“We become what we behold. We shape our tools and thereafter our tools shape us.” Marshall McLuhan For most of us, there are times when the cyclone of modern media can be overwhelming. The constant bombardment of facts, figures, and news can leave us feeling more confused than informed. This is the whirlpool Canadian philosopher […]
“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood…” Robert Frost With the exception of hockey and South Park, Canadians are rarely accused of being more aggressive than the Americans. We are, after all, the docile neighbours to the north, eh. But when it comes to post-pandemic monetary policy the gloves are off. Canadian central bankers have […]
“There is no greater impediment to the advancement of knowledge than the ambiguity of words.” Thomas Reid Most Canadians are familiar with the trope about how ‘the Inuit have more than 50 words for snow.’ A claim that was originated by anthropologist Franz Boas during his time on Baffin Island in the late 19th century. […]
“Free lunches don’t come cheap.” Charles Petzold In the nineteenth century, taverns and saloons would offer their drinking patrons a ‘free lunch’. These inexpensive and salty meals kept the customers staying longer and consuming more of the high-margin alcoholic beverages. This practice, which led to some saloons being charged with false advertising, gave rise to […]
New Year. New You. | December 2021
“I’m not making any New Year’s resolutions. They just go in one year and out the other.” Jane Ace New Year’s resolutions. Every year we make ‘em. Every year we break ‘em. At least that’s how it goes for most of us, with an estimated 80% of resolutions going unfulfilled. Every January the diets begin, […]