These AI detection programs are starting to look an awful lot like fire extinguishers sold by arsonists
Michael Rancic
@therewasnosound.bsky.social
arts & culture journalist co-founder @newfeelingcoop.bsky.social writing a book about the history of electronic music in so-called canada for @invisibooks.bsky.social
there is no such thing as "age verification." All "age verification" is actually "identity verification." You can coat it in glitter and "privacy-preserving" wrapping paper. But in the end, mandating age verification means mandating surveillance be built into software and hardware. Period.
my dad's a conspiracy theorist, but only about "updates" that he's subjected to on his phone or computer.
“Every noise act that I can think of—even if it is just someone [standing] behind a laptop—has this feeling of intimacy and physical proximity [...] You can do a DIY space, somebody’s kitchen – or a cathedral [...] It’s almost like a devotional experience.” www.newfeeling.ca/bespoke-devo...
Bespoke Devotional
Montreal's Amarior invokes vengeance and forgiveness in radiant noise
newfeeling.ca
Only $951 left in our fundraising campaign to fight the lawsuit we're facing! Let's finish this off today. To give: www.thegrindmag.ca/support-the-...
Former Polaris juror @therewasnosound.bsky.social has launched their new book, 'A History of Electronic Music in Canada from 1945 to 1985' via @invisibooks.bsky.social.
New ruling released today re Bill 212. Documents commissioned by the province and obtained throughout the litigation process estimated removing the lanes would increase collisions by 54 per cent for road users without reducing congestion. #onpoli for @nationalobserver.com
Ontario’s highest court gives Ford government power to remove Toronto bike lanes
The Court of Appeal ruled Friday that Bill 212 is “the sort of decision legislatures make routinely without attracting any concerns about the constitutionality of their actions.”
nationalobserver.com
I wrote about TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA for @flmfrkcentral.bsky.social filmfreakcentral.net/2026/08/teen...
Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma (2026) - FILM FREAK CENTRAL
***/****starring Hannah Einbinder, Gillian Anderson, Jack Haven, Patrick Fischlerwritten and directed by Jane Schoenbrun by Angelo Muredda “You talk about it so academically,” reclusive actress Billy ...
filmfreakcentral.net
the perennial focus on arson or intentional fires is a distraction from the main driver of increased fire activity: climate change. it's tempting to believe individual pyromaniacs are responsible because looking at systemic causes would require us, as a country, to stop investing in pipelines.
The Narwhal@thenarwhal.ca · 3d ago'We’re in uncharted territory. There is no historical analog for this kind of rapid increase in fire activity.' In the last decade, more area has burned in B.C. than in the preceding 67 years. Professor Mike Flannigan explains why: thenarwhal.ca/bc-wildfires...
It's interesting. Earlier in the verdict they say the court has no interest if bike lanes are good or bad, etc, but here they are making a value judgement based on....their own bad common sense
ℳatt@matttomic.bsky.social · 3d agoThe judge's ruling cites "common sense" as the reason that adding more lanes eases congestion IT DOESN'T!! THERE'S AN ENTIRE FIELD OF STUDY AROUND THIS VERY TOPIC!! WE'VE KNOWN ABOUT THIS SINCE, LIKE, THE 1960s!!
![[59] The question, then, is this: is there a rational connection between the purpose of reducing traffic congestion and the decision to increase the number of lanes for motor vehicles by removing bicycle lanes? The respondents were required to establish that there was no such connection. The appellants were not required to establish that the legislation will prove effective in reducing traffic congestion.
[60] Common sense provides the answer here: increasing the number of lanes available for motor vehicles must, at least to some extent, and for some period of time, be capable of contributing to reducing traffic congestion. The legislation is therefore rational. Assumptions grounded in everyday experience and common sense need not be established empirically: Gosselin v. Québec (Attorney General), 2002 SCC 84, [2002] 4 S.C.R. 429, at para. 56.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:bumu6s332o24fppobse7j3ms/bafkreienb36anol5lhe5bysgujtctbbldmjjth6jc4cybrowrmllarjrea)
We’ve seen this government hire private detectives to snoop on consumption sites, so it’s part of the pattern of how they operate.
Lawyers for Ontario government hire private investigators to snoop on consumption sites | Watch News Videos Online
Watch Lawyers for Ontario government hire private investigators to snoop on consumption sites Video Online, on GlobalNews.ca
globalnews.ca
Digging up dirt as “opposition research” is one thing but this type of surveillance should not have a place in a democracy. This is definitely not an isolated incident.
TorontoToday@torontotoday.ca · 3d ago
Unfortunately, we've gotta acknowledge that Threads has produced one banger post.
in addition to being a carbon copy of the old silver dollar, dina's tavern has preserved the unique sense memory of never quite knowing where to stand in the venue
Benjamin Boles@benjaminboles.bsky.social · 3d agoI went to the former Silver Dollar last night, and it was a super weird experience, and I’m questioning my memories. I’m still not sure if they actually tore down the whole thing and rebuilt, or if they tore down the rest of the building and built around it. Regardless, it’s very uncanny valley
It's been a busy few months reporting on how municipalities are grappling with the rise of AI data centre proposals in Ontario. Now, we have words from Ford on how his government says it will handle the expansion of the industry. #onpoli for @nationalobserver.com
Ford to municipalities opposing data centre development: “Either we do it, or Donald Trump's going to do it”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford was in Guelph at a provincial data centre when he announced the province’s framework for its Data Centre Playbook, which is open for public comment for thirty days.
nationalobserver.com
Some news: I'm starting a blog dedicated to critical writing about Actual Play! It's called Critical Bearings, and my first post is up. I talk about my relationship to criticism, AP, the shape of current critical landscapes in Actual Play, and my hopes for this project. :)
Getting Our Critical Bearings
Welcome to Critical Bearings, a place for critical engagement with the art form of Actual Play. I’m Esther, and I love Actual Play and media criticism. My relationship with criticism began to take sh...
criticalbearings.com
We caught up with music journalist Michael Rancic, author of a new book on Canada’s contributions to electronic music, to talk about the techno side of CanCon, our national aptitude for tinkering and why turning knobs can be just as artistic as playing instruments
“It’s a lot more than twiddling knobs onstage”: Michael Rancic reveals the secret history of electronic music in Canada - Toronto Life
The journalist’s new book, A Nation of Tinkerers, celebrates the genre’s trailblazers, including mid-century visionaries at U of T
torontolife.com
Moneris, a big payments processor, is being sold to U.S. private equity. This should worry us The latest from the Globe's business commentary, by Vass Bednar: www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
Opinion: Moneris, a big payments processor, is being sold to U.S. private equity. This should worry us
The payments universe may look competitive, but it is not
theglobeandmail.com
the problem (read: amazing thing) with us is that we never *just* do anything
Emi (they/them)@queeringsmite.bsky.social · 4d agowhat I thought would happen in Draw Steel today: the party goes to a festival what actually happened: the party flirts with villains; gets caught trying to break into the baron's house; considers climbing down a chimney Santa style; jumps down a well; plans assassination
In our defence, I flirted with the villain *at the festival*, person jumped down a well *at the festival* 😌
Emi (they/them)@queeringsmite.bsky.social · 4d agowhat I thought would happen in Draw Steel today: the party goes to a festival what actually happened: the party flirts with villains; gets caught trying to break into the baron's house; considers climbing down a chimney Santa style; jumps down a well; plans assassination
thanks to the thoughtful Luke Ottenhof for this great @torontolifemag.bsky.social Q&A about my book!!! A Nation of Tinkerers is out now via @invisibooks.bsky.social!
Toronto Life@torontolifemag.bsky.social · 6d agoWe caught up with music journalist Michael Rancic, author of a new book on Canada’s contributions to electronic music, to talk about the techno side of CanCon, our national aptitude for tinkering and why turning knobs can be just as artistic as playing instruments
In 2021, Image Comics said, “Image Comics will not be working with Warren on anything further until he has made amends to the satisfaction of all involved. It is our sincere hope that the conversations that are beginning now will result in positive changes for everyone.” What’s changed?
Joe Grunenwald@joegrunenwald.bsky.social · 6d agoImage Comics: "Quick, they're all distracted by Marvel/Star Wars, send the PR about the new Warren Ellis book"
Today is absolutely stacked with new Summer TBL releases! 🤩 🔥 From hilariously relatable office comedies and friendship break-ups to finding home away from home to a love story that reckons with home and belonging, four juicy tales are now available to explore while they're hot.
