Tootfinder

Today’s eye candy, remarkable underwater photos: #photography

The #Cabbage industry is getting an excellent #ROI on whatever they have invested in public relations. If true, next year could be a gas...
#2026YearOfTheCabbage

There are some options for Bluesky ICE blocking.
Will investigate in the morning.
#oce #bluesky

The high trends upward
Celsius or Fahrenheit
Spring is on its way.
#dailyhaikuprompt - high
#haiku
#poem

“If you plant a seed in the ground, the seed doesn’t say, well, in eight hours I’m going to stop growing. You put it in the soil, and that bulb grows every second that it’s attached to the earth. That’s why I think that every minute that we’re attached to the earth, we should be doing something.” - #RuthAsawa #DesignScience
https://www.tumblr.com/teledyn/808729936668000256?source=share

@chadfowler.com's second post in his new Phoenix Architecture blog, called The Death and Rebirth of Programming.
Lots of quotable quotes, so hard to choose. "Soft skills" more important than ever, and this is all be a shock to people who self-identify as programmers.
https://aicoding…

What computer programmers look like; Ada Lovelace in 1843. https://petapixel.com/2026/01/16/only-known-daguerreotype-photos-of-computer-pioneer-ada-lovelace-join-uk-national-portrait-gallery-collection/…

Diving into WWII documentaries and literature feels like time-travel, unearthing pivotal moments that have shaped today’s world. The intricate layers of history are endlessly revealing and captivating. Who else enjoys unraveling history’s enduring mysteries? #HistoryBuff #WWII #TimeTravel 📚✨

Good Morning #Canada
It's a balmy -22°C here in beautiful Belle Ewart Ontario. Apparently, with the wind chill, it would feel like -26°C if I were to stupidly wander outside. Now before you start reporting colder temperatures in your area - it ain't a competition people - let's remember our country's coldest day in history.
Canada's coldest recorded temperature was a staggering -63°C in Snag, Yukon on February 3, 1947. The temperature was so extreme it broke thermometers and made Snag famous for the record for North America's coldest spot, caused by stalled Siberian air. Other extremely cold locations included Fort Vermilion, AB (-60.6°C) and Old Crow, YT (-59.4°C). Nobody was tonguing steel poles that day.
#CanadaIsAwesome #Weather
https://www.readersdigest.ca/travel/canada/coldest-day-in-canadian-history/

RE: https://mastodon.social/@VeroniqueB99/115901713757694096
Yaaaaaaaas

Even in winter
Where there is open water
You will find a grebe.
#dailyhaikuprompt - grebe
#haiku
#poem

"Un Canadien meurt « aux mains des autorités iraniennes »"
https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/justice-et-faits-divers/2026-01-15/soulevement-en-iran/un-canadien-meurt-aux-mains-des-aut…

In which Claude Opus invades my open-source hobby project. The experience was… surprising.
Fairly raw anecdata here, analysis and reactions still to come: https://www.tbray.org/ongoing/When/202x/2026/02/06/Q-Plus-C-Ch1

Quamina + Claude, Case 1

Un texte pédagogique qui vaut quelques minutes :
Simon Tremblay-Pepin, « Savoir lire en sciences humaines »
https://crits.ustpaul.ca/crits/blogue/savoir-lire-en-sciences-humaines?

Savoir lire en sciences humaines — École d'innovation sociale Élisabeth Bruyère
En janvier 2026, ça fera dix ans que j’enseigne à l’École d’innovation sociale Élisabeth-Bruyère de l’Université Saint-Paul. Cette expérience m’a amené à participer à la création de programmes à tous les niveaux universitaires, à y enseigner et à superviser des recherches d’étudiant·e·s aux deuxième et troisième cycles. Les étudiant·e·s de notre école ont des parcours...

C’est pour ça que généralement tu as pas des ascenseurs comme seule sortie. Mais vu les contraintes techniques, c’était pas mal le seul compromis pour garder les prix bas.
https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2220502/ascenseurs-station-edouard-montpetit…

Stand With #Minnesota — a community guide
"This directory is an independent project. I am not raising or distributing any funds. also I am just one lady running this thing so please be patient. Thank you."
https://www.standwithminnesota.com/

Good Morning #Canada
There have been many dark days in Canada, from natural disasters to personal tragedies. And there are also emotional dark days like when Doug Ford was elected Premier.... twice.
The most mysterious darkest day in Canadian history occurred on November 7, 1819, when the sun refused to rise over New Brunswick. And it wasn't even a Monday. Although 1st person accounts described it as an unusually dreary day, later newspaper accounts were slightly more sensational. Reporters documented that a "black veil" or intense, unnatural darkness descended upon New Brunswick. The sky remained so dark that residents were forced to light candles in the middle of the day. Apparently the phenomenon caused widespread alarm with many believing it was the apocalypse or a divine awful visitation. According to newspaper reports there was mild hysteria, outright madness, and praying and searching for cover. Just like the day after Ford was elected.
#CanadaIsAwesome #Meteorology
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/201-years-since-new-brunswick-s-darkest-day-1.5791283

@case.bsky.social is Waiting for the Future to Load!
Which also happens to be a mini test of the @leaflet.pub thread viewer.
https://blog.bmannconsulting.com/3majxlbcqcs2z

we're so screwed…
https://mastodon.world/@verdantsquare/115730072109523767

It’s hard to set down
A candle burned at both ends
But harder to hold.
#dailyhaikuprompt - candle
#haiku
#poem

RE: https://cosocial.ca/@timbray/116076167774984883
A lot of people are dumping on this piece without having read it. My favorite quote: “dollar-signs appear in their [employers’] eyeballs, like cartoon bosses. I know that look. There’s no reasoning with the d…

Navigating the complexities of online business expansion? 🤔 As an experienced Online Business Consultant, I’ve witnessed how strategic automation can transform your digital presence. Streamline growth, and mastering the digital realm becomes efficient and effective. What's your biggest challenge today?
#BusinessGrowth #OnlineSuccess #EntrepreneurMindset

I miss the limits. Forces concise communication. Long posts/threads should be a post on your site. https://mastodon.social/@randahl/115733189272793078

Update...
#ValentinesDay #MMMpie

Posts today a tagging #NationalFlagOfCanadaDay which is news to me, didn't know we had one, but if so one should celebrate how it all came to be, which is to say, in usual Canadian fashion. With a banjo.
The Brothers-In-Law - Rally Around The Flag
https://youtube.com/watch?v=JrvCQTfY4wI&si=52sEo83aiPxLdJG0

A windswept snow drift
Settled firm against the door
Helps us stay inside.
#dailyhaikuprompt - snow drift
#haiku
#poem

Reading Yegge’s rant and the much shorter and more polished https://siddhantkhare.com/writing/ai-fatigue-is-real (“AI fatigue is real and nobody talks about it”), I keep coming back to this, which I published in 2020 and is sort of at the center of my thinking about everything:

AI fatigue is real and nobody talks about it | Siddhant Khare
You're using AI to be more productive. So why are you more exhausted than ever? The paradox every engineer needs to confront.

Ok so Meetup and Eventbrite are both owned by the same PE firm now.
As I have been saying for many years now … both of those platforms are no go any more.
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/02/bending-spoons-agrees-to-buy-eventbri…

@… as

Our sunroom is well insulated but unheated. Normal temperature is around 17°C, unless we turn on the gas fireplace when we are sitting back there. Casper got a new heat reflecting blanket from Santa and we installed it under the fuzzy cover for his window hammock. It's made a difference and he is camped out here even on the coldest days. The strategic placement of the bird feeder right outside his window doesn't hurt.
#CatsOfMastadon #Caturday

Financial independence is within reach with the right guidance. I've crafted an online business model for all levels – no tech skills needed, just determination! Enjoy flexible hours, mentorship, and potential income streams. Ready to spark your entrepreneurial spirit? Let's succeed together! 📈✨ #Entrepreneurship #Success

ICE on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/icegov.bsky.social
Verified.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@icegov.bsky.social)
Protects America through criminal investigations and by enforcing immigration law to preserve national security and public safety. ➡️Visit us at ICE.gov ➡️Join our team at join.ICE.gov Privacy policy: http://go.dhs.gov/U

The Norwegian Blue
Prefers kipping on its back
Pine for the fjords.
#dailyhaikuprompt - pine
#haiku
#poem

John Cleese explains some often overlooked advantages of Extremism #selfhelp
https://www.tumblr.com/teledyn/808648486667141120?source=share

What @… said: https://www.anildash.com/2026/01/15/wikipedia-at-25/
You know, I am occasionally shocked when someone I think of as smart or admirable or n…

Wikipedia at 25: What the web can be
A blog about making culture. Since 1999.

Your good morning blep from a floof in midtown Toronto.
#CatsOfMastadon

Alteration history of aluminum-rich rocks at Jezero crater, Mars | Communications Earth & Environment #floatrocks
https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-025-02856-3

Envision starting your day with the calming rhythm of ocean waves or the soft rustle of a mountain breeze, all while savoring your coffee without a care in the world. ☕️🏞️ Retirement isn't merely the end of work; it's the beginning of life's most cherished experiences and thrilling adventures. Let's forge a future where every day feels like living the dream! #DreamAgain #RetirementBliss

Brutal.
Aristotle on Democracy - Existential Comics
https://existentialcomics.com/comic/633

Aristotle on Democracy
A philosophy webcomic about the inevitable anguish of living a brief life in an absurd world. Also Jokes

We had a busy day.
#DogsOfMastadon

Thanks to the wonderful (you all should sign up to his newsletter) @… I learned about Green Beaver (https://greenbeaver.com), a Canadian personal care company.

All-Natural Canadian Skincare and Oral Care Products
Proudly Canadian! Try Green Beaver's all-natural and organic products, including aluminum-free antiperspirant, toothpaste, sunscreen, lip balm, soap, skincare, deodorant and more.

What I’d love to see: An in-depth wide-ranging review of the various “workspace” tools - docs, sheets, calendars - that are options for people who want to de-Google themselves. I know about Proton, Fastmail, etc, but not from people who've daily-driven more than one of them.
#degoogle

To truly secure our future, we must embrace both physical and financial wellness. As a guide for seniors on this path, I assert that true well-being is a necessity, not a luxury. Start today to craft a life that's fulfilling and secure! 🌟 #SeniorWellness #LiveWell

I’ve been looking for this as a feature - offline feed reading in @himmel.app (haven’t tried the app myself yet)
[contains quote post or other embedded content] https://bsky.app/profile/bmann.ca/post/3m6wr2o3pbs2b

RE: #Fediverse are being remorselessly crawled by mindless brute-force bots. If your instance…

In modern thought, (if not in fact)
Nothing is that doesn’t act,
So that is reckoned wisdom which
Describes the scratch but not the itch.
(anon)

So the Canada - China trade deal just announced is interesting, particularly regarding Electric Vehicles. It was primarily about restoring our agricultural trade with China by allowing their EVs to access our market. But it will likely, despite the limited amount that will hit our shores, jumpstart the EV market in Canada. Cars that are feature rich and cost less, like the one reviewed in the YT video linked below, will push current manufacturers in Canada to up their game.
Doug Ford abandoned his Captain Canada persona and selfishly attacked the deal because of potential impact on Ontario's auto industry. Part of his statement demanded that the Federal government cancel their Electric Vehicle mandates because it was too costly for manufacturers to build them. I think Toyota and Honda, long time Canadian partners, may be concerned about the deal, but U.S. manufacturers are abandoning EVs and Canada. Hey Doug, I thought we were Open for Business?
#CanPoli #GlobalTrade
https://youtu.be/Mb6H7trzMfI

Achieving financial independence is possible at any age! With astute fiscal strategies and a proactive mindset, you can uplift your lifestyle. In finance, every penny saved is like a note in a symphony — each one counts! Let's compose a harmonious financial future! 🎵💡 #FinancialFreedom #Inspire

Just paid for a personal annual account with Photopea, the web based image editor. It's free to use and you don't need to login, but 50EU/year takes off the very large amount of ads.
It's got that Photoshop 3.0 design vibes that means I can still sort of use it. https://bsky.app/profile/bmann.ca/post

This system captures solar energy and, rather than converting it into electricity, uses it to produce hydrogen fuel on demand—even in darkness.
The new system provided twofold benefits: it made solar energy available even when the sun isn't shining, and it eliminated the need to transport hydrogen in dangerous, high-pressure tanks.
https://techxplore.com/news/2026-01-demand-hydrogen-fuel-production-dark.html

In which Nick Radcliffe goes very deep for a month with Claude Code and reports back. I’m convinced by some but not all of what he says, and found the whole thing a stimulating read: https://checkeagle.com/checklists/njr/a-month-of-chat-oriented-programming/…

As an online business consultant, I empower seniors to excel physically and financially, unlocking new growth opportunities daily. What's one inspiring lesson you've learned lately? Let's share ideas and build a brighter future! 🌟 #EmpowerSeniors #LifeLongLearning

This morning I found
A love note on my pillow:
Eggs, milk, butter, cheese.
#dailyhaikuprompt - note
#haiku
#poem

"Arc de Trump"
#YouHadaGoodRunAmerica
https://youtu.be/ja-GDMC9s90?si=ezM85GLhe0ZH6-ui

Open Printer | Crowd Supply
Open Printer will use the Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 license for all of its files, including electronics and mechanical design files, firmware code, and the bill of materials.
https://www.crowdsupply.com/open-tools/open-printer

Actually kinda like the new styling on the Safari tab & tool bars. *ducks for cover*

With 50 years in the professional realm, I've learned every day holds potential to turn challenges into stepping stones. From historical fiction to new ventures, remember growth starts with knowledge. What book transformed your life? 📚✨ #Entrepreneurship #BookLovers

The Sky: A Film Lesson in “Nature Study” (1928) — The Public Domain Review
https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/the-sky-a-film-lesson-in-nature-study-1928/

Though winter may rage
And beat against my window
I am snug inside.
#dailyhaikuprompt - rage
#haiku
#poem

Based on the evidence from the Ayatollahs and MAGAs, I’m starting to think that when a person is accused of being a “terrorist” that’s probably evidence that they’re an admirable person.

Quoth @… in https://daringfireball.net/linked/2025/12/15/note-on-sms-marketing: “But there are an infinite number of things in life that ca…

Worry slyly steals our peace today. Let's combat this by harnessing mindfulness to enhance seniors' well-being. By focusing on current strengths and letting go of future anxieties, we can achieve true serenity. Deep breaths in – peace welcomed. Cheers to a harmonious future now! 💪✨ #MindfulMoments #PeacefulLiving✨

Hmmm. Local feed subscription maybe needs wait on federated authentication? ie I'd need to authenticate to be granted outside access?

Christmas tradition
Twelve days of hearty roasted
Veggie turkey stew.
#dailyhaikuprompt - stew
#haiku
#poem

Awesome headline....
https://youtu.be/EZj389I9I-0?si=iydeKru_ulJomayb

RE: https://social.growyourown.services/@FediGarden/116082350446529495
Here's a wishlist item for Fediverse clients: it should be a one-click path to view the Local Feed page of an OP's server (where public) and if it is really niche, to subscribe to the feed like a hashtag.

Trump says White House ballroom construction is a matter of national security....
Other national security matters:
- immigrants who are not white
- tariffs on products coming into the USA
- elimination of ObamaCare
- stopping all vaccines that save lives
- unlimited supply of KFC on Air Force 1
https://apnews.com/article/trump-white-house-ballroom-national-security-de9756118bbfca8f40af9cf89db6af5b

"I think a lot of times I see people talk about this stuff in relation to AI. It's right to talk about it, but I hate when people act like AI is the only tech that has these problems. What you see with AI now is a reflection of the broader tech and internet industry that has grown for the past 20-30 years."
References provided 😔
https://www.tumblr.com/teledyn/808733064965570560/anatomy-of-an-ai-system?source=share

There’s this place we walk by pretty regularly that’s semi-abandoned. The owner replaces parts when they fall off and there are lights at night, but the front and back have been left to return to nature. This chunk of land is worth ~$2.5M Canadian, so an odd situation. Anyhow, I enjoy watching the progress of the informal small-scale rewilding.
#Photography

For me, my top 3:
1. Bagels
2. Sourdough
3. Italian

I see @… lists the old Samsung Galaxy Tab A and I happen to have one from a bank give-away. Do I dare?
The plan may well be to dump Android on all my mobiles before it closes …
https://postmarketos.org/install/

Looking out my window. Blizzards conditions in Eastern Ontario… Winter storms embody a captivating dichotomy – offering breathtaking, snow-covered vistas while underscoring the importance of safety and preparation. 🏔️ Pro tip: Keep your car stocked with essentials like blankets and water. As we celebrate the winter wonderland responsibly, what's your favorite snow day activity?

Colbert's first YouTube-only guest
https://www.tumblr.com/teledyn/808807954827689984?source=share

My daughter sent me the local forecast for her neighbourhood of High Park in Toronto. Wear a tuque if you are out walking the dog after dinner.
(Yes, it was corrected a few minutes later)
#AIweather #PolarVortex #Tauntaun

In which I build Unicode character tables and fail to serialize large automata, “Losing 1½ Million Lines of Go“:
https://www.tbray.org/ongoing/When/202x/2026/01/14/Unicode-Properties
(And in which I find myself sliding into the

Just finished Season 3 of The Avengers. Steed gives Mrs Gale a present, a bathing suit, and expects she will spend her vacation "pussy-footing on Bahama beaches." 🤣

Unlock your online business potential with my informed, insightful guidance. 🚀 Experience growth through a high-commission system without the typical sales pressure. Let's explore this opportunity – send me a private message!

Wow, I had been running out of patience with Yegge’s uncritical #GenAI boosterism, but this is epic: “The AI Vampire.”
As usual with Yegge, it could have been edited down to half its size, but go read it anyhow. I’m going to adopt that “AI Vampire” phrase and start using it, a lot.

The AI Vampire
This was an unusually hard post to write, because it flies in the face of everything else going on.

AI companies are the tobacco companies of the 21st century:
- fabulously lucrative
- incredibly toxic
- requires constant spin
- and celebrity endorsement

When people can’t tell what’s real, it can blur their understanding of animal behavior, welfare, and conservation needs. It can also divert attention – and support – away from organizations doing the real work to protect wildlife.
https://scz.org/blog/the-reality-of-ai-animal-content

"Hey Doug... we bought a bunch of those Stag and Doe tickets so you gotta put a stop on forcing us to build affordable housing..." - Developers who totally didn't buy Ford.
#onpoli #AffordableHousing
https://www.torontotoday.ca/local/city-hall/ford-government-pause-affordable-housing-rules-new-toronto-buildings-11733993

If you love your sin, you should be willing to pay for it.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=4AbWVBOKlJE&si=O7H8yEzyCYHPlUd4

#22 on our countdown is the 893 km La Grande River, which drains a modest watershed of 97,600 km2 in Quebec and flows westward into James Bay. In French, La Grande Rivière, and its original Cree name, Chisasibi, both mean "great river") and it is the second-longest river in the province. The river has been extensively developed as a source of hydroelectric power by Hydro-Québec, starting in 1974 a total of 8 hydroelectric dams have been built on the waterway. As a result of the development projects, the Cree people of the region lost parts of their traditional hunting and trapping territories. Organic mercury levels increased in the fish, which forms an important part of their diet, as the organic material is trapped by the rising waters in the new reservoirs.
#CanadaIsAwesome #CanadaRivers
https://chisasibi.ca/about-chisasibi/

"Microsoft was an early investor in many of the latest AI companies. It ended up with a serious stake in OpenAI and benefited from early access to its models, creating Bing Chat and Copilot when Google, Meta, and Anthropic were just getting started. But now its momentum has stalled, and like everyone else, it's not making much money from its AI products. That's because no one is buying them, and that is because very few people actually find them useful, The Information reports."
https://www.tumblr.com/teledyn/803134194609979392?source=share

News flash: Billionaires are unpopular. But, the strength of the sentiment and how fast the needle has moved were both surprises to me. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/opinion/billionaires-politics-money.html

Opinion | The Billionaires Have Gone Full Louis XV
The first rule of dark money is to quit blabbing about it. Did they think people would thank them for it?

Some might say spending my retirement endlessly revisiting my books, films, and record collection is wallowing in my past, but frankly, I honestly don't remember most of them; it's more like getting trapped in a candy store 😅

when you discover it is your circus and those are your monkeys
https://www.tumblr.com/teledyn/802957899844435968/brazenbastard-it-sucks-when-you-discover-it-is?source=share

Good Morning #Canada
December 15th, 1964, the Canadian House of Commons votes 163 to 78 to approve the red Maple Leaf flag. The vote put an end to years of conflict over the Liberals proposing a new flag, and gave Canada a new symbol for its upcoming 100th birthday celebration. In 1960, Lester B. Pearson, then Leader of the Opposition, declared that he was determined to solve what he called “the flag problem.” To Pearson, this issue was critical to defining Canada as a unified, independent country. As the newly elected Prime Minister in 1963, Pearson promised to resolve the question of a new national flag in time for Canada’s centennial celebrations in 1967. Traditionalists fought for their beloved Union Jack while a younger generation wanted a new modern design to represent Canada. Thousands of designs, some truly ugly, were considered and rejected, including Pearson's preferred flag. I think we did OK in the end.
#CanadaIsAwesome #History
https://youtu.be/qTMdH9-kmDk?si=9G9ykcp7wpxihKQR

Most see civilization, hence inequality, as a tragic necessity. Some dream of returning to a past utopia, of finding an industrial equivalent to ‘primitive communism’, or even, in extreme cases, of destroying everything, and going back to being foragers again. But no one challenges the basic structure of the story.
There is a fundamental problem with this narrative.
It isn’t true.
https://www.eurozine.com/change-course-human-history/

What is this “sleeping in” of which you speak?
#caturday

Just finishing my exercise routine and this popped up. Had to invest another 3 minutes...
#MyPlaylist #RandomTune
https://youtu.be/zE-n4tkyIO0?si=dHX6DDh01MrpvLMT

BTW - If you are displaying the Canadian flag, make sure you follow the rules. You don't want the flag police knocking on your door.
https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/flag-canada-etiquette/flying-rules.html

Been watching S2 of Wednesday. Darker, nastier, less well-written. S1 was morbid (obviously) but still kind of light-hearted. Every modern production (it seems) has excellent acting and strong visuals. But the demand for good TV writing apparently exceeds the supply.

Will purchase: #music

130 Tracks of Guitar Per Song? Sunn O))) Is Back, and Going Big.
The hard-to-categorize duo recorded its new, self-titled album surrounded by nature. It’ll be the band’s first on the storied Seattle label Sub Pop.

Unusual GenAI application: Snarky answers to shitty emails.
#genAI

I Hope This Email Finds You Before I Do
I Hope This Email Finds You Before I Do

It's very Christmassy today, looking out our back door.
#HappyHolidays

So, I hear you ask, what's the deal with a TLD, like, aren't they all the same?
https://www.cira.ca/en/net-good/

Why, how do you transport yours?
#caturday

I must be weird, am one of the apparently 0.02% for whom #Pluribus isn’t doing much, 6 episodes in (haven’t seen latest). I mean Rhea Seehorn is great but she’d be greater if they gave her a chance to be anything but angry-and-rude for even a minute here or there. Also, how about another character with a character? Will watch the last 3 shows despite massive suspension-of-disbelief failure, hopin…