8. Because of this faith, most liberals, but not only liberals, can’t imagine a future in which the government is actually trying to hurt them. We say that that only happens in times like the early 20th century, in places like Soviet Russia or Maoist China.

Book about how engagement metrics and the Internet killed journalism titled “Tragedy of the Comments”

Ford's "Challenger jet would only have been able to use 19 of Ontario's 179 operational airports based on the distance it needs to take off at its maximum weight and the length of available runways." (And of those, nearly all have regular commercial service.) www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

So much false equivalence in media on gerrymandering in Texas vs California & Virginia. California and Virginia maps approved by the voters. That's a huge difference not enough people pointing out

Somewhat comical turn of fortune! From nothing to almost all the letters at once (Tuesday April 21) Wordle 1,767 3/6* ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ 🟨🟩🟩🟩⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Went to the Yonge TOmorrow public meeting tonight about plans for downtown Yonge. Much frustration that the planned pedestrian zone south of Dundas has been abandoned. Thread🧵

Three years before speed cameras were banned in Ontario, the Ford government’s own researchers found them to be an effective safety measure, but one that risked being viewed as a “cash grab.” Fast forward to 2025, and Premier Doug Ford himself evoked that same narrative.

I published my editor's intro to the new issue of @spacing.bsky.social. In anticipation of World Cup games coming to Toronto, the issue is dedicated to soccer. I write about my own casual fan-dom and how Toronto is more of a soccer city than you'd think. spacing.ca/toronto/2026...

"It’s almost as if all branches of history lead to a discussion about Keir Starmer’s bad judgment." www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Washington ordered smallpox inoculations for the Continental Army beginning in 1777. Hegseth, therefore, is taking a mid-18th century, pre-Industrial Age approach to medicine and warfare.

Abigail Murray and Bashir Tofangsazi: “Our results indicate tickets are not associated with locations of high-fatality intersections when taking race into effect, indicating safety was not a motivating factor in jaywalking enforcement.”

📣 “For too long, critical street safety projects have been delayed or shelved because of political considerations and backroom deal-making rather than the needs of New Yorkers. Those days are over,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. www.nyc.gov/mayors-offic...

Moving to permanent standard time. This is the opposite (and healthier) direction from BC, which moved to permanent daylight savings time. But also makes sense, in NWT sun comes up so early in summer an hour makes little difference either way.

“What I didn’t know was that measles can cause long-term complications. A child can seem fine while the virus slowly replicates in her brain… Because both Britain and the United States are confronting outbreaks, I am sharing my story. Parents should know just how dangerous this disease is.”

"The timeline for a scaled-backed yongeTOmorrow is also tediously long, with tendering for construction starting in 2030 or later. Toronto should install temporary measures to create more space for pedestrians like New York did nearly 20 years ago." www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

Fortunate first word led to a quick 3 (Monday April 20) Wordle 1,766 3/6* 🟩🟨⬜⬜🟩 🟩⬜🟩⬜🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

My friend Derek has joined Bluesky. Follow him for delightful quotes from the many books (and other materials) he somehow reads all at the same time.

Giving a damn is big. Also, buildings designed before AC relied on natural ventilation (and lighting) more, which turns out, makes people feel better.

School absenteeism, and access to Safe, clean, accessible, school bathrooms are related topics. www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...

Once again need to remind everyone that the supposedly crime-infested hellhole of New York is one of the safest cities in the country in no small part because most people in the central area don’t drive. America has a much bigger car problem than a violent crime problem.

New issue! Editor @dylanreid.bsky.social introduces our soccer issue (#74), ahead Toronto hosting World Cup games, and argues that Toronto has been and is much more of a soccer city than many might think. spacing.ca/toronto/2026...

Can someone please run a platform on just delivering services half decently. Like just the easy ones. Fully staffing Service Ontarios so wait times are regularly less than 15 minutes. Hiring more DriveTest staff so you don’t have to book months ahead for a driving test.

Prague just opened the new Dvorecký Bridge. It's exclusively for trams, buses, bikes, and pedestrians. Private cars are completely banned.

I see your bad bus stop and raise you this one - in Columbus, Ohio - just metres from the campus of the 3rd largest university in the country. (photo credit: reddit user jigglebits123)

ICYMI - The yongeTOmorrow public consultation is happening TOMORROW (5:30 - 8:30 PM) at Central YMCA (20 Grosvenor Street). Please attend to demand the reinstatement of previously proposed pedestrian priority zones. #BikeTO #WalkTO #TOpoli #VisionZero www.twowheeledpolitics.ca/2026/04/wtf-...

Been wondering what was happening with that odd tall building on Logan just north of the tracks. This piece by @johnlorinc.bsky.social explains the retrofit, which should also make it much more attractive. #EastEndTO www.theglobeandmail.com/real-estate/...

Another example in Toronto (on Victoria Park near Danforth).

Would it be impolite to mention that Barack Obama got a deal with Iran with no bombing, no destruction, no schoolgirls killed, no US soldiers killed, no Strait closed, and no global economic crisis?

Love this recessed semi-detached where each half has evolved in completely different ways.

“This sign has no (s)crap value”

That opening got me reading the whole long Bleak House

Reading about the endless neglect of 24 Sussex Drive (the abandoned residence of Canada's Prime Minister) makes me realize it that the president of the United States works from home (The White House), and always has.

A back to school campaign developed with @thebikinglawyer.bsky.social

New Post In The Etobicoke Voice theetobicokevoice.substack.com/p/two-weeks-... 2 wks from the start of #TOpoli election season & tonight the post talks about the importance of being an active & informed voter! Side note -The E Voice started b/c I saw a need for local media after the 2022 election

"Pancreatic cancer mRNA vaccine shows lasting results in an early trial: Scientists caution that more research is needed, but nearly all of the patients who responded to the personalized vaccine are still alive six years later."

One of those puzzling combinations of letters. Might have been a fun starter word (Saturday April 18) Wordle 1,764 4/6* ⬜🟨⬜⬜⬜ ⬜🟨⬜🟨⬜ ⬜⬜🟩⬜🟨 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

"it doesn’t surprise me a bit that this organization [FIFA] and the companies riding its coattails are reaching deep into the city’s pockets to see what else they can grab."

Modern Blake Avenue #murals

Sign of spring!

True. As I said before, I liked how it shifted our sympathies over season 2. But also, a lot of it was set up in season 1, looking back, which is impressive.

For me, it was the first half of season 2 of Ted Lasso that was bad like this. I thought it picked up a bit after that (the coach Beard surreal episode got it back on track), even if it didn't return to the height of season 1.

The stairs on Athletic Ave. that used to go down to Ulster Stadium, the home of Ulster United FC. Read all about it in Nancy Dutra's piece in the new soccer issue of @spacing.bsky.social , now at the Spacing Store and soon in mailboxes and fine bookstores.

The worst bus stop in Ottawa according to local advocates. Used as image with a recent Substack. open.substack.com/pub/toondree...

"City Unclear Why Transit Ridership Isn't Up - Cuts Service In Last Ditch Effort To Turn Things Around"

The desperate campaign to push AI down our throats is just what Nestlé did with baby formula, or Monsanto with patended seeds. Manufactured Intermediation—inserting a corporate tollbooth into a process that used to be self-sustaining, using a low initial barrier to entry to destroy the alternative.

That's such a serious photo that I wouldn't have recognized him

I do not want to create an account or open a subscription I just want to buy a thing and never hear from you again why is this so hard.

Drop your crime-fighting Catholics

Drop your crime-fighting Catholics:

A nifty bowl pattern today. Kind of lucky with my starter word narrowing the options. (Friday April 17) Wordle 1,763 4/6* 🟩⬜⬜⬜🟩 🟩⬜⬜⬜🟩 🟩⬜⬜⬜🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩