Steve Tornes
@stevetornes.bsky.social
CNV Resident. Graduate of Urban Studies, focused on Transportation. Hosted & produced The Trip Diary through SFU's VOCE. On the Board of Directors for Vancouver Writers Fest. Opinions my own.
Reposted by Steve Tornes
Vancouver's 2026 draft budget has PASSED.
Approved on a 7-4 vote on party lines, with ABC in favour and councillors Fry/Bligh/Orr/Maloney opposed.
Property tax freeze, $50 million more for VPD, and cuts to Arts, Culture, Planning and Sustainability departments, among others.
Full story to come.
Approved on a 7-4 vote on party lines, with ABC in favour and councillors Fry/Bligh/Orr/Maloney opposed.
Property tax freeze, $50 million more for VPD, and cuts to Arts, Culture, Planning and Sustainability departments, among others.
Full story to come.
November 25, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Vancouver's 2026 draft budget has PASSED.
Approved on a 7-4 vote on party lines, with ABC in favour and councillors Fry/Bligh/Orr/Maloney opposed.
Property tax freeze, $50 million more for VPD, and cuts to Arts, Culture, Planning and Sustainability departments, among others.
Full story to come.
Approved on a 7-4 vote on party lines, with ABC in favour and councillors Fry/Bligh/Orr/Maloney opposed.
Property tax freeze, $50 million more for VPD, and cuts to Arts, Culture, Planning and Sustainability departments, among others.
Full story to come.
My reading theme for the year is the environment, which I chose so I could understanding why we commit to fossil fuel extraction in the face of climate change
Here is one of the best arguments I've heard, from Wim Carton and Andreas Malm
Here is one of the best arguments I've heard, from Wim Carton and Andreas Malm
November 22, 2025 at 6:37 PM
My reading theme for the year is the environment, which I chose so I could understanding why we commit to fossil fuel extraction in the face of climate change
Here is one of the best arguments I've heard, from Wim Carton and Andreas Malm
Here is one of the best arguments I've heard, from Wim Carton and Andreas Malm
If Homer was a group of poets, spread out over generations, slowly building upon an oral tradition
Then why shouldn't modern translators of The Odyssey and The Iliad also be able able to call themselves Homer?
Then why shouldn't modern translators of The Odyssey and The Iliad also be able able to call themselves Homer?
November 16, 2025 at 11:33 PM
If Homer was a group of poets, spread out over generations, slowly building upon an oral tradition
Then why shouldn't modern translators of The Odyssey and The Iliad also be able able to call themselves Homer?
Then why shouldn't modern translators of The Odyssey and The Iliad also be able able to call themselves Homer?
Really enjoyed "Spent: A Comic Novel" by Alison Bechdel
It was a lot of fun to read and the art is beautiful
It was very self-aware as it deals with feeling overwhelmed from politics
Worth checking out, especially if you like graphic novels and/or are feeling politically insecure
It was a lot of fun to read and the art is beautiful
It was very self-aware as it deals with feeling overwhelmed from politics
Worth checking out, especially if you like graphic novels and/or are feeling politically insecure
Spent: A Comic Novel by Alison Bechdel
The celebrated and beloved New York Times bestselling author of the modern classic Fun Home prese...
app.thestorygraph.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Really enjoyed "Spent: A Comic Novel" by Alison Bechdel
It was a lot of fun to read and the art is beautiful
It was very self-aware as it deals with feeling overwhelmed from politics
Worth checking out, especially if you like graphic novels and/or are feeling politically insecure
It was a lot of fun to read and the art is beautiful
It was very self-aware as it deals with feeling overwhelmed from politics
Worth checking out, especially if you like graphic novels and/or are feeling politically insecure
I wonder how much electrical energy is lost just from ai chat bots responding to other ai chat bots online
November 15, 2025 at 1:38 AM
I wonder how much electrical energy is lost just from ai chat bots responding to other ai chat bots online
Not sure a random system is less than ideal
Ancient Greece used a lottery system, and as Astra Taylor notes, it was "on the grounds that elections were not democratic enough, as the well born and well spoken tended to win," and randomness meant "that no one individual or group could dominate."
Ancient Greece used a lottery system, and as Astra Taylor notes, it was "on the grounds that elections were not democratic enough, as the well born and well spoken tended to win," and randomness meant "that no one individual or group could dominate."
In an ideal society the leaders would be the wisest and most virtuous of people.
In a less than ideal society they would be chosen more or less at random, as by chance.
In our actual society, they are... well I'm not sure exactly how to describe it, but let's just say we are "totally fucked".
In a less than ideal society they would be chosen more or less at random, as by chance.
In our actual society, they are... well I'm not sure exactly how to describe it, but let's just say we are "totally fucked".
November 14, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Not sure a random system is less than ideal
Ancient Greece used a lottery system, and as Astra Taylor notes, it was "on the grounds that elections were not democratic enough, as the well born and well spoken tended to win," and randomness meant "that no one individual or group could dominate."
Ancient Greece used a lottery system, and as Astra Taylor notes, it was "on the grounds that elections were not democratic enough, as the well born and well spoken tended to win," and randomness meant "that no one individual or group could dominate."
If on a Winter's Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino
Before reading this book in my early twenties, I didn't know it was possible for this kind of book to exist, it changed my conception of reading and writing forever
Like, the structure is actively tying to break the form of a novel at every step
Before reading this book in my early twenties, I didn't know it was possible for this kind of book to exist, it changed my conception of reading and writing forever
Like, the structure is actively tying to break the form of a novel at every step
November 12, 2025 at 5:46 AM
If on a Winter's Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino
Before reading this book in my early twenties, I didn't know it was possible for this kind of book to exist, it changed my conception of reading and writing forever
Like, the structure is actively tying to break the form of a novel at every step
Before reading this book in my early twenties, I didn't know it was possible for this kind of book to exist, it changed my conception of reading and writing forever
Like, the structure is actively tying to break the form of a novel at every step
It's just so weird to be living in a place and time when a nation-building project includes liquid national gas expansion and open-pit mining, and the news article doesn't even mention 'climate change' or the 'environment'
A total lack of imagination for economic growth, which will doom us all
A total lack of imagination for economic growth, which will doom us all
New nation-building projects list to include mines, LNG and Iqaluit hydro: sources | CBC News
Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to announce a second set of “nation-building projects,” including at least two focused on critical mineral extraction, one for exporting natural gas and at least one ...
www.cbc.ca
November 12, 2025 at 3:55 AM
It's just so weird to be living in a place and time when a nation-building project includes liquid national gas expansion and open-pit mining, and the news article doesn't even mention 'climate change' or the 'environment'
A total lack of imagination for economic growth, which will doom us all
A total lack of imagination for economic growth, which will doom us all
When I listened to their podcast about this story, it was so depressing, learning about how a generation of children were taught such a destructive way of reading
features.apmreports.org/sold-a-story/
features.apmreports.org/sold-a-story/
November 11, 2025 at 10:32 PM
When I listened to their podcast about this story, it was so depressing, learning about how a generation of children were taught such a destructive way of reading
features.apmreports.org/sold-a-story/
features.apmreports.org/sold-a-story/
"If approved, the proposed budget could eliminate nearly 400 full-time jobs and reduce funding to community services, arts and culture, real estate, ... The document lumps planning, urban design and sustainability together as a line item and collectively cuts their funding by 14 per cent."
SCOOP: Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim is planning to eliminate the city's sustainability and climate department under the guise of a push to prevent increases to property taxes in his proposed 2026 budget.
Great source work by Marc Fawcett-Atkinson to uncover this
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/11/n...
Great source work by Marc Fawcett-Atkinson to uncover this
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/11/n...
Vancouver mayor plans to eliminate city's climate and sustainability department
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim is planning to eliminate the city's sustainability and climate department under the guise of a push to prevent increases to property taxes. Canada's National Observer learned a...
www.nationalobserver.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:06 AM
"If approved, the proposed budget could eliminate nearly 400 full-time jobs and reduce funding to community services, arts and culture, real estate, ... The document lumps planning, urban design and sustainability together as a line item and collectively cuts their funding by 14 per cent."
After winning by huge margins last Tuesday, I can't wait to see how Democrats use their leverage to really force the policy agenda on their terms, especially as a cohesive block
It's nice to finally feel some hope
...
wait, what
It's nice to finally feel some hope
...
wait, what
November 10, 2025 at 3:02 AM
After winning by huge margins last Tuesday, I can't wait to see how Democrats use their leverage to really force the policy agenda on their terms, especially as a cohesive block
It's nice to finally feel some hope
...
wait, what
It's nice to finally feel some hope
...
wait, what
"There are, in the genealogical tree, traumatized, unprocessed places that are eternally seeking relief. From these places, arrows are launched toward future generations. Anything that has not been resolved must be repeated and will affect someone else, ... one or more generations in the future."
November 8, 2025 at 10:11 PM
"There are, in the genealogical tree, traumatized, unprocessed places that are eternally seeking relief. From these places, arrows are launched toward future generations. Anything that has not been resolved must be repeated and will affect someone else, ... one or more generations in the future."
"DULF produced a peer-reviewed study that showed after about one year none of its compassion club members had died. Members reported having fewer overdoses and engaging in less crime"
Breaking: the founders of DULF have been found guilty of three counts of drug trafficking. @michellegamage.bsky.social will have the full story later today thetyee.ca/News/2025/10...
Safe Drugs on Trial: DULF’s Trafficking Case Begins | The Tyee
The founders are charged with trafficking. Their lawyers argue they had a legal exemption from drug laws.
thetyee.ca
November 7, 2025 at 6:27 PM
"DULF produced a peer-reviewed study that showed after about one year none of its compassion club members had died. Members reported having fewer overdoses and engaging in less crime"
Had a bit of fun making a new map of the False Creek area
Still a work in progress, but I like the direction
#rstudio #rayshader #vancouver
Still a work in progress, but I like the direction
#rstudio #rayshader #vancouver
November 7, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Had a bit of fun making a new map of the False Creek area
Still a work in progress, but I like the direction
#rstudio #rayshader #vancouver
Still a work in progress, but I like the direction
#rstudio #rayshader #vancouver
Reposted by Steve Tornes
BREAKING: The BC Labour Relations Board has ruled that all research assistants at Simon Fraser University are workers and members of the Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU).
TSSU successfully organized research assistants twice over the last six years.
www.tssu.ca/grad-student...
TSSU successfully organized research assistants twice over the last six years.
www.tssu.ca/grad-student...
GRAD STUDENT RAs ARE WORKERS AND TSSU MEMBERS! - TSSU
www.tssu.ca
November 6, 2025 at 11:47 PM
BREAKING: The BC Labour Relations Board has ruled that all research assistants at Simon Fraser University are workers and members of the Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU).
TSSU successfully organized research assistants twice over the last six years.
www.tssu.ca/grad-student...
TSSU successfully organized research assistants twice over the last six years.
www.tssu.ca/grad-student...
Reposted by Steve Tornes
The ArQuives: Canada’s LGBTQ2+ Archives (@arquives.ca) is launching its largest-ever digitization initiative focusing on hidden Canadian 2SLGBTQIA+ histories.
Learn more: arquives.ca/the-arquives...
Learn more: arquives.ca/the-arquives...
November 4, 2025 at 8:36 PM
The ArQuives: Canada’s LGBTQ2+ Archives (@arquives.ca) is launching its largest-ever digitization initiative focusing on hidden Canadian 2SLGBTQIA+ histories.
Learn more: arquives.ca/the-arquives...
Learn more: arquives.ca/the-arquives...
Reposted by Steve Tornes
🚨 Notes Toward a Digital Workers’ Inquiry is out! We’ve collected stories, struggles, and strategies from the tech sector’s labour movement—even as digital platforms reshape work and tech billionaires side w Trump.
Get it at: buff.ly/9Li5A3U (DIGI-WORKERS-HOMIE for 25% off)
Get it at: buff.ly/9Li5A3U (DIGI-WORKERS-HOMIE for 25% off)
November 4, 2025 at 4:44 PM
🚨 Notes Toward a Digital Workers’ Inquiry is out! We’ve collected stories, struggles, and strategies from the tech sector’s labour movement—even as digital platforms reshape work and tech billionaires side w Trump.
Get it at: buff.ly/9Li5A3U (DIGI-WORKERS-HOMIE for 25% off)
Get it at: buff.ly/9Li5A3U (DIGI-WORKERS-HOMIE for 25% off)
Reposted by Steve Tornes
I love how it looks Stebe! Awesome work and thank you for bringing my tutorial to life!
Tutorial 👉 youtu.be/E7F75OFXu-I
Tutorial 👉 youtu.be/E7F75OFXu-I
November 1, 2025 at 7:14 AM
I love how it looks Stebe! Awesome work and thank you for bringing my tutorial to life!
Tutorial 👉 youtu.be/E7F75OFXu-I
Tutorial 👉 youtu.be/E7F75OFXu-I
I made a new kind of map
This one is of the City of North Vancouver, with City Hall right at the centre
Still a work in progress, both in understanding the code and in the design
Big thank you to @milos-makes-maps.bsky.social who made a great tutorial video and shared his code!
#rstats #rayshader
This one is of the City of North Vancouver, with City Hall right at the centre
Still a work in progress, both in understanding the code and in the design
Big thank you to @milos-makes-maps.bsky.social who made a great tutorial video and shared his code!
#rstats #rayshader
November 1, 2025 at 2:52 AM
I made a new kind of map
This one is of the City of North Vancouver, with City Hall right at the centre
Still a work in progress, both in understanding the code and in the design
Big thank you to @milos-makes-maps.bsky.social who made a great tutorial video and shared his code!
#rstats #rayshader
This one is of the City of North Vancouver, with City Hall right at the centre
Still a work in progress, both in understanding the code and in the design
Big thank you to @milos-makes-maps.bsky.social who made a great tutorial video and shared his code!
#rstats #rayshader
Reposted by Steve Tornes
We have progressed from data collection to data analysis.
November 1, 2025 at 12:31 AM
We have progressed from data collection to data analysis.
"If there's a single overriding ideology that defines all of One Piece, it's that people who follow their dreams make the world a better place. And so the best possible world can only come about when everyone is free to dream."
Really enjoyed this video about solidarity and mutual support
Really enjoyed this video about solidarity and mutual support
Let's talk about how One Piece became the official anime of The Revolution youtu.be/-VQ3e7YbFmw
One Piece - Official Anime of The Revolution
YouTube video by Mother's Basement
youtu.be
October 26, 2025 at 9:34 PM
"If there's a single overriding ideology that defines all of One Piece, it's that people who follow their dreams make the world a better place. And so the best possible world can only come about when everyone is free to dream."
Really enjoyed this video about solidarity and mutual support
Really enjoyed this video about solidarity and mutual support
All this news about the East Wing reminds me of an old story
About how Trump bought the Bonwit building in 1979, with some historic Art Deco pieces
Trump originally said that the Met could have the pieces, "and yet, without warning, Trump’s demolition crew destroyed the sculptures" under his orders
About how Trump bought the Bonwit building in 1979, with some historic Art Deco pieces
Trump originally said that the Met could have the pieces, "and yet, without warning, Trump’s demolition crew destroyed the sculptures" under his orders
Donald Trump hasn’t changed one bit since his first media feud in 1980
The man hasn't changed a bit in 36 years.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 23, 2025 at 2:13 PM
All this news about the East Wing reminds me of an old story
About how Trump bought the Bonwit building in 1979, with some historic Art Deco pieces
Trump originally said that the Met could have the pieces, "and yet, without warning, Trump’s demolition crew destroyed the sculptures" under his orders
About how Trump bought the Bonwit building in 1979, with some historic Art Deco pieces
Trump originally said that the Met could have the pieces, "and yet, without warning, Trump’s demolition crew destroyed the sculptures" under his orders
Reposted by Steve Tornes
Have you spotted the Hope in Shadows Calendar around town? @megaphonemagazine.com vendors now have this in stock and it's filled with some fantastic photography from the Downtown Eastside community. It's available from your local vendor for $20.
Megaphone - Hope in Shadows Calendar
megaphonemagazine.com
October 22, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Have you spotted the Hope in Shadows Calendar around town? @megaphonemagazine.com vendors now have this in stock and it's filled with some fantastic photography from the Downtown Eastside community. It's available from your local vendor for $20.
"The reason is brutally simple: logistics costs have soared — rising from 50 to almost 90 percent of the coal’s final price — while discounts to Asia remain steep, sometimes forcing producers to export at a loss merely to secure foreign currency and protect mining-region jobs."
Russia’s Coal Collapse Marks The End Of Fossil Fuel Post-War Illusion
Russia’s Coal Collapse signals the end of the fossil era. From bankrupt mines to battery booms, the global energy transition is accelerating. Facing political resistance.
www.forbes.com
October 20, 2025 at 1:55 AM
"The reason is brutally simple: logistics costs have soared — rising from 50 to almost 90 percent of the coal’s final price — while discounts to Asia remain steep, sometimes forcing producers to export at a loss merely to secure foreign currency and protect mining-region jobs."
Feels like the same iceberg inverted
October 18, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Feels like the same iceberg inverted