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Austin Corbett

@austincorbett.bsky.social
531 followers 816 following 286 posts

Criminal Defence Lawyer, with musings on the confluence of tech, social policy, and law. Occasionally video games. www.bottoslaw.ca

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Austin Corbett
Reuters @reuters.com · 2h
Arizona court says judge wrongly allowed AI-generated victim video reut.rs/3VIJOIV
reut.rs
Arizona court says judge wrongly allowed AI-generated victim video
An Arizona appeals court on Wednesday ordered a new sentencing hearing for a man convicted of a fatal road-rage shooting, finding that a judge improperly relied on an AI-generated video depicting ​the victim speaking about forgiveness and addressing the defendant directly.
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Austin Corbett @austincorbett.bsky.social · 3h
This exactly.
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Reposted by Austin Corbett
Ed @ed3d.net · 29/09/2026
giving AIs personalities is bad for you in general, but if this sounds like a good idea to you, the best thing you can do is go build it and fully control the entire stack. because if you don't, you will stop thinking of this as a thing made of gears and parts, and you will start to cook yourself.
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Reposted by Austin Corbett
Andrew Knack @andrewknack.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I will be voting to Stay in Canada and No to the Nine. Today is your last day to request a special ballot so that you can skip the lines.
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Reposted by Austin Corbett
The Tyee @thetyee.ca · 25/09/2026
How a web of institutes and academics — with ties to a U.S. non-profit and outsized influence on the United Conservative Party government — helped turn separatism from fringe idea to the mainstream. thetyee.ca/News/2026/09...
thetyee.ca
How the US Atlas Network Built Alberta Separatism | The Tyee
A global cabal of libertarian and right-wing organizations has fuelled the province’s independence movement.
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Reposted by Austin Corbett
Henry Farrell @himself.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
www.programmablemutter.com/p/machine-go... what it says on the package
programmablemutter.com
Machine god metaphors eat your brain
There are other ways of thinking about AI
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Reposted by Austin Corbett
Senator Paula Simons 🇨🇦 @senatorpaulasimons.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
I keep meeting smart informed Albertans who tell me they do not intend to vote, because they don’t want to legitimize the process, or because they know the premier is not bound by the results. But what if making us give up on voting is the whole point? My argument to vote - no matter the absurdity.
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Brett McKay @brettmckay.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
How groups tied to U.S. Atlas Network turned a fringe separatist movement in Alberta into a political threat: Inside the long campaign to legitimize separatism, and the legislative strategy to make it possible theijf.org/article/how-...
theijf.org
How groups tied to U.S. Atlas Network turned a fringe separatist movement in Alberta into a political threat
Inside the long campaign to legitimize separatism, and the legislative strategy to make it possible
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Reposted by Austin Corbett
#1 Shoup Fan @oneshoup.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Tokugawa America folks, they’re talking about it more and more. Sakoku, a beautiful word, closed country policy. I have loyal retainers coming up tears in their eyes saying “Shogun, you’ve got to close the borders”. Tokugawa America
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Reposted by Austin Corbett
Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
“Both Russian and pro-Trump U.S. actors are amplifying and spreading misinformation about Alberta separatism in the hope of fraying Canadian unity and sowing distrust.” An overt attack on Canadian sovereignty, meant specifically to manipulate Canadians. That’s what’s fuelling Alberta separation.
cbc.ca
Russia and U.S. amplifying Alberta separatist narratives to stoke division, distrust: report | CBC News
Moscow has long tried to meddle in foreign elections. What's newer is Canada's neighbour overtly trying to influence and fan flames of referendum bid, warns a new report on foreign interference.
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Barney Panofsky's Best Intentions @mynamesnotgordy.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Area man tries to avoid bankruptcy by selling province to highest bidder.
globalnews.ca
Alberta separatist leader Rath faces $109M debt claim from US investors  | Globalnews.ca
An American litigation funder is threatening to call in more than $100 million in alleged debt from Alberta separatist leader and lawyer Jeffrey Rath and his firm
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
The best summary of the current political situation in Alberta that I have read via Curtis Gillespie. Explore this gift article from The New York Times. You can read it for free without a subscription. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/03/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | MAGA Is Feeding a Separatist Surge in Canada (Gift Article)
Drawing inspiration from MAGA, separatists in Alberta are pushing for a break away from Canada.
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Reposted by Austin Corbett
The Breakdown AB @thebreakdownab.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
"Alberta has introduced new rules that will allow landowners to destroy broad categories of wetlands across the province without seeking government approval." #abpoli #ableg #cdnpoli thenarwhal.ca/alberta-wate...
thenarwhal.ca
Alberta farmers can now destroy many wetlands | The Narwhal
Changes to Alberta’s Water Act could put vast majority of wetlands at risk, advocate says of new rules the province is calling ‘common sense’
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Rory White @rorywh.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
New investigation from me. The 23 websites are designed to influence the answers that AI chatbots give to voters in Alberta, targeting farmers, young people, veterans, mothers and oil industry workers. www.nationalobserver.com/2026/09/04/i...
nationalobserver.com
A US-linked network of fake websites is promoting Alberta separatism to AI chatbots
The websites present crude, AI-generated slop disguised as the voice of real Albertans. But they're made in Florida — and they're not even targeting Albertans directly.
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Austin Corbett @austincorbett.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
edmontonjournal.com/news/crime/j...
edmontonjournal.com
Crown accused of misconduct in de Ruiter case no longer with prosecution service
The prosecutor accused of manipulating expert reports in a high-profile sex assault trial is no longer with the provincial Crown.
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Reposted by Austin Corbett
John Michael McGrath @jm-mcgrath.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Good morning. Ipsos has restricting energy exports to the US with 2:1 support; an oil & gas export tax at nearly 3:1 support. *In Alberta.* (Table 2.) www.ipsos.com/en-ca/canadi...
ipsos.com
Canadians Support A Robust Response To U.S. Tariffs
Canadians Support COVID-Style Program To Protect Workers
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Jared Wesley @jaredwesley.ca · 14/08/2026
At last night's Alberta Prosperity Project townhall, a keynote speaker spouted a racist remark that drew warm applause from the audience. I won't repeat the vile comment here. You can find video elsewhere. But it is very troubling, if entirely unsurprising. +
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Reposted by Austin Corbett
By Cory Doctorow (GPG 0xBF3D9110957E5F4C) @doctorow.pluralistic.net · 11/08/2026
In the summer of 2013, two esoteric, technical, incredibly important texts were published within weeks of one another: the first is the Snowden leaks, which revealed a system of global, pervasive digital surveillance. 1/
"Eugène Delacroix's painting 'La Liberté guidant le peuple' ('Liberty Leading the People'), depicting the French revolution as a ragtag group of peasants led by a flag-waving, bare-breasted incarnation of 'Liberty.' The painting has been altered: the scene is now being observed with a giant, smoke-shrouded CCTV dome, and the distant building have been replaced with a mainframe computer.
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#BruceSterling @bruces.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
*Civilianized Gray Zone *It doesn't take Nostradamus to figure this stuff out
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By Cory Doctorow (GPG 0xBF3D9110957E5F4C) @doctorow.pluralistic.net · 24/07/2026
As *tech*, AI isn't exceptional. It's not exceptionally wicked. It's not exceptionally good. Take away the accompanying, galactic-scale stock-swindle, and we'd call AI's apps "plug-ins" and we'd use them and abuse them in the same way that we've used every other technology: www.normaltech.ai 1/
A carny barker waving his top-hat and selling tickets from a roll; his head has been replaced with the hostile red eye of HAL9000 from Kubrick's '2001: A Space Odyssey.' The background is a magnified, halftoned detail from a US$100 bill.


Image:
Cryteria (modified)
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HAL9000.svg

CC BY 3.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en
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Reposted by Austin Corbett
Jonny Wakefield @jonnywakefield.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
An Edmonton non-profit says it faced an “intense and rapid legal challenge” from city police just days before screening a documentary about Mathios Arkangelo, the man fatally shot by an officer in 2024. edmontonjournal.com/news/local-n...
edmontonjournal.com
Edmonton officers sought injunction before Mathios Arkangelo police shooting documentary shown
An Edmonton non-profit says it faced a legal challenge from police days before screening a documentary about a man fatally shot by an officer.
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Carrie Tait @carrietait.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
"Journalists routinely weigh what the public has a right to know against potential harms to victims, witnesses, fair-trial rights and active police operations. That judgment is central to responsible reporting. It cannot be outsourced to police, and it must never be subject to police veto."
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Jared Wesley @jaredwesley.ca · 09/07/2026
"Let the separatist cowboys have their costumes. Let them pound the bar, or promise miracle cures or gold beyond the next hill. We have a phrase for that in my family: all hat, no cattle." My latest for LeadNotLeave.ca. www.readtheline.ca/p/jared-wesl...
leadnotleave.ca
Lead. Not Leave. | Pro-Alberta, Pro-Canada Policy Initiative
Albertans want real solutions, not a divisive separation referendum. Explore policy proposals, the climate/energy MOU, and an alternative path for Alberta.
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Austin Corbett @austincorbett.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
The development of the surveillance state supercharges the potential for abuse. www.404media.co/footage-show...
404media.co
Footage Shows Cop Stalking Woman He Met on a TV Set After Surveilling Her With a License Plate Reader
A Florida police officer met a woman on a TV set, surveilled her for weeks, stalked her, and nearly caused a head-on collision while chasing her to pull her over.
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Austin Corbett @austincorbett.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
What was it about this random week in June that just made it such a beatdown?
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Reposted by Austin Corbett
David Roberts @volts.wtf · 25/06/2026
Ever wonder about all the fucked-up stuff cops do that we *don't* end up hearing about? All the stuff they *aren't* busted for?
apnews.com
Grand jury indicts half the officers in a rural Colorado county in criminal misconduct investigation
The sheriff of a rural Colorado county has been indicted in a criminal misconduct investigation. Four other current and former law enforcement officials in the Costilla County Sheriff's Office also fa...
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Austin Corbett @austincorbett.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Doctorow is also worth reading in full: arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026...
arstechnica.com
How to burst the AI bubble: Strike at its roots
Sci-fi author/tech journalist Cory Doctorow on his new book, The Reverse Centaur's Guide to Life After AI.
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Reposted by Austin Corbett
Isaiah Bishop @isaiahbishop.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
I will feel safe with america again, when the next person who says something like this is punched immediately
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Austin Corbett @austincorbett.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Props to Farkas, this is how to deal with a Provincial government devoted to stirring up tempests in teapots.
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Austin Corbett @austincorbett.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
The Carney government is a terrible disappointment on criminal justice. I understand the public's aggravation re: crime (esp. certain types in certain areas) but overall, crime is down, incarceration is up, and yet we are going to jail more people than ever, which is dumb. youtu.be/MtdkesbVP6s?...
youtu.be
Is Alberta ready for bail reform?
YouTube video by CBC News Alberta
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Reposted by Austin Corbett
Robson Fletcher @robsonfletcher.com · 22/06/2026
New inflation data out today and wow what can you say about these Alberta car insurance rates other than ... wow. 😳
Car insurance prices in Alberta have far outpaced every other province

Alberta is now at an index value of more than 400. No other province is above 250.

An index value of 100 is equal to the average price for insurance in Canada over all 12 months of 2002.

Source: Statistics Canada Table 18-10-0004-01
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Hypervisible @hypervisible.blacksky.app · 19/06/2026
“We can’t live a full dignified life — with the ability to question authority, have different relationships with people, test ideas [and] blow off steam — if we don’t have private communication.”
bloomberg.com
Signal's Meredith Whittaker: The Push for Online Safety Risks Mass Surveillance
The president of the encrypted messaging app says autonomous AI agents, device scanning and digital advertising are converging into a new architecture of surveillance.
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Reposted by Austin Corbett
Duane Bratt🇨🇦 @duanebratt.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
While the attention of most Albertans is on the separation referendum, the AHS procurement scandal has not ended. It continues to be investigated by police.
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Courtney Theriault @ctheriault.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Everyone's pointing fingers in the separation debate, claiming the other side's dishonest Chatted with Keith Gerein from the Edmonton Journal on his column, "Honesty may help Alberta survive its referendum showdown. And honestly, the secessionist movement stinks" podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/h...
podcasts.apple.com
Honesty may help Alberta survive its referendum showdown. And honestly, the secessionist movement stinks
Podcast Episode · The Courtney Theriault Show · June 12 · 10m
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Reposted by Austin Corbett
Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Alberta is a province of 5 million people with an incredible depth of talent, knowledge and experience, yet the UCP basically appoints the same people to every panel the government creates. 🙄 www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?...
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Jonny Wakefield @jonnywakefield.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
The fallout from Alberta’s decision to phase out photo radar: “The City of Edmonton and University of Alberta study found number of drivers travelling 30 km/h over the speed limit increased up to 128 per cent” edmontonjournal.com/news/local-n...
edmontonjournal.com
Extreme speeding has more than doubled since photo radar restrictions, city says
Number of drivers driving 30 km over the limit up 128 per cent since province put restrictions on enforcement, City and U of A study finds
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Stefscribbles @stefscribbles.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
for all the daymaxxers
a drawing of a cat on his phone at 02:11 while he should be sleeping.
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Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Rather than say he supports remaining in Canada like other Danielle Smith ministers have, Transportation Min. Devin Dreeshen said the onus is on Ottawa to fight to keep Canada together. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Alberta cabinet minister won't say if he supports keeping province in Canada | CBC News
While other cabinet members have backed Smith's pledge to vote to stay in Canada, Devin Dreeshen avoided answering the question.
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Simon Little 🍁 @simonplittle.ca · 04/06/2026
Fewer than half of Albertans say they would stay in a newly independent province: poll nationalpost.com/news/alberta...
nationalpost.com
Fewer than half of Albertans say they would stay in a newly independent province: poll
The Postmedia-Leger survey also found that Canadians think Alberta’s separation would have a greater economic impact than Quebec's.
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Jared Wesley @jaredwesley.ca · 27/05/2026
Here's a fun way to learn more about the realities of Alberta separation. nextstepsalberta.ca
nextstepsalberta.ca
Next Steps Alberta | Fact or Fiction Quiz
Distinguish between facts and fiction regarding the Alberta independence movement with our interactive survey.
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The Breakdown AB @thebreakdownab.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
"A lot of what David Cameron did is he made choices in the referendum campaign that made it harder for his side to win," Cooper said. "And I can see Danielle Smith making similar moves." #abpoli #ableg #cdnpoli www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Brexit scholar says Alberta referendum gives him 'a feeling of déjà vu' | CBC News
A scholar overseas says "Brexit has a lot of lessons to teach Albertans" about the dangers of a vote on separation, with October's referendum on the question of separation drawing comparisons to what ...
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Justin Ling @justinling.ca · 27/05/2026
Danielle Smith is angling to be Canada's Nigel Farage. I break down years of her absurd fantasies about an independent Alberta, and the role she played in whipping up separatist fever. www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
thestar.com
Justin Ling: Danielle Smith is brewing Canada’s own Brexit problem
Alberta premier is flirting with Brexit-like falsehoods.
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Austin Corbett @austincorbett.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Very happy to see the Law Society of Alberta join the CBA and the Justices in refusing to participate. The work is not over, the UCP changed the rules to allow Universities to participate; they should also decline to do so.
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Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Alberta’s legal institutions are now united in refusing to help United Conservatives launch their do-over riding boundaries commission. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... by @joeldryden.bsky.social
cbc.ca
Alberta law society, legal association won't help find judges to chair electoral boundaries panel | CBC News
The Law Society of Alberta and the Canadian Bar Association say they won't help find retired and sitting judges to lead the latest effort to redraw Alberta’s electoral boundaries.
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Austin Corbett @austincorbett.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
This is an important aspect of standing up for the rule of law in Alberta, which is under attack by our governing party, the UCP. Glad to see the CBA take a similar stand to the Acting Chief Justice. The LSA should comment as well: edmontonjournal.com/news/local-n...
edmontonjournal.com
Canadian Bar Association follows acting chief justice in refusing call for applications request
The committee of MLAs overseeing the electoral boundaries hit another road block after the CBA said it will not participate in the process.
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Jared Wesley @jaredwesley.ca · 25/05/2026
The stakes in this referendum are too high to sit it out. We need to build a solid case, not just for staying put, but for a stronger Alberta within a better Canada. That's why I'm joining other prominent conservatives in making the case for Alberta to lead, not leave. www.leadnotleave.ca
leadnotleave.ca
Lead. Not Leave.
A policy initiative for Albertans committed to a strong Alberta within a united Canada.
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Duane Bratt🇨🇦 @duanebratt.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...
theguardian.com
Echoes of Brexit as Alberta blunders towards vote on separation from Canada
Like David Cameron in 2016, premier Danielle Smith is facing a mutinous party and has called a referendum about a referendum while vowing a ‘no’ vote
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Jared Wesley @jaredwesley.ca · 16/05/2026
This is your daily reminder: The claim that separatists collected 300,000 signatures rests on one man's word. And reasonable people should question whether he is telling the truth.+
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Courtney Theriault @ctheriault.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
"Helping Danielle Smith avoid a leadership review is a Danielle Smith problem." Columnist Jen Gerson says the premier could’ve avoided a referendum entirely, but instead she chose that path & turned it into an Alberta issue to protect her political career LISTEN: podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/s...
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Bruce Arthur @brucearthur.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Jen Gerson on Alberta's quest for separatism is righteously angry, and while I have some quibbles, it is the piece the separatists deserve www.readtheline.ca/p/jen-gerson...
readtheline.ca
Jen Gerson: Saddle up, Alberta. We're referendum-ing
The UCP has become a party of snivelling, weak little thieves who operate by night.
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