Micheal J
@chealion.ca
Nerd about many things - coffee, urbanism, municipal issues, OpenStack, Kubernetes.
CA President, and technical manager at Cybera (NREN non profit)
CA President, and technical manager at Cybera (NREN non profit)
Extremely well put criticism of the latest publicity play by the CPS. There are so many better ways to improve things… criminalizing poverty is not one and pushes the problem into surrounding inner city communities away from what little supports exist
livewirecalgary.com/2025/11/09/p...
#yyccc
livewirecalgary.com/2025/11/09/p...
#yyccc
Perspectives: Calgary police must use their social capital to demand housing, not more officers - LiveWire Calgary
“Arresting is connecting.” When I read how CPS Chief McLellan was attempting to frame last week’s exercise, I couldn’t believe it. On November 5, the Calgary Police executed Operation ORDER, a milita...
livewirecalgary.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:36 AM
Extremely well put criticism of the latest publicity play by the CPS. There are so many better ways to improve things… criminalizing poverty is not one and pushes the problem into surrounding inner city communities away from what little supports exist
livewirecalgary.com/2025/11/09/p...
#yyccc
livewirecalgary.com/2025/11/09/p...
#yyccc
Reposted by Micheal J
look I know being an engaged citizen IS the work of democracy but it is also the work of elected officials not to create situations where everyone has to be mobilized all the time to prevent them from allowing some kind of Dickensian horror on a Sunday night while you're in between loads of laundry
November 9, 2025 at 11:37 PM
look I know being an engaged citizen IS the work of democracy but it is also the work of elected officials not to create situations where everyone has to be mobilized all the time to prevent them from allowing some kind of Dickensian horror on a Sunday night while you're in between loads of laundry
Reposted by Micheal J
Requiring cyclists to come to a full stop at stop signs just slows drivers down. I know because I, the canonical rule follower, come to a full stop, and then I have to slowly accelerate when it's my turn. Same with making cyclists dismount to cross the crosswalk - much slower than riding across.
"it’s important to remember that cars are the main structural hazard on our roads" - not people on bikes slowly rolling through stop signs. #roadsafety
theconversation.com/cyclists-may...
theconversation.com/cyclists-may...
Cyclists may be right to run stop signs and red lights. Here’s why
Should cyclists be allowed to treat stop signs as yield signs? This rule from Idaho is divisive, but the scientific data is surprising.
theconversation.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Requiring cyclists to come to a full stop at stop signs just slows drivers down. I know because I, the canonical rule follower, come to a full stop, and then I have to slowly accelerate when it's my turn. Same with making cyclists dismount to cross the crosswalk - much slower than riding across.
Reposted by Micheal J
Calgary senior killed in *spate* (read six!) of weekend pedestrian collisions.
“We’ve been getting used to the idea that we have to accept the risk of violent death or injury as part of quotidian life, thanks to cars.”
~ From Life After Cars
calgaryherald.com/news/local-n...
“We’ve been getting used to the idea that we have to accept the risk of violent death or injury as part of quotidian life, thanks to cars.”
~ From Life After Cars
calgaryherald.com/news/local-n...
Calgary senior killed in spate of weekend pedestrian collisions
A Calgary senior has died after she was struck while walking in a marked crosswalk downtown Saturday afternoon.
calgaryherald.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Calgary senior killed in *spate* (read six!) of weekend pedestrian collisions.
“We’ve been getting used to the idea that we have to accept the risk of violent death or injury as part of quotidian life, thanks to cars.”
~ From Life After Cars
calgaryherald.com/news/local-n...
“We’ve been getting used to the idea that we have to accept the risk of violent death or injury as part of quotidian life, thanks to cars.”
~ From Life After Cars
calgaryherald.com/news/local-n...
Reposted by Micheal J
Largest study of its kind shows AI assistants misrepresent news content 45% of the time www.bbc.com/mediacentre/...
The AI failings "are systemic, cross-border, and multilingual, and we believe this endangers public trust."
The AI failings "are systemic, cross-border, and multilingual, and we believe this endangers public trust."
October 30, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Largest study of its kind shows AI assistants misrepresent news content 45% of the time www.bbc.com/mediacentre/...
The AI failings "are systemic, cross-border, and multilingual, and we believe this endangers public trust."
The AI failings "are systemic, cross-border, and multilingual, and we believe this endangers public trust."
Reposted by Micheal J
"X shouldn't be political." OK but it is. Now what?
October 30, 2025 at 11:26 AM
"X shouldn't be political." OK but it is. Now what?
Reposted by Micheal J
Sometimes questions are more revealing than answers.
The interview yesterday by Vassy Kapelos with Demetrios Nicolaides is one of those times.
Please enjoy these highlights.
The interview yesterday by Vassy Kapelos with Demetrios Nicolaides is one of those times.
Please enjoy these highlights.
October 29, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Sometimes questions are more revealing than answers.
The interview yesterday by Vassy Kapelos with Demetrios Nicolaides is one of those times.
Please enjoy these highlights.
The interview yesterday by Vassy Kapelos with Demetrios Nicolaides is one of those times.
Please enjoy these highlights.
Reposted by Micheal J
Today I paid tribute to someone who was a friend & inspiration to many of us, Darren Markland.
One of the best humans I’ve ever known.
In the shadow of the challenges our world faces today, we need more people like Darren.
Perhaps the best tribute we can pay is to be more like him. #abpoli
One of the best humans I’ve ever known.
In the shadow of the challenges our world faces today, we need more people like Darren.
Perhaps the best tribute we can pay is to be more like him. #abpoli
October 28, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Today I paid tribute to someone who was a friend & inspiration to many of us, Darren Markland.
One of the best humans I’ve ever known.
In the shadow of the challenges our world faces today, we need more people like Darren.
Perhaps the best tribute we can pay is to be more like him. #abpoli
One of the best humans I’ve ever known.
In the shadow of the challenges our world faces today, we need more people like Darren.
Perhaps the best tribute we can pay is to be more like him. #abpoli
Reposted by Micheal J
Instead of trying to green cars so much why don't we just invest in trains. city trains. under ground trains. above ground trains. trains between cities. trains between countries. TRAINS
THE PEOPLE CRAVE TRAINS
THE PEOPLE CRAVE TRAINS
October 28, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Instead of trying to green cars so much why don't we just invest in trains. city trains. under ground trains. above ground trains. trains between cities. trains between countries. TRAINS
THE PEOPLE CRAVE TRAINS
THE PEOPLE CRAVE TRAINS
Reposted by Micheal J
I'm the next few days, it would be a mistake to:
❌️ limit the resistance to the teachers' demands or saving public education
❌️ make labour/workers/unions the only faces of opposition
The UCP's pre-emptive use of the notwithstanding clause is much broader than one strike or one set of rights.
❌️ limit the resistance to the teachers' demands or saving public education
❌️ make labour/workers/unions the only faces of opposition
The UCP's pre-emptive use of the notwithstanding clause is much broader than one strike or one set of rights.
The days ahead will be crucial.
Not just in terms of public opinion, but in terms of political culture.
Champions of human rights and the constitution must not only outnumber the premier's supporters.
They must persuade Albertans that these positions are dominant, piercing the populist bubble.
Not just in terms of public opinion, but in terms of political culture.
Champions of human rights and the constitution must not only outnumber the premier's supporters.
They must persuade Albertans that these positions are dominant, piercing the populist bubble.
October 28, 2025 at 4:51 AM
I'm the next few days, it would be a mistake to:
❌️ limit the resistance to the teachers' demands or saving public education
❌️ make labour/workers/unions the only faces of opposition
The UCP's pre-emptive use of the notwithstanding clause is much broader than one strike or one set of rights.
❌️ limit the resistance to the teachers' demands or saving public education
❌️ make labour/workers/unions the only faces of opposition
The UCP's pre-emptive use of the notwithstanding clause is much broader than one strike or one set of rights.
Reposted by Micheal J
Tonight's moves by the UCP are part of a trend: shifting Alberta away from liberal democracy toward illiberalism.
"Populists like Smith often invoke freedom, but their concept of it is tied to loyalty to the dominant group rather than universal liberties.+
open.substack.com/pub/drjaredw...
"Populists like Smith often invoke freedom, but their concept of it is tied to loyalty to the dominant group rather than universal liberties.+
open.substack.com/pub/drjaredw...
Populism, freedom, and democracy in Alberta (and beyond)
Lessons from my grade fiver's homework assignment
open.substack.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Tonight's moves by the UCP are part of a trend: shifting Alberta away from liberal democracy toward illiberalism.
"Populists like Smith often invoke freedom, but their concept of it is tied to loyalty to the dominant group rather than universal liberties.+
open.substack.com/pub/drjaredw...
"Populists like Smith often invoke freedom, but their concept of it is tied to loyalty to the dominant group rather than universal liberties.+
open.substack.com/pub/drjaredw...
Reposted by Micheal J
UCP will claim that the teachers strike is an emergency and parents want their kids back in school. This is true. But trampling over Charter rights is a bad precedent and will not end well.
October 27, 2025 at 11:52 PM
UCP will claim that the teachers strike is an emergency and parents want their kids back in school. This is true. But trampling over Charter rights is a bad precedent and will not end well.
Reposted by Micheal J
The UCP government knows that they are violating the Charter over labour rights. The know it cant be saved by Section 1. They don't even wait for the courts to say it; the are invoking it preemptively. It is constitutional, but it still wrong. Just because you can doesn't mean that you should.
October 27, 2025 at 11:52 PM
The UCP government knows that they are violating the Charter over labour rights. The know it cant be saved by Section 1. They don't even wait for the courts to say it; the are invoking it preemptively. It is constitutional, but it still wrong. Just because you can doesn't mean that you should.
Reposted by Micheal J
The UCP government has invoked time allocation and on a bill removing Albertans' Charter rights.
And they're using the notwithstanding clause to do it.
Here's why that is a dangerous precedent. And why real conservatives need to stand up against it.
open.substack.com/pub/drjaredw...
And they're using the notwithstanding clause to do it.
Here's why that is a dangerous precedent. And why real conservatives need to stand up against it.
open.substack.com/pub/drjaredw...
Alberta Strong and Free, Notwithstanding
The UCP's Bill 2 skirts the legislature and the courts, leaving it up to the public to push back swiftly
open.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 11:47 PM
The UCP government has invoked time allocation and on a bill removing Albertans' Charter rights.
And they're using the notwithstanding clause to do it.
Here's why that is a dangerous precedent. And why real conservatives need to stand up against it.
open.substack.com/pub/drjaredw...
And they're using the notwithstanding clause to do it.
Here's why that is a dangerous precedent. And why real conservatives need to stand up against it.
open.substack.com/pub/drjaredw...
Reposted by Micheal J
Ganley: service? I object. I object on behalf of myself and my colleagues because we won't be given the opportunity to do it on the record.The reason that this is so problematic is because this is a govt trying to ignore the people they represent. It offends me. It should offend everyone.
a woman says " my girl " while looking at something
ALT: a woman says " my girl " while looking at something
media.tenor.com
October 27, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Ganley: service? I object. I object on behalf of myself and my colleagues because we won't be given the opportunity to do it on the record.The reason that this is so problematic is because this is a govt trying to ignore the people they represent. It offends me. It should offend everyone.
Reposted by Micheal J
If the govt can just dictate the terms of a contract—skipping past binding arbitration and legislating away recourse rights—and the public accepts that, well, then what reason would govt have to bargain in good faith with any public sector employees going forward?
Dark day indeed. Not acceptable.
Dark day indeed. Not acceptable.
October 27, 2025 at 10:07 PM
If the govt can just dictate the terms of a contract—skipping past binding arbitration and legislating away recourse rights—and the public accepts that, well, then what reason would govt have to bargain in good faith with any public sector employees going forward?
Dark day indeed. Not acceptable.
Dark day indeed. Not acceptable.
Reposted by Micheal J
What's the hurry?
In just 6 years, the UCP has been responsible for nearly half of all time allocation motions in Alberta history.
They're promising to do it again today, this time ramming through a bill that removes Charter rights in a matter of hours.
In just 6 years, the UCP has been responsible for nearly half of all time allocation motions in Alberta history.
They're promising to do it again today, this time ramming through a bill that removes Charter rights in a matter of hours.
October 27, 2025 at 1:20 PM
What's the hurry?
In just 6 years, the UCP has been responsible for nearly half of all time allocation motions in Alberta history.
They're promising to do it again today, this time ramming through a bill that removes Charter rights in a matter of hours.
In just 6 years, the UCP has been responsible for nearly half of all time allocation motions in Alberta history.
They're promising to do it again today, this time ramming through a bill that removes Charter rights in a matter of hours.
Reposted by Micheal J
Selective Causal Focus: Research produced and funded by tech companies often either frames problems as user-driven, or solutions as the obligation of users (E.g. community notes). Distracting us from their design, business model, interface, and other causes steering us away from their profit model
October 24, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Selective Causal Focus: Research produced and funded by tech companies often either frames problems as user-driven, or solutions as the obligation of users (E.g. community notes). Distracting us from their design, business model, interface, and other causes steering us away from their profit model
Reposted by Micheal J
For example, Facebook scientists have published routinely in scientific journals yet never (to our knowledge) unambiguously disclosed harm from their platforms. Instead, they espouse benefits.
These findings get published even as they bury internal evidence of harm
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
These findings get published even as they bury internal evidence of harm
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
October 24, 2025 at 12:12 AM
For example, Facebook scientists have published routinely in scientific journals yet never (to our knowledge) unambiguously disclosed harm from their platforms. Instead, they espouse benefits.
These findings get published even as they bury internal evidence of harm
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
These findings get published even as they bury internal evidence of harm
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
Reposted by Micheal J
Science has faced these challenges before. However, many think manipulation happens through corruption of scientists. Instead, we highlighted a broader range of mechanisms:
-Burying Internal research
-Selectively publishing
-Design bias
-Selective funding and access.
-Burying Internal research
-Selectively publishing
-Design bias
-Selective funding and access.
October 24, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Science has faced these challenges before. However, many think manipulation happens through corruption of scientists. Instead, we highlighted a broader range of mechanisms:
-Burying Internal research
-Selectively publishing
-Design bias
-Selective funding and access.
-Burying Internal research
-Selectively publishing
-Design bias
-Selective funding and access.
TIL “agnotology”
“agnotology is the study of deliberate, culturally induced ignorance or doubt, typically to sell a product, influence opinion, or win favour, particularly through the publication of inaccurate or misleading scientific data (disinformation).”
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnotol...
“agnotology is the study of deliberate, culturally induced ignorance or doubt, typically to sell a product, influence opinion, or win favour, particularly through the publication of inaccurate or misleading scientific data (disinformation).”
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnotol...
Agnotology - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
October 26, 2025 at 11:26 PM
TIL “agnotology”
“agnotology is the study of deliberate, culturally induced ignorance or doubt, typically to sell a product, influence opinion, or win favour, particularly through the publication of inaccurate or misleading scientific data (disinformation).”
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnotol...
“agnotology is the study of deliberate, culturally induced ignorance or doubt, typically to sell a product, influence opinion, or win favour, particularly through the publication of inaccurate or misleading scientific data (disinformation).”
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnotol...
Reposted by Micheal J
“In the era of the climate crisis, politicians campaigning against bike lanes aren’t fit for office.” — @taylornoakes.com in @cultmtl.com
Also in an era of worsening urban traffic, urban pollution, urban noise, exploding public costs, competition among cities, & not nearly enough space in cities.
Also in an era of worsening urban traffic, urban pollution, urban noise, exploding public costs, competition among cities, & not nearly enough space in cities.
In the era of the climate crisis, politicians campaigning against bike lanes aren’t fit for office
Amid the climate crisis, politicians campaigning against bike lanes — as in Montreal municipal election campaign — aren’t fit for office.
cultmtl.com
October 26, 2025 at 7:45 PM
“In the era of the climate crisis, politicians campaigning against bike lanes aren’t fit for office.” — @taylornoakes.com in @cultmtl.com
Also in an era of worsening urban traffic, urban pollution, urban noise, exploding public costs, competition among cities, & not nearly enough space in cities.
Also in an era of worsening urban traffic, urban pollution, urban noise, exploding public costs, competition among cities, & not nearly enough space in cities.
Reposted by Micheal J
NEW: Calgary election analysis! You have to go back a quarter-century, when Calgary's population had yet to crack a million, to find a mayor elected with so few votes, writes @klaszus.bsky.social. #yyccc
Calgary’s bizarre low-turnout, high-turnover election | The Sprawl
Relatively few Calgarians made big changes.
www.sprawlcalgary.com
October 25, 2025 at 4:17 PM
NEW: Calgary election analysis! You have to go back a quarter-century, when Calgary's population had yet to crack a million, to find a mayor elected with so few votes, writes @klaszus.bsky.social. #yyccc