Sandy Barron
@sbhist.bsky.social
Historian of disability and Canadian politics. Researcher, PhD. Jazz, horror, and cli-fi guy.
Yes. Writing and researching about histories of disabled and/or marginalized people means that there is an ethical framework to dedicate yourself too. The kinds of sources involved are carved out of existing power structures and the people of the past aren’t just grist for the historian’s mill….
In fact, I find it kind of problematic to feed digitized archival materials straight into LLMs for processing/interpretation or to "begin critical engagement." Given that the current slate of LLMs are owned/run by some of the worst people on the planet, its worth being careful about.
December 22, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Yes. Writing and researching about histories of disabled and/or marginalized people means that there is an ethical framework to dedicate yourself too. The kinds of sources involved are carved out of existing power structures and the people of the past aren’t just grist for the historian’s mill….
I have been, and remain, adrift at a Halifax hotel, snot in human form, held together by Quils both Day and Ny. I have come to be helpful, I have become a beached whale.
December 12, 2025 at 2:19 PM
I have been, and remain, adrift at a Halifax hotel, snot in human form, held together by Quils both Day and Ny. I have come to be helpful, I have become a beached whale.
Reposted by Sandy Barron
Remembering McCoy Tyner on his birthday 🎂
📷 Francis Wolff, 1961
"McCoy Tyner holds down the harmonies, & that allows me to forget them. He’s sort of the one who gives me wings & lets me take off from the ground from time to time."
- John Coltrane
📷 Francis Wolff, 1961
"McCoy Tyner holds down the harmonies, & that allows me to forget them. He’s sort of the one who gives me wings & lets me take off from the ground from time to time."
- John Coltrane
December 11, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Remembering McCoy Tyner on his birthday 🎂
📷 Francis Wolff, 1961
"McCoy Tyner holds down the harmonies, & that allows me to forget them. He’s sort of the one who gives me wings & lets me take off from the ground from time to time."
- John Coltrane
📷 Francis Wolff, 1961
"McCoy Tyner holds down the harmonies, & that allows me to forget them. He’s sort of the one who gives me wings & lets me take off from the ground from time to time."
- John Coltrane
When things aren’t great, I think about how Australians call Speedos ‘budgie smugglers’
December 7, 2025 at 2:41 PM
When things aren’t great, I think about how Australians call Speedos ‘budgie smugglers’
I am as many years away from leaving NS as I was to my birth when I left, so being back here for awhile for a family health debacle makes me feel like an anthropologist.
December 5, 2025 at 3:13 PM
I am as many years away from leaving NS as I was to my birth when I left, so being back here for awhile for a family health debacle makes me feel like an anthropologist.
The American media should really do better than to just prompt the President to say racist things.
December 3, 2025 at 10:15 PM
The American media should really do better than to just prompt the President to say racist things.
With the President crowing about Venezuelan airspace being closed (an act of war in itself, right?) it’s hard not to see yesterday’s Hegseth story as members of the U.S. military establishment trying to stop an attack on Venezuela because, well, they know it is an illegal and immoral idea.
November 29, 2025 at 3:31 PM
With the President crowing about Venezuelan airspace being closed (an act of war in itself, right?) it’s hard not to see yesterday’s Hegseth story as members of the U.S. military establishment trying to stop an attack on Venezuela because, well, they know it is an illegal and immoral idea.
That 11:25 post from the POTUS is not only gutter racism, contemptuous of the Constitution, and open white nationalism, it is also a formula for the economic destruction of the country. Dudes, get your shit in order. We have actual problems.
November 28, 2025 at 5:18 PM
That 11:25 post from the POTUS is not only gutter racism, contemptuous of the Constitution, and open white nationalism, it is also a formula for the economic destruction of the country. Dudes, get your shit in order. We have actual problems.
This is Jimmy Gardiner shit.
Company given $2M from Skills Development Fund run by Ford family dentist: sources
Company given $2M from Skills Development Fund run by Ford family dentist: sources
The company’s CEO also worked closely with the wife of the minister in charge of the grant program at the time
dlvr.it
November 27, 2025 at 7:40 PM
This is Jimmy Gardiner shit.
Press coverage of whatever this AB/CAN MOU is has been really letting us all down. Asking ‘will it hurt Carney or save Smith’ or political navel gazing ignores the actual issue at play, which happens to be the biggest one any of us under 50 will face in our lifetimes
November 27, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Press coverage of whatever this AB/CAN MOU is has been really letting us all down. Asking ‘will it hurt Carney or save Smith’ or political navel gazing ignores the actual issue at play, which happens to be the biggest one any of us under 50 will face in our lifetimes
1) So What
2) I am Trying to Break Your Heart
3) Bug Like an Angel
4) Lark
5) Beyond Belief
2) I am Trying to Break Your Heart
3) Bug Like an Angel
4) Lark
5) Beyond Belief
November 26, 2025 at 5:29 PM
1) So What
2) I am Trying to Break Your Heart
3) Bug Like an Angel
4) Lark
5) Beyond Belief
2) I am Trying to Break Your Heart
3) Bug Like an Angel
4) Lark
5) Beyond Belief
A short blip of Canadian climate emissions policy being at least stylistically better is over. We are a damn disgrace on climate change, and deserve all of the future scorn that is coming our way.
November 25, 2025 at 10:25 PM
A short blip of Canadian climate emissions policy being at least stylistically better is over. We are a damn disgrace on climate change, and deserve all of the future scorn that is coming our way.
The Raptors are fun to watch again
November 24, 2025 at 1:25 AM
The Raptors are fun to watch again
The people around Carney, and probably the man himself, need to get off Twitter.
November 23, 2025 at 2:19 PM
The people around Carney, and probably the man himself, need to get off Twitter.
This Ontario government has been repeatedly shown to be really, really corrupt. Ontario’s should vote for leaders that value tax payer dollars rather than setting piles of them on fire for private or useless individual benefit, but the province’s political culture is on sleep mode
#StarExclusive: Low-scoring applicants averaged the highest payouts from Doug Ford’s Skills Development Fund
Low-scoring applicants averaged the highest payouts from Doug Ford’s Skills Development Fund
Groups with the worst-ranked applications seeking money from Premier Doug Ford's $2.5-billion Skills Development Fund got, on average, the biggest payouts, according to a Star analysis.
www.thestar.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:09 PM
This Ontario government has been repeatedly shown to be really, really corrupt. Ontario’s should vote for leaders that value tax payer dollars rather than setting piles of them on fire for private or useless individual benefit, but the province’s political culture is on sleep mode
A word for this is surrender.
The Trump administration has drafted a peace plan calling for Ukraine to yield territory to Russia and drop demands for a peacekeeping force to deter future attacks by Moscow, U.S. officials said.
Trump Administration Pushes New Plan for Ending Ukraine War
The 28-point proposal drafted by some of the president’s closest aides is likely to face strong opposition from Ukraine.
on.wsj.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:21 PM
A word for this is surrender.
Reposted by Sandy Barron
😬
Le Canada se classe au 61e rang sur 67 dans le Climate Change Performance Index 2025.
Seuls les Émirats arabes unis, la Russie, les USA, l’Iran, l’Arabie saoudite et la Corée font pire. Un immense échec climatique.
ccpi.org/country/can/
#polcan #BlocQc #blocquébécois
Seuls les Émirats arabes unis, la Russie, les USA, l’Iran, l’Arabie saoudite et la Corée font pire. Un immense échec climatique.
ccpi.org/country/can/
#polcan #BlocQc #blocquébécois
November 19, 2025 at 6:25 PM
😬
Two of the hills I will die on: libertarians don’t exist and the Technical Challenge in the GBBO doesn’t count.
Alberta invokes notwithstanding clause on three bills affecting trans and gender-diverse youth
Legislation limits gender-affirming care and bans trans participation in womens’ and girls’ sports, among other stipulations
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Two of the hills I will die on: libertarians don’t exist and the Technical Challenge in the GBBO doesn’t count.
These are the kinds of articles the generation that is currently growing up will hate us for. As long as CBC joins the rightwing media in publishing this kind of dreck that covers only one side of the chess board, these sorts of economic calculations will seem to be in our national interests.
Enbridge is expanding oil pipeline capacity. So could TMX. So do we need another pipeline? | CBC News
Enbridge is pursuing several expansions to export oil through its pipeline system, which should meet the needs of the oil industry. So what does that mean for Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's lobbying...
www.cbc.ca
November 15, 2025 at 3:58 PM
These are the kinds of articles the generation that is currently growing up will hate us for. As long as CBC joins the rightwing media in publishing this kind of dreck that covers only one side of the chess board, these sorts of economic calculations will seem to be in our national interests.
International law is a hall of mirrors
Unlocked | Up to the U.S. to decide if it violated international law with Caribbean boat strikes, says Anand
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/1...
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/1...
Up to the U.S. to decide if it violated international law with Caribbean boat strikes, says Anand
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand broke with tradition as she seemingly asserted that Canada's top diplomat doesn't weigh in on a foreign country's adherence to international law.
www.hilltimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:05 AM
International law is a hall of mirrors
Deleted a post because I shouldn’t react to things through bleary eyes that can’t read properly
November 12, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Deleted a post because I shouldn’t react to things through bleary eyes that can’t read properly
You need to give people something to vote for. There are plenty of Dems who will, others need to get out of the way. The stability of the United States throughout 2026 depends on it.
November 10, 2025 at 3:34 AM
You need to give people something to vote for. There are plenty of Dems who will, others need to get out of the way. The stability of the United States throughout 2026 depends on it.