November 2025
So this is happening
https://octopusbooks.ca/events/3862420251202?fbclid=IwdGRjcAOEbWNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeI5foZGD-a0XCKLdkam2D4_jDXFx5xkeOBf2p1Tb-J_S405JxJCGQDkg0t4k_aem_xZQKyn8mwPkN6yisgcxWDw
Alberta Bound?
Whether your answer is "yes" or '"no" to the title question will likely depend upon your political sensibilities, values, and capacity for discernment. The following ad, from a group called…
Today’s News: Opinions about Carney’s Major Projects from the At Issue panel and other Canadians, plus other projects and a good Carney interview
Prime Minister Carney announced another group of Major Projects today - here's a gift link to the Globe and Mail Project Map page. And here's what the CBC At Issue…
Canada’s latest defence daydream
Army reservists during routine training. Photo courtesy Canadian Armed Forces. Talk of war is in the air—at least among senior defence officials. Brigadier-General Brendan Cook, the Royal Canadi...
AI exploitation
This video illustrates how AI is used to spread disinformation. YouTube (Google), Facebook, TikTok, and other social media sites facilitate the publication of falsehoods. It’s all about generating money from…
The Charter Is Far More Complex Than This
So, over at Macleans, we have an opinion writer who thinks the Notwithstanding Clause (S33) is a "Good Thing". The author largely is making the argument that "too much power…
The “oil” sands—an artificial market
I believe in free markets—in their place. That place is when they best serve the... The post The “oil” sands—an artificial market first appeared on Views from the Beltline.
Thursday Morning Links
This and that for your Thursday reading.- Prem Sikka discusses how any prospect of meaningful change for the better depends on prying power out of the hands of the wealthiest…
Globe and Mail Letter
Please see my letter to the editor in today’s Globe and Mail, in which I take issue with political scientist David Moscrop’s defence of the act of floor-crossing: Cross out…
The Cognitive Bandwidth Effect: How AI Is Changing the Way We Think
We are living through a quiet revolution in thought. As humans learn to think with machines rather than through them, the process of meaning-making itself is changing. The boundary between…
Cost reductions = quality of healthcare reductions
"Over the past 40 years, many health-care systems that were once publicly owned or financed have moved towards privatising their services, primarily through outsourcing to the private sector. But what…
Today’s News: Shooting themselves in the foot – Poilievre, the NDP, Danielle Smith, Chuck Schumer, Trump, and a robot
Today I saw several stories about people - mostly politicians - shooting themselves in the foot by doing something stupid and then wondering why they were limping. Enjoy! Poilievre He…
Devin Dreeshen, UCP transportation minister, has a plan to make Alberta’s highways even more dangerous
There’s no question Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen will make Alberta’s highways deadlier with his plan to raise speed limits in several locations. He’s already made them more dangerous with his…
Myth and Motivation: On Dopamine
There are contradicting views and explanations of what dopamine is and does and how much we can intentionally affect it. However, the commonly heard notions of scrolling for dopamine hits,…
The view from Nova Scotia: sorry, Pierre
HALIFAX – In Ottawa, the political centre of all things, Chris d’Entremont is a super big deal. In Nova Scotia, the province from which d’Entremont hails? Not so much, bud.…
Wednesday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material for your mid-week reading.- Daniel Drache and Marc Froese offer a reminder that we know all too well what a Donald Trump "trade deal" looks like - making…
Finding Atrocity-Free Technology is Easy
Large technology companies have been selling their software to countries and other organizations that commit violations of human rights. Sometimes the tech companies just cut off agreements and data access…
Floor Crossing Is Part Of Democracy
Nova Scotia MP Chris D’Entremont’s floor crossing last week has put the Conservatives into a bit of a tizzy. When the roles were reversed, they were positively gleeful. Unfortunately for…