• blogTO notes that yesterday was a temperature record here in Toronto, reaching 12 degrees Celsius in the middle of February.
• The Broadside Blog's Caitlin Kelly writes about the pleasure of using old things.
• Joe. My. God. notes the death of Roe v Wade plaintiff Norma McCorvey.
• Language Hat notes that, apparently, dictionaries are hot again because ( Read more... )

The Toronto Star's Ben Spurr describes a Metrolinx proposal I am strongly opposed to. What about people who have long commutes? What about people on low incomes? What happens to the ideal of an integrated city if cost is introduced as a disintegrating factor?

How much should it cost to ride the TTC? According to a new policy under consideration by ( Read more... )

The Toronto Star's Ben Spurr looks at complaints regarding TTC insecptors and their enforcement, or not, of law. I've not had any encounters with them, I have to say. You?

Himel Khandker was infuriated when TTC fare inspectors stopped him on the 501 Queen streetcar last month and gave him a $235 ticket ( Read more... )

Using the census data released earlier this week, Ben Spurr writes in the Toronto Star about how the Scarborough neighbourhoods that will get the subway extension have actually been seeing falling populations in the context of strong growth in Toronto generally. Where will the ridership come from?

The population is shrinking in more than a dozen ( Read more... )

• Centauri Dreams notes the sad news that, because of the destructive way in which the stellar activity of young red dwarfs interacts with oxygen molecules in exoplanet atmospheres, Proxima Centauri b is likely not Earth-like.
• Crooked Timber takes issue with the idea of Haidt that conservatives are uniquely interested in the idea of purity.
• D-Brief ( Read more... )

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The Toronto Star's Ben Spurr reports, with only a little bit of justifiable snark, about the arrival of the latest new TTC streetcar from the Thunder Bay plants of Bombardier.

What costs $5 million, weighs 48,200 kilograms, and should have been here more than two years ago ( Read more... )

The Toronto Star's Jennifer Pagliaro reports on the latest scandal involving the Scarborough subway debate, allegations of massive systematic confusion regarding the costs of an extension. This is getting meta, and ridiculous.

A city watchdog is recommending referral of a complaint of alleged wrongdoing by staff in the controversial Scarborough ( Read more... )

• The Broadside Blog's Caitlin Kelly describes a week in her life as a freelance writer.
• The Dragon's Tales notes how the Indus Valley Civilization did, and did not, adapt to climate change.
• Language Log reshares Benjamin Franklin's writings against German immigration.
• The NYRB Daily follows one family's quest for justice after the shooting by police of ( Read more... )

• At Apostrophen, 'Nathan Smith writes about the status of his various writing projects.
• Beyond the Beyond's Bruce Sterling links to an article examining pieces of software that have shaped modern music.
• blogTO notes the expansion of the Drake Hotel to a new Junction site. Clearly the Drake is becoming a brand.
• Citizen Science Salon looks at how ( Read more... )