Azim Essaji (he/him)
@aessaji.bsky.social
Associate Professor, Economics
Wilfrid Laurier University
Views expressed are not of my employer; sometimes, they're not even my own
Wilfrid Laurier University
Views expressed are not of my employer; sometimes, they're not even my own
Reposted by Azim Essaji (he/him)
Another night to sleep on this and I'm solidifying this take
There is a reason industry/govt sees a bit win in trading the regulations that would have forced real emissions reductions (oil and gas cap and CER) for vauge future carbon pricing promises that some are claiming will achieve the same 1/
There is a reason industry/govt sees a bit win in trading the regulations that would have forced real emissions reductions (oil and gas cap and CER) for vauge future carbon pricing promises that some are claiming will achieve the same 1/
After some time for reflection I think this is one of the biggest open questions that has a big impact on how much climate action we will see in Canada -
unless I'm reading this wrong (?) it doesn't say the carbon floor will be $130 by April. It says there will be an agreement by April 1/
unless I'm reading this wrong (?) it doesn't say the carbon floor will be $130 by April. It says there will be an agreement by April 1/
Where does it say $130 in April? it says they will by April agree on what the timeline and price increases are.
I would bet a very large sum of money it will not be $130 effective price in April.
I would bet a very large sum of money it will not be $130 effective price in April.
November 28, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Another night to sleep on this and I'm solidifying this take
There is a reason industry/govt sees a bit win in trading the regulations that would have forced real emissions reductions (oil and gas cap and CER) for vauge future carbon pricing promises that some are claiming will achieve the same 1/
There is a reason industry/govt sees a bit win in trading the regulations that would have forced real emissions reductions (oil and gas cap and CER) for vauge future carbon pricing promises that some are claiming will achieve the same 1/
Reposted by Azim Essaji (he/him)
I had an interesting set of interactions w AI-generated content that I think is instructive. A very bright student made a claim in an essay that struck me as outlandish, so I searched the question on Google which turned up that phrasing the search a certain way makes the AI summary agree w the claim
November 28, 2025 at 2:18 PM
I had an interesting set of interactions w AI-generated content that I think is instructive. A very bright student made a claim in an essay that struck me as outlandish, so I searched the question on Google which turned up that phrasing the search a certain way makes the AI summary agree w the claim
Reposted by Azim Essaji (he/him)
Trudeau-era environment minister Steven Guilbeault has published a resignation letter detailing the reasons for his departure from Carney's cabinet.
He directly cites today's MOU:
He directly cites today's MOU:
November 27, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Trudeau-era environment minister Steven Guilbeault has published a resignation letter detailing the reasons for his departure from Carney's cabinet.
He directly cites today's MOU:
He directly cites today's MOU:
Reposted by Azim Essaji (he/him)
"The carbon capture and disposal industry is a scam and is causing harm when it comes to climate solutions."
And Mark Carney thinks it's the future. Along with AI.
heimildin.is/grein/24581/
And Mark Carney thinks it's the future. Along with AI.
heimildin.is/grein/24581/
Climeworks’ capture fails to cover its own emissions
The carbon capture company Climeworks only captures a fraction of the CO2 it promises its machines can capture. The company is failing to carbon offset the emissions resulting from its operations – wh...
heimildin.is
November 27, 2025 at 8:20 PM
"The carbon capture and disposal industry is a scam and is causing harm when it comes to climate solutions."
And Mark Carney thinks it's the future. Along with AI.
heimildin.is/grein/24581/
And Mark Carney thinks it's the future. Along with AI.
heimildin.is/grein/24581/
And I've just cancelled my membership, too.
I just did the same. From Ontario.
Just wrote to cancel my Liberal Party membership, and I encourage all British Columbians and anyone who cares about Mother Earth to do the same.
Nothing but a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Nothing but a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
November 27, 2025 at 9:52 PM
And I've just cancelled my membership, too.
Reposted by Azim Essaji (he/him)
How about we start with funding universities like we used to?
Universities 'absolutely vital' to Canada's AI strategy, minister says - University Affairs
Evan Solomon, Canada’s minister of artificial intelligence and digital innovation, in conversation with University Affairs’ Christopher Guly.
universityaffairs.ca
November 27, 2025 at 3:23 AM
How about we start with funding universities like we used to?
Reposted by Azim Essaji (he/him)
Most university programs are not job training programs and I wish politicians would stop wishing that they should be. A university degree should be much, much more than vocational
Neither undergrad nor graduate physics degrees are job-training programs, and that’s part of what makes them so valuable on the job market.
so yeah, your students should learn basic physics, not just what's immediately required for their specialty
November 20, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Most university programs are not job training programs and I wish politicians would stop wishing that they should be. A university degree should be much, much more than vocational
Reposted by Azim Essaji (he/him)
Reposted by Azim Essaji (he/him)
What do we want? Free Canadian Trade, except for food, alcohol, financial services and "other things"! 😒https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-interprovincial-trade-barrier-dropped-9.6984871
Provinces sign agreement to drop interprovincial trade barriers on goods except food, alcohol | CBC News
An agreement, signed today, between all Canadian provinces, territories, and the federal government, will drop interprovincial trade barriers on many goods except food and alcohol. It's part of an eff...
www.cbc.ca
November 20, 2025 at 3:11 AM
What do we want? Free Canadian Trade, except for food, alcohol, financial services and "other things"! 😒https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-interprovincial-trade-barrier-dropped-9.6984871
Reposted by Azim Essaji (he/him)
This absurd oversensitivity about professors having sex with minors procured for them by sex criminals shows that campus cancel culture is out of control.
by Alan Dershowitz and Larry Summers
by Alan Dershowitz and Larry Summers
November 20, 2025 at 1:30 AM
This absurd oversensitivity about professors having sex with minors procured for them by sex criminals shows that campus cancel culture is out of control.
by Alan Dershowitz and Larry Summers
by Alan Dershowitz and Larry Summers
Reposted by Azim Essaji (he/him)
When Jason Kenney kicked all the centrist normies out of the party, this is the monster he created.
Stop trying to turn Kenney into a statesman. He is very much responsible for what Danielle Smith is doing to the province.
Stop trying to turn Kenney into a statesman. He is very much responsible for what Danielle Smith is doing to the province.
Let’s be clear on this: Danielle Smith is ripping up the Charter of Rights & Freedoms to take away rights from the most vulnerable people in Alberta. And she’s doing it to protect herself from the militant wing of her own party, nothing more. Hope it’s all she’s ever remembered for in the long run
November 19, 2025 at 3:22 AM
When Jason Kenney kicked all the centrist normies out of the party, this is the monster he created.
Stop trying to turn Kenney into a statesman. He is very much responsible for what Danielle Smith is doing to the province.
Stop trying to turn Kenney into a statesman. He is very much responsible for what Danielle Smith is doing to the province.
This is an excellent thread. #econsky
1/ Egalitarianism should begin at home. I link to this article by @bencasselman.bsky.social in light of the communications between Larry Summers and Jeffrey Epstein that have just been released. The released emails and the fact of friendship are vile.
www.nytimes.com/2021/02/23/b...
www.nytimes.com/2021/02/23/b...
For Women in Economics, the Hostility Is Out in the Open (Published 2021)
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:23 PM
This is an excellent thread. #econsky
The always amazing Jose Feliciano.... youtu.be/NkKjoxHvB0A?...
Jose Feliciano Band - Por Que Te Tengo Que Olvidar (Live In Paris 2008)
YouTube video by Daniel .D.N.A
youtu.be
November 14, 2025 at 8:57 PM
The always amazing Jose Feliciano.... youtu.be/NkKjoxHvB0A?...
You can't make this shit up....
New WSJ: After flying an FBI jet to see his girlfriend sing at a wrestling match, FBI director Kash Patel took the jet to a private Texas hunting resort called the Boondoggle Ranch. www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Kash Patel’s ‘Effin Wild’ Ride as FBI Director
In just one week in October, he ticked off his bosses with premature comments about a terror investigation squeezed in a trip to the ‘Boondoggle Ranch’ on the bureau jet.
www.wsj.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:41 PM
You can't make this shit up....
Because, why not? youtu.be/WRfsibwR5x4?...
"I'm a Barbie girl" again, but in the style of 6 classical composers 🎹 🎤 - Josep Castanyer Alonso
YouTube video by Josep Castanyer Alonso
youtu.be
November 12, 2025 at 5:04 AM
Because, why not? youtu.be/WRfsibwR5x4?...
I'm not saying that AI is not going to unlock great productivity gains for Canada, but I can say that in its current use, it's reducing my productivity, and making my students stupider. 1/
November 6, 2025 at 4:36 PM
I'm not saying that AI is not going to unlock great productivity gains for Canada, but I can say that in its current use, it's reducing my productivity, and making my students stupider. 1/
Matt Jeneroux is a one of the better Conservative MPs. This would be a huge gain for the Liberals. #cdnpoli
Dimitri Soudas, former Harper comms guy, told RadCan this morning that he's hearing Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux will cross the floor to the Liberals today.
If this happens, the Liberals are one seat short of a majority. You know what that means.
That's right.
Elizabeth May is Kingmaker.
If this happens, the Liberals are one seat short of a majority. You know what that means.
That's right.
Elizabeth May is Kingmaker.
November 5, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Matt Jeneroux is a one of the better Conservative MPs. This would be a huge gain for the Liberals. #cdnpoli
Reposted by Azim Essaji (he/him)
All you anti Muslim bigots who spread nothing but the most vile hate against Mamdani, I'm here for your meltdowns and tantrums.
I'm all the way petty.
Your tears are sugar for my chai.
I'm all the way petty.
Your tears are sugar for my chai.
November 5, 2025 at 2:42 AM
All you anti Muslim bigots who spread nothing but the most vile hate against Mamdani, I'm here for your meltdowns and tantrums.
I'm all the way petty.
Your tears are sugar for my chai.
I'm all the way petty.
Your tears are sugar for my chai.
Reposted by Azim Essaji (he/him)
Not gonna link it, because I don't want to promote it, but yeah that "Like maple syrup and hockey, AI must become a part of our national identity" opinion piece in the Toronto Star by Joël Blit, a professor of economics at the U of Waterloo, is nothing more than grandiose horseshit puffery.
November 2, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Not gonna link it, because I don't want to promote it, but yeah that "Like maple syrup and hockey, AI must become a part of our national identity" opinion piece in the Toronto Star by Joël Blit, a professor of economics at the U of Waterloo, is nothing more than grandiose horseshit puffery.
Reposted by Azim Essaji (he/him)
Question needing an answer: What are the costs of trying to use AI when it isn't needed? How much friction does that create? How much productivity is lost trying to make it work?
The worst thing anyone can do when testing a new idea. Assume success and make plans based on that assumption.
The worst thing anyone can do when testing a new idea. Assume success and make plans based on that assumption.
November 2, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Question needing an answer: What are the costs of trying to use AI when it isn't needed? How much friction does that create? How much productivity is lost trying to make it work?
The worst thing anyone can do when testing a new idea. Assume success and make plans based on that assumption.
The worst thing anyone can do when testing a new idea. Assume success and make plans based on that assumption.
Reposted by Azim Essaji (he/him)
Embarrassing country
November 2, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Embarrassing country
Reposted by Azim Essaji (he/him)
Another thing about the utility of AI...
You have to remember what is good at. It's good at finding patterns and relationships in existing data that you were unaware of.
So for AI to be useful requires two things.
1) That you need to find new patterns and relationships in your data.
You have to remember what is good at. It's good at finding patterns and relationships in existing data that you were unaware of.
So for AI to be useful requires two things.
1) That you need to find new patterns and relationships in your data.
November 2, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Another thing about the utility of AI...
You have to remember what is good at. It's good at finding patterns and relationships in existing data that you were unaware of.
So for AI to be useful requires two things.
1) That you need to find new patterns and relationships in your data.
You have to remember what is good at. It's good at finding patterns and relationships in existing data that you were unaware of.
So for AI to be useful requires two things.
1) That you need to find new patterns and relationships in your data.
Reposted by Azim Essaji (he/him)
1980s: Learn to use computers or be LEFT BEHIND!
1990s: Learn networking or be LEFT BEHIND!
2000s: Learn HTML or be LEFT BEHIND!
2010s: Learn to code apps or be LEFT BEHIND!
<raises hand>
Umm...I did all of that but I’ve been left behind
<long pause>
LEARN A.I. OR BE LEFT BEHIND!!!
1990s: Learn networking or be LEFT BEHIND!
2000s: Learn HTML or be LEFT BEHIND!
2010s: Learn to code apps or be LEFT BEHIND!
<raises hand>
Umm...I did all of that but I’ve been left behind
<long pause>
LEARN A.I. OR BE LEFT BEHIND!!!
November 2, 2025 at 9:17 PM
1980s: Learn to use computers or be LEFT BEHIND!
1990s: Learn networking or be LEFT BEHIND!
2000s: Learn HTML or be LEFT BEHIND!
2010s: Learn to code apps or be LEFT BEHIND!
<raises hand>
Umm...I did all of that but I’ve been left behind
<long pause>
LEARN A.I. OR BE LEFT BEHIND!!!
1990s: Learn networking or be LEFT BEHIND!
2000s: Learn HTML or be LEFT BEHIND!
2010s: Learn to code apps or be LEFT BEHIND!
<raises hand>
Umm...I did all of that but I’ve been left behind
<long pause>
LEARN A.I. OR BE LEFT BEHIND!!!
When they said that the East Wing had been demolished, I thought they were exaggerating. Holy shit.
October 24, 2025 at 3:03 PM
When they said that the East Wing had been demolished, I thought they were exaggerating. Holy shit.
I am hardly the biggest Doug Ford fan, whom I view as the worst premier this province has had in my lifetime (and that's saying a lot, given that I despised Mike Harris), but there was nothing wrong with the ad Ontario ran on US TV. 1/ #onpolitics #canadapolitics #canadasky
October 24, 2025 at 2:45 PM
I am hardly the biggest Doug Ford fan, whom I view as the worst premier this province has had in my lifetime (and that's saying a lot, given that I despised Mike Harris), but there was nothing wrong with the ad Ontario ran on US TV. 1/ #onpolitics #canadapolitics #canadasky