Either Side of the Fence
This brief video compilation shows Harper’s views when he was Leader of the Opposition only just over a decade ago, and at a recent press conference. Opposition Leader Stephen Harper…
Marie Snyder
On Progress
If you’re walking towards a meeting point far away, every step is progress. But if you happened to take a wrong turn, and now you’re getting further from your meeting…
It’s Just a Joke
This week wasn’t the first time I talked to my class about the FHRITP phenomenon. But the fact that one guy lost his job and another was fined $400 has…
If I May But Touch His Garment
I went to see Chris Hedges speak last night. His words brought forth a mix of devastation and elation, with some in the congregation compelled to applaud after every few…
Sex Ed Redux
The papers are full of stories about the fight for and against new sex education legislation. Wynne seems to be holding her ground this time, though, so I’m not sure…
On Misinformation
What do we do when people build their beliefs on misinformation? At least some of the people protesting the new sex ed curriculum have some shocking ideas of what Wynne…
On Helping People Get Outraged
John Oliver’s show about surveillance is a must see: Amazing, right!?! But what sticks with me most, as a teacher and an environmentalist, is this line: “Is this a conversation…
On Final Exams
A recent article in the National Post suggests that exams are passé. Joseph Brean writes, Psychologists have a quip about IQ tests — the only thing they measure is your…
The Religious Extremism of New Atheists
I wrote a tiny blurb about this over a month ago. This one is much longer and leans heavily on solid arguments from many critics – letting their words speak…
On Free Speech and Safe Spaces
Pathologizing disagreement is an intellectually dishonest way to cope with challenging arguments. It certainly doesn’t support critical thinking. It also creates a culture wherein people are afraid to express dissenting…
Criminalizing Protest
Now, legitimate protest is under threat once again. Not just overseas, in some far-off dictatorship with cockroach-infested prisons, but here, where the divide is economic and political and increasingly bitter.…
On Teaching Topics Instead of Subjects
Finland’s got one of the best education systems in the world. But it doesn’t follow that every idea they have is necessarily and entirely a good idea. And this newest…
Changing the Curriculum
Months ago, Kathleen Wynne proposed guidelines for sex ed in Ontario, and many parents are still furious. A group called Campaign Life Coalition has put quite a spin on it…
The Danger of New Atheists
I’ll be busy for the next few weeks, so this will be quick, but something I’ve been looking at in depth is a total take-down of the Sam Harris style…
This Changes Nothing
The US Senate voted that climate change is real, and many of my Facebook friends are celebrating. But I don’t think they actually read beyond the headlines on this one.…
The Post In Which I Get Cranky on Climate Change
When people talk about the effects of climate change, they often worry about water burying some prized beach-front real estate, but an article in Thursday’s Guardian, “Seven ways climate change…
On Words and Virtue
Scott Long wrote an excellent article separating the act of supporting free speech from the act of supporting the words and images created by Charlie Hebdo. But I disagree with…
On Restricting Free Speech
“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” – Evelyn Beatrice Hall I’m not so sure I agree with Ms.…
On Chomsky’s Driving Forces in US Foreign Policy
On Chomsky’s “Driving Forces in US Foreign Policy.” This talk is from last summer, but it just caught up to me now. I’ve summarized bits of the 2-hour long talk…
On Acting Nice
I’ve been watching lots of movies and thinking about this bit from Aristotle: “But we get the virtues by having first performed the energies, as is the case also in…