Mary Louise Pigott 🇨🇦
@mlpigott.bsky.social
In the dark times
Will there also be singing?
Yes, there will be singing.
– Bertolt Brecht
#hamont
Will there also be singing?
Yes, there will be singing.
– Bertolt Brecht
#hamont
Pinned
Pope Leo's first sermon and, uh, his using the phrase "be ever more fully a city set upon a hill" and cf'ing it to Rev 21:10 instead of any of the others before saying "many baptized Christians" are "living in a state of practical atheism" is. Well. Shots fired!
www.npr.org/2025/05/09/g...
www.npr.org/2025/05/09/g...
Read Pope Leo XIV's first homily as pope
During his homily, delivered in Italian, Leo XIV said that Christians must serve a world that is often hostile to their beliefs.
www.npr.org
This is a truly incredible thread. A magnum opus. Reposting mostly for myself…
Reposted by Mary Louise Pigott 🇨🇦
Elected officials shouldn’t have the power to vote against traffic signals or lower speed limits. I don’t think this because I don’t believe in democracy; I think this because I believe in evidence-based placemaking & city-building. Safer streets shouldn’t be situational or left up to a vote.
November 14, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Elected officials shouldn’t have the power to vote against traffic signals or lower speed limits. I don’t think this because I don’t believe in democracy; I think this because I believe in evidence-based placemaking & city-building. Safer streets shouldn’t be situational or left up to a vote.
Reposted by Mary Louise Pigott 🇨🇦
“If we’re serious about community safety, we need to invest in the things that create it: housing; mental health supports; youth programming; accessible transit; and poverty reduction. These are the factors proven to reduce harm, not just throwing more money and more officers at the issues."
www.therecord.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:42 PM
“If we’re serious about community safety, we need to invest in the things that create it: housing; mental health supports; youth programming; accessible transit; and poverty reduction. These are the factors proven to reduce harm, not just throwing more money and more officers at the issues."
Reposted by Mary Louise Pigott 🇨🇦
Reposted by Mary Louise Pigott 🇨🇦
In my brief block by block encounters with crossing guards I see how drivers menace them, inching towards. What a whole shift must be like.
The Premier and other politicians, Toronto Police, other forces, have taken the lid of all this. A death drive amid other bs rhetoric of public safety.
The Premier and other politicians, Toronto Police, other forces, have taken the lid of all this. A death drive amid other bs rhetoric of public safety.
A crossing guard was killed by the driver of a dump truck yesterday. absolutely heartbreaking.
Look at our intersections, look how hostile these are for people/children - this is what we continue to build and defend at all costs. These aren't accidents, these are results. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Look at our intersections, look how hostile these are for people/children - this is what we continue to build and defend at all costs. These aren't accidents, these are results. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
November 14, 2025 at 1:59 PM
In my brief block by block encounters with crossing guards I see how drivers menace them, inching towards. What a whole shift must be like.
The Premier and other politicians, Toronto Police, other forces, have taken the lid of all this. A death drive amid other bs rhetoric of public safety.
The Premier and other politicians, Toronto Police, other forces, have taken the lid of all this. A death drive amid other bs rhetoric of public safety.
Reposted by Mary Louise Pigott 🇨🇦
2 Lawyers talking about science. Of course they think it is an argument.
November 12, 2025 at 5:47 PM
2 Lawyers talking about science. Of course they think it is an argument.
JD Vance: Facts should care about your feelings
JD Vance: "Science as practiced in its best form is that if you disagree with it, then you ought to criticize it and you ought to argue against it."
November 13, 2025 at 7:42 PM
JD Vance: Facts should care about your feelings
Reposted by Mary Louise Pigott 🇨🇦
Other countries with good bicycle infrastructure combined (!) with good public transport have shown that people will cycle in any condition when given the opportunity.
youtu.be/BXDP9WQe0io?...
youtu.be/BXDP9WQe0io?...
I'm so Sick of this Lazy Excuse (for bad cities)
YouTube video by Not Just Bikes
youtu.be
November 13, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Other countries with good bicycle infrastructure combined (!) with good public transport have shown that people will cycle in any condition when given the opportunity.
youtu.be/BXDP9WQe0io?...
youtu.be/BXDP9WQe0io?...
Reposted by Mary Louise Pigott 🇨🇦
We fundamentally misunderstand these things about streets:
1. Streets are a liability, not an asset.
2. Street design is the primary factor in crash prevention and safety.
3. Streets should prioritize human movement, not automobile movement.
1. Streets are a liability, not an asset.
2. Street design is the primary factor in crash prevention and safety.
3. Streets should prioritize human movement, not automobile movement.
November 12, 2025 at 11:48 PM
We fundamentally misunderstand these things about streets:
1. Streets are a liability, not an asset.
2. Street design is the primary factor in crash prevention and safety.
3. Streets should prioritize human movement, not automobile movement.
1. Streets are a liability, not an asset.
2. Street design is the primary factor in crash prevention and safety.
3. Streets should prioritize human movement, not automobile movement.
Listen up, #hamont!
"There’s a tendency at city hall to spend too much time tending to the whims of those who grumble about life in the city, instead of those who are bringing life in their city. It might make for good politics — the grumblers definitely vote — but it often makes for lousy governance." -Matt Elliott
Matt Elliott: Now, Toronto has noisy pickleball games in its crosshairs. Are we becoming the City That Fun Forgot?
Tending to the whims of grumblers might make for good politics in election season, but it often makes for lousy governance.
www.thestar.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Listen up, #hamont!
Reposted by Mary Louise Pigott 🇨🇦
Leading medical publication the British Medical Journal recognises SUVs as a danger to public health in a new editorial co-authored by T&E’s James Nix: bit.ly/4hVDlBC
Large SUVs are a danger to pedestrians, cyclists & other drivers.
It's time to take action to reduce their presence in urban areas.
Large SUVs are a danger to pedestrians, cyclists & other drivers.
It's time to take action to reduce their presence in urban areas.
November 12, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Leading medical publication the British Medical Journal recognises SUVs as a danger to public health in a new editorial co-authored by T&E’s James Nix: bit.ly/4hVDlBC
Large SUVs are a danger to pedestrians, cyclists & other drivers.
It's time to take action to reduce their presence in urban areas.
Large SUVs are a danger to pedestrians, cyclists & other drivers.
It's time to take action to reduce their presence in urban areas.
Reposted by Mary Louise Pigott 🇨🇦
This a big deal: "China’s carbon dioxide emissions have been flat or falling for 18 months"
China's economy has grown by ~5% in the last year, so this comprehensively debunks the idea (again) that emissions are tied to growth. So yes, faster progress needed, but this is how you turn the corner.
China's economy has grown by ~5% in the last year, so this comprehensively debunks the idea (again) that emissions are tied to growth. So yes, faster progress needed, but this is how you turn the corner.
China’s CO2 emissions have been flat or falling for past 18 months, analysis finds
World’s biggest polluter on track to hit peak emissions target early but miss goal for cutting carbon intensity
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:20 AM
This a big deal: "China’s carbon dioxide emissions have been flat or falling for 18 months"
China's economy has grown by ~5% in the last year, so this comprehensively debunks the idea (again) that emissions are tied to growth. So yes, faster progress needed, but this is how you turn the corner.
China's economy has grown by ~5% in the last year, so this comprehensively debunks the idea (again) that emissions are tied to growth. So yes, faster progress needed, but this is how you turn the corner.
Reposted by Mary Louise Pigott 🇨🇦
Furthermore public transit teaches you how to live with temporary minor annoyances and cars teach you that you're god's most special baby and your moment-to-moment comfort is the only important thing in the world
October 29, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Furthermore public transit teaches you how to live with temporary minor annoyances and cars teach you that you're god's most special baby and your moment-to-moment comfort is the only important thing in the world
Reposted by Mary Louise Pigott 🇨🇦
It’s been 50 years since the storied Edmund Fitzgerald and all 29 of its crew members perished during one of the worst recorded storms on Lake Superior.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Fifty years on, Edmund Fitzgerald remembered through song and mystery | CBC News
Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum to honour the 29 crew members lost in Lake Superior sinking on Nov. 10, 1975
www.cbc.ca
November 10, 2025 at 1:09 PM
It’s been 50 years since the storied Edmund Fitzgerald and all 29 of its crew members perished during one of the worst recorded storms on Lake Superior.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Mary Louise Pigott 🇨🇦
Many city halls are deep in budget-time. Some are pushing austerity ideologies, and are ignoring the difference between costs and cost-savers/value creators. Citizens, PAY ATTENTION, and never forget that the TRUTH about a city’s REAL aspirations isn’t found in its visions. It’s found in its budget.
November 9, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Many city halls are deep in budget-time. Some are pushing austerity ideologies, and are ignoring the difference between costs and cost-savers/value creators. Citizens, PAY ATTENTION, and never forget that the TRUTH about a city’s REAL aspirations isn’t found in its visions. It’s found in its budget.
Ditto #hamont
This is a great piece from Ted Aivalis with a reminder that making it through winter requires each of us to help out city workers and do our part to prepare for the weather.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Winter Isn’t the Problem. Pretending It’s a Surprise Is.
Before the first flake hits the ground, CUPE Local 416 crews are already preparing.
substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Ditto #hamont
Reposted by Mary Louise Pigott 🇨🇦
It shouldn’t be forgotten that a big piece of Mamdani’s campaign was simply “cities are cool and lots of people enjoy living in them” which in and of itself dismantles alot of rightwing talking points
November 7, 2025 at 12:02 PM
It shouldn’t be forgotten that a big piece of Mamdani’s campaign was simply “cities are cool and lots of people enjoy living in them” which in and of itself dismantles alot of rightwing talking points
Reposted by Mary Louise Pigott 🇨🇦
I love that Mamdani is what the right claimed Obama was: A Muslim socialist born in Africa. The right practically manifested Mamdani into existence.
November 5, 2025 at 2:25 PM
I love that Mamdani is what the right claimed Obama was: A Muslim socialist born in Africa. The right practically manifested Mamdani into existence.
Reposted by Mary Louise Pigott 🇨🇦
How a radical experiment to bring a forest into a preschool transformed children’s health
In #Finland, kindergartens are exposing children to more mud, wild plants and moss - and finding changes to their health that show how crucial biodiversity is to wellbeing
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
In #Finland, kindergartens are exposing children to more mud, wild plants and moss - and finding changes to their health that show how crucial biodiversity is to wellbeing
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
How a radical experiment to bring a forest into a preschool transformed children’s health
In Finland, kindergartens are exposing children to more mud, wild plants and moss - and finding changes to their health that show how crucial biodiversity is to wellbeing
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:25 PM
How a radical experiment to bring a forest into a preschool transformed children’s health
In #Finland, kindergartens are exposing children to more mud, wild plants and moss - and finding changes to their health that show how crucial biodiversity is to wellbeing
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
In #Finland, kindergartens are exposing children to more mud, wild plants and moss - and finding changes to their health that show how crucial biodiversity is to wellbeing
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Mary Louise Pigott 🇨🇦
Every night I make a To Do list that hinges entirely on me waking up as a completely different person
November 4, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Every night I make a To Do list that hinges entirely on me waking up as a completely different person
Reposted by Mary Louise Pigott 🇨🇦
“In May 2025, Scotland’s largest city [Glasgow] reached a milestone that would make any transportation planner in Portland or Montreal do a double take: during the morning rush hour, there were more bicycles than cars traveling along Victoria Road, a major artery…” Via @momentummag.bsky.social
When Bikes Outnumber Cars: What Scotland’s Cycling Surge Can Teach North America
Scotland’s largest city reached a milestone that would make any transportation planner in Portland, or Montreal do a double take.
momentummag.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:05 PM
“In May 2025, Scotland’s largest city [Glasgow] reached a milestone that would make any transportation planner in Portland or Montreal do a double take: during the morning rush hour, there were more bicycles than cars traveling along Victoria Road, a major artery…” Via @momentummag.bsky.social
Reposted by Mary Louise Pigott 🇨🇦
I really love this Vincent Van Gogh quote:
"To do good work one must eat well, be well housed, have one's fling from time to time, smoke one's pipe, and drink one's coffee in peace."
No romanticizing the starving artist. Van Gogh said UBI all the way.
"To do good work one must eat well, be well housed, have one's fling from time to time, smoke one's pipe, and drink one's coffee in peace."
No romanticizing the starving artist. Van Gogh said UBI all the way.
November 3, 2025 at 2:10 PM
I really love this Vincent Van Gogh quote:
"To do good work one must eat well, be well housed, have one's fling from time to time, smoke one's pipe, and drink one's coffee in peace."
No romanticizing the starving artist. Van Gogh said UBI all the way.
"To do good work one must eat well, be well housed, have one's fling from time to time, smoke one's pipe, and drink one's coffee in peace."
No romanticizing the starving artist. Van Gogh said UBI all the way.
The Dodgers may suck as a team, but LA as a city has been been suffering under Trump’s regime, and I hope they celebrate the hell out of their win in a way that pisses him off royally. And if the Dodgers have any decency at all, they’ll stand up for their city and skip the White House this time.
November 2, 2025 at 3:43 PM
The Dodgers may suck as a team, but LA as a city has been been suffering under Trump’s regime, and I hope they celebrate the hell out of their win in a way that pisses him off royally. And if the Dodgers have any decency at all, they’ll stand up for their city and skip the White House this time.
You’ve got to love this team.
November 2, 2025 at 1:10 AM
You’ve got to love this team.
Reposted by Mary Louise Pigott 🇨🇦
Today’s the day, #HamOnt! 🎉
Hamilton Day is here - a citywide celebration of our amazing local businesses, artists, and community spirit.
Get out, explore, and support the people and places that make the @cityofhamilton.bsky.social so vibrant and welcoming. www.instagram.com/reel/DQhAJUt...
Hamilton Day is here - a citywide celebration of our amazing local businesses, artists, and community spirit.
Get out, explore, and support the people and places that make the @cityofhamilton.bsky.social so vibrant and welcoming. www.instagram.com/reel/DQhAJUt...
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www.instagram.com
November 1, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Today’s the day, #HamOnt! 🎉
Hamilton Day is here - a citywide celebration of our amazing local businesses, artists, and community spirit.
Get out, explore, and support the people and places that make the @cityofhamilton.bsky.social so vibrant and welcoming. www.instagram.com/reel/DQhAJUt...
Hamilton Day is here - a citywide celebration of our amazing local businesses, artists, and community spirit.
Get out, explore, and support the people and places that make the @cityofhamilton.bsky.social so vibrant and welcoming. www.instagram.com/reel/DQhAJUt...
Reposted by Mary Louise Pigott 🇨🇦
“To be a Luddite today is to refuse the fatalism of techno-inevitability & to demand that technology serve the many, not the few. It is to assert that questions of labor, agency & justice must come before speed, efficiency & scale.” https://www.brookings.edu/articles/we-should-all-be-luddites/
We should all be Luddites
Courtney Radsch discusses rehabilitating the idea of Luddites as people concerned with the control and impact of technology.
www.brookings.edu
October 31, 2025 at 2:53 PM
“To be a Luddite today is to refuse the fatalism of techno-inevitability & to demand that technology serve the many, not the few. It is to assert that questions of labor, agency & justice must come before speed, efficiency & scale.” https://www.brookings.edu/articles/we-should-all-be-luddites/