we've been here before: the crashes, the greed and the wonderful life lesson

Remember the dot-com crash?

Remember the financial crisis of 2008?

Remember the technology promises, the investment frenzies, the overnight fortunes and the people left picking up the pieces?

Now we're watching another enormous rush of money into artificial intelligence. And when markets start wobbling, investors suddenly remember that perhaps not every shiny new thing is worth a fortune.

But this isn't our first rodeo.

Let's go back.

1907: The Panic of 1907

A speculative investment scheme collapsed, confidence evaporated, people rushed to withdraw their money, and financial institutions came under enormous pressure.

It was a worldwide financial crisis. It was also one of the events that helped lead to the creation of the US Federal Reserve in 1913.

1929: The Wall Street Crash

The roaring twenties. Speculation. Borrowing. Easy money. Everybody wanted a piece of the boom.

Then came October 1929.

The stock market crashed and the world entered the Great Depression. Businesses failed, banks collapsed, people lost their savings and millions lost their jobs.

1987: Black Monday

October 19. Stock markets around the world plunged. The Dow Jones dropped more than 22% in a single day.

2000–2002: The dot-com bubble

The internet was going to change everything. And it did.

But investors confused the potential of the internet with the value of every company claiming to be part of the revolution.

Many companies disappeared. Fortunes evaporated.

2008: The global financial crisis

Another boom built on risky lending, excessive borrowing and financial products that many people didn't fully understand.

The consequences reached ordinary families around the world.

And now?

The AI gold rush.

Billions are being invested in chips, data centres, infrastructure and companies promising to change everything.

AI may well become an important and useful technology. But that doesn't mean every investment will succeed, every company will survive or every promise will be delivered.

Technology isn't the problem.

Blind faith in endless growth, speculation and greed is.

And that's where I want to bring in one of my favourite Christmas movies.

It's a Wonderful Life.

arrivecan: $59.5 million for an app

 

arrivecan: $59.5 million for an app. where was the accountability?

Remember ArriveCAN?

That little government app that became a very big Canadian public spending scandal?

I certainly haven't forgotten it.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadians were required to use ArriveCAN to submit health and travel information when entering the country.

It was supposed to make things easier.

Instead, it became an example of what happens when government technology projects go wrong, public money disappears into layers of contracting, and nobody seems to know exactly what happened.

Let's revisit the facts.

$59.5 MILLION.

That was the Auditor General of Canada's estimated cost of ArriveCAN.

And here's the extraordinary part: the Auditor General couldn't establish the precise cost because the Canada Border Services Agency had such poor financial records.

This wasn't just a question of an expensive app.

The February 2024 Auditor General's report found:

• Little documentation explaining how GC Strategies received its initial non-competitive contract.
• GC Strategies was involved in developing requirements for a later competitive contract, potentially giving it an advantage.
• Contracts were missing clear deliverables and required qualifications.
• Invoices were routinely approved despite missing details about the work performed.
• 18% of the invoices tested lacked sufficient information to establish whether the expenses even related to ArriveCAN or another IT project.
• The app went through 177 versions between April 2020 and October 2022.
• One update mistakenly instructed approximately 10,000 travellers to quarantine.

GC Strategies alone was attributed approximately $19.1 million in ArriveCAN costs.

These aren't rumours circulating on social media. These are findings from Canada's Auditor General.

And what about the people who had to use it?

For travellers, it wasn't some abstract technology experiment. It affected real people trying to cross a border, visit family, travel for work and get on with their lives.

A government application should make life easier, not create unnecessary obstacles.

Here's what bothers me.

We keep being sold the next big technological revolution.

Dot-com. Apps. Artificial intelligence.

Every time, there's hype, investment, promises and people making enormous amounts of money.

But who asks the practical questions?

Does it work?

Is it secure?

Is it accessible?

Is it worth what we're paying?

Who benefits?

And, most importantly, who is accountable when it fails?

I studied web design and technology at Emily Carr. I remember being encouraged to imagine what was possible and build something new. I did. But the technology I created wasn't secure or usable in the real world.

There's a difference between a wonderful idea and something that actually works.

Government should understand that distinction before spending tens of millions of taxpayer dollars.

We need innovation, absolutely. But we also need common sense, transparency and accountability.

Canadians work hard for their money. Public money is not an unlimited investment fund for poorly managed technology experiments.

And we shouldn't have to wait for an Auditor General's report to find out what happened to it.

Perhaps before governments race to embrace the next big thing, they should demonstrate that they've learned something from the last one.

Remember ArriveCAN.

Because we certainly should.

#ArriveCAN #TaxpayerAccountability #GovernmentSpending #PublicMoney #AuditorGeneral #GovernmentTransparency #Technology #DigitalAccountability #Canada #WhereIsTheAccountability

charlie brown, canada and the meaning of christmas

 

charlie brown, canada and the meaning of christmas

Remember Charlie Brown at Christmas?

Everybody was caught up in the decorations, the presents, the commercialism and the excitement. Charlie Brown couldn't understand why Christmas had become so complicated. He just wanted to know what Christmas actually meant.

Sometimes I wonder if Canada has lost the plot in much the same way.

If I were running a country, my first priority would be making sure Canadians were as healthy as possible.

Not just physically healthy. Healthy in every sense.

I would want people housed, warm, properly fed and able to afford groceries. I would want children growing up with security, seniors living with dignity, caregivers supported and families able to breathe without constantly worrying about the next bill.

Because what happens when people cannot afford a home?

What happens when they cannot afford nutritious food?

What happens when someone is exhausted from caregiving, worried about their children, sleeping in an unsafe environment or wondering where their next meal is coming from?

Stress builds. Physical health suffers. Mental health suffers. Families break down. People become desperate. Some end up in emergency rooms, some in the justice system, and some simply disappear through the cracks.

How much are we spending dealing with the consequences instead of preventing the problems in the first place?

Why aren't we putting more energy into keeping people healthy, housed, fed and supported?

Meanwhile, we seem to have endless energy for international travel, negotiations, trade agreements, economic announcements and deals around the world.

Those things may matter. Canada's place in the world matters.

But what about the people who actually live here?

What about the Canadians who are struggling right now?

I don't understand why looking after our own population isn't the starting point of every major decision.

A healthy country isn't measured only by its GDP, its trade agreements, its military spending or how many international deals its leaders can negotiate.

It's measured by how its people live.

And perhaps that's where Charlie Brown comes in.

At Christmas, we talk about kindness, generosity, compassion, sharing and looking after one another.

But those values shouldn't disappear on December 26.

The meaning of Christmas shouldn't be a season of giving while the rest of the year is a struggle to survive.

Maybe the greatest investment Canada could make is in its own people.

Homes. Food. Healthcare. Prevention. Education. Support. Dignity.

Not because it's Christmas.

Because it's the right thing to do.

And because a country should be taking care of its people every single day of the year.

Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown. I think we might need to hear that message again.

21 ROOMS. 17 TENANTS- wtf? This is Vancouver BC

 

21 ROOMS. 17 TENANTS. ONE SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSE. AND THIS IS WHAT WE CALL A HOUSING CRISIS?

Let that sink in.

In July 2025, Vancouver inspectors discovered a single-family home had been carved up into approximately 21 sleeping rooms, with 17 people living inside.

Fire safety concerns. Inadequate emergency exits. Plumbing problems. Electrical problems. Construction violations.

People were living in conditions that raised serious questions about their safety.

And what happened?

The landlords were fined $90,000 collectively, with one landlord receiving an additional $3,800 penalty.

But let's talk about the bigger picture.

How desperate does someone have to be to rent a bedroom in a house divided into 21 sleeping spaces?

People aren't choosing overcrowded, potentially unsafe accommodation because it's some wonderful lifestyle choice. They're doing it because affordable housing is increasingly out of reach.

When a single-family home becomes a makeshift rooming house, when every available corner becomes a potential bedroom, we need to ask some very uncomfortable questions.

Where are the affordable homes?

Where is the enforcement BEFORE people are put at risk?

Who is checking these properties before someone gets hurt?

And why are we allowing a housing market to become so desperate that people have to gamble with their personal safety just to have a roof over their heads?

Yes, landlords have legal responsibilities. Yes, penalties matter. But a fine after the fact doesn't give 17 people safe, affordable housing.

We need to stop confusing overcrowding with a housing solution.

A bedroom is not a home simply because someone can squeeze a mattress into it.

A roof is not enough. People need dignity, privacy, functioning plumbing, electricity, heat, fire protection and a safe way out in an emergency.

Housing is a human necessity, not an opportunity to turn every square foot into rental income.

And perhaps the most disturbing question of all:

How many other houses are operating this way, right now, without anyone knowing?

We need more inspections, meaningful enforcement and, above all, actual affordable housing. Not another temporary patch over a much larger problem.

#Vancouver #HousingCrisis #TenantRights #AffordableHousing #BCRenters #SafeHousing #LandlordAccountability #HousingIsAHumanRight #Homelessness #HousingForAll

Dear Mr. Carney:Re your Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit in Budget 2026

Dear Mr. Carney,

I read your announcement about the 50% increase to the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit in Budget 2026.

You said:

"In Budget 2026, we're topping up the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit by 50% in the new year.

That means a family of four will receive up to $2,570 next year — giving them a boost today and a bridge to a better tomorrow."

But what about the single senior living alone? What about people who are barely getting by, people who don't have a family to share expenses with, and people who are struggling just to get through the week?

Have you bought groceries lately?

Let's look at what a very basic grocery basket costs at No Frills.

Here's an example of what I'm talking about:

• Three frozen pizzas: $12.00. They have to last the week.
• Honey: $7.00
• Milk: $6.44
• Bananas: $0.69
• Eggs: $3.33
• Ice cream: $3.64

That's $33.10.

Now add the things you also need:

• Chai tea: $4.00
• Bread: $3.00
• Vegetables: $5.00
• Toilet paper: $6.79
• Shampoo: $4.00
• Dish soap: $1.83
• Laundry detergent: $11.99

That's another $36.61.

Total: $69.71.

That's one week for one person, using these example prices.

Now let's talk about getting around.

You have to walk, take the bus or ride a bike. Suppose you live in Surrey and need to get to Vancouver to clean someone's home, go to work or attend a job interview.

That's approximately $11 for a return transit trip.

And that's assuming everything goes smoothly.

Miss a connection? Tickets only last 90 minutes. Have trouble with a Compass Card machine that eats your coins? You could end up paying again. What should be a $11 trip can become $18 or $20.

Using our basic example, groceries and household essentials at $69.71, plus $11 weekly transportation, comes to $80.71.

Over 52 weeks, that's approximately $4,197 a year.

And we haven't included rent, utilities, telephone, clothing, medical expenses or the cost of washing and drying your clothes at a laundromat. That's nearly another $10 every time you need clean clothes.

Now, let me explain something about my own circumstances.

I would eat better if I could. I would make soup and prepare proper meals.

But I've been couch surfing and cat sitting, sometimes for just a few weeks here and there. My friend doesn't like me cooking in their home. When you're moving between places, you can't stock up on groceries, fill a freezer or keep a pantry.

I have a bag of cacao, and I drink a cup or two. It helps with my energy.

For six years, I've essentially been living out of two suitcases.

I'm tired, Mr. Carney.

I'm tired of having to calculate every little thing. I'm tired of not having a stable place to live, cook, store food and simply exist without constantly worrying about where I'll be next.

And I KNOW I am not the only one.

Now, let's return to your announcement.

For a single senior, the government's example gives $950 for the 2026–27 benefit year, including the one-time top-up. That's not $950 in new money.

Compare that with our estimated $4,197 in annual groceries, household necessities and one return transit trip per week.

That's a considerable gap.

You may see this as helping Canadians. You may call it a boost today and a bridge to a better tomorrow.

But a bridge to where?

A little extra money helps, certainly. I'm not suggesting people should turn down assistance. But when the underlying problem is poverty, housing insecurity and the ever-increasing cost of living, a temporary increase in a grocery benefit doesn't fix the problem.

It's a Band-Aid on an oozing wound.

People need more than a grocery rebate.

They need affordable housing. They need somewhere to cook, somewhere to store their food, somewhere to wash their clothes and enough money to get to work.

They need stability.

They need to be able to buy ingredients and make a pot of soup instead of relying on whatever is cheap, convenient and doesn't require a kitchen.

They need to be able to plan beyond tomorrow.

And what about the single seniors? The people living alone? The people who don't have a partner, family or another income to fall back on?

What about people who are working, cleaning houses, cat sitting, taking temporary jobs or trying to get back into the workforce?

What about those who have been struggling for years?

Mr. Carney, I want you to look beyond the budget announcement and look at the actual cost of living.

Don't just tell us how much you're giving us. Look at how much it costs us to survive.

Because there is a difference between helping someone buy groceries and giving them the means to live a decent life.

I am one person, living out of two suitcases for six years.

And I know I am not the only one.

When does getting by become actually being able to live?

Sincerely,

Tina Winterlik

 

what if we flipped the pay it forward theory?

From corporate layoffs to a human network of opportunity.

Four years ago, on November 4, 2022, approximately 3,700 Twitter employees suddenly lost their jobs following Elon Musk's takeover of the company.

Think about that for a moment.

Nearly 4,000 people. People with mortgages, rent, children, partners, parents, responsibilities, dreams and plans for the future.

Now imagine each person has just two loved ones who are directly affected.

That's approximately 11,100 people feeling the consequences of those job losses.

And those people have families, friends, colleagues and communities of their own.

This is how quickly the ripple effect spreads.

But it got me thinking about something else.

What if we flipped the ripple effect?

Remember the Pay It Forward idea?

You help three people. Each of those three helps three more. And those people help three more.

Three becomes nine. Nine becomes 27. Then 81, 243, 729 and so on.

It gets big very quickly.

Now imagine applying that principle to employment, opportunity and community support.

What if every person who has a job made a point of helping three people who are looking for work?

What if experienced professionals offered introductions, references, mentoring or advice?

What if businesses actively shared opportunities instead of relying exclusively on conventional recruitment?

What if someone who couldn't offer a job could still share a résumé, make a connection, teach a skill or introduce someone to the right person?

And what if those receiving help passed it forward?

Building a different kind of network

We have become very good at building digital networks.

We use them to advertise, sell products, collect data, promote brands and generate enormous profits for corporations.

But what if we used those same networks to build something that actually benefits people?

A human network.

A network where:

• Job seekers can connect with people in their industries.
• Retired professionals can share their knowledge.
• Small businesses can discover talented people.
• Artists, writers, designers and technology workers can collaborate.
• People who have found employment can help someone else find theirs.
• Communities can support people through difficult transitions.

Not everyone can offer money. Not everyone can offer employment.

But almost everyone knows somebody.

And sometimes one introduction can change someone's circumstances.

Imagine the possibilities

We cannot prevent every corporate restructuring, technological disruption or economic downturn.

We cannot guarantee that everyone will find another job immediately.

But we can change how we respond.

We can stop treating unemployment as an individual failure and start recognizing it as a community challenge.

We can recognize that behind every statistic is a human being with skills, experience and something valuable to contribute.

And perhaps we can build something that doesn't depend on a billionaire, a corporation or an algorithm deciding who deserves an opportunity.

Three people helping three people.

Then nine helping 27.

A ripple effect of opportunity instead of a ripple effect of loss.

Let's flip the equation.

The world doesn't necessarily need another social media platform.

Perhaps it needs a better reason to connect.

What if we measured our networks not by followers, likes, engagement or advertising revenue, but by how many lives we helped improve?

What if we made helping one another contagious?

It starts with three.

Who are your three?

And who might they help?

Pay It Forward. Pass the opportunity along.

Because we are not just numbers in a corporate spreadsheet.

We are people. And we still have the power to help one another.

kids, your digital privacy is worth protecting:

kids, your digital privacy is worth protecting: bill c-22 explained

You might think this is just another government bill that doesn't have much to do with you.

It does.

Bill C-22 is about how easily Canadian police and intelligence agencies could obtain certain information about people from companies that provide online and digital services.

And that includes information connected to your digital life.

Let's make this simple.

WHAT ARE THEY PROPOSING?

Imagine you have:

• A cellphone.
• An Instagram or TikTok account.
• A gaming account.
• An email address.
• A dating app account.
• Online banking.

These companies hold information about you.

Your name, phone number, email address, account details and other identifying information.

The proposed law would make it easier for authorities to obtain certain identifying information during investigations.

Currently, the legal standard is generally "reasonable grounds to believe" an offence has been or will be committed.

Bill C-22 would lower that to "reasonable grounds to suspect."

That's a lower legal threshold.

It does NOT mean police can simply browse through everyone's phones whenever they feel like it. But it does change the rules.

THE GOOD: HOW THIS COULD HELP

Imagine someone is using fake online accounts to scam elderly people.

A child is being groomed or exploited online.

Someone is making credible threats against another person.

Police are investigating organized crime or online fraud.

Being able to identify who is behind an account more quickly could help investigations and potentially protect victims.

There are legitimate reasons law enforcement needs digital investigative tools.

THE BAD: WHERE THINGS GET COMPLICATED

Imagine you're using a dating app, a healthcare service or a financial app.

Your account information could reveal connections to very personal aspects of your life.

The Privacy Commissioner is concerned that the proposed definition of subscriber information is too broad.

He wants better protection for sensitive information, including medical and legally privileged information.

Just because an organization has your information doesn't mean every request for it should automatically be allowed.

THE UGLY: WHAT COULD GO WRONG?

Here are a few possibilities worth thinking about.

1. WRONG PERSON: Someone is suspected of wrongdoing, but the suspicion turns out to be mistaken. Their identifying information may already have been obtained.

2. SENSITIVE INFORMATION: A request involving a healthcare provider, lawyer or dating service could expose information that deserves special protection.

3. PRIVACY CREEP: Once governments expand their powers, future governments may want to use those powers in ways we didn't originally anticipate.

4. CYBERSECURITY RISKS: If privacy and encryption protections are weakened, vulnerabilities could potentially expose information to hackers and other criminals.

5. YOUR DIGITAL PAST: Something you posted publicly years ago could be taken out of context. The Privacy Commissioner argues that publicly accessible information shouldn't automatically lose all privacy protection.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?

It means you should pay attention to legislation affecting your digital rights.

Know what information companies collect. Understand your privacy settings. Think carefully about what you share online.

But this isn't about becoming afraid of your phone or assuming someone is watching everything you do.

It's about making sure the rules protect ordinary people, not just give authorities more power.

WHY SHOULD YOUNG CANADIANS CARE?

Because you are growing up in a world where almost everything leaves a digital footprint.

Your childhood photographs, friendships, conversations, interests, medical information, financial history and personal relationships may all have an online component.

The laws being written today will help determine how that information can be accessed tomorrow.

Public safety matters. Catching criminals matters. Protecting children matters.

But privacy matters too.

You shouldn't have to give up your right to privacy simply because you use the internet.

And you shouldn't have to be doing something wrong to deserve privacy.

PAY ATTENTION. ASK QUESTIONS. UNDERSTAND YOUR RIGHTS.

These laws will affect your generation for a very long time.

#BillC22 #DigitalRights #PrivacyMatters #YoungCanadians #OnlinePrivacy #InternetSafety #CivilLiberties #Encryption #DigitalFootprint #FutureGenerations

canada's bill c-22: public safety or personal privacy?

 canada's bill c-22: public safety or personal privacy?

How much access should the Canadian government have to our private digital information?

That's the question being raised as the Senate reviews Bill C-22, the Liberal government's proposed lawful access legislation.

The bill would make it easier for Canadian police and intelligence agencies, including CSIS, to obtain certain digital information during investigations.

And Canada's Privacy Commissioner says more safeguards are needed.

So what does this actually mean?

A lower legal threshold

Currently, obtaining certain basic subscriber information generally requires police to have "reasonable grounds to believe" an offence has been or will be committed.

Bill C-22 would lower that threshold to "reasonable grounds to suspect."

That might sound like a minor wording change, but legally it matters. It means authorities could obtain certain identifying information with a lower level of justification.

What information are we talking about?

Basic subscriber information can include:

• Your name and address.
• Your telephone number.
• Your email address.
• Your account numbers.
• Information identifying which accounts or services belong to you.

Think about how many organizations hold this information: telecommunications companies, financial institutions, healthcare providers, lawyers and online services.

Privacy Commissioner Philippe Dufresne is concerned that the definition is too broad, particularly given the lower legal threshold.

He argues that information held by a doctor, lawyer or dating service, for example, can reveal very sensitive details about someone's life.

He wants stronger protections for medical and legally privileged information, and clearer limits on which organizations can be required to provide information.

What about information already available online?

This is another important concern.

The bill would clarify that police don't need a warrant for information that is publicly available.

But the Privacy Commissioner argues that just because someone has made information publicly accessible doesn't mean they have surrendered their right to privacy.

Having a public social media profile, for example, shouldn't automatically mean everything associated with that person is fair game.

Why is Apple concerned?

Apple has also criticized the proposed legislation.

The company says the amendments made so far don't go far enough to protect encryption and other privacy and security features.

Encryption helps keep private communications protected from people who shouldn't have access to them.

Apple is concerned that weakening these protections could create cybersecurity vulnerabilities, particularly as hackers gain access to increasingly sophisticated tools.

Does this mean police can read everyone's emails and messages?

No. That's an important distinction.

Bill C-22's proposed changes concern access to certain subscriber information. They do not automatically give police unrestricted access to everyone's private messages, phone calls or encrypted communications.

Other legal requirements apply to obtaining the actual contents of communications.

However, even basic identifying information can reveal a great deal about a person's private life.

Where do we draw the line?

I understand that police and intelligence agencies need effective tools to investigate serious crime, exploitation and threats to public safety.

But Canadians also deserve privacy.

Our phones, emails, financial accounts, medical services and social media contain enormous amounts of personal information. Much of it is deeply personal, even when it doesn't include the actual contents of a conversation.

We shouldn't have to choose between public safety and personal privacy.

Both matter.

The Privacy Commissioner's recommendations deserve serious consideration before these powers are expanded.

Bill C-22 is still under Senate review. It has not yet become law.

I'll be watching this one.

#Canada #BillC22 #PrivacyRights #DigitalPrivacy #PrivacyCommissioner #CanadianPolitics #CivilLiberties #Encryption #CyberSecurity #OnlineSafety

Keywords: Bill C-22, Canada lawful access legislation, digital privacy, Canadian Privacy Commissioner, Philippe Dufresne, subscriber information, police access to data, CSIS, encryption, civil liberties

 

evan adams — much more than an actor

I recently rewatched Smoke Signals (1998), and it reminded me just how much I loved this film. Evan Adams was wonderful as Thomas Builds-the-Fire, one of those characters who stays with you long after the movie ends.

I also loved Reservation Dogs, the wonderful Indigenous comedy-drama series. Evan Adams appeared in the show as Uncle Brownie, another memorable character. I hadn't put the two performances together until recently.

But I was curious about what happened to Evan Adams after Smoke Signals, and discovered that his life and career took an interesting direction.

Evan Adams is a Tla'amin First Nation actor, physician and Indigenous health leader from British Columbia.

Many people will remember him for his acting, but medicine and public health became another important part of his life.

He became a medical doctor and held several important positions in Indigenous health, including Chief Medical Officer of the First Nations Health Authority in BC. He also worked with Indigenous Services Canada and has been involved in Indigenous health education and governance.

I love discovering what happens to actors beyond the screen, particularly when their lives take such interesting paths.

From Thomas Builds-the-Fire in Smoke Signals to Uncle Brownie in Reservation Dogs, Evan Adams has given us some wonderful characters.

If you haven't watched either, I'd recommend both.

Sometimes revisiting an old favourite leads you to discover something new.

Have you seen Smoke Signals or Reservation Dogs?

#EvanAdams #SmokeSignals #ReservationDogs #UncleBrownie #ThomasBuildsTheFire #IndigenousCinema #FirstNations #TlaaminNation #CanadianActors #IndigenousVoices

Keywords: Evan Adams, Smoke Signals, Reservation Dogs, Uncle Brownie, Thomas Builds-the-Fire, Tla'amin First Nation, Indigenous actor, Indigenous physician, First Nations health, Indigenous storytelling

if you're sick, please stay home. and if you must go out, cover your cough.

 if you're sick, please stay home. and if you must go out, cover your cough.

A little reminder as flu and respiratory viruses start circulating: please think about the people around you.

I was on the bus recently when a woman repeatedly coughed without covering her mouth. When I pulled out my lavender oil and put a little on my hand, I mentioned that flu season was starting. She shrugged and said her coughing and not covering her mouth weren't intentional.

Well, neither is getting someone else sick.

This is how viruses spread. During COVID, we saw people sending sick children to school, going to work sick, and being told to toughen up, push through and carry on.

We've got to stop treating illness like some kind of weakness or inconvenience.

The most important thing you can do when you're sick is REST.

Stop what you're doing. Stay home. Go to bed. Drink plenty of fluids. Hot tea with honey, nourishing soup and proper rest can go a long way toward helping you recover.

I personally use lavender and eucalyptus oils, something I've done for over 30 years, research them before using. Rest, hydration and taking care of yourself matter most.

If possible, have someone check on you, bring groceries, soup or toilet paper, and help with necessities while you recover. Give your home a good clean when you're feeling better.

And please remember that flu isn't harmless. It can be dangerous, particularly for older people, babies and those with vulnerable immune systems.

COVID destroyed lives, separated families and left many people with lasting health problems. We should have learned something from that experience.

Don't be selfish. Don't power through and share your germs with everyone else.

Stay home when you're sick. Cover your cough. Wash your hands. Rest and recover.

Taking care of yourself is also taking care of your community. ❤️

National Popular Vote Interstate Compact

 

could this change how america elects its president?

There's an important movement underway in the United States that more people should know about.

It's called the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.

Here's the idea: Instead of allowing the Electoral College to determine the winner of a presidential election, participating states agree to give their electoral votes to whoever wins the national popular vote.

Why does this matter?

Under the current system, a candidate can win the most votes across the entire country and STILL lose the presidency.

Campaigns also concentrate on a handful of swing states, often ignoring millions of voters elsewhere.

So far, 18 states plus Washington, D.C. have joined the agreement, representing 222 electoral votes.

They need 270 to activate it.

Recent Democratic election victories in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Nevada could create an opportunity to gain the remaining votes, but those states still need to formally join.

This wouldn't technically abolish the Electoral College, but it could fundamentally change how it works.

Imagine a presidential election where the person who receives the most votes nationwide actually becomes president.

One country. One popular vote. Every vote matters.

It's worth paying attention to this one.

#NationalPopularVote #ElectoralCollege #USPolitics #Democracy #PopularVote #EveryVoteCounts #ElectionReform #VotingRights #PoliticalReform #DemocracyMatters

 

a little help from the other side ✨

Sometimes, just when you need it most, life surprises you.

A couple of weeks ago, I was frightened. I thought I might actually be homeless on November 2.

I started thinking about what I would need to survive outside. First on my list was a sleeping bag. 🥶

I contacted the Kettle Society to see if I could get one. I didn't hear back right away.

I was also talking to my mom, asking her for help and telling her how scared I was.

Mom passed away in 2007, but I've always felt she's close by. She had a difficult life and experienced housing struggles herself. I think she would understand.

I found myself thinking about Mom, my ancestors and all the people I've loved who are no longer here.

And then, in the middle of all this, an announcement appeared:

Last call to drop off artwork for the Eastside Culture Crawl at 620 Clark Drive!

I went to Recovery Café to see about leaving a couple of paintings.

Damian took 20!

TWENTY PAINTINGS! 😁🎨🐳

Zipolita'Z ArtworkZ 2026

I was thrilled, but also a little nervous and sad. I've carried these paintings around, photographed them in different places, and put so much of my heart and soul into them. They're my little babies! 💙🩵💚

But if someone falls in love with one, takes it home, and it helps me put food on the table in Mexico, then I couldn't be happier.

And that was my little miracle.

Things began to fall into place. Unexpected kindness, an opportunity, a door opening just when I needed one.

I can't explain it, but moments like this have happened throughout my 64 years.

I've been thinking about how frightened I was, wondering if I'd even make it to 65. The last six years have been some of the hardest of my life, but also some of the most beautiful.

I'm still here! Still painting, still blogging, still making plans and looking forward to another adventure.

Maybe it's timing. Maybe it's the kindness of people. Maybe the people we love, who are no longer here, somehow remain close to us.

I like to think Mom and my ancestors are still cheering me on. ❤️

So here's my message: HANG ON.

When things seem impossible, leave a little room for tomorrow. Ask for help. Keep your eyes open. Think about the people who loved you. Believe that something unexpected might happen.

You don't have to be religious to believe in a little magic.

I'm grateful for everything I've received, and I'm still hoping for a few more miracles!

Today, I'm also thinking about everyone who needs a warm, dry place to shelter from the incoming atmospheric river. And I'm hoping for beautiful weather for all the artists participating in the Eastside Culture Crawl.

Come see my paintings!

November 19–22, 2026
Recovery Café — 620 Clark Drive, Vancouver

I'll be exhibiting with Art Against Stigma, sharing my Water Is Life collection — mermaids, whales, otters, waves, forests and plenty of love.

I hope to see you there! 🧜‍♀️🐋🌊🎨

Sometimes a miracle is simply someone opening a door.

Sometimes it's an opportunity you almost missed.

And sometimes, you just have to hang on until tomorrow.

❤️ There's still a little magic left in the world.

If you or someone you know needs help

Please share these resources. A phone call doesn't guarantee a bed or supplies, but these organizations may be able to connect people with support.

604-872-3311 — Vancouver Coastal Regional Distress Line.

911 — Immediate danger or emergency.

Vancouver community and housing support

The Kettle Society: 604-251-2801 — Mental health and community support. 

Union Gospel Mission: 604-253-3323 — Meals, shelter, recovery and housing information.

UGM Women & Families Centre: 604-253-4044. 

BC 211: Dial 211 for community and shelter referrals. Availability can be limited; a referral is not a guaranteed bed.

Please look out for one another. A warm meal, a sleeping bag, a little kindness — it all matters.

#EastsideCultureCrawl #ArtAgainstStigma #WaterIsLife #VancouverArtists #Zipolita #KeepHangingOn #HopeAndKindness #SupportLocalArtists #CommunityCare #LittleMiracles

Where the wild things go… where wild things disappear forever. 💔

 

it's so cold…🥶

It's a beautiful, sunny morning in Vancouver, but it's only 3°C. And an atmospheric river is heading our way.

A few weeks ago, I was genuinely frightened. I was facing the possibility of being homeless again on November 2. I thought, if this is really happening, I need a sleeping bag. At least I'd have something to keep me warm.

After talking it through with ChatGPT, I decided to see if I could get one for free and reach out to the Kettle Society.

I did. I didn't hear back right away. A week later, they called. They didn't have any sleeping bags.

Imagine needing something as basic as a warm sleeping bag and finding out that even the people trying to help have nothing available.

There's a whole other story behind that phone call. I'll save it for my next post.

Thankfully, I'm temporarily housed, and I am deeply grateful. But I haven't forgotten how frightening it is to be so close to having nowhere to go.

And I haven't forgotten the people who are still out there.

I'm thinking about the woman I call the No Frills lady. She doesn't stay around the grocery store. She wanders at night, rummaging through bins and sleeping in parks beneath trees. She carries her belongings in No Frills shopping bags.

It breaks my heart because I could be her.

I'm also thinking about the two people sleeping rough in the park. Where will they go when the rain arrives? Where will they find shelter when the temperature drops?

And what about everyone else?

A shelter directory is not a bed. Calling 211 is not a guarantee of somewhere safe to sleep. I've called shelters myself, twice, and been told there was no room.

I'm thinking about the 78-year-old woman, Elizabeth Davis, who lost her apartment, was discharged from hospital to a shelter, and had her shoes and phone charger stolen. She ended up back in hospital. What kind of system sends an elderly woman from a hospital bed into homelessness?

I'm thinking about women and children fleeing violence. In Surrey, women's shelters have been turning people away by the thousands. One report documented more than 9,100 turnaway instances at two shelters in 2023. Those aren't just numbers. They're people looking for somewhere safe.

And the deaths.

507 people experiencing homelessness died in British Columbia in 2024.

Five hundred and seven human lives. People with names, families, friends, histories and hopes. People who deserved so much more than dying without a safe place to call home.

It's also difficult to describe how it feels when you cannot offer your own young person, or your adult child, a safe home during such challenging times. You worry about the risks they face. You hope they're managing, that they're safe, that they're surviving.

I'm grateful my child is surviving. I know many others haven't been so fortunate. That knowledge never leaves you.

Meanwhile, there are people living in $82-million homes. But heaven forbid their property taxes go up. Could somebody lower my property assessment, please? 🤑

Perhaps the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) should investigate the relationship between extreme wealth, housing and the growing number of people being left outside.

And perhaps this Christmas, before we rush to support another billionaire, we could support a neighbour, a local artist, a family business — or someone who needs a proper sleeping bag rated for below -30°C.

Give the billionaires the bird. 🖕

Buy local. Keep money in our communities. Help one another.

Last night's election results offer a little hope. Maybe people are ready to think twice about what kind of world we're building, and who we're leaving behind.

People weren't meant to live and die on cold, dirty streets. We are meant to have warmth, dignity, community and somewhere safe to sleep.

where the wild things go…

Not into the woods,
not beneath the stars,
not into the places
where wild things are.

But onto cold streets,
where the rain never ends,
where another lost soul
disappears without a friend.

And one day, we may look around
and wonder where everybody went.

Where the wild things go…
where wild things disappear forever. 💔

mit, free education and the story of aaron swartz

 wow, times have changed, but stayed the same: mit, free education and the story of aaron swartz

I recently came across news about the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) making thousands of its university courses available online, free of charge.

On the surface, that's wonderful. Education should be accessible. Knowledge shouldn't be reserved for people who can afford expensive tuition or academic subscriptions.

But there's a story I haven't forgotten, and I think it deserves to be remembered whenever MIT celebrates the idea of open education.

His name was Aaron Swartz.

Aaron was a brilliant young computer programmer, internet activist and advocate for an open internet. He believed that knowledge, particularly publicly funded academic research, should be accessible to everyone.

He wasn't interested in keeping information behind expensive paywalls.

In 2010 and 2011, Aaron downloaded millions of academic journal articles from JSTOR through MIT's computer network.

What followed was a federal prosecution that would change his life.

He faced 13 felony counts and the possibility of decades in prison and a million-dollar fine. JSTOR eventually settled its civil dispute with him and did not want the prosecution pursued.

But the federal case continued.

Aaron died by suicide on January 11, 2013. He was just 26 years old.

There was no trial. No opportunity for him to see how his case would ultimately be resolved.

MIT later commissioned an independent investigation into its role in the affair, including its decisions surrounding Aaron's prosecution.

the irony of free education

Today, MIT proudly offers thousands of courses and educational resources online through MIT OpenCourseWare.

And that's a good thing.

But I can't help thinking about Aaron Swartz.

A young man who believed knowledge should be shared faced an enormous legal battle involving the very institution whose network he used.

Let's be clear: MIT did not prosecute Aaron. That was the US federal government. But MIT's involvement, its institutional decisions and its response to the case remain part of the history.

Now we're celebrating the availability of free university education.

Wonderful.

But perhaps institutions should also be willing to remind people of the history behind the principles they now promote.

wow, times have changed, but have they really?

We live in an age when information is everywhere, yet access to knowledge is still controlled by corporations, publishers, subscriptions, licensing agreements and intellectual property laws.

We celebrate innovation, artificial intelligence, digital libraries and open education.

But we also have to ask who owns knowledge, who controls access, who profits from it and what happens to the people who challenge those systems.

Aaron Swartz believed the internet could be a place where information was shared rather than hoarded.

That ideal is still worth discussing.

Free courses are wonderful. Free knowledge is valuable. But progress should include remembering the people who challenged the systems that made information inaccessible.

We shouldn't celebrate the principle while forgetting the history.

Aaron Swartz deserved the opportunity to live, to learn, to question and to keep contributing.

His story should not disappear behind a university's promotional announcement.

Sometimes progress means moving forward.

Sometimes it means remembering what happened when someone tried to get there first.

---

questions worth asking

1. Should publicly funded academic research be freely accessible to everyone?
2. Who should control access to knowledge: universities, publishers, governments or the public?
3. Should the legal consequences for challenging information-access systems be proportionate to the actual harm?
4. How do institutions reconcile their present-day values with their past decisions?
5. Are we genuinely becoming more open with information, or simply finding new ways to control and monetize it?

Remember Aaron Swartz. Remember why open knowledge matters.

if you're struggling, please reach out

If Aaron Swartz's story brings up difficult feelings, or if you're experiencing depression, hopelessness or thoughts of suicide, please know that you are not alone.

You don't have to figure everything out today. You don't have to pretend you're okay. And you don't have to face those feelings by yourself.

Please reach out. Talk to someone you trust. Ask for help. Your life matters, even when it doesn't feel that way.

If you're in Canada:

- Call or text 988 — Suicide Crisis Helpline, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

- Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department if you are in immediate danger.

If you're elsewhere, contact your local crisis service or emergency department.

You deserve compassion, support and the opportunity to see a better tomorrow.

Please stay. Please talk. There is help.

 💚🤗🩷🙌🌲😁😉🎨🐳🐬🐋🔥🤐😁😘

art against stigma — eastside culture crawl 2026

I'm excited to announce that I'll be exhibiting 20 original paintings at Art Against Stigma, hosted by The Kettle at Recovery Café, as part of the 30th anniversary of the Eastside Culture Crawl!

Paintings by Zipolita 2026 

This year I'll be sharing paintings from two collections:

Water Is Life — inspired by the natural world, including mermaids, whales, otters, waves, forests and the creatures we share this planet with.

The Fire Next Time — a collection exploring the world around us and the things that deserve our attention.

Art has always been one of my ways of expressing ideas, telling stories and connecting with people. I'm delighted to have this opportunity to share my work alongside other talented artists.

Event details

Art Against Stigma
Recovery Café
620 Clark Drive, Vancouver

November 19–22, 2026

• Thursday, November 19: 5–10 PM
• Friday, November 20: 5–10 PM
• Saturday, November 21: 11 AM–6 PM
• Sunday, November 22: 11 AM–6 PM

Opening night reception: 

Thursday, November 19, 5:30–7 PM.

I'm looking forward to meeting visitors, connecting with fellow artists and seeing all the wonderful artwork on display.

If you're attending the Eastside Culture Crawl, please stop by and say hello. I'd love to see you!

#EastsideCultureCrawl #ArtAgainstStigma #TheKettle #RecoveryCafe #WaterIsLife #TheFireNextTime #VancouverArtists #OriginalArt #SupportLocalArtists #ArtForChange

canada: have we become too polite to speak up?

 canada: have we become too polite to speak up?

When being afraid to offend becomes more important than addressing problems, everybody loses.

I had quite an experience on public transit today. And it got me thinking about something bigger than one unpleasant bus ride.

First, there was a buggy sitting in the middle of the aisle while the bus was moving. Passengers were crowded around the front, nobody making room, nobody moving to the back. The buggy wasn't secured in an appropriate place.

I actually got up and called out that this wasn't allowed. I recorded it.

Then people were trying to get off, but the driver pulled away while passengers were still struggling to make their way through the crowd.

A few stops later, six Transit Police officers boarded. They checked everyones card, no sure if they checked driver.

Later

I rang the bell early. He still missed my stop.

And this isn't an isolated concern about public transportation. I've been noticing changes in our public spaces, particularly around Surrey and parts of Vancouver.

Surrey Central looked considerably better today, but one block down Broadway–Commercial, I encountered another reality: people visibly struggling with addiction, people appearing intoxicated, public disorder and the smell of urine.

It's difficult to watch communities deteriorate while residents are expected to simply accept it.

are we afraid to have an honest conversation?

Canada has welcomed people from around the world for generations. Immigration has helped shape this country.

But welcoming people is only one part of the equation.

What about integration?

What about explaining Canadian laws, public expectations, accessibility rights, transit etiquette and respect for shared spaces?

What about making sure our infrastructure, housing, healthcare and public services can accommodate population growth?

Different countries have different customs, social expectations and attitudes towards public behaviour. People arriving here may need time to understand how things work in Canada.

That's precisely why education matters.

And let's not pretend prejudice only travels in one direction. People can hold prejudices against one another regardless of where they were born. Racism, discrimination and intolerance aren't exclusive to any one community.

We need to be able to discuss these things without immediately shutting down the conversation.

respect is a two-way street

If you come to Canada, you should be welcomed and treated fairly.

But you also have responsibilities.

• Respect other passengers.
• Move down the bus and make room.
• Keep aisles and emergency exits clear.
• Respect wheelchair users and accessibility spaces.
• Allow passengers to exit before boarding.
• Follow Canadian laws.
• Respect public property and shared spaces.
• Treat other people with consideration.

These expectations apply to everyone, whether you've lived here for five generations or arrived yesterday.

And they apply to transit operators, employers, landlords, politicians and public institutions too.

Nobody gets a free pass.

canada needs to stop confusing politeness with progress

We have become so concerned about offending somebody that sometimes we seem afraid to address the actual problem.

But avoiding difficult conversations doesn't solve anything.

If immigration levels exceed our ability to provide housing, services and infrastructure, we need to discuss that.

If integration isn't working, we need to discuss that.

If public spaces are becoming unsafe, we need to address it.

If people aren't respecting one another, we need to say so.

And if governments aren't doing their jobs, we need to hold them accountable.

This isn't about blaming everyone who comes to Canada. It isn't about pretending everything was perfect before. It is about acknowledging that things are changing and asking whether we're managing those changes responsibly.

We can be welcoming without abandoning standards. We can be compassionate without abandoning accountability. We can be polite without being silent.

Canada doesn't need less kindness.

It needs more consideration, more responsibility, more honest conversations and a renewed understanding that living together means respecting one another.

Perhaps it's time we stopped being so afraid of hurting someone's feelings that we forget to look after the well-being of everyone.

---

questions worth reflecting on

1. Have Canadians become too polite to speak openly about problems in their communities?
2. Are immigration levels being matched by adequate housing, healthcare, transit and infrastructure?
3. Are newcomers receiving enough information about Canadian laws and social expectations?
4. Who is responsible for ensuring successful integration?
5. Should transit operators receive better training and support in managing overcrowding and accessibility?
6. Why should wheelchair users have to ask people to move from designated priority spaces?
7. Are we doing enough to address racism and prejudice between different communities?
8. Have we become accustomed to public disorder rather than expecting improvements?
9. Can we have honest conversations about cultural differences without stereotyping entire populations?
10. What kind of Canada do we want to leave for the next generation?

A final thought: Being a good neighbour isn't about where you were born. It's about how you treat the people who share your community.

 

consumer alert: watch those shelf prices!

I had an interesting shopping experience at Dollar Mart on Commercial Street in Vancouver.

I stopped to buy two art pads. Both were sitting on a shelf with price labels underneath displaying $2.99.

I picked up two and went to the checkout.

As the cashier rang them through, I noticed prices of $4.99 and another amount appearing on the till. Suddenly, the total was approximately $11.99.

I questioned the price and showed the cashier my photograph of the shelf display.

His response?

"Let me see what I can do."

Now, when I looked more closely at my photograph, I noticed that the small-print product description on the shelf label identified a different product. The $2.99 price was prominent, but the description wasn't for the art pads.

Was it a simple labelling mistake? Possibly. I can't establish that it was deliberate.

But it got me thinking about how easily consumers can be caught out.

know your consumer rights

British Columbia has consumer protection legislation.

Under the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act, section 4 addresses deceptive acts or practices, including representations capable of misleading consumers.

The federal Competition Act also prohibits materially false or misleading representations.

There is a voluntary Scanner Price Accuracy Code in Canada, but there are exceptions, including when an item is placed beneath a label describing a different product.

So, no, every shelf-label mistake automatically entitles you to the advertised price. But businesses still have a responsibility to provide clear and honest pricing.

time to pay attention, shoppers!

I want consumers to become more vigilant.

• Check the shelf price before picking up an item.
• Read the product description, not just the large-print price.
• Watch the till as your purchases are scanned.
• Compare your receipt with the shelf prices.
• Photograph questionable displays.
• Ask for a manager when prices don't match.

Don't assume the checkout price is correct just because it appears on the screen.

what about mystery shoppers?

Perhaps it's time for more independent consumer monitoring.

Could consumer organizations, government agencies and independent mystery shoppers conduct random retail pricing checks?

Imagine shoppers visiting stores, photographing shelf labels, purchasing selected products and comparing the advertised prices with checkout charges.

Not to harass employees, but to identify patterns, mistakes and potentially misleading practices.

Regular, independent checks could encourage better pricing practices and give consumers more confidence.

a word about consumer protection around the world

People come to Canada from countries with very different consumer protection systems. Some have weaker legislation, inconsistent enforcement or fewer practical ways for customers to challenge businesses.

Canada has established consumer protection laws. Everyone doing business here should understand and follow them.

Consumers also need to understand their rights.

Being polite doesn't mean being gullible. And being unfamiliar with a store or product doesn't mean you should accept an unexplained price increase.

questions worth asking

1. Have you ever noticed a different price at the checkout?
2. Do you watch the screen while your purchases are scanned?
3. Should independent mystery shoppers conduct random retail pricing checks?
4. Should businesses face stronger consequences for repeated pricing discrepancies?
5. How many people pay the difference simply because they don't want to argue?
6. Are consumers sufficiently informed about their rights in British Columbia?

I bought two art pads, not a lesson in consumer protection.

But perhaps it's a reminder we all need.

Pay attention. Keep your eyes open. Know your rights. And don't be afraid to question a price.

#ConsumerRights #ConsumerProtection #Vancouver #BritishColumbia #MysteryShoppers #RetailTransparency #FairPricing #KnowYourRights #ShoppingSmart #EveryDollarCounts

The Year Without a Smartphone

The Year Without a Smartphone

A Christmas story for the not-so-distant future

It was December 2027, and something terrible had happened.

Santa Claus had made his annual announcement.

There would be no smartphones for Christmas.

Not one.

Not even a refurbished iPhone.

The North Pole had officially declared a global digital detox.

The elves were in revolt. Mrs. Claus was threatening to leave. Rudolph had deleted his Instagram account, and Santa couldn't find his way to the shopping mall because Google Maps had gone dark.

But that wasn't the worst of it.

The children were asking questions.

"Santa, how will we know you're coming?"

"Look out the window," Santa replied.

"Can you send us a notification?"

"No."

"Can we track your sleigh?"

"No."

"Can we FaceTime you?"

"Absolutely not."

Santa was beginning to wonder whether Christmas had become a customer service problem.

Meanwhile, down on Earth, things were getting rather strange.

People were talking to each other in grocery stores. Neighbours were suddenly discovering they lived next door to actual human beings. Parents were asking their children to look up from their hands.

One teenager had been found staring at a tree for 17 minutes.

Doctors called it a breakthrough.

Restaurants reported a mysterious increase in conversation. Parks were full. Libraries had waiting lists. People were taking photographs with actual cameras.

And then came the twist.

On Christmas morning, millions of people woke up to find a small envelope under their tree.

Inside was a note from Santa:

\*"Dear Everyone,

You wanted a new phone.

Instead, I gave you back something you had forgotten you owned.

Your time.

Your attention.

Your imagination.

Your privacy.

And, most importantly, each other.

Merry Christmas.

P.S. I did try to post this on Facebook, but apparently nobody was there."\*

But there was one final surprise.

At the bottom of the letter, in very tiny writing, was another message:

"P.P.S. The elves have been monitoring your screen time for years. We know who's been naughty."

And just like that, everyone reached for their phones.

Only to discover that they had all been replaced by little red stockings.

Inside each stocking was a handwritten list of things to do in 2028.

The first item?

Go outside and play.

And somewhere at the North Pole, Santa laughed so hard that Rudolph nearly fell off the roof.

The End.

Or perhaps, the beginning. 🎄

2027: let's take back the internet

 

2027: let's take back the internet — a year without social media?

What if we collectively decided that 2027 would be the year we stepped back, unplugged and reconsidered our relationship with technology?

And what if we invited the next generation to help us design something better?

It's not just Meta. Google and other technology companies crawl websites, collect information, index content and process enormous amounts of data. All of this requires infrastructure, electricity and water.

Our digital lives have a physical footprint, whether we think about it or not.

Somewhere along the way, we became the product.

We wait online for government services. We navigate endless automated menus, answer questions for bots, get transferred from one automated system to another, and sometimes struggle to reach an actual human being.

We've allowed convenience to become dependency.

Our phones have become alarm clocks, cameras, televisions, libraries, shopping malls, entertainment centres, banking machines and, for many, our primary connection to the outside world.

But what has it cost us?

A proposal for 2027: boycott social media

What if we collectively took a year off?

No Facebook. No Instagram. No TikTok. No X. No endless YouTube scrolling. No feeding algorithms with our time, attention, photographs, personal information and daily activities.

What if we started taking our lives back?

We could begin with an hour, a day, a week or a month. See how it feels. Go as long as we can. If we return, perhaps we take another break.

Read a book. Make art. Go for a walk. Visit a neighbour. Write a letter. Spend time with children. Learn something new. Support local businesses. Rediscover the things we used to do before smartphones occupied every spare moment.

This isn't about rejecting all technology. It's about questioning our dependence on it and deciding what deserves our attention.

A shout-out to the kids: design a better world

We want to hear from young people.

You are growing up in a world where your attention is constantly being competed for, where your personal information has commercial value and where so much of childhood happens through a screen.

You don't have to accept that this is how the future must look.

What would technology look like if it were designed around human well-being, privacy, creativity, education and the environment?

What would a healthier internet look like?

What would you keep? What would you change? What would you shut down? What would you invent?

Perhaps the next generation can help us rethink what progress really means.

Reflective questions

1. When was the last time you went an entire day without checking your phone?
2. How much of your daily screen time is genuinely necessary?
3. Do social media platforms improve your relationships, or sometimes replace real-life connections?
4. How much personal information are you willing to exchange for free online services?
5. Have you considered the electricity and water required to maintain our digital world?
6. What would happen to your mental health if you took a month away from social media?
7. Could you reconnect with friends and family without relying on Facebook or Instagram?
8. Should governments and public services always provide a way to reach a real human being?
9. What would you miss if social media disappeared tomorrow? What would you be relieved to lose?
10. If you could redesign the internet for the next generation, what would you change first?

A different kind of progress

We have spent years being told that everything must become faster, smarter, more connected and more automated.

But perhaps it's time to ask whether more is actually better.

We need technology that serves people, not people who spend their lives serving technology.

We need privacy, independent websites, human connections, accessible public services and a digital world that considers its environmental costs.

2027: less scrolling, less surveillance, less consumption. More living.

Let's stop playing along without asking questions.

And let's give the kids an opportunity to design something better.

What if the biggest technological breakthrough of 2027 was learning when to switch it off?

 

what if we boycotted smartphones?

A proposal for 2027:

What if we collectively decided to put our mental health first?

What if we called for a return to basic mobile phones and landlines?

No smartphones. No Facebook. No Instagram. No TikTok. No YouTube. No X.

Imagine a coordinated public movement to disconnect from social media and smartphones for one year.

We could start with a day, then a week, then a month. Eventually, make it a year.

For our mental health. For our children's mental health. For our privacy. For our relationships. For our communities. For the future.

Let's play out the scenarios.

What happens to mental health? What happens to loneliness? What happens to bullying? What happens to misinformation? What happens to advertising and consumerism? What happens to businesses built around our attention? What happens to politics? What happens to families and communities? What happens to children growing up without constant digital stimulation?

And what happens when millions of people simply stop participating?

Let's examine the consequences, good and bad.

Perhaps it's time for the biggest social experiment of our generation.

One year. One collective decision. A return to living our lives instead of watching everyone else's.

What would happen if we actually did it?