iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I voted in the Toronto municipal election today, and for the first time I can recall, I got a sticker. The process was quick, easy, and peaceful. Five minutes, done, no excuses.

A photo of a round sticker that reads: "Toronto - I voted - toronto.ca/elections"

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I'm not a designer, but I do wonder why @mozilla.org decided to have the newest version of Firefox render the currently selected browser tab in a style that looks exactly like a form text field in errored state (ie. white background, rounded corners, reddish border). Weird.

Screen grab of the Firefox browser on Windows which shows two tabs, one in a dark colour labeled "New Tab" and one highlighted labeled "DuckDuckGo - Protection...". Below is a snippet of the DuckDuckGo website.

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Reminds me of this toy my sister had when we were kids, which still gives me nightmares.

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Canada's conservative newspapers, a never-ending drumbeat of snarky criticism of every thing Carney does, and with no realistic suggestion of what else could be done except to somehow "negotiate better" with a person who has clearly shown no interest in any deal that won't leave Canada weakened.

A screen grab from Google News containing these article excerpts:

The Globe and Mail
Stronger ties with the European Union aren’t a lifeline for Canada
6 hours ago Opinion

nationalpost.com
Michael Higgins: Mark Carney's EU adventure isn't about Canadians
6 hours ago By Michael Higgins

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Today I was fed ads from this American online shop shilling AI-slop shirts and hats to Canadians by trying to leverage our presumed patriotism over Lake Ontario. All promoted using more AI-slop graphics and bullshit testimonies. Also, ugly. I expect nothing less at this point.

Screen grab of a website promoting the sale of clothing related to the "renaming" of Lake Ontario.

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

This sidewalk serves as a handy carshare parking spot. In the distance, the bike lane is also a handy parking spot. Just another day at Jarvis and Esplanade where laws are casually broken day and night with zero repercussions. War on cars, etc.

A carshare driver has parked his silver car across nearly the full width of a sidewalk. In the distance, another car has pulled over to park in half the bike lane.

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

I have to say, this is one heck of a front page on the New York Times website.

A screen grab of the New York Times website from August 22, 2026 with various headlines related to recent US/Canada tariff negotiations, including:

"'We Got Atttacked,' Carney Says of U.S. Tariffs on Canada"

There is also a still frame of a video of Prime Minister Mark Carney speaking, with the subtitle "You're at war when you get attacked."

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Toronto's First Post Office www.townofyork.com

A historic illustration of Toronto's First Post Office and a handwritten letter with a wax seal.

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Carney is far from perfect, but these disingenuous attacks irritate me. The words of someone who's never heard of Trump or seen how he operates. "No concessions" and a "tariff-free deal" is not going to happen for any country. Using Canada's predicament as a political attack angle is gross.

A screen grab of two Google News headlines.

The first from CTV News reads: "Conservative Leader urges prime minister to get tariff-free deal for Canadian goods"

The second from Global News reads: "‘No more caving’: Poilievre urges against concessions in U.S. trade talks"

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

As I searched for help with a programming task, Google's AI piped up to suggest I install a "completely fictional" Node.js package. That's its own words, not mine. Thanks, Mr. AI, I'll just figure it out ye olde fashioned way.

A screengrab of a Google AI search result that reads: "My apologies for giving you a package name that doesn't exist on npm—@maplibre/shp-write is completely fictional and that is why you are hitting that 404 registry error."

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

When does "deceptive" become "bald-faced lying"? Trying to generate a privacy policy for a simple website I'm building. Of course once I went through their wizard I could not download/use the generated policy until I put in my email address, which then created an account for me and demanded $. Lame.

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

The Keating Channel Pub is like revisiting the 90s in all the best possible ways.

A pub patio with tables and umbrellas on the left, with a tree in the middle, and a waterway on the right. In the background there are buildings and bridge.

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

The Toronto skyline from Biidaasige Park. We enjoyed a beautiful but shadeless walk. The trees need to grow faster.

A skyline of Toronto skyscrapers seen across a grassy marshland beneath a bright blue sky.

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

It looks like you can still respond and choose one of these options, maybe 'visitor' or 'other'.

A screen grab of survey text stating:

"What is your relationship to the Church-Wellesley Village?

The Church Wellesley Village is generally bounded by Bloor Street East to the north, Yonge Street to the west, Jarvis Street to the east, and Carlton Street/Gerrard Street East to the south.
I live in the area
I work in the area
I go to school in the area
I visit friends or family in the area
I visit the area for retail/restaurants/entertainment
I travel through the area when going to other places
No relationship to the area
Other (please describe): [ ]"

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

The Simpsons did the joke better 9 years earlier with their "wave after wave of Chinese needle snakes" bit.

joejohnson on July 8, 2011 | parent | context | favorite | on: Cobra effect

This reminds me of that Simpson's episode "Bart the Mother". The town gets overrun with Bolivian tree lizards:

Skinner: Well, I was wrong; the lizards are a godsend.

Lisa: But isn't that a bit short-sighted? What happens when we're overrun by lizards?

Skinner: No problem. We simply release wave after wave of Chinese needle snakes. They'll wipe out the lizards.

Lisa: But aren't the snakes even worse?

Skinner: Yes, but we're prepared for that. We've lined up a fabulous type of gorilla that thrives on snake meat.

Lisa: But then we're stuck with gorillas!

Skinner: No, that's the beautiful part. When wintertime rolls around, the gorillas simply freeze to death.

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Sneaky Dee's was never one of my main hangouts, but those are mostly all gone already, so we should keep something from Toronto's original grunge heyday. (via Reddit)

City of Toronto development notice signage defaced by people who wrote over it in marker the phrases "DESTROYING CULTUARE FOR INVESTOR $$$" and "FUCK YOU I GREW UP HERE STOP BEFORE WE HAVE NOTHING LEFT"

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Whenever something flares up in Belfast I drop by /r/belfast and read some of the hilarious comments, which somehow have an Irish accent even in written form. It's a good reminder that he idiots doing this stuff are in the strong minority.

"That's immigration halted now well done lads, make sure you grab a wee Chinese on your way home" and similar comments mocking far-right rioters in Belfast.

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Plaques to commemorate the natural 1841 shoreline of Lake Ontario are beginning to appear along Esplanade and Front St E. This is a very informative one near Berkeley/Hahn. I think it is part of this SLNA initiative: www.slna.ca/original-sho...

A photo of a street corner with two commemorative plaques installed, one rectangular and one round

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

"From the back of a train from Kingston to Toronto" A photo taken by my grandfather in 1941 or 1942 when he was on leave from training with the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals at Vimy Kingston, before his deployment to Europe.

A black and white photo of train tracks receding into hills in the distance, with a telegraph pole.

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

The KPMB Architects office on the 12th floor of the Globe & Mail building also gives nice (if rainy) views of the progress on the Ontario Line subway station formerly known as Corktown, now known as Distillery District. Big holes both north and south of Front St East. #doorsopen #dot26

Subway excavation progress in the block bounded by King Street East, Parliament Street, Front Street East, and Berkeley Street, May 2026.

Subway excavation progress in the block bounded by Front Street East, Parliament Street, Parliament Square Park and Berkeley Street, May 2026.

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Also many cool architectural models at the KPMB Architects offices at King East and Berkeley. In the 12th floor of the Globe & Mail building, open today for Toronto's Doors Open event. #doorsopen #dot26

Wooden architectural models of skyscrapers in front of a window with real skyscrapers in the distance.

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

KPMB Architects in the Globe & Mail building at King East and Berkeley looks like a stunning place to work. But I think I'd be perpetually distracted by the views.

View north from 12th floor of Globe & Mail Centre, May 2026.

View south from 12th floor of Globe & Mail Centre, May 2026.

View northeast from 12th floor of Globe & Mail Centre, May 2026. Shows two streetcars passing each other at the intersection of King St East and Berkeley St.

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

Layers of Toronto. From Corktown looking east.

A photo of a city view showing smaller old houses in the foreground, warehouses in the middle ground, and shiny new skyscrapers in the distance, all in front of a bright blue sky.

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

An important operational notice buried in a Nov 20, 1943 memo distributed to troops of the 1st Canadian Corps of Signals stationed in Sicily.

"8. THE LOCAL WINE The local wine contains a high percent of alcohol. It must not be confused with beer. It has a delayed action effect so that there is a great tendency to take excess. This wine may result in persons developer a very vindicative (sic) nature while under It's (sic) influence, and already on this island some very unfortunate things have occurred. It is therefore important that moderation be observed. In this way our deportment in public will be maintained."

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

In case you thought catfishing required the internet to exist, think again. Apparently it was a problem during WW2, as per this guide sent to officers in 1943. publications.gc.ca/collections/...

"Pen Pal Correspondence"

Written in ignorance or in complete disregard of Security, “pen pal”
letters present a very real problem in the Canadian Army.

After all, what guarantee is there that the stranger, who invites letters
from soldiers, is the beautiful and innocent-looking blonde she pretends to be? What assurance is there that the correspondent is even a girl ? What is the evidence that the “pen pal”, to whom the soldier is asked to tell all his troubles, is not one of Hitler’s agents? Yes, she sends a picture; what does that prove? It may not be an actual photograph of the glamourous correspondent. It is a known fact that most of these “Exchanges” are conducted by men, regardless of the alluring photo.

It isn’t only his own skin he risks when a soldier replies to a "pen pal" ad or letter. He also risks the safety of his pals, his unit, the Army itself. That’s why regulations forbid “pen pal” correspondence, punishments are provided for those who take a chance.

DON’T WRITE “PEN PAL” LETTERS — DON'T WRITE TO STRANGERS!

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Funny, I just saw many people "driving as they please" at Front St E and Jarvis. It ended in this smash, with other drivers aggressively squealing their tires to go around it in the crosswalks. All this type of "disobedience" does is endanger people who aren't in cars, who didn't cause the gridlock.

Two black vehicles stopped in the middle of the Front St E and Jarvis St intersection in Toronto after a minor collision. One driver has exited his vehicle. Another black vehicle is driving around them.

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

The American president is threatening to commit war crimes on a massive scale. The president's wife was wearing Ralph Lauren on the weekend. Serious times call for serious journalism.

A screen grab from the New York Times website front page. On the left is the headline "Trump Calls to Wipe Out a 'Whole Civilization' as Iranians Reject Threats". On the right is the headline "Melania Trump's Unexpected Easter Look".

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Well, it's nice to know some people have money. I'll be enjoying the @bluejays.com home opener from home tonight, wearing a normal shirt. www.cp24.com/photos/2026/...

A photo taken from a CP24 news article about changes at the Rogers Centre, showing a 50th Anniversary Blue Jays jersey and its price tag of $537.50.

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Also, despite the advent of AI, advertising algorithms still lack context and irony detection. This ad for a $57K CAD monster pickup truck is perfectly juxtaposed with text describing this hard working woman's impoverishment due to gas prices and a 50-mile roundtrip commute.

A paragraph of text excerpted from a CNN article, describing a woman's 50 mile commute and complaints about high gas prices, right above an advertisement for a RAM pickup truck priced at $56,995 CAD.

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

In Canada, many emailers from Canadian companies are bilingual, with content in one language first (usually English) repeated below in the second language (usually French). Google's Gmail, developed by unilingual Americans, is baffled by this and puts this notice at the top of every damn email.

A screen grab of a Gmail notification message that says "It looks like this message is in French" follwed by the link text "Translate to English".

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Struck him out on ball 4 to ruin a decent baseball game.

A screen grab of MLB Gameday for the last WBC at bat between Dominican Republic and USA showing the 8th pitch of the at-bat below the strike zone yet called a strike.

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

“I threw those two creeps out on their ass! Then they followed me home, beggin’ me to take a test drive. And let me tell you, talk about roomy. The Rivian combines the smooth handling of a European sports car with the rugged drivability of a sturdy 4×4.”

A screen grab from the Simpsons TV show portraying Krusty the Clown wearing a leather jacket and blue jeans with his hair tied in a ponytail, holding a cigarette in front of a red brick wall, speaking into a microphone at a comedy club.

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

I certainly hope Toronto does not experience its warmest temperatures of the year this weekend. That would mean we have a very chilly summer ahead of us.

A screen grab of a CP24 news headline reading "Toronto could see some of its warmest temperatures of the year this weekend". To the right is a small thumbnail image of a bride in the sunshine.

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

The Indeed algorithms are doing great! (The job was a very poor match for me, indeed).

A snippet of an email from Indeed.com that tells me a job "could be a great match" for me, and then a paragraph later tells me is is "a poor match".

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

American writers love embedding SNL and late-night talk show videos into their articles. Do they know (or care) that many of these are not available to view outside the US? If you're a writer with Canadian or European readers, they're probably just seeing boxes in your articles that look like this.

A grey box with an exclamation point icon and the text: "Video unavailable: The uploader has not made this video available in your country"

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

Enterprise CarShare is great, but this nonsense should be illegal. All car shares and car rentals, not just a special few, should be required to have snow tires during Canadian winter months. The passing of risk to the car renters, and to everyone else sharing the streets and sidewalks, is wrong.

A screen grab from an email that reads: "Winter/All-Weather Tires: We will have Winter/All-Weather Tires on a select number of vehicles in our fleet. We have begun installing the tires and will continue over the next several weeks. Not all vehicles will have these tires, and if you are looking to reserve a vehicle with Winter/All-Weather Tires please select the 'winter tire' option under 'Amenities' when making your reservation (check out the 'Filter' options on the app). Our vehicles with Winter/All-Weather Tires come with an additional charge of $0.80/hour or $8.00/day (charge applies from December 1st to March 31st)."

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

“If in the first act you have hung a pistol on the wall, then in the following one it should be fired. Otherwise don't put it there.” ― Anton Chekhov

A screen grab from the CNN website showing a photo of a military warship in the water.

Above the image is the title: "Trump suggests he's made a decision on Venezuela military operations"

Beneath the image is the subtitle: "The US military has amassed more than a dozen warships and 15,000 troops in the region"

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

Anther book for my reading list, I think. www.nathaneberline.com/blog/a-dista...

A screen grab of of text that reads:

'Tuchman: “When the gap between ideal and real becomes too wide, the system breaks down.”'

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

"The Points of Interest of Beautiful Toronto are best seen from the Palatial Coaches of the Toronto Transportation Commission" (1926)

A scan of a paper map of Toronto from 1926 titled "Canada's most beautiful summer city -- Toronto"

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

The final time I Googled the same Neil Young Lyrics, AI Overview decided once again they were from Beyoncé, this time collaborating with Post Malone on a song called "My House". She does have a song by that name, but Post Malone didn't sing on it, and its lyrics are completely unrelated.

A screen shot of an Google AI Overview response that suggests some Neil Young Lyrics are from a Beyoncé and Post Malone collaboration song, along with a backstory.

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

The third time I Googled the same Neil Young Lyrics, AI Overview decided they were from a Miley Cyrus song, linking them thematically to Hurricane Harvey. She does apparently have a song containing the line "the sky is falling" though that's not the actual name of the song.

A screen shot of an Google AI Overview response that suggests some Neil Young Lyrics are from a Miley Cyrus song, along with a backstory.

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

In a new tab, I Googled the same lyrics again. AI Overview generated a new hallucination, this time decided the lyrics were from a song by My Chemical Romance. They do have a song sort of by that name, but it doesn't seem to contain those lyrics. They again come with some made-up lyrical analysis.

A screen shot of an Google AI Overview response that suggests some Neil Young Lyrics are from a My Chemical Romance song called "Black Parade", followed by some speculated meanings of the lyrics.

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Gary Smith @garysmith.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

I Googled a snippet of lyrics from a 1985 Neil Young song called "Misfits" and AI Overview piped up and insisted the lyrics are from a Beyoncé song that does not seem to exist. Okay, weird. Then it hallucinated some nonsense about what she meant by the lyrics.

A screen shot of an Google AI Overview response that suggests some Neil Young Lyrics are from a Beyoncé song called "Houston", along with a backstory.

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