iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

I *want* to believe that the ad algorithm learns from my interactions. I don't really know. I just want to stop seeing certain ads.

There's currently an ad that I've received way too many times. It's in innocuous ad; nothing that offends me. But the ad has worn out its welcome. It seemed like I was seeing it every third or fourth ad. Now I give it the "stop the video" treatment. I'm now seeing it a lot less.

100

Every once in a while, I get ads that I despise. Let's say you're a local donut store and you decide to strike up a partnership with the Orphan Wizard Boy franchise. I don't want to see your ads. So I stop the ad and video, and restart it again later. But does the algorithm learn?

I don't know if I'm anthropomorphizing "the algorithm". My partner mocks me for the vehemence of my dislike for advertising. I browse using an adblocker, but if I'm watching YouTube on the AppleTV I can't prevent ads. But I'm pretty quick with the mute button.

Ooo. Netherlands-based. That's interesting. I'll dig a bit more into it.

I've been a DuckDuckGo person for a good long time, but I'm aware of specific types of queries that take me back to Google (largely "I'm looking for a programming solution to this specific technical problem...") I haven't yet discerned which queries are gonna lead me to break out of Qwant.

I've been experimenting a bit with Qwant, a France-based search engine, as an alternative to the American search engines. They say all the right things about privacy, search bias, and not selling data. I don't *love* it yet, but I'm giving it a try.

260

I know that a lot of people are fond of the soundtrack to _Interstellar_ (also by Zimmer). I doubt I could recognize that soundtrack: the film didn't really do anything for me, and I've only seen it once. It's been a while since I've loved a Nolan film the way I loved his peak films.

So I think: "Should I buy this soundtrack and listen to it a bit more?" Then I double-check: as I feared. It's noted transphobe, Hans Zimmer. Especially awkward given that the film has a pre-transition Elliot Page in it.

210

Then it dawns on me: it's part of the soundtrack to _Inception_. I pop over to the iTunes store to be sure. I confirm it. I don't own the soundtrack, but I've seen the film a large number of times. The music is clearly stored in the back of my mind.

140

I can't quite figure out what I recognize it from, but it's bothering me. I try Shazam-ing it: no luck. I guess all the harshing leftist manliness is throwing off the music recognition. (Shazam made one suggestion that was way off. Took a bit to rule that out.)

120

Chuck Tingle @chucktingle.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

So I'm watching random YouTube videos, and I happen upon a video critiquing a right-wing manly man making fun of leftists (who he views as lacking in manly man qualities). Neither the original video nor the critique are especially great. But I realize that I recognize the musical background.

140

Reposted by BC Holmes

honestly who wouldnt want this buckaroo to be your ASSOCIATE MEMBER?

cover of CANADA POUNDD MY BUTT AND COVERS MY PANCAKES WITH REAL MAPLE SYRUP IN AN EROTIC WAY ALSO IT IS DELICIOUS featuring a shirtless buckaroo on the right and a handsome sentient canada on the left

18686150

"All the genders" is a big claim. (Would it count as a flex?)

Trans Awareness Week 2025: The fascinating origin story of the famous trans symbol

Anyway: here's a (very brief) overview of the trans symbol. I can't source this claim, but my recollection is that the most common version of the symbol -- with rounded arrowheads in a pink triangle -- was designed by Nangeroni (former host of GenderTalk, with Gordene McKenzie).

thepinknews.com

For Trans Awareness Week, we're looking at the transgender symbol – where did it come from, who invented it and what does it mean?

041

But also: all of that going on in my head in a work event where trans inclusivity isn't *really* rejected, but it just hangs there in a little sign on the wall beside the extra bathroom.

120

It was a really weird set of feelings: seeing the symbol, knowing that it's presence represents a bit of a daring stand for inclusivity in an increasingly trans-hostile world and at the same time feeling really awed by how Holly managed to put a really important thing out there in the world.

150

So, the transgender symbol has been a part of my life for a good, long time. Not just in a "symbol = cool" way. But because it was originally designed by a (sadly, now deceased) friend of mine, the amazing Holly Boswell (with Nancy Nangeroni and Wendy Parker).

120

The part that's interesting to me is the signage. Specifically, the use of the trans symbol. No signs ever say the word "trans", but the symbol appears on the all gender washrooms.

A photo of an outdoor sign indicating that the building includes "Universal washrooms" and includes two symbols: a person in a wheelchair and the transgender symbol.

140

BC Holmes @bcholmes.org · 08/09/2026

I've been at this work event for the last two days. Hosted in a downtown building with big presentation space and breakout rooms. Like a lot of such rentable spaces, they have inclusive washrooms. One of the bathroom options is an "all gender" washroom. I feel like that shouldn't be unusual.

382

It's like the FDA have a big Jeopardy wheel back at their headquarters: this week it's...(takka takka takka)... cream cheese!

011

Reposted by BC Holmes

Trevor Heywood @metroscapes.ca · 07/09/2026

Moneris, the Canadian system used to process 5 billion of transactions annually for 325,000 points of sale, is being sold by the owners (RBC and BMO) to a US private equity firm. I don't think this protects Canadian digital sovereignty. I signed a petition for Ottawa to intervene, and you can too.

ourcommons.ca

Petition e-7712 - Petitions

55953

BC Holmes @bcholmes.org · 06/09/2026

I’m not gonna lie: I generally think that Lobo is the least interesting character that DC ever created, but at least this film had one of the more engaging portrayals of him.

BC Holmes @bcholmes.org · 06/09/2026

I’m in the last few minutes of _Supergirl_, and I don’t get what all the negativity was about. It’s a good character story.

150

BC Holmes @bcholmes.org · 06/09/2026

Note to self: if I ever decide to become a serial killer, this will be my cover story for all the freezer evidence.

020

BC Holmes @bcholmes.org · 04/09/2026

And it seems totally that:

010

BC Holmes @bcholmes.org · 04/09/2026

Oh. I don't think I've heard anything about this. I'm guessing that it's a new (?) font based on Toth's lettering.

Trans News Network @transnews.network · 24/08/2026

Reposted by BC Holmes

"I already boycott The New York Times/don't have a subscription, what can I do?" A lot! You can: * Share our call for boycott. Tell others about the NYT's role in trans genocide * Stop sharing NYT links, even to dunk on them * Pressure the pension/retirement funds invested in the NYT to divest

513721227

BC Holmes @bcholmes.org · 03/09/2026

American company ACCO Brands demonstrates that they don't know Canadian geography. (To their credit, they apologized and took responsibility for the error, but their timing could not be worse)

winnipegsun.com

Hilroy says sorry for leaving Newfoundland, Cape Breton off notebooks' Canadian map

Hilroy has apologized for leaving Newfoundland and Cape Breton off the Canadian map on its glossy notebooks, after the mistake led to backlash online.

020

Reposted by BC Holmes

PressProgress @pressprogress.ca · 02/09/2026

Toronto Mayoral Candidate Who Does Not Want Support From People Who “Sow Division,” Attended an Event with Individuals who have Shared Islamophobic Beliefs Brad Bradford recently disavowed a supporter with Islamophobic beliefs. pressprogress.ca/toronto-mayo...

pressprogress.ca

Toronto Mayoral Candidate Who Does Not Want Support From People Who “Sow Division,” Attended an Event with Individuals who have Shared Islamophobic Beliefs

Brad Bradford recently disavowed a supporter with Islamophobic beliefs.

23418

BC Holmes @bcholmes.org · 02/09/2026

I just got a “hide in you basement” emergency text. That’s… new for me.

330

BC Holmes @bcholmes.org · 02/09/2026

Without saying your age, what is your favourite movie that came out when you were 20 years old? There are a lot of really interesting films that came out that year, for me. But if I had to choose, it'd be this one:

Promotional image for _Star Trek IV: The One With the Whales_ showing the main characters' heads on a red background, with the an image of the Golden Gate bridge and a part of a Klingon Bird-of-Prey in the foreground.

060

BC Holmes @bcholmes.org · 29/08/2026

I saw it back in the day. Has it aged well?

100

BC Holmes @bcholmes.org · 28/08/2026

On Facebook, Wil Wheaton made a Rocky Horror Show post that ended with the phrase, "Janet! Doctor Scott! Janet! Brad! Rocky!" And I expected the comments to be comment-after-comment of people saying "Ugh!" But, unusually, that wasn't the case. Am I an old?

130

BC Holmes @bcholmes.org · 28/08/2026

Canadians: I need insight. I used the phrase "I didn't twig to the fact that..." on a Discord chat and that lead to a "Are you British?" From an American. I *think* that's a normal thing to say here in Canada, but I also watched a lot of British TV growing up. Would you say that?

200

Reposted by BC Holmes

Marit Stiles @maritstilesndp.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

I asked Doug Ford to recall the legislature so Ontario can fight back against Donald Trump’s tariffs. He called that “gutter politics.” Here’s my response:

812745

BC Holmes @bcholmes.org · 27/08/2026

I confess that I'm late to the Chapman's fan club, but they're so great.

030

BC Holmes @bcholmes.org · 25/08/2026

"Je suis Nono, le petit robot, l'ami d'Ulysse...." I only ever caught this show in French (thus I understood less than half of it), but always wanted to watch it more fully.

030

BC Holmes @bcholmes.org · 25/08/2026

"Strait of YerBooze"... :)

000

BC Holmes @bcholmes.org · 25/08/2026

I usually get my books from Apple Books, and I did briefly wonder if the sale was available there, too, but I'd previously bought the book, and Apple Books won't show you a price of something you've already bought.

BC Holmes @bcholmes.org · 24/08/2026

I mean... if Badgie says it...

1463

BC Holmes @bcholmes.org · 22/08/2026

Maaaaybe. To me, it feels like someone just hasn't given it any thought, whatsoever.

BC Holmes @bcholmes.org · 22/08/2026

There are all of these cheesy Canadian 90's TV series that really should be buyable or streamable, but frequently aren't. _Counterstrike_, _Forever Knight_, and so forth.

BC Holmes @bcholmes.org · 22/08/2026

The weird price is exactly CDN $2.99 per episode times 66 episodes.