Discriminatory engineers?
One of my undergraduate classmates linked to an article on a recent Alberta Human Rights Commission tribunal finding that Alberta’s professional association for engineers (APEGA, formerly APEGGA – which it’s…
Ian
Free Ukraine
I won’t claim to be well-enough versed to provide any deep commentary on the deteriorating situation in Ukraine. Despite a truce between protesters and the government, more violence and bloodshed…
You can’t get experience if you don’t have a job…
There was a PSA on TV in Canada in the 90s, which looped “you can’t get a job if you don’t have experience… you can’t get experience if you don’t…
Is the Humanist brand dying?
It’s no secret that the term humanism (or secular humanism) have never really taken off. Simply ask a random sampling of people on the street and you’ll likely be met…
Supreme Court strikes down Canada’s prostitution laws
A few weeks ago I did a “mini-cruise” to Amsterdam. We spent two nights on a ferry (which was really a small cruise ship) and had about 6 hours to…
So are atheists being censored in Vancouver?
Last week I meant to add a note that the Centre for Inquiry Canada has issued a press release about the fact that Pattison Outdoor Advertising had rejected their fairly…
UK has “Systemic Discrimination” against freethinkers
Indi at Canadian Atheist brought the IHEU’s 2013 Freedom of Thought Report to my attention and has already done a brilliant summary of the issues facing Canada. Very shortly he’ll…
BC public schools continue to permit Christian Evangelism in classrooms
During my work with the BC Humanist Association last year, we managed to help raise awareness of how the longstanding tradition of Gideon’s distributing Bibles to grade 5 students continued…
The Coin-Change Problem
Since moving to the UK, I’ve been interested in what’s called the "coin-change problem." Simply put, it comes down to what is the best set of coins that minimizes the…
Costco “undermines Christianity”
The famed warehouse superstore, also known for raising the ire of Fox News pundits for treating it’s employees decently and generally being on the right side of history, is now…
I say interesting things
I’ve submitted a piece to the Pod Delusion, the partner podcast of the British Humanist Association. It’s a podcast about interesting things. You can find me speaking about the Sunday…
It’s time for elected local education authorities in Britain
There is a lot to learn coming from Canada about the complicated education system serving England and Wales. Differences abound from the widespread use of uniforms, to near-universal behavioural challenges,…
Scientific Misogynistic
While I usually ignore and skip YouTube ads as quickly as possible, the one I just saw was too ridiculous(ly offensive) to not skip. Well, at least until “Ben” complained…
Today’s required readings on revolution
Following his manifesto for a revolution, Russell Brand received ample praise and criticism, which he explores in a piece in yesterday’s Guardian. I think he makes a lot of good…
Woo and health charities
Charities and non-profits operate under tough conditions. There is never enough funding, staff, or expertise to achieve perfection and the demands from clients, donors, and funders often force the charity…
Tonight we launch an atheist church
It’s been a busy few days as we close in on the launch of Sunday Assembly Leeds, the atheist church that isn’t purely atheist or really a church. We’ve had…
The first rule of comedy: Aim up
Last night in Vancouver comedian Ian Harris came to town as part of his “Critical & Thinking” Tour. The show has been promoted by the BC Humanist Association and other…
Same old politics or revolution?
Progressives are buzzing after British comedian-turned-revolutionary Russell Brand released his revolutionary manifesto as guest editor of the latest issue of New Statesman and went on an anti-capitalist rant when interviewed…
Vancouver too expensive, not over-taxed
It must be easy to write right-wing anti-tax screeds when you don’t have to actually research any facts. Take for example, this new piece in the Vancouver Sun which blames…
Albertans choose progressive mayors
After a surprise victory in the 2010 purple wave, Naheed Nenshi became one of Canada’s most popular mayors during his handling of severe floods in Calgary earlier this year. Few…