iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ashok Argent–Katwala @ashok.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 30/09/2026

If I end a ride saying the prayer to St Michael, that’s a pretty bad sign for both how bad Toronto’s drivers are, and the lack of decent infrastructure for a short, ten minute ride without bike lanes. saintmichaelcc.org/prayer-to-st-mic… Heaven help us next year when […]

mstdn.ca

Original post on mstdn.ca

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Reposted by Ashok Argent–Katwala

Matt Blaze @mattblaze.federate.social.ap.brid.gy · 26/09/2026

@gooba42 well, I’m an engineer and I don’t think “going rogue” is a useful term either colloquially or technically here. It’s buggy software. Or maybe not buggy, but intentionally malicious. But either way, software lacks the agency required to up and decide to “go rogue” on its own. It does […]

federate.social

Original post on federate.social

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Reposted by Ashok Argent–Katwala

Matt Blaze @mattblaze.federate.social.ap.brid.gy · 26/09/2026

Complex software behaving in unexpected and sometimes harmful ways has been a persistent problem since software was invented. The phenomenon used to be called “bugs” or “defects”, but I guess “going rogue” sounds cooler. It also implicitly frames “rogue” behavior as some kind of inexplicable […]

federate.social

Original post on federate.social

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Reposted by Ashok Argent–Katwala

Sean Coates @sean.scoat.es.ap.brid.gy · 24/09/2026

Arrived at VCVR. What an amazing experience. 🚂 Also, while I was mostly offline for 4+ days, my favourite band, Hey Rosetta, got back together, announced a tour, sold all of the tickets (maybe some still available in the morning), announced more shows, and sold all […] [Original post on scoat.es]

Train #1 clearing a tunnel in Jasper National Park

A view from the dome, with the train bending ahead on the picturesque reflective lake and with the Rockies in the background

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Ashok Argent–Katwala @ashok.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 18/09/2026

I would love to see media outlets be more careful in how they describe AI tools attacking other systems. They’re not “rogue”. They are malicious. And their authors are still responsible for them. If they’ve acted irresponsibly with an execution environment with too few controls, then it’s the […]

mstdn.ca

Original post on mstdn.ca

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Ashok Argent–Katwala @ashok.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 24/08/2026

Lovely to see a modern pub with good decor. The Wild Swan by Thornbridge in London is really quite pretty.

Pub interior with a large, stained glass window of a swan.

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Ashok Argent–Katwala @ashok.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 17/08/2026

And very happy to have discovered this site, which led us to this rather tasty ploughmans at a pub in a small village in Wiltshire: ploughmans-lunch.co.uk

A cheese ploughmans, with egg, salad, pickle, pickles, coleslaw, bread, cheese, butter and sliced apple.

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Ashok Argent–Katwala @ashok.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 17/08/2026

#theViewFromMyPint is yet another lovely English beer garden. And it is another pint of beautifully clear, tasty cask ale.

Most of a pint of Ramsbury ale, sitting on a picnic table in a leafy pub garden, with people at another table in the background.

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Ashok Argent–Katwala @ashok.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 19/07/2026

@mattblaze I find your posts here interesting and illuminating, so hope you can stay.

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Ashok Argent–Katwala @ashok.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 15/07/2026

The next bus departure board at Ossington subway station has a vertical polar filter, presumably as an accidental side-effect of mounting a commodity display at right-angles. The upshot is that in polarized sunglasses, you need to tilt your head about 45° to read it at all. Fortunately, you […]

mstdn.ca

Original post on mstdn.ca

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Ashok Argent–Katwala @ashok.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 09/07/2026

I’ve been dangerously passed on my bike on this stretch of Portland so many times, for years, that it’s not funny. The new layout makes it much safer for all well-behaved road users, especially more vulnerable ones. #biketooter #bikeTO Please consider signing Cycle TO’s petition […]

mstdn.ca

Original post on mstdn.ca

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Reposted by Ashok Argent–Katwala

Robert Zaichkowski @rzaichkowski.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

For those of you wondering why @cycletoronto.bsky.social has a petition to save the Portland-Dan Leckie #BikeTO lanes with over 600 signatures, there's another petition calling for their removal which has almost 700 signatures. So effin frustrating! #shame #TOpoli #VisionZero www.cycleto.ca/portland

Change.org petition with 690 verified signatures

Petition to Revise/Reverse the Conversion of Portland Street Into a Split One-Way Street

Image is allegedly taken from a social media video about Portland Street

The Issue

This petition calls for the complete reversal of the recent conversion of Portland Street into a split one-way street and the full restoration of its former two-way traffic configuration. Residents and local businesses are seeking a return to the previous street design, which provided more direct access, improved traffic circulation, and reduced unnecessary detours. The requested revision is not a modification of the current arrangement, but rather a complete reinstatement of the traffic pattern that existed prior to the implementation of the split one-way system.

Given the significant impact these changes have had on residents, local traffic flow, and public safety concerns within a high-traffic nightlife district, we respectfully request a full reassessment and revision of the current street configuration.

Since the implementation of these traffic changes, residents have experienced increased congestion in their commutes, more complicated navigation within the neighbourhood, and concerns regarding accessibility and safety. These changes have negatively impacted daily travel for residents, visitors, and local businesses. Many community members feel there was insufficient consultation and that the current configuration is not functioning as intended.

Visitors, rideshare drivers, and delivery vehicles frequently misunderstand the traffic direction changes, contributing to congestion and unsafe turning behaviour.

Residents have also been affected by new rideshare restrictions associated with the street redesign, where Uber and other rideshare services are now directed toward shared pickup locations rather than allowing direct residential pickup in certain areas. This has created additional inconvenience, accessibility concerns, and confusion for both residents and drivers.

(Cont'd from previous image)

While the intention of these changes may have been to reduce cut-through traffic within the neighbourhood, many residents are now experiencing significant difficulty entering and exiting their own area due to the reduced number of accessible routes. The current street configuration has resulted in longer travel times, increased confusion for drivers navigating the neighbourhood, and heavier congestion on Bathurst Street, which is already operating as a narrowed one-lane main roadway in several sections.

Residents who live in the area are the individuals most directly impacted by these changes, and many feel that their daily routines, accessibility, and overall quality of life have been significantly disrupted. The current traffic pattern has created unnecessary stress and confusion for community members simply attempting to travel to and from their homes, and we believe these resident concerns should be prioritized in any future review of the traffic plan.

In addition, the surrounding area is a well-known nightlife and entertainment district with significant evening traffic from clubs, bars, rideshare vehicles, taxis, and visitors unfamiliar with the neighbourhood. Many residents are concerned that the current split one-way street configuration increases the likelihood of dangerous driving behaviour, including wrong turns, aggressive lane changes, and vehicles converging into the same narrow routes at the same time.

The confusion created by the opposing one-way sections, combined with high volumes of nightlife-related traffic and rideshare activity, has raised serious concerns regarding pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, and the potential for reckless or impaired driving incidents within an already heavily congested area.

Daniella Golias
Petition Starter

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Ashok Argent–Katwala @ashok.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 03/07/2026

South Africa, in the same place @notcontrary found it. #RSA 🇿🇦 #flagwatch 41/48

A front garden and porch with Canadian and South African flags on.

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Ashok Argent–Katwala @ashok.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 26/06/2026

Australia, following @notcontrary’s tip-off. #AUS 🇦🇺 #flagwatch 40/48

A patio with large Australia, Canada and Belgium flags, plus a string of others.

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Ashok Argent–Katwala @ashok.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 24/06/2026

The bartender at an excellent local bar has a personal Cabo Verde flag, which I believe is within the rules! #CPV 🇨🇻 #flagwatch 39/48

A bartender behind a bar holding up a small Cabo Verde flag, wearing a t-shirt that says “I hope both teams have fun”.

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Ashok Argent–Katwala @ashok.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 20/06/2026

Côte d’Ivoire fans on their way to the game in Toronto. #CIV 🇨🇮 #flagwatch 38/48

Two Ivory Coast fans posing with a large flag in Liberty Village.

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Ashok Argent–Katwala @ashok.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 19/06/2026

Haiti, parked in swanky Yorkville. #HAI 🇭🇹 #flagwatch 37/48

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Ashok Argent–Katwala @ashok.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 19/06/2026

Senegal, on the same car as @notcontrary’s but down near the lakeshore, together with Croatia and Canada. #SEN 🇸🇳 #flagwatch 36/48

A car flying Croatian, Canada and Senegal flags.

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Ashok Argent–Katwala @ashok.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 19/06/2026

A much clearer Iranian flag, in our neighbourhood. #IRN #flagwatch

A parked car flying the lion & sun pre-revolutionary Iran flag.

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Ashok Argent–Katwala @ashok.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 18/06/2026

Most extravagant flags I’ve seen so far this time are for Korea and Canada. Previous title winners are Portugal and Brazil. #flagwatch

A car flying very large – approx 6 by 4 feet – Canadian and South Korean flags, plus the normal sized window flags.

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Ashok Argent–Katwala @ashok.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 18/06/2026

Egypt, parked in Liberty Village. #EGY 🇪🇬 #flagwatch 35/48

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Ashok Argent–Katwala @ashok.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 18/06/2026

Iraq, parked outside a house in North York, and driving near home. #IRQ 🇮🇶 #flagwatch 34/48

A car driving with bonnet and window flags of Iraq.

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Ashok Argent–Katwala @ashok.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 18/06/2026

Both pre- and post-revolutionary Iranian flags. (I promise I saw the lion & sun with my eyes.) #IRN 🇮🇷 #flagwatch 33/48

A car flying the Lion & Sun Iranian flag

A parked car with the Islamic Republic Iranian flag.

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Ashok Argent–Katwala @ashok.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 18/06/2026

Democratic Republic of Congo, with Canada, driving up Dufferin. That’s two-thirds! #COD 🇨🇩 #flagwatch 32/48

A car driving along with DR Congo and Canadian flags flying from the windows.

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Ashok Argent–Katwala @ashok.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 17/06/2026

Panama, being worn by a fan outside the stadium before their opening game in Toronto. #PAN 🇵🇦 #flagwatch 31/48

A Panama fan wearing their flag as a cape.

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Ashok Argent–Katwala @ashok.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 17/06/2026

I find the Michelob “Play for the Ultras” ad for the #WorldCup pretty weird, given the history of that word in football: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultras Feels pretty out of touch.

en.wikipedia.org

Ultras - Wikipedia

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Ashok Argent–Katwala @ashok.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 17/06/2026

Paraguay, parked on the Danforth. #PAR 🇵🇾 #flagwatch 30/48

A parked car with a window flag of Paraguay.

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Ashok Argent–Katwala @ashok.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 17/06/2026

Blurry, but I promise this is Morocco. #MAR 🇲🇦 #flagwatch 29/48

A busy roadway, with a truck in the foreground and a car with a Moroccan flag turning past a transit station.

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Reposted by Ashok Argent–Katwala

John Rogers @johnrogers.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Given that we’re now desperately trying to undo the mistake of ceding our streets to cars because we realized 100 years too late the environmental and social damage of that choice, this is actually a great metaphor, just not the one he thinks.

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Reposted by Ashok Argent–Katwala

Prof. Sam Lawler @sundogplanets.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 16/06/2026

I cannot believe that in the year 2026, here I am making a pamphlet to help Saskatchewan farm kids identify space junk and get in touch with me. This is so ridiculous, because: 1. Even though I have seen space junk in Sask with my own eyes, it's still hard to believe that billionaires are […]

mastodon.social

Original post on mastodon.social

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Ashok Argent–Katwala @ashok.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 16/06/2026