When I said I wanted to understand Max Weber, I did not mean that I wanted to read *this much* Weber. I fear my brain will not survive.

PROGRAMMING NOTE: Fingers Buzzwords of The Week is now a standalone feature and will be free to read for the foreseeable future. Here’s the first installation under this new format. It’s a fucking doozy:

The fact that anyone considers it socially acceptable to wear these is shocking. More shaming, please!

If you had told me 10 years ago that there was even a chance Napa Cab would be dead in Alberta, I would’ve mocked you mercilessly. www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...

Y’all, last night I had dreams about sleeping. February is proving longgggg.

I do want to shout-out my fellow sociologists, who have collectively created a discipline so woke that not a single one of our introductory textbooks can make it past Florida's censors. Great work everyone.

No, wine newsletters, I do not want pairing suggestions for the Superbowl. 🤦🏻‍♀️

The point is, I suppose, somewhat accurate — if unfathomably stupid.

Somebody somewhere listed my email and name as the host of a business podcast that I have never listened to, let alone booked guests for. However, I'm now getting pitches coming in that are a) terrible b) obviously AI generated and c) kind of funny. "Thanks for the conversations you've sparked!"

Happy to say that the new journal article on exploitation of migrant workers and racial capitalism in Canada is now published.

The Priest, trying to be reassuring: "remember, nothing is impossible with God." Me, still stressed: "... Yeah but it's not exactly PROBABLE, is it, Father?"

Sad to see that one myth (nobody drank water in the Middle Ages) is being replaced by another myth (people didn't drink beer every day against thirst instead of water). The reality seems to be that those who could drank beer all day every day, but many couldn't. And not just in the Middle Ages.

Drowning in theory reading but just downloaded this, which is way more exciting than Durkheim.

A great profile of “the Bill Nye of grindset masculinity.”

The network that gave the wine industry decades of cover with 60 Minutes’ infamous 1991 segment on the pseudoscientific “French paradox” going on to hire one of the most prominent pseudoscientific anti-alcohol voices from the manosphere? Breathtaking to see the cosmic scales rebalance in real time.

We’re hit by the same polar vortex here in Ontario and it’s cold aaaas — going outside made me almost throw up. So much respect for every person in Minnesota braving it anyway to stand up for their principles and their neighbours.

We’re looking for an experienced journalist to join a growing bureau at The Tyee with a special focus on oceans and rivers in Western Canada. Apply by Feb. 8 and tell your journalist friends! 🪸📰 #CdnMedia

Condé Nast forgot to renew the trademark for Gourmet and so a group of journalists grabbed it and are relaunching the food magazine as a worker-owned co-op. Love it. [gourmetmagazine.net]

Wine is like taco bell in that the best time to consume it is at 3am whilst crying.

You know what we need now? Tiffany. music.apple.com/ca/album/i-t...

"which wines would sommeliers like to see less of in 2026?" An interesting take on the wine list and at first glance a controversial list. But read the article to get the whole picture and nuance. By @vinepair.com

I accidentally sent a text to the family group chat that said: Do I actually have to be nice to Republicans? And you know what? Sorry not sorry.

I still have faith the U.S. can fulfill its promise. My father was raised in the most flag-waving home and when he was sent to Vietnam said, “No. You don’t understand what you’re asking.” And gave up everything for the principle. I believe in the country that raised him. Please prove me right.

Helpful!

Things are bad here, so things down there seem dire.

Amanda Gorman wrote this poem for Renee Good and that’s it for me tonight.

If you can't handle me at my worst, yeah, fair enough, I'm a fucking nightmare

well I'm definitely following daniel now

Minneapolis is such a beautiful and kind place. Even amid all the current chaos, this somehow hits particularly hard.

Well, yes, but it’s also going to provide plausible deniability cover for the worst of us to claim everything is fake news. Happy New Year!

I lamented 2011 but I. Had. No. Idea.

A watched grade never boils. (Or something.)

This is gold. Thank you.

[screaming at the top of my lungs, once again] the fundamental technology of humanity is care

happy boxing day

It’s so odd Americans don’t have Boxing Day because you’d think it would be the country most likely to embrace a choose-your-adventure holiday of a) eating holiday snacks in PJs while watching movies or b) competitive discount shopping. But, sure, go to work instead.

I’m more worried about them dying in the climate wars but sure … bugs are the things to fear.

BC Conservative Party leader John Rustad delivered a conspiratorial speech about children being forced to eat bugs at an event celebrating the Freedom Convoy “We should not be expecting our kids to eat bugs” pressprogress.ca/bc-conservat...

I spent 20 years studying this all and he just … Skeeted it out.

A gentle reminder if you've received an invoice from a Freelancer/Self employed person which is due before Christmas. Be a love, and pay it today.

I can’t send end-of-semester thank you cards until I get envelopes for my note cards. (Left ‘em behind in the move.) My stationery place seems to be the only one with the size and only has the wrong colour off the rack or personalized ones and I cannot justify that lavish a purchase as a student …

Brilliant analysis of wine’s zeitgeist by one of wine’s most brilliant thinkers. A must read. blog.resy.com/2025/12/make...

"Thanks, Aunt Anya," I will hear through gritted teeth as they make a beeline to the toys. You know what? Fine.

I was so tired going into my final exam and someone drenched in perfume set off a bout of coughing. My prof noticed and came over to ask if I wanted someone to refill my water bottle. I'm wishing her, specifically, the best holiday ever and everyone else someone else that careful. 💗

A big scandal in Vinho Verde, reports The Drinks Business. This is quite a spectacle. #wine #vinhoverde

Well, this triggered an industry PTSD flashback.

I’m afraid 0% alcohol wine will be perfected just about the time when nobody wants it. www.the-buyer.net/insight/anal...

I honestly think that many people don't know what their public libraries offer besides books. I think that everyone should go on a public library treasure hunt in 2026. Go explore what your library systems offer at no cost to you. Report back to me :)

Well, that’s me out of Whamaggedon. It was worth it.