Natalie Brender
@nataliebrender.bsky.social
Eternal migrant seeking opera, ruthless yet humane criticism, Jamesian ambivalence, vestigial Kantianisms. All the public health, politics, cultural, social & global policy interests.
This is very important. It's beyond astonishing that a former Cabinet minister and Canadian diplomat just appeared *again* before a Parliamentary committee pushing demonstrably false claims and it's gone unnoticed--and unreported-on--til now.
After former MP Chris Alexander's explosive accusations against reporter David Pugliese were debunked by experts, the media simply moved on. In his latest editor's letter, @cstarnino.bsky.social considers why journalists left the case's tough questions untouched: thewalrus.ca/was-chris-alexan...
November 26, 2025 at 3:16 PM
This is very important. It's beyond astonishing that a former Cabinet minister and Canadian diplomat just appeared *again* before a Parliamentary committee pushing demonstrably false claims and it's gone unnoticed--and unreported-on--til now.
Reposted by Natalie Brender
At one point one says "Maman" & gestures to her offscreen & she says "I'm not getting mixed up in your business" 😭
These French babies arguing 🤣
November 26, 2025 at 3:22 AM
At one point one says "Maman" & gestures to her offscreen & she says "I'm not getting mixed up in your business" 😭
Reposted by Natalie Brender
he fell victim to one of the classic blunders! the most famous of which is, ‘never answer the phone for isaac chotiner,’ but only slightly less well-known is this: ‘never behave in a manner which causes derek guy to critique your fashion choices’
can't believe this ancient mesopotamia shoe wearing ass said people need to dress up at the airport
November 26, 2025 at 2:12 AM
he fell victim to one of the classic blunders! the most famous of which is, ‘never answer the phone for isaac chotiner,’ but only slightly less well-known is this: ‘never behave in a manner which causes derek guy to critique your fashion choices’
His administration might as well use the original German these days: Konzept
Trump on his administration's initial Russia-friendly peace plan: "That was not a plan. It was a concept."
November 26, 2025 at 1:15 AM
His administration might as well use the original German these days: Konzept
Reposted by Natalie Brender
On involuntary treatment: "The intervention process outlined in Alberta’s Compassionate Intervention Act ... lacks sufficient evidence of effectiveness and poses substantial ethical concerns." www.cmaj.ca/content/197/...
Involuntary treatment for substance use: application of Kass’ ethical framework to Alberta’s Compassionate Intervention Act
Key points
In Canada, more than 50 000 opioid-related deaths have occurred since September 2024, mostly in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario, where governments are all in various stages of develo...
www.cmaj.ca
November 25, 2025 at 9:44 PM
On involuntary treatment: "The intervention process outlined in Alberta’s Compassionate Intervention Act ... lacks sufficient evidence of effectiveness and poses substantial ethical concerns." www.cmaj.ca/content/197/...
Reposted by Natalie Brender
Look, we all agree this is amazing. But we used to live comfortable in the understanding that you had to invite Chotiner in, like a vampire.
Now we know that Chotiner might strike at any time, like a velociraptor.
Now we know that Chotiner might strike at any time, like a velociraptor.
my goodness:
Chotiner: who funds this shit
Ben Smith: How dare you ask such a question. Check your facts!
Chotiner: I have now checked my facts. A thread (1/381)
Ben Smith:
Chotiner: who funds this shit
Ben Smith: How dare you ask such a question. Check your facts!
Chotiner: I have now checked my facts. A thread (1/381)
Ben Smith:
a man in a hospital gown with the words i 've made a huge mistake behind him
ALT: a man in a hospital gown with the words i 've made a huge mistake behind him
media.tenor.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Look, we all agree this is amazing. But we used to live comfortable in the understanding that you had to invite Chotiner in, like a vampire.
Now we know that Chotiner might strike at any time, like a velociraptor.
Now we know that Chotiner might strike at any time, like a velociraptor.
Another shocker in the Pretendian files (though he maintains he was equally shocked by the recent discovery). Explains Edmonton Opera's sensitive but oblique statement today that they're cancelling the imminent premiere of a new opera based on King's novel.
www.edmontonopera.com/indians-on-v...
www.edmontonopera.com/indians-on-v...
Inconvenient Indian author Thomas King says he is not part Cherokee
Writer ‘still in shock’ after a whistle-blowing organization showed him genealogical evidence that he wasn’t part Indigenous as he originally assumed
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Another shocker in the Pretendian files (though he maintains he was equally shocked by the recent discovery). Explains Edmonton Opera's sensitive but oblique statement today that they're cancelling the imminent premiere of a new opera based on King's novel.
www.edmontonopera.com/indians-on-v...
www.edmontonopera.com/indians-on-v...
Someone's going to write a great book about this period when insurers stop insuring AI uses and property in climate change hotspots, and gradually the effects ripple out.... but too gradually.
Insurers AIG, Great American, and WR Berkley seek permission to limit liability from AI agents and chatbots and to retreat from coverage of AI risk as multibillion-dollar claims mount
www.ft.com/content/abfe...
www.ft.com/content/abfe...
Insurers retreat from AI cover as risk of multibillion-dollar claims mounts
AIG, Great American and WR Berkley seek permission to limit liability from AI agents and chatbots
www.ft.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Someone's going to write a great book about this period when insurers stop insuring AI uses and property in climate change hotspots, and gradually the effects ripple out.... but too gradually.
Reposted by Natalie Brender
Insurers are now seeking to exclude AI from corporate policies because the risks are too unpredictable and liability is unclear. This is a signal: we cannot rely on insurance markets or tort law to protect against AI harms. We need actual governance and policy.
Insurers AIG, Great American, and WR Berkley seek permission to limit liability from AI agents and chatbots and to retreat from coverage of AI risk as multibillion-dollar claims mount
www.ft.com/content/abfe...
www.ft.com/content/abfe...
Insurers retreat from AI cover as risk of multibillion-dollar claims mounts
AIG, Great American and WR Berkley seek permission to limit liability from AI agents and chatbots
www.ft.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Insurers are now seeking to exclude AI from corporate policies because the risks are too unpredictable and liability is unclear. This is a signal: we cannot rely on insurance markets or tort law to protect against AI harms. We need actual governance and policy.
'Democratize' now meaning either (a) 'your government gets toppled by a foreign military' or (b) 'this widget is so cheap anyone can afford it'.
I regret to inform you’ll this is not the most insane article about Venezuela today lol
November 23, 2025 at 10:54 PM
'Democratize' now meaning either (a) 'your government gets toppled by a foreign military' or (b) 'this widget is so cheap anyone can afford it'.
Serious Q: what would adequate investment in R&D about the public sector look like? Money from where to where, targeted with what conditions and requested outputs, delivered to whom, with whose responsibility to use it?
“Canada underinvests in R&D about the public sector – we spend more researching crop rotation”
Michael Wernick
Michael Wernick
The Deadweight of Dogma on Public Service Reform – C.D. Howe Institute
From: Michael WernickTo: Public service observers Date: November 19, 2025Re: The Deadweight of Dogma on Public Service Reform Too much discussion of the state, or government, or the public sector, tre...
cdhowe.org
November 23, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Serious Q: what would adequate investment in R&D about the public sector look like? Money from where to where, targeted with what conditions and requested outputs, delivered to whom, with whose responsibility to use it?
Internet Cassandra: I WARNED YOU all along that it was crypto-Dantean ideology.
The damned in hell are not more powerful for the fact that the fires do not consume them; it is part and parcel of their torment.
November 23, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Internet Cassandra: I WARNED YOU all along that it was crypto-Dantean ideology.
Noteworthy comments by Rae on federal restriction of international students and on university finances/fees.
November 23, 2025 at 4:14 AM
Noteworthy comments by Rae on federal restriction of international students and on university finances/fees.
Reposted by Natalie Brender
The AMA is starting to fracture under political pressure. Our analysis explains what changed this week, and why it matters.
November 23, 2025 at 4:02 AM
The AMA is starting to fracture under political pressure. Our analysis explains what changed this week, and why it matters.
So close to my own favorite trick of imagining coming across the paper I intend to write, already written by someone else, and noting with curiosity how it's structured. Feels great for the first few seconds.
Once again starting to write a book in the only sensible way, viz, by thinking up a title and then working backwards from there to design the cover, construct the page layout, and make some key choices about the typography. Eventually I will begin to fill in the content. I am a very rational person.
November 22, 2025 at 12:59 PM
So close to my own favorite trick of imagining coming across the paper I intend to write, already written by someone else, and noting with curiosity how it's structured. Feels great for the first few seconds.
Reposted by Natalie Brender
Picture is worth a thousand words and you couldn't pay for copy as good as this
November 21, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Picture is worth a thousand words and you couldn't pay for copy as good as this
Reposted by Natalie Brender
This is absolutely extraordinary. Almost 9 million people live in Tehran. The city is built on land that is sinking in places by a foot a year.
'Iran’s capital must be moved because the country “no longer has a choice,” President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday in remarks carried by state media, warning that severe ecological strain has made Tehran impossible to sustain'
#Iran 🇮🇷
#Iran 🇮🇷
Iran president says capital move now a necessity as water crisis deepens
Iran’s capital must be moved because the country “no longer has a choice,” President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday in remarks carried by state media, warning that severe ecological strain has mad...
www.iranintl.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:42 PM
This is absolutely extraordinary. Almost 9 million people live in Tehran. The city is built on land that is sinking in places by a foot a year.
Reposted by Natalie Brender
I missed this when it initially came out, but now it seems the whole country is about to see this video, through one frame or another.
We want to speak directly to members of the Military and the Intelligence Community.
The American people need you to stand up for our laws and our Constitution.
Don’t give up the ship.
The American people need you to stand up for our laws and our Constitution.
Don’t give up the ship.
November 20, 2025 at 4:28 PM
I missed this when it initially came out, but now it seems the whole country is about to see this video, through one frame or another.
What on earth does 'Harvard will investigate' mean? They'll search the deepest archives in Widener Library?
#BREAKING: Former Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers will immediately leave his role as an instructor at Harvard while the University investigates his ties to child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Dhruv T. Patel and Cam N. Srivastava report.
Dhruv T. Patel and Cam N. Srivastava report.
Summers Will Not Finish Semester of Teaching as Harvard Investigates Epstein Ties | News | The Harvard Crimson
Former Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers will immediately leave his role as an instructor at Harvard while the University investigates his ties to child sex trafficker Jeffrey E. Epstein.
www.thecrimson.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:10 AM
What on earth does 'Harvard will investigate' mean? They'll search the deepest archives in Widener Library?
Huh, unexpected but good for her.
November 20, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Huh, unexpected but good for her.
Reposted by Natalie Brender
Trump in a room with a very charismatic person results in like half a day of Trump agreeing with everything that person said, so this has the potential to be very, very funny.
Trump says he’s meeting with “communist” Mamdani at the White House on Friday
November 20, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Trump in a room with a very charismatic person results in like half a day of Trump agreeing with everything that person said, so this has the potential to be very, very funny.
Excellent deep dive into the intersection of youth vaping, mental health, class, punitive disciplinary policies vs addiction counselling, overstretched school staff and the long looming arm of Big Tech, of course.
“Purchasing records from schools across the country show that districts are spending millions to install sensors in student bathrooms — once considered a privacy no-go for electronic surveillance — to alert them of changes in air quality.”
Vaping is ‘Everywhere Now’ in Schools. Can Surveillance Tech Thwart it?
It was in physical education class when Laila Gutierrez swapped out self-harm for a new vice. The freshman from Phoenix had long struggled with depression and would cut her arms to feel something. Any...
www.yahoo.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Excellent deep dive into the intersection of youth vaping, mental health, class, punitive disciplinary policies vs addiction counselling, overstretched school staff and the long looming arm of Big Tech, of course.
Reposted by Natalie Brender
The internet never forgets. web.archive.org/web/20230923...
Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers and Former Congressman John Porter Elected To Brookings Board of Trustees | Brookings
A Brookings News Release, Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers and Former Congressman John E. Porter Elected To Brookings Board of Trustees
web.archive.org
November 19, 2025 at 2:01 AM
The internet never forgets. web.archive.org/web/20230923...
I Never Promised You a Bamboo Garden
writers! you can just have a garden, you don’t have to have a metaphor
November 18, 2025 at 2:34 AM
I Never Promised You a Bamboo Garden
You might wonder whether this windup could deliver yet deeper depths of purple prose, and yes it does. What a day for the Nuzzim.
November 18, 2025 at 1:42 AM
You might wonder whether this windup could deliver yet deeper depths of purple prose, and yes it does. What a day for the Nuzzim.