Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 03/10/2026www.reddit.com/r/canada/s/r...reddit.comFrom the canada community on Reddit: Trump becomes only object on Earth exempt from Canadian urge to apologizeExplore this post and more from the canada community 000
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Great news! We’re saved! www.cnn.com/2026/09/29/b...cnn.comTop AI executives sign commitment to ‘self-police’ after meeting at White House | CNN BusinessPresident Donald Trump said Tuesday that top tech executives had signed a new commitment aimed at better “self-policing” their companies’ AI models, arguing that the light-touch approach represents th... 001
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Same old, same old. Poilievre generates a falso spectre of what associate membership means, then says he's against it. I'm just waiting for his 3-word slogan: "Pee-yew to EU" or something like it: Poilievre says Canada will never be the '28th state' of the European Union: www.msn.com/en-ca/news/o...msn.comMSN 000
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 14/09/2026There is stupid, and then there’s really stupid. www.cnn.com/2026/09/14/p...cnn.comTrump dismisses AI alarms as a ‘HOAX’ — worrying White House officials | CNN PoliticsPresident Donald Trump spent Monday angrily rejecting calls from AI industry leaders for more government regulation on their cutting-edge models, making clear in a day-long string of social media post... 000
Reposted by Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥)Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 14/09/2026Your regular reminder: If the Russians stop fighting, the war ends. If the Ukrainians stop fighting, their land will be occupied, their leaders will be killed, their history and language will be erased, their children will be kidnapped to serve Russia. 5953726013394
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 02/09/2026Yes! I would also argue that drawing any equivalence between an h-index and impact presumes that the shared goals of academic disciplines are publications and citations. This is such a narrow definition of impact that ignores innovations, translation of research into social good, policies, etc. 0111
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 01/09/2026A very powerful article for you to consider, of relevance to academics and critics of universities alike.insidehighered.comRacist to Assume Elites Routinely Hire Subpar Black FacultyDon’t believe the hype of Black intellectual inferiority. 000
Reposted by Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥)Alex Usher @alexusherhesa.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Your move, Google Maps, you gutless cowardly muppets. 2356
Reposted by Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥)Fared Al Mahlool | فريد المحلول @faredalmahlool.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Canadian PM Mark Carney: Canadians also know that naming reality means calling it Lake Ontario – then, now and always. 19027
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 27/08/2026On a bad day with bad news all around, sometimes you just need to immerse yourself in great music. This’ll do it. 000
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Maybe its time to take back the label "Americans" from the people of the USA. They have co-opted this name for too long. Perhaps "USians" will have to do. 001
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Trump inadvertently honours the Florentine explorer, Amerigo Vespucci, in renaming Lake Ontario. I guess he has reconsidered his disdain for the people of Italy. apnews.com/article/lake...apnews.comTrump signs order renaming Lake Ontario as 'Lake America' in the United StatesPresident Donald Trump says he's renaming Lake Ontario to be known as “Lake America” in the United States as he exacerbates his trade war with Canada. 000
Reposted by Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥)Canadian History Ehx @cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social · 25/08/2026Before Europeans arrived, these were some of the names for The Great Lakes: Superior: gichi-gami (great sea) Erie: erielhonan (long tail) Michigan: michigami (long body of water) Ontario: Ontarí'io\kanadario (great lake\beautiful water) Huron: karegnondi (fresh water sea) 293121244194
Reposted by Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥)Alex Usher @alexusherhesa.bsky.social · 25/08/2026Ratio of FTE students to full-time tenured/TT profs by field of study, Canada, 1992-93 to 2023-24. 064
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 24/08/2026As a parent of an autistic son who's most important challenge to completing secondary school is Quebec's french language requirement, I can only say that our provincial government is heartless & cruel. Exceptions can and should be made under exceptional circumstances. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...cbc.caQuebec autistic student denied disability-based French exemption, removed from college | CBC NewsQuebec's Charter of the French language grants children with serious learning issues a waiver allowing them to be educated in English. But education specialists say the process is too difficult and re... 000
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 18/08/2026substack.com/@scottmonty/...substack.comScott Monty (@scottmonty)This is not only a perfect explainer for those who haven’t been following the Reflecting Pool saga, but it’s a brilliant parody of the genre. 000
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 01/07/2026I think that we generally get bigger crowds as the annual Kirkland Day event in Kirkland, Quebec, although I'll admit that our fireworks budget can't compare. www.cnn.com/2026/07/01/p...cnn.comCrowd size gripes, state fair troubles: The problems of an America 250 celebration tied to Trump | CNN PoliticsPresident Donald Trump has billed his July Fourth rally on the National Mall as a culmination of the “most unforgettable birthday party any country has ever seen.” But inside his White House, there’s ... 000
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 25/05/2026Our recent Perspectives paper in Nature Nanotechnology: Diverse Origins and Chemical Complexity of Nanoplasticsopen.substack.comDiverse Origins and Chemical Complexity of NanoplasticsIt's not only size that matters! 000
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 17/05/2026The politics of hate in action: attack the vulnerable to advance your politics of division, leaving not only the immediately-impacted 27,000 people behind, but many many more who rely on these educational programs. The CAQ must be thrown out.cbc.caQuebec looks to bar 27,000 students from English vocational and adult programs | CBC NewsQuebec English-language school boards are calling on the government to reconsider its expansion of Bill 101 to vocational and adult education centres. 000
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 15/05/2026This is one of my favourite flowers in my garden: a Crown Imperial (Fritillaria imperialis), a striking alien-like bulbous perennial. 000
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 15/05/2026To all my engineering colleagues and, frankly, everyone else, this is worth your time. podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/t...podcasts.apple.comThe AI Conversation We Need to Have (with Tristan Harris)Podcast Episode · Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso · March 29 · 1h 24m 000
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 13/05/2026Congratulations to Mikisiw Awashish (McGill Civil Engineering) on receiving the Changemaker Prize in this year’s President’s Prize for Public Engagement Through Media! This recognizes his leadership in organizing last year’s Metuetau — the Truth and Reconciliation Hockey Game.reporter.mcgill.caHometown hero Mikisiw Awashish brings varsity hockey to Mashteuiatsh - McGill Reporter‘I just want to show the kids back home there are no limits to what they can achieve’ 010
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 13/05/2026Montreal in spring bloom. I visit this tree daily during my morning commute. Beautiful. 000
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 29/04/2026Perhaps, as a matter of principle, countries should refuse to recongize these commemorative passports. Discuss. 000
Reposted by Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥)Marcy Gall @marcygall.bsky.social · 14/04/2026Should be part of his next test. 616243736209
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 05/04/2026Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the Unites States. 000
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 19/03/2026A fun still-life photoshoot featuring #uraniumglass from my personal collection.behance.netUranium Still LifeIt all started with a late-night Marketplace search.We fell down a rabbit hole of uranium glass, once a staple on 1920s and 30s dining tables. By day it looks like ordinary glass, but under UV light i... 000
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 18/03/2026A wonderful photo of a 1920's toast rack from my #uraniumglass collection: Photography : Virginie Gosselin Art Direction : Rachel Lecompte Food Styling : Tommy Matteau Photo assistants : Tommy Matteau & Adèle L’heureux-Hubert Photo Retouching : Le Visual Box Website: virginiegosselin.com 030
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 18/03/2026As a professor for many years, I particularly enjoyed reading this thoughtful article in the Chronicle of Higher Education today. #academiachronicle.comOpinion | Why It’s So Hard For Professors to Say Anything Good About AcademeAgainst the cheap fashion of denigrating our institutions. 110
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 17/03/2026 ctvnews.ca/montrealctvnews.caMontreal: Local News, Weather & Traffic UpdatesGet the latest stories shaping the city of Montreal, Quebec, directly from our expert journalists on the ground. 001
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 17/03/2026Would someone please contact Exo, the public train company in Montreal, and let them know that they have a train full of people stuck for the last 2.5 hours without movement? Exo hasn’t made a single announcement yet to explain what’s happening!!! 🤬 #Exo 3123
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 14/03/2026Let’s just monetize everything so someone can make a lot of money off the suffering of others. Typical National Post. nationalpost.com/opinion/chri...nationalpost.comChris Selley: Why shouldn't Canadians get paid to donate blood or plasma?The queasiness is understandable — but banning it leaves no one better off 010
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 14/03/2026Happy Pi second: 3:14:15:9:27; i.e., March 14 at 3 pm (15), 9 minutes, and 27 seconds (rounded off). 🤓 000
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 08/03/2026Read the article and the incredibly simplistic 16 suggestions/questions raised by the Deputy Minister. They look like they were asked by an amateur with no familiarity with universities or the specific needs of New Brunswick, and they ask for a rapid response. This is the NB government in action?!?universityaffairs.caProfs decry ‘catastrophic’ cuts proposed by NB government - University Affairs'There are 20+ campuses in NB for 860,000 people. Do we need them all?' Read all 16 government suggestions . 100
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 03/03/2026Self-attack ads are a nice for a change. www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yXs...youtube.comThis Was Going To Come Out Eventually....... | Kat Abughazaleh For IllinoisYouTube video by Kat Abughazaleh 000
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 01/03/2026There is still much beauty in the world! www.cbc.ca/player/play/...cbc.caArtist uses frozen Alberta lake as his canvasTurns out Alberta’s blue lakes freeze into a canvas unlike any other this New York artist has ever seen or worked with. 000
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 28/02/2026A masterclass in how to speak volumes while saying nothing. OpenAI has become a weapons manufacturer. 000
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 20/02/2026What a wonderful tribute to our cherished colleague at McGill University, Prof. David Harpp, who passed away earlier this week. A true "gentleman and scholar" if there ever was one. #McGill 010
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 20/02/2026In a 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court overturns Trump's illegal (and uncontested by congress) tariffs. Great. But why are there 3 dissenters who seem to always be willing to allow Trump to do almost anything he wants? Who does the everyday citizen sue to get their hard-earned money back? #newscnn.comSupreme Court rules that Trump’s sweeping emergency tariffs are illegal | CNN PoliticsThe Supreme Court on Friday ruled that President Donald Trump violated federal law when he unilaterally imposed sweeping tariffs across the globe, a striking loss for the White House on an issue that ... 000
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 19/02/2026Forgive me for asking what may be a naive question: If Trump can't be found criminally responsible for his corruption, can he and his family be later sued by the public and states in civil courts for the these ill-gotten gains, which have come at the public expense?newyorker.comTrump’s Profiteering Hits $4 BillionIn August, I reported that the President and his family had made $3.4 billion by leveraging his position. After his first year back in office, the number has ballooned. 000
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 19/02/2026A very insightful article for those who are worried (as I am) about the decline in book reading: "The choice isn’t between books and screens. The choice is between intentional design and profitable chaos" #books aeon.co/essays/what-... 010
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 18/02/2026A vacuous article, to say the least. Its the same old argument: capitalism and competition fix everything. Every institution should compete for student dollars. Those that can't compete, should fail. Lau cares nothing for equitable access to education or the broader good. Its all about efficiency.financialpost.comMatthew Lau: We should let some universities failGuaranteed money isn't good for any institution. Ontario should eliminate its tuition controls and let universities compete. Read more. 110
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 18/02/2026As usual, Doug Ford shows a profound disrespect for higher education and for students as he trots out the old "basket weaving" trope and "some peope say..." arguments. Classic populist rhetoric by a politician who struggles to create value. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...cbc.caFord tells students to not pick 'basket-weaving courses' in wake of OSAP cuts | CBC NewsPremier Doug Ford had choice words for students expressing concerns over cuts to OSAP grants Tuesday, telling them to "not pick basket-weaving courses" and to invest in education that gives students i... 110
Reposted by Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥)Alex Usher @alexusherhesa.bsky.social · 15/02/2026In order to pay for new $ to unis & colleges, the Ford government is hitting OSAP for nearly $3B over four years. Students on aid will see a $3500 increase in net costs as a result. Restoring tuition to 2018 levels would have raised about the same amount of money and been distrbutionally fairer. 2149
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 07/02/2026I think that all professors should read this article to better understand the nature of universities.chronicle.comOpinion | Why Your University Has So Many AdministratorsGreat teaching is expensive, but back-office functions should be getting cheaper. Why aren’t they? 000
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 02/02/2026Sounds like a sequel is in order: “1st Lady 2nd Time Around” www.cnn.com/2026/02/01/b...cnn.comAmazon touts ‘Melania’ box office success, though film well short of turning a profit | CNN BusinessBy financial standards, the film is not a winner, at least not yet. The company that financed it, Amazon MGM Studios, still has a long way to go to break even. 000
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 31/01/2026No. No. No. And, again, no. He said what needed to be said. Appeasement is not the answer . www.cbc.ca/news/politic...cbc.caANALYSIS | Was Mark Carney's Davos speech a mistake if it upset Trump? | CBC NewsIt's not unreasonable to think about how any action by a Canadian government might impact relations with Canada's largest trading partner. At the same time, allowing the American president's potential... 010
Jim Nicell (👊🇨🇦🔥) @jimnicell.bsky.social · 31/01/2026WTF!?! Do we really have this many right wing ideologues in Canada? Even so, are they that short of leadership options ? www.cbc.ca/news/politic...cbc.caConservative Leader Pierre Poilievre wins leadership review with 87.4% approval | CBC 010