Posts in Language
The social media morass

In my latest National Post column I argue that the same libertarian-libertine qualities that made social media appealing across normal partisan lines, and addictive, are now making them hugely and rightly unpopular and we must make the platforms legally “publishers” to put a stop to the raging indecency.

Words Worth Noting - January 10, 2024

“If you believe in a principle, never damage it with poor expression.”

Engineer Charles Parson, on why they risked arrest by taking the steam turbine ship Turbinia through the big naval review for Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee to show that this kind of engine was much faster, quoted on “Incredible Speed: Turbinia” [https://youtu.be/rcQN9UxEEcM?t=336].

Words Worth Noting - November 9, 2023

“Bitesized analysis, curated daily/ Busy schedule? The Economist app offers fast, digestible insights in a range of formats to suit you. Head to the Home section for a daily selection of our best analysis – all curated by senior editors.”

Email teaser from The Economist January 13, 2023 [prompting a cry of “Et tu, Economist?” not only over the pandering dumbing down/speeding up busy-lifestyle but also that pretentious “curated” – there was a time when that publication eschewed dumbing down and trendy fatuities].

Soft totalitarianism in state schools

In my latest Loonie Politics column I say the Peel District School Board purging all books written before 2008 is a worrying red flag about what’s happening in government schools… and I do mean red.