anxiety of imitation, it is a short step to seeking authenticity in texts from the past, even if one of those texts is itself a modern imitation. The effect is further magnified by a narrowly instrumental education, the shrinking of public debate, the subservience of media to business
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In This Corner: Stuff happens, week 21: The truth comes out; goodbye Sepp; hello, Caitlyn
The long-awaited Truth and Reconciliation Commission summary report on residential schools came out Tuesday, detailing the “cultural genocide” practiced by various Canadian governments against the First Nations. The report — actually, the summary report, with the full report coming later — made a staggering 94 recommendations, some of which make
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: Out of Touch and Out of Water
John Klein: Behold the editors of the Leader-Post: Originally posted on John Klein – Regina: I was frankly surprised that the Leader-Post actually brought up climate change in their editorial that is otherwise a little out of touch. It would have been nice if they interviewed Dave Sauchyn. I learned
Continue readingSketchy Thoughts: The Deep State: Germany, Immigration, and the National Socialist Underground
A weakness of large parts of the “left” opposition and the radical Left becomes apparent: after the pogroms of the early ’90s many abandoned the working class as a revolutionary force. They could therefore only turn to “civil society” and thus ultimately the state as an ally against the Nazis.
Continue readingSketchy Thoughts: Ideology and Practices (publicautonomy.org)
Some examples? Let’s start with something — an opinion or claim — that is not ideology, even though it might seem to be. Here’s one: “Canada is a democratic society that treats its citizens fairly.” It may be bullshit, but it’s not ideology. The ideology is this: that one barely
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: ConCalls: Documentary Underway
I was interviewed for the E-Day documentary film being wrapped up this Summer. What’d I say? You’ll have to wait until it’s been all put together. I can’t wait! https://t.co/vXIDfiLnwi Inky Mark running in #elxn42 as an Independent http://t.co/ZCvw2lX8Kg #votersuppression https://t.co/YJ73Qu4IIL — @EDayFilm (@edayfilm) June 4, 2015 Road trip video
Continue readingSketchy Thoughts: Elon Musk’s growing empire is fueled by $4.9 billion in government subsidies
Tesla Motors Inc., SolarCity Corp. and Space Exploration Technologies Corp., known as SpaceX, together have benefited from an estimated $4.9 billion in government support, according to data compiled by The Times. The figure underscores a common theme running through his emerging empire: a public-private financing model underpinning long-shot start-ups. http://ift.tt/1AFdypZ
Continue readingSketchy Thoughts: Grandstanding
grand·stand??ran(d)?stand/ verb derogatorygerund or present participle: grandstandingseek to attract applause or favorable attention from spectators or the media.“they accused him of political grandstanding” Just saying: i think there is a connection between neocolonialism as the current phase of global relations, and grandstanding as a personal practice within the multicultural middle class.
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: Alberta Getting a Climate Change Plan?
If they enact what is known to be good policy, but the previous government was afraid to do, that’d be a start anyway. I found it interesting that the newspaper had at least 1 line of comment from many minor party leaders, yet nothing from the PCs! They even had
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: This is Your Daily Economic Action Plan Reminder
Canada is not a Petrostate, I repeat, Canada is Not a Petrostate. There is no evidence that Canada places more value on oil than democracy. Remember, don’t “attack the Canadian economy” by speaking against economic activity you disagree with. RCMP officer to C-51 protester: "when the demo's down, you become
Continue readingTaylorOwen.com: Article in Foreign Affairs
I have an article in Foreign Affairs on the governance challenge posed by algorithmic decision making: The Violence of Algorithms
Continue readingTaylorOwen.com: Article in San Fransisco Chronicle
The following was in the San Fransisco Chronicle, on May 1 Why the U.S. should but won’t partner with hactivists Anonymous For a barbaric movement grounded in early Islamic apocalyptic prophecies, what is perhaps most striking about the rapid rise of the Islamic State has been its use of modern
Continue readingLeft Over: The Fundamental(ist) Reasons for It All…..
Rise of the ‘precariat,’ the global scourge of precarious jobs Barely one in four of the global workforce has a stable job, UN reports By Brian Stewart, CBC News Posted: Jun 01, 2015 5:00 AM ET Last Updated: Jun 01, 2015 8:36 AM ET Back in the 7-‘s, when i was
Continue readingParchment in the Fire: Greece in Suspended Animation
Professor Leo Panitch on the state of Greece’s debt negotiations with the Troika, from The Real News Network. Filed under: Uncategorized
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: Just Not Ready To Debate
Who's not ready??? #cdnpoli #GPC pic.twitter.com/Beuw1DUacQ — Elizabeth May MP (@ElizabethMay) May 29, 2015 *Zing Also, Goodbye Peter MacKay: Good news everyone! Peter MacKay or Conservative polling indicated that MacKay wouldn’t have held his seat! And/Or he’s got a cushy private job lined up with a bank. And I wish
Continue readingIn This Corner: Stuff Happens, week 20: red card for FIFA; love-in for NDP; McKay out
The week began with a love-in at the legislature, as Rachel Notley and her puny cabinet were sworn in on a beautiful sunny day in Edmonton. The crowd was huge and wildly enthusiastic, more evidence that the love affair with Notley remains in full bloom. She also introduced her cabinet,
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: The Establishment And Your Phone
In the good old days, Canada’s spy agencies were not supposed to spy on Canadians. Government departments are also supposed to benefit from their research into vulnerabilities in computer systems, because holes can be closed. CSE was, according to The CBC, and The Intercept, intentionally not filling holes it found
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: Something to live for: HBO and sex
John Klein: Mike got to stay at the Surf Motel, one last first time. http://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=574288&binId=1.1180928&playlistPageNum=1&fb_ref=Default Originally posted on The Big Diseasey: Believe me, I’m as surprised as you are. My health, my energy and my spirits are so up-and-down I really don’t know how I’m doing anymore. In the past
Continue readingMelissa Fong: Henry Yu on #WhiteSupremacy in Canada
"Canada had a history of #WhiteSupremacy similar to South Africa-building its immigration policy around White Canada" pic.twitter.com/wcNdWGogqZ — Melissa Fong (@internationalmf) May 25, 2015 "Canada had a history of #WhiteSupremacy […]
Continue readingLeft Over: Adblock is Adhoc Answer to the Ugly Ad Dilemma
AdBlock Plus mobile browser could devastate publishers About 215 million people will use ad block services on their computers by June, company estimates CBC News Posted: May 25, 2015 5:00 AM ET Last Updated: May 25, 2015 5:17 AM ET Twenty-four hours after Ad Block Plus launched its Android browser
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