David Harmes

Parasocial is Cambridge Dictionary Word of the Year — BBC News Examples include the parasocial interest shown by fans to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's engagement.

“The term dates back to 1956, when American sociologists observed TV viewers engaging in ‘para-social’ relationships with on-screen personalities.”

Opinion | No 'official' portrait could capture Donald Trump's presidency like this one does — Toronto Star Next to the scene of collapse around him, the President of the United States cuts a solitary and disdainful figure.

“Like all great works of art, the portrait asks as many questions as it answers. For instance: How did such a farcical disaster befall the most powerful office in the world?”

Top soldier has second thoughts about recruiting public servants for reserves — Ottawa Citizen Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jennie Carignan had faced public backlash and questions about her plan.

“The mobilization initiative prompted support from some members of the public, but the overall sentiment appeared to be one of ridicule.”

“The army we have is not the army we need.”

Congrats on the loss, Toronto. It was a masterpiece It’s easy to focus on the little things after a loss as heartbreaking as this one, but the Blue Jays played one of the greatest games of baseball ever

“It is a gift to live in a place where such a trivial thing meant so much to so many. For 29 remarkable days in October (and November) they made us feel like we were in something together.”

I appreciate seeing local ads on the Sportsnet feed tonight. Good, basic information about local organizations.

The curious romance of baseball on the radio endures against all odds The sport and the medium complement each other, like an old couple on a porch swing

“What we’re dealing with is a happy marriage of medium and message. The sounds and rhythms of baseball just mesh organically with the technology of radio broadcasting.”

What did Reagan actually say about tariffs? Read the transcript of his 1987 address — The Canadian Press The latest storm in Canada's tense trade negotiations with the United States

A masterclass in earned media. 🙌

Opinion | There's one massive similarity between these World Series-bound Blue Jays and the 1992 version. It starts with the flag — Toronto Star The Blue Jays' first World Series appearance came as a relief after a handful of heartbreaking playoff failures. This year's version came from left field by a team coming off a last-place finish. But ...

The ‘90s: “Those were the days a U.S. president would apologize for something.”

Concordia University invests $25-million in social impact fund The money is going into Realize Fund I, which was set up through Rally Assets with seed money from the federal government to help the country meet UN goals

“Impact funds have gained more attention in recent years as some investors around the world became wary of the environmental, social and governance field amid concerns about of greenwashing, and exaggerating environmental benefits.”

Why we’re blowing a generational moment for Canadian culture We’re checking the origins of our groceries, but where’s the love for the sector that truly defines who we are?

A good case for supporting the cultural industries in Canada. 🇨🇦

‘The worst of all time’: Trump rails against ‘super bad’ Time magazine cover — Guardian US Despite the glowing story, the cover earned the ire of the US president with criticism of his appearance

Brand identity politics.

Russian drones over Europe could be a ‘psyop’ – or preparations for a wider war Analysts say the Kremlin already sees itself as being in a low-intensity war with the West

“This is an evolving and escalating campaign. Things are happening now that would have been unthinkable a few short years ago, because Russia is achieving the steady normalization of the ways in which it causes damage and harms and costs to European countries.”

María Corina Machado, Venezuelan opposition leader, wins Nobel Peace Prize — The Washington Post The Nobel Prize committee recognized María Corina Machado, a Venezuelan opposition leader in hiding, for fighting for democracy in her country.

“In a world where democracy is in retreat…”

Keystone XL being back in the news is a reminder that no debate in Canadian politics ever really ends.

Tracked: Russia’s drone mothership causing mayhem around Europe — The Telegraph Tanker seized off France is believed to have been used for ‘hybrid war’ attacks in Denmark and Germany

“Experts have speculated that the ship was used to launch drones that caused mayhem by shutting down infrastructure, leading to increasing military patrols. The tactic represents a new front in Russia’s growing hybrid war against European allies of Ukraine.”

Nice to see “None” in a respectable 3rd place.

Ottawa launches Defence Investment Agency to streamline procurement New agency will oversee procurements valued at $100-million or more

“The goal of this new agency is to equip the Canadian Armed Forces at the “speed of relevancy”.

Hundreds of Generals Try to Keep a Straight Face — The Atlantic Pete Hegseth gathered commanders from around the globe to unveil new physical-fitness standards.

“It’s something I would expect from a captain or a major.”

U.S. Defence Secretary abruptly summons military commanders to Virginia meeting Hundreds of generals and admirals have been called to a meeting next week, though the directive did not offer a reason

“The directive did not offer a reason for the gathering next Tuesday of senior commanders of the one-star rank or higher and their top advisers at the Marine Corps base in Quantico.”

They're turning people away at packed Toronto launch event for @avilewis.ca for NDP leader campaign tonight at Tranzac club. Very encouraging. I've known and respected Avi for decades and he would make an excellent prime minister. An accomplished communicator with exciting ideas, how's his French?

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📢 How to Pitch to Independent Media!
🗓️ September 23, 12:00–1:00 p.m. EST (Zoom)

rabbleca is launching our school for rabble rousers! 🎓 First up: a workshop with editor Nick Seebruch on how to get published in independent media.

🔗 Register below! buff.ly/8CHoZeO

America Surrenders in the Global Information Wars — The Atlantic The U.S. is reorienting its foreign policy to protect governments that manipulate and suppress information.

“Foreign broadcasters and organizations that fight foreign propaganda are a bargain. They cost very little in comparison with the billions we spend on defense. They have the potential to produce huge benefits. So why cut them?”

The fellowship offers a $5,000 stipend, mentorship from rabbleca editors, and the chance to publish feature reporting on social justice.
✍️ Applications are now open for the 2025/26 Jack Layton Journalism for Change Fellowship. Deadline: Sept. 22, 2025.

#hiring
🔗 rabble.ca/general/jack...

Interesting report on media economics in Canada.

Opinion: Donald Trump is on the brink of becoming a dictator. Can he be stopped? As the guardrails of American democracy fall one by one, it is no longer a question of where the President is going, but how fast he will get there

A national General Strike may be one of the few tools left.

YouTube’s Sneaky AI ‘Experiment’ — The Atlantic The video platform is quietly using AI to “improve clarity” in uploaded content. Why?

“They’re training us, the audience, to get used to the AI look and eventually view it as normal.”

Carney suggests he's considering rescinding Online News Act — National Post Meta controversially banned news articles from its Canadian users in response to the legislation

“This government is a big believer in the value of … local news and the importance of ensuring that that is disseminated as widely and as quickly as possible. So, we will look for all avenues to do that.”

Why No One Knows What’s Happening Tonight — The Atlantic A love letter to music listings

“When listings began to disappear, many imagined that the internet would simply fill the void—that artists and their fans (as well as nonprofit institutions and their audiences) would find new ways to connect.”