The meaning of neoliberalism has changed dramatically since its origin in interwar Germany

The story of Long Branch (Toronto not New Jersey) began about 10,000 years ago when Palaeo-Indian nomadic hunters first arrived in Southern Ontario at the end of the last Ice Age. I enjoy imagining those times, and reading about the experiences of hunter-gatherers. Imagination is at play when we picture the past, as it is […]

Narrative helps us understand Germany in the 1930s (Richard J. Evans, 2004)

In his first work in a trilogy about Nazi Germany, Richard J. Evans discusses the role of narrative in the writing of the history of Germany in the 1930s. Peter Burke, in History and Social Theory, Second Edition (2005), notes that narrative has regained prestige as a way of understanding the world. In the preface to […]

Status Update (2013) focuses on the integration of market logics into social media

Updates A Jan. 6, 2014 Public Books article is entitled “What’s so social about social media?” Excerpts from the article, which I found of interest, are included at the end of this post. A Jan. 17, 2014 New York Times article is entitled “Technology is not driving us apart after all.” A Jan. 27, 2016 […]

Weston’s mayoral chain of office goes missing – 46 years after it was last worn (Metro News, Dec. 26, 2013)

The opening paragraphs of the article read: Though it hasn’t graced the chest of a chief magistrate in close to half a century, history buffs in Weston are aghast that their former town’s mayoral chain of office is missing. The alarm was raised on Dec. 4, when staff at the neighbourhood’s library – historic in […]

Status Update: Celebrity, Publicity, and Branding in the Social Media Age (Alice E. Marwick, 2013)

Status Update (2013) addresses status and branding as it relates to social media. Alice Marwick argues in this study that the evidence indicates that with social media, things aren’t necessarily as they appear. The blurb for Status Update (2013) at the Toronto Public Library website reads: Social media technologies such as YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook […]

David Byrne’s Journal – “You Are The Target” (Dec. 24, 2013)

I enjoy reading things by David Bryne, author of How Music Works (2012), and listening to interviews with him including a recent one on CBC Radio’s The Current. A recent blog post that he’s written is entitled “You Are The Target.” The opening paragraphs read: A few days ago Target revealed that they’d been hacked—beginning […]

Ice Storm Update from Ward 6 Councillor Mark Grimes’ Office

The following message is from councillor Grimes Office: Ice Storm Update – Tuesday [Dec. 24, 2013] 10 a.m. City of Toronto ice storm update on Tuesday morning The City of Toronto is continuing to provide updated information this morning on ongoing impacts and the City’s response to the ice storm. Toronto Hydro Toronto Hydro is […]

Comment from Norm Kennedy regarding request for Etobicoke Creek “Flats” photos. Norm Kennedy also enjoyed David Webster article.

I’m pleased to share with you the following message from Norm Kennedy, which has been posted as a Comment at a recent blog post: Hello Jaan; It was very interesting to read your article about my old friend David Webster. This led me to reading a number of other posts. I lived on 41st street […]

Power Outage Update from City of Toronto Ward 5 Councillor Peter Milczyn

The following Dec. 23, 2013 text is from Peter Milczyn: Dear Ward 5 Resident, In an effort to keep you as informed as possible, with up to date information, regarding the current power outages in Etobicoke (and across the City), Toronto Hydro has advised me this morning that they continue to operate under the level […]

Biography of David Hornell of Mimico

Colleen O’Marra writes: Just reading a fascinating biography of Mimico-born David Hornell. That name might not be familiar to our community or Toronto for that matter. Hornell joined the RCAF, flew over 60 missions and became the first RCAF recipient of the Victoria Cross in 1944. The medal was awarded posthumously to his widow. Hornell […]