Christopher Cwynar
@cwynar.bsky.social
Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator, Communications, Trent University Durham GTA. Interested in public (service) media, podcasting, and cycling.
@anildash.com on ai-washing: "Now, to be clear, those workers haven’t been laid off because their jobs are now being done by AI, and they’ve been replaced by bots. Instead, they’ve been laid off by execs who now have AI to use as an excuse for going after workers they’ve wanted to cut all along."
500,000 tech workers have been laid off since ChatGPT was released - Anil Dash
A blog about making culture. Since 1999.
www.anildash.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:43 PM
@anildash.com on ai-washing: "Now, to be clear, those workers haven’t been laid off because their jobs are now being done by AI, and they’ve been replaced by bots. Instead, they’ve been laid off by execs who now have AI to use as an excuse for going after workers they’ve wanted to cut all along."
Laura's work is top-notch and these webinars will undoubtedly help any academics out there who are contemplating the topics cover (working on publishing a book, trying to write a book for a non-specialized audience, thinking of working with a developmental editor and so forth).
Hoping to publish a book in 2026? I've got a series of free webinar recordings to help you get in the right mindset and avoid the most common sticking points for scholarly authors. All the recordings are free to access, but registration is closing on December 31st.
Thread (with links):
Thread (with links):
December 31, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Laura's work is top-notch and these webinars will undoubtedly help any academics out there who are contemplating the topics cover (working on publishing a book, trying to write a book for a non-specialized audience, thinking of working with a developmental editor and so forth).
I tend to listen to Christmas music right up until the start of January. However, this novel New Year's music playlist by @carlzoilus.bsky.social has got me moving in a different direction this year. Auld Lang Syne-Off is available on four platforms via Carl's substack here at the link below.
What are you doing New Year's Eve?
Maybe listening to this New Year's playlist
carlwilson.substack.com
December 27, 2025 at 9:50 PM
I tend to listen to Christmas music right up until the start of January. However, this novel New Year's music playlist by @carlzoilus.bsky.social has got me moving in a different direction this year. Auld Lang Syne-Off is available on four platforms via Carl's substack here at the link below.
I know that it's practically Dec. 27, but I've just discovered this sublime version of The Christmas Song by tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon. This gorgeous version demands to be heard by those who are still up for a little seasonal music.
Dexter Gordon Quartet - The Christmas Song
YouTube video by 60otaku4
youtu.be
December 27, 2025 at 4:59 AM
I know that it's practically Dec. 27, but I've just discovered this sublime version of The Christmas Song by tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon. This gorgeous version demands to be heard by those who are still up for a little seasonal music.
Here's a timely CFP from @tomasdodds.bsky.social and the Public Tech Media Lab at UW-Madison for a special issue of @JournalismPractice. The deadline for extended abstracts is April 1, 2026.
CfP Journalism Practice: Journalism, Platforms, and Public Interest Technologies
Special Issue Editor(s) Tomas Dodds, University of Wisconsin-Madison doddsrojas@wisc.edu Jasmine McNealy, University of Florida jmcnealy@jou.ufl.edu Mona Sloane, University of Virginia mona.sloane@vir...
ptml.sjmc.wisc.edu
December 22, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Here's a timely CFP from @tomasdodds.bsky.social and the Public Tech Media Lab at UW-Madison for a special issue of @JournalismPractice. The deadline for extended abstracts is April 1, 2026.
Whatever one thinks of AI, this sort of practice will turbocharge academia's decline by a) calling the credibility of the work into question when it's discovered and b) creating contradictions between professional recs and the standards many profs have for their students. Why not rec citation?
This is one of the reasons I remain horrified by seeing @historians.org suggest "ways to use gAI" that included this:
December 21, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Whatever one thinks of AI, this sort of practice will turbocharge academia's decline by a) calling the credibility of the work into question when it's discovered and b) creating contradictions between professional recs and the standards many profs have for their students. Why not rec citation?
Can't go wrong with this particular combo. Personally, I like to prep the cabbage as a side accompaniment to a meat dish (pork or beef), but this combo would please any bacon fans in the crowd.
I don’t have a recipe but I just *feel* like cabbage, red onion, fennel seeds and bacon goes together. So I’m doing it.
December 21, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Can't go wrong with this particular combo. Personally, I like to prep the cabbage as a side accompaniment to a meat dish (pork or beef), but this combo would please any bacon fans in the crowd.
If you're looking for a different take on some festive classics, try this fun new collection of Christmas tunes from jam-oriented acts by the always brilliant LostMyDayJob.
Live Christmas Jams - ft Jerry Garcia, Derek Trucks, Billy Strings and More
YouTube video by LostMyDayJob
youtu.be
December 19, 2025 at 4:51 PM
If you're looking for a different take on some festive classics, try this fun new collection of Christmas tunes from jam-oriented acts by the always brilliant LostMyDayJob.
Thrilled to see that Carl has put together a festive playlist this year. These lists always surface old faves and introduce me to new jams that had eluded me, which is something that's been happening with increasing frequency as a I age :)
My semi-annual weirdo-holiday playlist - 99 songs, 5+ hours, links to multiple platforms today on "Crritic!" carlwilson.substack.com/p/the-most-w...
The most 'wha?'-nderful time of year
It's my holiday playlist for y'all
carlwilson.substack.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Thrilled to see that Carl has put together a festive playlist this year. These lists always surface old faves and introduce me to new jams that had eluded me, which is something that's been happening with increasing frequency as a I age :)
Good academic job market advice here. Sure, program reputation and the quality/number of publications are important. But they're less important as one moves down the prestige line. Many depts want hires who show that they want to be there long-term and are ready to teach a wide range of courses.
For civilians: an academic dept typically has to out maneuver other depts to get a tenure line! I tell grad students applying to red state jobs to indicate that they are familiar with & would be happy spending a decade or more there. A single sentence has moved them to the top of a pile. 1/
December 17, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Good academic job market advice here. Sure, program reputation and the quality/number of publications are important. But they're less important as one moves down the prestige line. Many depts want hires who show that they want to be there long-term and are ready to teach a wide range of courses.
Time marches onward and we grow older every day. That said, I was not expecting to suddenly develop a strong appreciation for the medieval carols that my father used to play constantly during the holidays. It turns out that they make for excellent writing music.
Noël - A Medieval Christmas, Ensemble Sospiri - Christopher Watson, dir.
YouTube video by Musica Medievale 🏹
youtu.be
December 15, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Time marches onward and we grow older every day. That said, I was not expecting to suddenly develop a strong appreciation for the medieval carols that my father used to play constantly during the holidays. It turns out that they make for excellent writing music.
Yesterday, I posted Zevon's sweetly earnest cover of A Case of You from the 2002 Edmonton Folk Festival. Today, I'm back with this brilliant performance of the folk song "Canadee-I-O." It appears that Zevon learned the Nick Jones version of the song especially for the northern Alberta performance.
Warren Zevon - Canadee-I-O
YouTube video by Edmonton Folk Music Festival
youtu.be
December 10, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Yesterday, I posted Zevon's sweetly earnest cover of A Case of You from the 2002 Edmonton Folk Festival. Today, I'm back with this brilliant performance of the folk song "Canadee-I-O." It appears that Zevon learned the Nick Jones version of the song especially for the northern Alberta performance.
Just discovered this heartfelt Warren Zevon cover of Joni Mitchell's A Case of You (featuring Matt Cartsonsis on lap dulcimer and backing vox) from a 2002 set at the Edmonton Folk Fest. Just a short while later, Zevon was diagnosed with the cancer that would take his life.
Warren Zevon - A Case Of You (Live at The Edmonton Folk Festival)
YouTube video by OmnivoreRecordings
youtu.be
December 9, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Just discovered this heartfelt Warren Zevon cover of Joni Mitchell's A Case of You (featuring Matt Cartsonsis on lap dulcimer and backing vox) from a 2002 set at the Edmonton Folk Fest. Just a short while later, Zevon was diagnosed with the cancer that would take his life.
If you're looking for a good breakdown of the implications of the Warner Brothers-Netflix deal on the US media environment, this Dwayne Winseck thread is the place to go.
Quick take on potential Netflix takeover of Warner Bros. Discover vs Paramount SkyDance or Comcast NBCU. Key point: it's the least worse deal, especially wrt Trump loyalist Ellison family controlled Paramount SD. Here's what the US TV, film & online video market looks like premerger. 1/
December 5, 2025 at 7:02 PM
If you're looking for a good breakdown of the implications of the Warner Brothers-Netflix deal on the US media environment, this Dwayne Winseck thread is the place to go.
This is my first time encountering this delightful piece of microfiction. It's well worth a read if you have a couple of minutes (and who doesn't, really).
thinking about this Brautigan short again
December 3, 2025 at 2:17 PM
This is my first time encountering this delightful piece of microfiction. It's well worth a read if you have a couple of minutes (and who doesn't, really).
Ok, this @reckless.bsky.social piece in @theverge.com is definitely the most fun piece of service journalism I've read this year (or maybe ever).
www.theverge.com/tech/641940/...
www.theverge.com/tech/641940/...
Best printer 2025: just buy a Brother laser printer, the winner is clear, middle finger in the air
Best Printer 2025: wireless laser home office supply shop now Brother
www.theverge.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Ok, this @reckless.bsky.social piece in @theverge.com is definitely the most fun piece of service journalism I've read this year (or maybe ever).
www.theverge.com/tech/641940/...
www.theverge.com/tech/641940/...
What a brilliant idea for a thread :)
what is the franklin’s tower of house music
November 23, 2025 at 6:40 PM
What a brilliant idea for a thread :)
Congratulations to Henry Adam Svec on the release of his new podcast series! Souwesto Gothic is a fun and irreverent take on on the narrative nonfiction investigative podcasting genre that leans into the heavy vibe that is 'Ontario gothic.' Give it a spin!
Souwesto Gothic
Tales of weirdness and woe from Southwestern Ontario.
www.souwestogothic.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Congratulations to Henry Adam Svec on the release of his new podcast series! Souwesto Gothic is a fun and irreverent take on on the narrative nonfiction investigative podcasting genre that leans into the heavy vibe that is 'Ontario gothic.' Give it a spin!
My friend Justin is putting on this innovative event this evening in downtown Oshawa. If you like movies, and/or are interested in AI and climate change, this free screening and discussion might be for you.
Tonight! If you are in the GTA please join me at @ontariotechu.bsky.social's beautiful Regent Theatre for a screening of short films followed by a panel of industry experts talking about the unique challenges/opportunities posed by AI and climate change in media production. The event is free!
November 18, 2025 at 3:49 PM
My friend Justin is putting on this innovative event this evening in downtown Oshawa. If you like movies, and/or are interested in AI and climate change, this free screening and discussion might be for you.
This @dkthomp.bsky.social post on the convergence of various contemporary media forms into streaming video is packed with insight. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to understand the evolution of social media and its broader social contexts.
Everything Is Television
A theory of culture and attention
www.derekthompson.org
October 13, 2025 at 4:24 PM
This @dkthomp.bsky.social post on the convergence of various contemporary media forms into streaming video is packed with insight. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to understand the evolution of social media and its broader social contexts.
Here is a remarkable segment from the CBC's The Current featuring Fogo Island Inn founder and tech executive Zita Cobb. Cobb's energy, ingenuity, and deep commitment to her community are striking. Her model needs to be studied and selectively applied across Canada.
© CBC/Radio-Canada 2025. All rights reserved.
www.cbc.ca
October 13, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Here is a remarkable segment from the CBC's The Current featuring Fogo Island Inn founder and tech executive Zita Cobb. Cobb's energy, ingenuity, and deep commitment to her community are striking. Her model needs to be studied and selectively applied across Canada.
Reposted by Christopher Cwynar
SOUTH HAVEN PEACHES WON’T BLOW YOU AWAY BUT YOU KNOW THAT THEY’LL STAY
south haven peaches, painted by l. c. c. krieger, 1936
September 24, 2025 at 12:29 PM
SOUTH HAVEN PEACHES WON’T BLOW YOU AWAY BUT YOU KNOW THAT THEY’LL STAY
Whatever one thinks of the #CFL rule changes - I think they could be beneficial, FWIW - a new commissioner instituting them quickly without extensive consultation with all stakeholders set the whole thing up for failure.
Nathan Rourke calls new CFL changes 'garbage' says players, coaches weren't consulted
YouTube video by TSN
www.youtube.com
September 23, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Whatever one thinks of the #CFL rule changes - I think they could be beneficial, FWIW - a new commissioner instituting them quickly without extensive consultation with all stakeholders set the whole thing up for failure.
For years, I've been saying that we're moving away from this exceptional historical period in which frequent restaurant dining has been normalized across class groups. It seems that society is now moving firmly in that direction. globalnews.ca/news/1143992...
Cost of living drives 3 in 4 Canadians to skip eating out, report shows - National | Globalnews.ca
A little more than half (51 per cent) of millennials make a purchase from a restaurant at least once a week, followed by 47 per cent of Gen Z Canadians, the report showed.
globalnews.ca
September 23, 2025 at 2:46 PM
For years, I've been saying that we're moving away from this exceptional historical period in which frequent restaurant dining has been normalized across class groups. It seems that society is now moving firmly in that direction. globalnews.ca/news/1143992...
Scrolling together is the new bowling alone lol
People aren't even bowling alone anymore.
September 19, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Scrolling together is the new bowling alone lol