Call me K
@k-in-waterloo.bsky.social
I like weird fonts and I can't lie! Settler in the traditional lands of the Haudenosaunee, Anishnaabe and Chonnonton peoples. Work-safe radio edit.
Reposted by Call me K
A global network of urbanists shaping the cities of tomorrow. From sustainability to resilience and fairness, we’re all tackling the same challenges—and we have so much to learn from each other. As climate change and other crises intensify, sharing ideas has never been more urgent.
ICYMI: This is my STARTER PACK specifically profiling urbanists OUTSIDE of North America! If you love cities and want them to be better for people, please consider following these folks and orgs, and please share this pack as much as you can! Thanks very much.
November 3, 2025 at 5:33 AM
A global network of urbanists shaping the cities of tomorrow. From sustainability to resilience and fairness, we’re all tackling the same challenges—and we have so much to learn from each other. As climate change and other crises intensify, sharing ideas has never been more urgent.
Reposted by Call me K
The Kicked Out series is a multi-part compilation of resources, advice, and one of our go-to safety guides for unhoused and transient youth. We're excited to announce that this series is expanding even more with two additional pieces coming soon! www.scarleteen.com/read/cultu...
August 20, 2025 at 5:01 PM
The Kicked Out series is a multi-part compilation of resources, advice, and one of our go-to safety guides for unhoused and transient youth. We're excited to announce that this series is expanding even more with two additional pieces coming soon! www.scarleteen.com/read/cultu...
Reposted by Call me K
But, what’s woke about accessibility?
If you release a product, and something like a quarter of your audience can’t use it at all or at least has significant difficulty … your product is just shit.
It’s that simple.
“I made a product lots of people can’t use” isn’t any kind of flex, bro
If you release a product, and something like a quarter of your audience can’t use it at all or at least has significant difficulty … your product is just shit.
It’s that simple.
“I made a product lots of people can’t use” isn’t any kind of flex, bro
August 22, 2025 at 7:42 AM
But, what’s woke about accessibility?
If you release a product, and something like a quarter of your audience can’t use it at all or at least has significant difficulty … your product is just shit.
It’s that simple.
“I made a product lots of people can’t use” isn’t any kind of flex, bro
If you release a product, and something like a quarter of your audience can’t use it at all or at least has significant difficulty … your product is just shit.
It’s that simple.
“I made a product lots of people can’t use” isn’t any kind of flex, bro
Reposted by Call me K
"Every day, public agencies greenlight projects that cost millions of dollars, destroy neighborhoods & ultimately kill people—all in the name of saving drivers a few seconds. This is standard operating procedure, justified by a single, dangerous metric: vehicular delay." -Andy Boenau
This status quo analysis is urban design malware
The way experts grade streets is failing communities.
buff.ly
August 20, 2025 at 11:30 AM
"Every day, public agencies greenlight projects that cost millions of dollars, destroy neighborhoods & ultimately kill people—all in the name of saving drivers a few seconds. This is standard operating procedure, justified by a single, dangerous metric: vehicular delay." -Andy Boenau
Reposted by Call me K
Hey, just a quiet reminder: it’s not true that people get more conservative as they age. *Populations* get more conservative as they age because poor and marginalized people die sooner.
nymag.com/intelligence...
nymag.com/intelligence...
Seniors Are More Conservative Because the Poor Die Off
Sometimes older voters aren’t just naturally more conservative. It’s just that wealthier and whiter people tend to live longer and healthier lives.
nymag.com
April 13, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Hey, just a quiet reminder: it’s not true that people get more conservative as they age. *Populations* get more conservative as they age because poor and marginalized people die sooner.
nymag.com/intelligence...
nymag.com/intelligence...
Reposted by Call me K
Here’s a list (I don’t think it’s up to date but it’s the most recent I found) of alternatives to Adobe products
It’s too big to get into detail in the alt text so sorry about that!
It’s too big to get into detail in the alt text so sorry about that!
April 3, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Here’s a list (I don’t think it’s up to date but it’s the most recent I found) of alternatives to Adobe products
It’s too big to get into detail in the alt text so sorry about that!
It’s too big to get into detail in the alt text so sorry about that!
Reposted by Call me K
February 11, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Reposted by Call me K
Trudeau government announces high-speed rail plans from Toronto to Quebec City.
Called Alto, the new 1,000-km rail line will run with stops in Peterborough, Ottawa, Montréal, Laval and Trois-Rivières.
Called Alto, the new 1,000-km rail line will run with stops in Peterborough, Ottawa, Montréal, Laval and Trois-Rivières.
Trudeau government announces high-speed rail plans from Toronto to Quebec City
Called Alto, the new 1,000-km rail line will run from Toronto to Québec City, with stops in Peterborough, Ottawa, Montréal, Laval and Trois-Rivières.
www.thestar.com
February 19, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Trudeau government announces high-speed rail plans from Toronto to Quebec City.
Called Alto, the new 1,000-km rail line will run with stops in Peterborough, Ottawa, Montréal, Laval and Trois-Rivières.
Called Alto, the new 1,000-km rail line will run with stops in Peterborough, Ottawa, Montréal, Laval and Trois-Rivières.
Reposted by Call me K
Great long thread about similar strategies I've been discussing here for riding waves of uncertainty. I learned a lot the first time round and had a plan in place this time that has WORKED.
1. Focus on what you can control
2. Limit your inputs
1. Focus on what you can control
2. Limit your inputs
Very early on, I figured out two important things:
1: Routines matter.
2: There is such a thing as too much news.
1: Routines matter.
2: There is such a thing as too much news.
January 28, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Great long thread about similar strategies I've been discussing here for riding waves of uncertainty. I learned a lot the first time round and had a plan in place this time that has WORKED.
1. Focus on what you can control
2. Limit your inputs
1. Focus on what you can control
2. Limit your inputs
Reposted by Call me K
"The affordable housing system in Vienna is supported by a 1% tax on all salaries. This generates $250 million annually, which provides a permanent funding stream for non-market developments."
Three lessons for Canada from Europe's co-op housing success
OPINION | From Vienna’s “unitary housing market” to Holland’s unlimited lease model, Europe offer insights on how to improve housing affordability and support the co-op economy
buff.ly
January 15, 2025 at 12:30 PM
"The affordable housing system in Vienna is supported by a 1% tax on all salaries. This generates $250 million annually, which provides a permanent funding stream for non-market developments."
Reposted by Call me K
I can’t stop thinking about the Canadian politician who became disabled at 60 and ended up homeless
Other politicians came together to raise over 40k in less than 48 hours … because they KNOW you can’t survive on government assistance.
So why aren’t we changing policies? 🧵/1
Other politicians came together to raise over 40k in less than 48 hours … because they KNOW you can’t survive on government assistance.
So why aren’t we changing policies? 🧵/1
January 6, 2025 at 3:56 AM
I can’t stop thinking about the Canadian politician who became disabled at 60 and ended up homeless
Other politicians came together to raise over 40k in less than 48 hours … because they KNOW you can’t survive on government assistance.
So why aren’t we changing policies? 🧵/1
Other politicians came together to raise over 40k in less than 48 hours … because they KNOW you can’t survive on government assistance.
So why aren’t we changing policies? 🧵/1
Reposted by Call me K
Ever get the feeling that the power of tech bros is accelerating beyond control? We really are at an absolutely critical juncture here. Every small thing seems part of an avalanche sweeping away whatever we might have thought was human, democratic control.
How long before someone proposes replacing a critical municipal service with this.
Call ChatGPT from any phone with OpenAI’s new 1-800 voice service
1-800-CHATGPT telephone number lets any US caller talk to OpenAI’s assistant—no smartphone required.
arstechnica.com
December 20, 2024 at 1:27 PM
Ever get the feeling that the power of tech bros is accelerating beyond control? We really are at an absolutely critical juncture here. Every small thing seems part of an avalanche sweeping away whatever we might have thought was human, democratic control.
Reposted by Call me K
This was always the goal: remove human teachers from classrooms in schools and universities, except for the very rich who will be able to afford human instruction.
This is why I have only contempt for teachers in higher ed who use AI in their courses--this is what you are actively escalating.
This is why I have only contempt for teachers in higher ed who use AI in their courses--this is what you are actively escalating.
“Kids begin their day with two hours of instruction on standard topics like language, math and science, guided by an AI that continuously adjusts the learning plan based on how the child is doing in each subject.”
New Arizona charter school will use AI in place of human teachers
Unbound Academy, which operates in Texas and Florida as Alpha Schools, has been approved to open a charter school in Arizona with an AI learning model that adjusts kids’ learning plans on the fly.
www.kjzz.org
December 19, 2024 at 12:43 PM
This was always the goal: remove human teachers from classrooms in schools and universities, except for the very rich who will be able to afford human instruction.
This is why I have only contempt for teachers in higher ed who use AI in their courses--this is what you are actively escalating.
This is why I have only contempt for teachers in higher ed who use AI in their courses--this is what you are actively escalating.
Reposted by Call me K
My solution to solve the problem of people who have no money is to charge them $10,000
December 14, 2024 at 5:21 AM
My solution to solve the problem of people who have no money is to charge them $10,000
Reposted by Call me K
This, this, this. “Shoulder surfing” is about the least likely way for your password to _ever_ leak and yet every single login page is designed to guard against the chance that you are, somehow, an MIT student in a shared computer lab in 1987.
This related password gripe probably arises less when copying and pasting from a password manager but can be equally infuriating particularly when using a phone keyboard, and similarly gives the feeling that the people designing the function have never actually had to use it.
December 14, 2024 at 2:37 PM
This, this, this. “Shoulder surfing” is about the least likely way for your password to _ever_ leak and yet every single login page is designed to guard against the chance that you are, somehow, an MIT student in a shared computer lab in 1987.
Reposted by Call me K
This is tricky of the Ford government. They don't need to put the Notwithstanding Clause on the table; his government is making new funding for shelters contingent on evicting encampments. This is his workaround for the 2023 Waterloo ruling prohibiting eviction without adequate access to shelter.
December 5, 2024 at 3:24 PM
This is tricky of the Ford government. They don't need to put the Notwithstanding Clause on the table; his government is making new funding for shelters contingent on evicting encampments. This is his workaround for the 2023 Waterloo ruling prohibiting eviction without adequate access to shelter.
Reposted by Call me K
I recently did a courtesy call with an indie developer. They wanted to talk to me because their game's target audience is ... uh, me. 25-40-year-old women, many of whom are moms.
They wanted to know: what did I need to pick up a game? What would bar me from playing?
Here are some answers 🧵(1/?):
They wanted to know: what did I need to pick up a game? What would bar me from playing?
Here are some answers 🧵(1/?):
December 9, 2024 at 10:11 PM
I recently did a courtesy call with an indie developer. They wanted to talk to me because their game's target audience is ... uh, me. 25-40-year-old women, many of whom are moms.
They wanted to know: what did I need to pick up a game? What would bar me from playing?
Here are some answers 🧵(1/?):
They wanted to know: what did I need to pick up a game? What would bar me from playing?
Here are some answers 🧵(1/?):
Reposted by Call me K
Read all about it: globalnews.ca/news/1019814...
December 9, 2024 at 5:44 PM
Read all about it: globalnews.ca/news/1019814...
Reposted by Call me K
"With housing, demand is largely invisible, while supply is not just visible—it appears to be all around us. This makes the reality that demand is greater than supply counterintuitive."
Why Housing Breaks People's Brains: A Visual Guide
Housing shortages are uniquely counterintuitive. These images show why.
buff.ly
December 6, 2024 at 1:00 PM
"With housing, demand is largely invisible, while supply is not just visible—it appears to be all around us. This makes the reality that demand is greater than supply counterintuitive."
Reposted by Call me K
"There was a time — for 36 years after the Charter came into effect — in which this provision was rarely used outside of Quebec, and never used in Ontario. Then came Ford, who in 6 years has invoked it 3 times...And now Ford is talking about doing it a fourth time."
#OnPoli
#OnPoli
Edward Keenan: Doug Ford seems eager to toss the Charter aside — again. Here’s what is most distressing about this time
Ontario’s premier appears eager to use the notwithstanding clause because he thinks it earns him a macho badge of honour.
www.thestar.com
December 6, 2024 at 12:04 PM
"There was a time — for 36 years after the Charter came into effect — in which this provision was rarely used outside of Quebec, and never used in Ontario. Then came Ford, who in 6 years has invoked it 3 times...And now Ford is talking about doing it a fourth time."
#OnPoli
#OnPoli
Reposted by Call me K
Everyone needs to be aware of this kind of bot.
Many of us believe we have a duty to respond gently to polite argumentation. Especially in advocacy.
Nope.
If someone sealions, check their timeline to see if this is a pattern. Then report & block, as @rahaeli.bsky.social describes. 🧵(1/6)
Many of us believe we have a duty to respond gently to polite argumentation. Especially in advocacy.
Nope.
If someone sealions, check their timeline to see if this is a pattern. Then report & block, as @rahaeli.bsky.social describes. 🧵(1/6)
So about ten years ago I found a small network of bots on Reddit dedicated to spreading hate. The thing about it is that these weren't even responding to political topics - they were just responding to random keywords with insults and hate.
The same bots are now here. You should understand why. 🧵
The same bots are now here. You should understand why. 🧵
this is kind of a niche issue but: if you are getting weird and hostile responses that feel a little off, there are some folks on here making accounts that automatically reply to large quantities of posts in a vaguely hostile manner. you can ignore them, and also, it's not personal
December 3, 2024 at 10:49 PM
Everyone needs to be aware of this kind of bot.
Many of us believe we have a duty to respond gently to polite argumentation. Especially in advocacy.
Nope.
If someone sealions, check their timeline to see if this is a pattern. Then report & block, as @rahaeli.bsky.social describes. 🧵(1/6)
Many of us believe we have a duty to respond gently to polite argumentation. Especially in advocacy.
Nope.
If someone sealions, check their timeline to see if this is a pattern. Then report & block, as @rahaeli.bsky.social describes. 🧵(1/6)
Reposted by Call me K
Thinking about the AI Coke ad and this is my most "we used to be a real country" moment
1978 commercial for Jovan Sex Appeal aftershave animated by Richard Williams and based Frank Frazetta's painting 'Against the Gods'. Never for evil! 🔥🔥🔥
December 3, 2024 at 11:01 PM
Thinking about the AI Coke ad and this is my most "we used to be a real country" moment
Reposted by Call me K
If you want to be depressed (or know the problem...) read David Rider's deep look into how the 15 minute city conspiracy spread and how it lodged itself into GTA politics. My first response is "we are doomed" but then, you know, knowing is half the battle (TM).
www.thestar.com/news/gta/how...
www.thestar.com/news/gta/how...
How the 15-minute city idea became a misinformation-fuelled fight that’s rattling GTA councils
The idea of making cities walkable and livable has helped fuel a conspiracy theory that is throwing local meetings into chaos — and is already changing the way councils work.
www.thestar.com
November 25, 2024 at 3:35 PM
If you want to be depressed (or know the problem...) read David Rider's deep look into how the 15 minute city conspiracy spread and how it lodged itself into GTA politics. My first response is "we are doomed" but then, you know, knowing is half the battle (TM).
www.thestar.com/news/gta/how...
www.thestar.com/news/gta/how...
Reposted by Call me K
AI would be easy to kill.
Pass a law saying that the owner of the AI corporation is as legally liable for what AI says as if an employee said it.
Pass a law saying that the owner of the AI corporation is as legally liable for what AI says as if an employee said it.
October 24, 2024 at 3:07 AM
AI would be easy to kill.
Pass a law saying that the owner of the AI corporation is as legally liable for what AI says as if an employee said it.
Pass a law saying that the owner of the AI corporation is as legally liable for what AI says as if an employee said it.