Nostr notes by Ron Dyck

"AI’s vaunted productivity gains should free up plenty of ...

2026-07-10T04:07:46Z

"AI’s vaunted productivity gains should free up plenty of capital to finance a four-day workweek. And they could fund tuition-free AI job re-skilling programs and a guaranteed income policy that protects households from AI-related job loss."

🤣

Blocking data centres won’t tame AI’s real threat
https://www.thestar.com/business/opinion/the-wrong-fight-blocking-data-centres-wont-tame-ais-real-threat/article_8d2300b5-ec52-4209-b63f-b7bdb7e9fdd2.html

https://archive.ph/Hif1X

Concert review: hypnotic Angine de Poitrine exceeds hype at Fan ...

2026-07-10T03:47:57Z

Concert review: hypnotic Angine de Poitrine exceeds hype at Fan Park
https://edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/music/review-angine-de-poitrine-edmonton

https://archive.ph/FRqaw

GitHub AI agent leaks private repos when asked nicely ...

2026-07-08T08:33:20Z

GitHub AI agent leaks private repos when asked nicely https://www.theregister.com/security/2026/07/07/github-ai-agent-leaks-private-repos-when-asked-nicely/5267924

Catnip lotion as effective as Deet at repelling mosquitoes, study ...

2026-07-07T19:00:49Z

Catnip lotion as effective as Deet at repelling mosquitoes, study finds https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/jul/07/catnip-lotion-as-effective-as-deet-at-repelling-mosquitoes-study-finds

“It’s like saying, ‘We will never look at independent ...

2026-07-04T00:41:40Z

“It’s like saying, ‘We will never look at independent science ever again. We’re totally satisfied with what the company gives us, and we don’t care what university researchers find’.”

Carney government overhauls pesticide laws with little scrutiny - Canadian Affairs https://www.canadianaffairs.news/2026/07/03/carney-government-overhauls-pesticide-laws-with-little-scrutiny/

Lede: Party’s old guard abandons ‘blue no matter what’ ...

2026-06-29T19:26:32Z

Lede: Party’s old guard abandons ‘blue no matter what’ banner to push for a more formal break with progressive wing

Backlash from centrist Democrats as democratic socialist candidates sweep primaries https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/29/centrist-democrats-democratic-socialists-backlash

Lede: Weekend house auction results and the official taxation ...

2026-06-24T22:13:51Z

Lede: Weekend house auction results and the official taxation data reveal the arguments from outraged conservatives are hollow

Capital gains tax changes are already having an impact on wealth inequality – and vested interests are running scared https://www.theguardian.com/business/grogonomics/2026/jun/25/capital-gains-tax-changes-auction-prices-results-wealth-inequality

75% More Pedestrians Have Been Killed Since 2009. Giant Trucks ...

2026-06-24T02:57:08Z

75% More Pedestrians Have Been Killed Since 2009. Giant Trucks and SUVs Are a Major Reason https://www.thedrive.com/news/75-more-pedestrians-have-been-killed-since-2009-giant-trucks-and-suvs-are-why

Data center that vowed to avoid Colorado River water is now suing ...

2026-06-23T03:53:40Z

Data center that vowed to avoid Colorado River water is now suing for 260 million gallons per year https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/data-center-vowed-avoid-colorado-143900694.html

"People don't seem to understand what a farmer actually ...

2026-06-13T18:00:07Z

"People don't seem to understand what a farmer actually does."

Devon farmer reported for sheep worrying after herding own flock https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz6vpp27790o

Violence escalates in Israel amid ultra-Orthodox military draft ...

2026-06-13T17:54:56Z

Violence escalates in Israel amid ultra-Orthodox military draft protests https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/6/12/violence-escalates-in-israel-amid-ultra-orthodox-military-draft-protests

"According to the study, socioeconomic factors accounted for ...

2026-06-13T15:46:48Z

"According to the study, socioeconomic factors accounted for about 16 per cent of the variation seen in measures of brain function, a larger share than any other category examined."

Study links children brain development to family income, neighbourhood https://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/article/the-strongest-influence-on-childrens-brains-may-not-be-what-many-expect-study-suggests/

" ... In deal after deal across American sports, it’s the ...

2026-06-12T21:21:07Z

" ... In deal after deal across American sports, it’s the same playbook in which the public funds a venue, and the owner uses it to serve a wealthier, smaller crowd."

#NeoliberalNirvana

American taxpayers have spent $33 billion on sports stadiums. They got fewer seats—and higher prices
https://fortune.com/2026/06/11/american-taxpayers-spent-33-billion-sports-stadiums-fewer-seats-higher-prices/

https://archive.ph/ReRtk

"Italian prosecutors are investigating Montgomery, ...

2026-06-11T18:10:04Z

"Italian prosecutors are investigating Montgomery, Alabama-based Caddell Construction, a major builder of U.S. diplomatic missions. Two of its managers in Italy were arrested this month on suspicion of labor exploitation, one while boarding a flight to leave the country and another planning to flee, prosecutors said."

Foreign workers on US Consulate project in Italy complain of labor abuses | AP News https://apnews.com/article/us-consulate-milan-caddell-labor-exploitation-9b77ab653aad4ffeab368de423920848

Most new U.S. AI data centers are being built in drought zones ...

2026-06-09T01:14:09Z

Most new U.S. AI data centers are being built in drought zones — two-thirds of 809 planned projects set for areas with water shortages https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/most-new-us-ai-data-centers-are-going-up-on-drought-land

"The wet-bulb limit is not something happening in the future ...

2026-06-08T09:14:22Z

"The wet-bulb limit is not something happening in the future in a place most people will never visit. It has already been reached, repeatedly, in cities where people live and work."

Extreme heat is nearing the limits of human survival
https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-heat-is-pushing-parts-of-the-world-toward-the-limits-of-human-survival/

Don't want to starve or become homeless? You might lack ...

2026-06-07T03:39:29Z

Don't want to starve or become homeless? You might lack ambition!

Want to switch jobs but can't let go? You might be a job hugger https://www.cbc.ca/radio/costofliving/job-hugging-market-9.7223514

"Mamdani has expressed his desire for a social housing system ...

2026-06-06T03:22:38Z

"Mamdani has expressed his desire for a social housing system like in Vienna or Singapore. But city government lacks the funding, and the federal government has also pulled away from building public housing in recent decades. Instead, the private sector has been incentivized to build affordable housing."

Behold the ultimate power: historical path dependency.

Zohran Mamdani’s capitalist plan to fix the housing crisis https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/04/business/mamdani-housing-new-york-city

Palantir wins £9M contract to run UK firearms licensing: ...

2026-06-04T20:54:33Z

Palantir wins £9M contract to run UK firearms licensing: CIA-backed biz to hold gun, bomb, and poison records https://www.theregister.com/databases/2026/06/04/palantir-wins-9m-contract-to-run-uk-firearms-licensing-cia-backed-biz-to-hold-gun-bomb-and-poison-records/5251132

Record-breaking heat and dry spring leave parts of England ...

2026-05-29T20:37:58Z

Record-breaking heat and dry spring leave parts of England without water https://www.cbc.ca/news/climate/england-drought-9.7216712

‘Planetary destruction on fast-forward’: witnessing the ...

2026-05-29T16:20:54Z

‘Planetary destruction on fast-forward’: witnessing the disappearance of Indonesia’s ‘eternity glaciers’ https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/27/witnessing-the-disappearance-of-indonesia-eternity-glaciers

Crows keep giving 'thank you gifts' to B.C. woman ...

2026-05-28T20:21:49Z

Crows keep giving 'thank you gifts' to B.C. woman https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/sawatsky-sign-off/article/woman-who-rescued-injured-crow-keeps-getting-thank-you-gifts-from-other-birds/

"U.S. neighbourhoods near data centres have seen a ...

2026-05-26T20:33:45Z

"U.S. neighbourhoods near data centres have seen a 267-per-cent increase in electricity costs and it’s not hard to see how that’s inconvenient to residents. The situation has implications and opportunities for investors."

#NeoliberalNirvana

Market Factors: Power bills more than 250 per cent higher near data centres
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/investment-ideas/article-market-factors-power-bills-more-than-250-per-cent-higher-near-data/

https://archive.ph/2kStk

Smith opens door to amending constitution to alter treaty rights ...

2026-05-23T03:06:39Z

Smith opens door to amending constitution to alter treaty rights | National Post
https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/danielle-smith-opens-door-to-amending-constitution-to-alter-treaty-rights

https://archive.ph/FV9Pg

#abpoli

Florida biologist fired over Charlie Kirk post wins $485,000 ...

2026-05-22T23:40:22Z

Florida biologist fired over Charlie Kirk post wins $485,000 settlement https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/22/florida-biologist-fired-charlie-kirk-post-wins-settlement

Funny headline, but haven't actually read it yet. Bolt CEO ...

2026-05-20T02:56:00Z

Funny headline, but haven't actually read it yet.

Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’
https://fortune.com/2026/05/19/bolt-ceo-ryan-breslow-cut-hr-department-causing-problems-fintech-startup-turn-around/

https://archive.ph/VnxTc

Well done, Angus Liberal party ‘corroded by hate’ MP says ...

2026-05-16T22:03:48Z

Well done, Angus

Liberal party ‘corroded by hate’ MP says amid concerns of ‘dog whistling’ on immigration https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/may/17/liberal-party-corroded-by-hate-mp-says-amid-concerns-of-dog-whistling-on-immigration

"What do you think is the biggest myth in the debate about ...

2026-05-15T22:20:08Z

"What do you think is the biggest myth in the debate about public and private schooling in Australia?

That private schools are better. It isn't borne out in any way and we've been convinced, really by capitalism and by neoliberalism in particular, that the more you pay for something the better it is."

Nice seditious heresy, Jane!

The Interview: Jane Caro reckons Australia is kidding itself about private schools https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-16/the-interview-jane-caro-public-private-school-education-debate/106675430

Have they tried privatization Reported 55% uptick in food bank ...

2026-05-14T01:40:10Z

Have they tried privatization

Reported 55% uptick in food bank use prompts calls for emergency funding https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/food-bank-use-emergency-funding-9.7189824

'It has been devastating,' U.S. spirits group says about ...

2026-05-12T20:01:54Z

'It has been devastating,' U.S. spirits group says about Canadian alcohol boycotts https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/american-alcohol-boycotts-bans-canada-trade-war-nslc-nova-scotia-9.7194289

Woodlands County: Wildfire evacuation order issued in Alberta ...

2026-05-12T19:21:35Z

Woodlands County: Wildfire evacuation order issued in Alberta https://www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/article/wildfire-evacuation-order-issued-for-county-northwest-of-edmonton/

MORE socialist utopia radicalism! /s 😅 Nature makes Canada a ...

2026-05-08T19:53:48Z

MORE socialist utopia radicalism! /s 😅

Nature makes Canada a whole lotta money. We’ve got the charts to prove it | The Narwhal https://thenarwhal.ca/canada-conservation-economy-in-charts/

Spain asks European Commission to block US sanctions on ICC | ...

2026-05-08T02:06:10Z

Spain asks European Commission to block US sanctions on ICC | Reuters https://www.reuters.com/world/spain-asks-european-commission-block-us-sanctions-icc-2026-05-06/

‘You’re not one of us, are you?’: How a Ukrainian soldier ...

2026-05-04T02:10:49Z

‘You’re not one of us, are you?’: How a Ukrainian soldier survived two weeks in a Russian dugout https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2026/may/03/youre-not-one-of-us-are-you-how-a-ukrainian-soldier-survived-two-weeks-in-a-russian-dugout

Quebec ‘anti-patch’ law targets Hells Angels ...

2026-05-02T21:52:29Z

Quebec ‘anti-patch’ law targets Hells Angels
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-quebec-anti-patch-law-targets-hells-angels/

https://archive.md/sZqfg

Industry lobbies would disagree?

2026-04-28T21:50:45Z

In reply to nevent1q…l6pk
_________________________

Industry lobbies would disagree?

Lede: Nitrates, largely from agricultural runoff, are linked to ...

2026-04-28T21:45:45Z

Lede: Nitrates, largely from agricultural runoff, are linked to cancers and birth defects. Research says areas with factory farms have higher levels of risk.

Nearly One-Fifth of Americans Are Consuming Water With High Levels of Nitrates https://insideclimatenews.org/news/27042026/agricultural-nitrate-water-pollution/

Oil producers to begin unveiling profits and spending plans ...

2026-04-27T08:30:23Z

Oil producers to begin unveiling profits and spending plans https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/bakx-wti-iran-q1-earnings-oil-9.7176422

"Every time I move somewhere developers want it. "I'm ...

2026-04-26T23:27:10Z

"Every time I move somewhere developers want it.

"I'm 76 now and I think by the time it all gets going and they build from the other end, I shall probably have died by then. But just for spite I'm not going to.

"This is no longer a rural place. It's going to get worse if they get their way."

Farmer refuses to budge for 2,000-home village plan https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpwjwr890gpo

as a night person, I prefer ST for the morning people. ...

2026-04-23T17:31:21Z

In reply to nevent1q…afky
_________________________

as a night person, I prefer ST for the morning people. Irrational?

"But of course, we know how this story ends. The games will ...

2026-04-23T14:22:09Z

"But of course, we know how this story ends. The games will go on, FIFA will make its US$11-billion and host cities will try and justify the hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars they spent to host a party for the wealthy."

As reality sets in, some World Cup host cities are feeling buyer’s remorse
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/article-as-reality-sets-in-some-world-cup-host-cities-are-feeling-buyers/

https://removepaywalls.com/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/article-as-reality-sets-in-some-world-cup-host-cities-are-feeling-buyers/

“Don’t just follow other provinces on whatever they’re ...

2026-04-23T14:03:55Z

“Don’t just follow other provinces on whatever they’re doing. Let’s look at the science. The science is very clear, we should be on standard time all year round and it solves all of those problems”

Popularity is the only thing that matters anymore, though.

Neuroscience professor against Alberta switching to daylight time year-round https://lethbridgeherald.com/news/lethbridge-news/2026/04/22/neuroscience-professor-against-alberta-switching-to-daylight-time-year-round/

"For example, Canadian Natural Resources Limited made $10.8 ...

2026-04-22T06:29:55Z

"For example, Canadian Natural Resources Limited made $10.8 billion in profits in 2025. CNRL has more than enough money to clean up every orphan site itself and still walk away with more than $9 billion in profits, and that’s just one company."

Public costs grow with latest cleanup fee for orphan wells
https://calgaryherald.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-public-costs-grow-with-latest-cleanup-fee-for-orphan-wells

https://archive.ph/4ttjS

"In Canada, we expect, Canadians expect everyone to step up ...

2026-04-19T21:50:16Z

"In Canada, we expect, Canadians expect everyone to step up and do their parts. But instead, we have oil and gas, which is largely foreign-owned, largely U.S.-owned, who aren’t doing their part. All they’re doing is increasing our emissions and demanding subsidies"

Catherine McKenna blasts heads of Canadian oil companies https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/article/former-minister-catherine-mckenna-blasts-the-heads-of-canadian-oil-companies/

Traders placed over $1bn in perfectly timed bets on the Iran war. ...

2026-04-18T22:15:26Z

Traders placed over $1bn in perfectly timed bets on the Iran war. What is going on? https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/18/iran-war-bets-ethics-concerns

Smart glasses were used to capture login credentials as part of ...

2026-04-18T05:11:43Z

Smart glasses were used to capture login credentials as part of $500K fraud: police https://www.cp24.com/local/toronto/2026/04/17/suspects-used-smart-glasses-other-ai-tools-to-commit-organized-retail-fraud-across-gta-toronto-police/

Lede: Health secretary and chef Robert Irvine claim Americans ...

2026-04-17T00:32:30Z

Lede: Health secretary and chef Robert Irvine claim Americans could eat healthier and more cheaply if they shopped better

Always individual failures, eh.

RFK Jr and podcast guest suggest food is affordable in the US – despite rising costs https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/16/rfk-jr-affordable-food

US states can't account for datacenter tax breaks. Literally ...

2026-04-15T18:30:24Z

US states can't account for datacenter tax breaks. Literally • The Register https://www.theregister.com/2026/04/15/us_states_gaap_datacenters/

"Ticks are active any time the temperature is consistently ...

2026-04-15T04:28:16Z

"Ticks are active any time the temperature is consistently above freezing and there isn't any snow on the ground, reads a statement on the Government of Canada's website."

Well that should rule Edmonton out until June or so!

Tick season is here. We know because they are landing on us. https://www.theweathernetwork.com/en/news/nature/animals/tick-season-is-here-we-know-because-they-are-landing-on-us

😬 7-Eleven sandwiches, subs and wraps recalled over Listeria ...

2026-04-15T04:18:35Z

😬

7-Eleven sandwiches, subs and wraps recalled over Listeria concerns https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/7-eleven-recall-listeria-sandwiches-subs-wraps-9.7164066

Alberta rejects federal nature strategy, redefines protected land ...

2026-04-15T03:34:04Z

Alberta rejects federal nature strategy, redefines protected land
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/federal-force-of-nature-30x30-alberta-protected-land-9.7162358

The oil short bets insider trading must just be a nice bonus, ...

2026-04-12T04:18:22Z

The oil short bets insider trading must just be a nice bonus, then.

Pope Leo says 'delusion of omnipotence' is fueling U.S.-Israeli war in Iran : NPR https://www.npr.org/2026/04/11/g-s1-117150/pope-leo-us-iran-war-israel-denounce

Australia's economy is underpinned by housing, which is why ...

2026-04-12T03:11:51Z

Australia's economy is underpinned by housing, which is why housing won't get cheaper, super boss warns https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-10/australia-economy-underpinned-by-housing-paul-schroder/106550386

More than 200 arrests at Palestine Action demonstration ...

2026-04-11T21:57:50Z

More than 200 arrests at Palestine Action demonstration https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp38z9lylddo

States are struggling to meet their clean energy goals. Blame ...

2026-04-10T21:24:41Z

States are struggling to meet their clean energy goals. Blame data centers | PBS News https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/states-are-struggling-to-meet-their-clean-energy-goals-blame-data-centers

Gotta love solving non-existent problems. No children in past 11 ...

2026-04-08T13:07:12Z

Gotta love solving non-existent problems.

No children in past 11 years faced court over offences to be added to adult crime, adult time https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-07/adult-crime-adult-time-new-offences-zero-juvenile-charges/106535872

Irreconcilable differences: Canadian cultural tourism to the US ...

2026-04-06T22:42:24Z

Irreconcilable differences: Canadian cultural tourism to the US experiences a steep decline - The Art Newspaper https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/04/06/canadian-cultural-tourism-united-states-decline-political-tensions

"First of all, an efficient electric tractor only needs ...

2026-04-06T01:29:28Z

"First of all, an efficient electric tractor only needs around 1/3 of that diesel – just 110 MWh over 35 days – if you eliminate the thermal inefficiencies of internal combustion engines.

...

An electric tractor is entirely operationally feasible on energy grounds."

An electric farm, an electric harvest .... electric everything https://reneweconomy.com.au/an-electric-farm-an-electric-harvest-electric-everything/

"Falsehood flies, and truth comes limping after it, so that ...

2026-04-03T02:45:20Z

"Falsehood flies, and truth comes limping after it, so that when men come to be undeceived, it is too late; the jest is over, and the tale hath had its effect: like a man, who hath thought of a good repartee when the discourse is changed, or the company parted; or like a physician, who hath found out an infallible medicine, after the patient is dead."

—Jonathan Swift

One of my faves.

https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/7649282-falsehood-flies-and-truth-comes-limping-after-it-so-that

“The result is that everybody these days in AI is talking about ...

2026-04-03T00:47:19Z

“The result is that everybody these days in AI is talking about agentic systems — systems that can produce actions in the world — and almost none of those systems at the moment are capable of predicting the outcome… of their actions ... It's a very bad way to produce an action… if you're not able to predict the consequences of it. In fact, it might be dangerous.”

In lecture at Brown, Yann LeCun discusses a new approach to AI | Brown University
https://www.brown.edu/news/2026-04-01/yann-lecun-artificial-intelligence-pioneer

Death of a refugee left at a Buffalo doughnut shop by Border ...

2026-04-02T02:48:17Z

Death of a refugee left at a Buffalo doughnut shop by Border Patrol is ruled a homicide
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/death-of-a-refugee-left-at-a-buffalo-doughnut-shop-by-border-patrol-is-ruled-a-homicide

Extensive testing validates reuse of 23-year-old second-life ...

2026-03-31T20:29:28Z

Extensive testing validates reuse of 23-year-old second-life polycrystalline solar modules https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/31/extensive-testing-validates-reuse-of-23-year-old-second-life-polycrystalline-solar-modules/

2024... Sigh. Ayman Safadi’s stirring UN speech on Israel’s ...

2026-03-30T20:33:03Z

2024... Sigh.

Ayman Safadi’s stirring UN speech on Israel’s lack of plan for peace
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=csB4Dxlqxs8

AI data centres can warm surrounding areas by up to 9.1°C ...

2026-03-29T08:27:52Z

AI data centres can warm surrounding areas by up to 9.1°C https://www.newscientist.com/article/2521256-ai-data-centres-can-warm-surrounding-areas-by-up-to-9-1c/

‘It’s fired people up’: support grows, including within ...

2026-03-28T07:51:32Z

‘It’s fired people up’: support grows, including within Labor, for new gas tax to curb wartime profits https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/mar/28/its-fired-people-up-support-grows-including-within-labor-for-new-gas-tax-to-curb-wartime-profits

Adults Lose Skills to AI. Children Never Build Them. ...

2026-03-25T06:08:59Z

Adults Lose Skills to AI. Children Never Build Them. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-algorithmic-mind/202603/adults-lose-skills-to-ai-children-never-build-them

International law is not broken; our commitment to and defence of ...

2026-03-25T00:53:23Z

International law is not broken; our commitment to and defence of it is
https://www.alexneve.ca/blog/international-law-is-not-broken-our-commitment-to-and-defence-of-it-is

Canada's Left Is In Crisis. Can Avi Lewis Revive It? | The ...

2026-03-24T00:58:07Z

Canada's Left Is In Crisis. Can Avi Lewis Revive It? | The Nation
https://www.thenation.com/article/world/avi-lewis-ndp-canada-mark-carney/

https://archive.ph/dgZYL