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Mad (Social) Scientist 🇨🇦

@jemburch.bsky.social
4.7K followers 9K following 2.4K posts

PhD candidate (Political Science) | Sessional Instructor (Quantitative Methods) | Recovering public servant | Huge nerd (SCA, LARP, TTRPGs) Expect posts about Canadian news (often political) and nerdy pursuits. Opinions my own and likely to be unhinged.

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Reposted by Mad (Social) Scientist 🇨🇦
Tod Maffin 🇨🇦 @todmaffin.com · 9h
In 1973, Phyllis Webstad, age 6, arrived at residential school in a new orange shirt her grandmother had bought her. To her, the shirt stood for belonging. It was taken away on her first day. Today, in part, is about what was taken from children. 🪶 READ: orangeshirtday.org/about/phylli...
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Justin McElroy 🇨🇦 @jmcelroy.bsky.social · 3h
For the past week, I've heard a lot of people say "provincial and municipal elections happening at the same time is confusing, especially since I don't fully understand what a city is in control of." So, I did a four minute explainer piece to try and help www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqlh...
youtube.com
What municipalities can and can’t do in B.C.
YouTube video by CBC British Columbia
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Mad (Social) Scientist 🇨🇦 @jemburch.bsky.social · 55m
I'll never forget how a faculty member I'd just met felt comfortable trashing another grad student in my hearing. And for behaviour I actually thought was quite reasonable, too (even as described by a hostile witness). She described how she told colleagues to avoid them like it was a public service.
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Mad (Social) Scientist 🇨🇦 @jemburch.bsky.social · 18h
I was telling some of my students about my memories of the early internet. They said it seemed nice.
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Mad (Social) Scientist 🇨🇦 @jemburch.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Gonna do my bit by eating medically inadvisable amounts of cheese. For patriotic reasons.
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Reposted by Mad (Social) Scientist 🇨🇦
Kai Arzheimer @kai-arzheimer.com · 28/09/2026
#tbp "While secularism as a political and philosophical concept has existed for centuries and while there is a plethora of measures for individual religiosity, there is no established instrument for measuring political secularism at the micro-level"
cambridge.org
A Short Scale for Measuring Political Secularism | Politics and Religion | Cambridge Core
A Short Scale for Measuring Political Secularism - Volume 15 Issue 4
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Denis Cohen @denis-cohen.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
📄 New paper in @electoralstudies.bsky.social: “From the center to the fringes: A comparative test of attitudinal explanations for mainstream-to-challenger defection” 👥 with @krausewe.bsky.social and @aigneranna.bsky.social 🔗 doi.org/10.1016/j.el...
doi.org
Redirecting
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Indivisible Vancouver @indivisiblevan.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The group reportedly arrived on Sunday morning. Photos posted on social media show them wearing white masks and matching uniforms bearing shoulder patches similar to those of the Second Sons, a white nationalist group that has held demonstrations in Canada before. www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
ctvnews.ca
‘Disgraceful, disgusting behaviour’: Political leaders condemn white nationalist demonstration on Indigenous land near Kamloops
Provincial political leaders have spoken out, condemning an apparent white nationalist demonstration at Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc native reserve near Kamloops, B.C.
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Mad (Social) Scientist 🇨🇦 @jemburch.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
To ask 'but why should people in [x field] have to study history???' is almost to answer it.
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Canadian History Ehx @cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
On March 26, 2000, the song Blame Canada from South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut was nominated for Best Original Song at the Oscars. But that night something also debuted that became an immediate hit. The I Am Canadian Rant. This is the story. 🧵 1/10
Joe Canada standing center stage, singing into a microphone with mouth open and arms slightly outstretched before a large red maple leaf on a white backdrop.
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Bill Comeau 🇨🇦 @bill-comeau.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
The revelations coming out of Quebec should remind us that the US is still a member of the United Nations. Its charter explicitly forbids the use of threats against Canada's territorial integrity or interventions in our domestic jurisdiction. #Canada #cdnpoli #tariffs #CanadaStrong #UnitedNations
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Cheryl in Nova Scotia 🇨🇦🍁🍁 @minibubbly.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Allegations of political interference from the US dominated the 30th day of Quebec's election campaign on Friday as Coalition Avenir Québec Leader Christine Fréchette expressed concerns that Americans were trying to help sovereigntists take control of the province. 🤬🤬 www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Federal intelligence agency contacted as U.S. interference claims swirl in Quebec election | CBC News
Quebec's incumbent premier says she is "very concerned" about possible interference in the provincial election by the United States.
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Musicology Duck @musicologyduck.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
incidentally i think these guys are the patron saints of bluesky
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cait (and adonis) @cait.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
the "iced coffee at a job interview" discussion is obviously stupid but also a great representation of the fact that every single HR person/recruiter has their own different made up rules for candidates and all of them think they are absolutely correct
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Unapologetic Lee 🇨🇦 @ogcanada.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Dear Canada, You cannot trust the safety of American food products. This isnt a buy Canadian message, it's a protect your family message. #cdnpoli
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Mike The Canstralian 🇦🇺 🇬🇧 🇨🇦 @aussieinto.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
To ensure your phone isn't searched when travelling to the US, just don't go to begin with. www.ctvnews.ca/canada/artic...
ctvnews.ca
What Canadians should know about cellphone searches at U.S. border
Immigration lawyers are warning Canadians that when they cross the U.S. border, they should be prepared for the possibility that an officer could look through their cellphone.
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Mad (Social) Scientist 🇨🇦 @jemburch.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
One day, without knowing it, I walked into Blockbuster for the last time.
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John Michael McGrath @jm-mcgrath.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
I feel like every Eby policy announcement in this campaign will (for me) prompt the query "and you couldn't do this with a majority in the legislature because ____?"
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Polling Canada @canadianpolling.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
To hell with the Americans, as 72% say we should have a closer relationship with the EU, even if that means a less close relationship with the US
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Rachel Gilmore @rachelgilmore.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
This is so fucking gross Full article here: www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
CBC headline reads: Liberal MP says he was demoted for supporting NDP bill targeting arms export controls

P.E.I. MP says he was warned that move would mean losing parliamentary secretary role

Kate McKenna, Jackie Sharkey
CBC News
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Paris Marx @parismarx.com · 25/09/2026
An individual in Canada used ChatGPT for eight months to plan one of the country’s worst mass shootings. Yet, if you listen to politicians and media, the real threat of AI is a fantastical scenario where it might wipe out humans in ten years. They need to stop getting fooled by tech deceivers.
disconnect.blog
The media has the AI threat all wrong
Generative AI is harming people today. We don’t need to waste time fantasizing about science fictional scenarios.
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Michelle Cyca @michellecyca.com · 25/09/2026
bizarre to me that so much reporting on housing fails to interrogate the assumptions that homeowners (1) should always get to approve of changes to their neighbourhood (2) should be protected by government from any possible decline in property values www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Toronto needs more homes. These neighbours say they're paying the price | CBC News
An elderly downtown couple says they’re shocked and upset that the city has approved a duplex next door to their three-story Victorian home that they say will tower metres above their chimney and rend...
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Mad (Social) Scientist 🇨🇦 @jemburch.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Love me a good set of manicules (a term I was definitely familiar with before just now.)
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Mad (Social) Scientist 🇨🇦 @jemburch.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Be wary, for they speak only in riddles, and these may not be the only tests that you will face.
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Tod Maffin 🇨🇦 @todmaffin.com · 25/09/2026
Sorry to interrupt family game night with the collapse of democracy
youtube.com
Sorry to interrupt family game night with the collapse of democracy
Sorry to interrupt family game night with the collapse of democracy 📰 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥: newsletter.todmaffin.com 👕 𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗖𝗛: shop.todmaffin.com 🎙️ 𝗣𝗢𝗗𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗧: mirrorfalls.com ☕ Help support my work: support.todmaffin.com 🔗 Follow me on social: links.todmaffin.com ✉️ Contact my team: contact.todmaffin.com
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Cheryl in Nova Scotia 🇨🇦🍁🍁 @minibubbly.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Moose was trapped in the Rideau Canal #Ottawa #Canada rescuers lowered the water level and helped the Moose get free 🫎
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Pookleblinky @pookleblinky.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Reminder that in Canada upon becoming an engineer you get an iron ring made of a collapsed bridge, purposely designed to be uncomfortable, to remind you that your ethics demand you give a fuck even about the boring grudgework of such as double-checking your math. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Ring
en.wikipedia.org
Iron Ring - Wikipedia
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Stewart Prest @stewartprest.ca · 25/09/2026
That's preeettttty embarrassing...
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Mad (Social) Scientist 🇨🇦 @jemburch.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Act like they're a new paper covering York Region, Ontario.
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Cambridge University Press Political Science & IR @cambup-polsci.cambridge.org · 24/09/2026
NEW ISSUE from @politicsgenderj.bsky.social - Politics & Gender - Volume 22 - Issue 3 - September 2026 - cup.org/3UJePw8
Promotional banner for "Politics & Gender" journal featuring text "New Issue Online" on a green and yellow background.
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Mad (Social) Scientist 🇨🇦 @jemburch.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
So, the BC Cons say they'll amend the constitution to allow Doerkson to stay on in the event he wins. Typically, such amendments require ratification by the members - the same people who installed KLF. I'll believe it when I see it. #BCPoli www.biv.com/news/economy...
biv.com
Snap B.C. election constitutional but ‘dodgy’ with interim opposition leader: experts
Despite internal turmoil and leadership instability, the BC Conservatives have been ‘short circuited’ into unifying by the NDP snap election, says UBC's Stewart Prest
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Mad (Social) Scientist 🇨🇦 @jemburch.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
“The central issue in this campaign is shaping to be whether we should be having an election at all..." #BCPoli www.ctvnews.ca/politics/art...
ctvnews.ca
Eby’s call for B.C. election leaves some asking why they’re having one to begin with
Premier David Eby is making Donald Trump and the threat posed by his trade policies a central argument for why British Columbia needs an early election, but experts argue that may be a tough sell to v...
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Reposted by Mad (Social) Scientist 🇨🇦
Shannon Waters @sobittersosweet.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
BC election dates you need to know: Candidate registration deadline: Saturday, October 3rd Advanced voting: Oct 16-21 Final voting day: Saturday, October 24, 8-8pm Elections BC has all the info #bcpoli
elections.bc.ca
2026 Provincial Election | Elections BC
A provincial general election has been called. Final Voting Day is October 24, 2026. You can vote if you are: a Canadian citizen, 18 or older on October 24, 2026, and a resident of B.C. since April 23...
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Justin McElroy 🇨🇦 @jmcelroy.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Getting this out of the way early: if you share vote prediction screenshots for individual ridings from election projection websites And frame it as a poll or something with authority And there has been no actual polling done in that riding I will think much less of you please don't annoy me
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Mad (Social) Scientist 🇨🇦 @jemburch.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Please don't make me have to side-eye our lettuce, too...
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George Pearkes @peark.es · 24/09/2026
“Extreme tail risk” is a very good way to describe that sort of scenario that will fly over the heads of a lot of people reading it.
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GenderQueeries 🇨🇦 @genderqueeries.ca · 23/09/2026
Right after the BC election has been announced, "Voter Research Services" are back and sending texts, no fake names this time ("Hi this is Emily" etc) Block and report as spam - or (recommended) pollute their database. You'll likely be prompted for name and postal. www.rtgroup.ca/blog/spot-an...
rtgroup.ca
Spot and Avoid Text Scams During the 2024 BC Provincial Election
It is crucial to protect your privacy and security. Stay vigilant to ensure that your voice is heard in the election—without compromising your data.
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Mad (Social) Scientist 🇨🇦 @jemburch.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
I am the primary political news source for a few people in my life. ...and yeah, this is definitely how it feels to talk about it as well. #BCPoli
The 'Charlie Day Conspiracy meme'. A scene from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia in which an unhinged-looking Charlie Day (as Charlie Kelly) stands in front of a bulletin board covered in overlapping pieces of paper, all connected by red lines.
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Mad (Social) Scientist 🇨🇦 @jemburch.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Cynical beyond words. #BCPoli www.timescolonist.com/2026-bc-vote...
timescolonist.com
Early provincial election call bad for democracy: VIU prof
With two competing elections, municipal campaign might get less attention, while voters may be confused about which candidates are running, says Michael ­MacKenzie.
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Mad (Social) Scientist 🇨🇦 @jemburch.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
static.klipy.com
Pumpkinhead: Man with a Pumpkin Head
ALT: Pumpkinhead: Man with a Pumpkin Head
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Canadian History Ehx @cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Stanley Park in Vancouver is one of the most beautiful urban areas in Canada. With 500,000 trees, it is larger than Central Park in New York. Inhabited by humans for thousands of years, it has a deep history. This is the story of that park. 📸 Wikicommons 🧵 1/12
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Mad (Social) Scientist 🇨🇦 @jemburch.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
"Temperamentally and rhetorically, he seems unable to adapt to changing circumstances.... Everything is personal. Every political problem for Poilievre becomes a contest..." I'm reminded of his "contribution" to the BC Con chaos. #CNDPoli thewalrus.ca/pierre-poili...
thewalrus.ca
Pierre Poilievre’s Great Unravelling | The Walrus
He looked destined to become prime minister. Now he’s struggling to find his place in Carney’s Canada
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Mad (Social) Scientist 🇨🇦 @jemburch.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
"We have asked OpenAI to disclose these chats. They have refused. We should all be asking them: Why?" #BCPoli www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
B.C. government suing OpenAI for alleged role in Tumbler Ridge mass shooting | CBC News
B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma said the province is suing OpenAI for its failure to notify law enforcement of threats made on its platform, ChatGPT, before the mass shooting.
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Mad (Social) Scientist 🇨🇦 @jemburch.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
"When has rich people getting a bunch of money ever made it easier for us?" the premier asked. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Manitoba premier prefers no airport privatization, says no to rich receiving money to run Richardson | CBC News
As the federal government prepares to allow private investment into Canada's four busiest airports, Manitoba's premier said he has no interest in seeing regional airports like Winnipeg's Richardson In...
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Stuart Turnbull-Dugarte @turnbulldugarte.com · 22/09/2026
Far right parties strategically increase the (descriptive) representation of women assuming it helps them win votes in general and, in particular, from women. Does it work? In this short descriptive piece, I show the answer in the case of Reform UK is a clear ‘no’ doi.org/10.1332/2515...
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Markus Kollberg @markuskollberg.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Do you want to understand whether investments in public services can make democracies more resilient? Come and do your PhD with @heikekluever.bsky.social and me! We offer great conditions, a supportive team, and lots of room to develop your own ideas. Any questions? Please, do reach out!
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Mad (Social) Scientist 🇨🇦 @jemburch.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Good. Vague boilerplate about being committed to fighting climate change isn't good enough. Nor is it acceptable for 'by 2050' to be the only timeline on offer. Climate change is affecting people now. www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
cbc.ca
Carney government dealt an early blow in climate litigation | CBC News
A federal court refused to strike down a climate lawsuit brought against the Carney government by Canadian youth.
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Mad (Social) Scientist 🇨🇦 @jemburch.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
As someone who studies emotion in politics, it's always interesting to see under what circumstances anger is deemed legitimate and deserving of a response. The rules around who gets to be angry are generally pretty revealing. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Danielle Smith adamant ads are not ‘neutral’ on separation question, as UCP president claims | CBC News
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is adamant she is promoting that the province stay in Canada, rejecting her own party president’s claim that the government’s advertising is “neutral” on the question.
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Mad (Social) Scientist 🇨🇦 @jemburch.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
How your email finds me.
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Mad (Social) Scientist 🇨🇦 @jemburch.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
They call it a job because it takes that much patience.
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