Society

Dr. Govlove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Blog

Posted by on December 1, 2010 at 7:00 am

(or even: Why you should join Twitter or start a blog immediately) Note: This post contains GCPEDIA links only accessible within the Government of Canada network. Not long ago, I made the acquaintance of a young, energized public servant.  I was impressed by their1 enthusiasm, imagination, expression and boundless drive to create.  I encouraged this [...]

The Truth About Placebos

Posted by on November 15, 2010 at 7:47 am

“It is a reality of our time that the same companies promoting health care products are also largely responsible for underwriting their research.” An excerpt from The Industry of Illness in US Health Care: Why Privatization Is Inefficient – Part 3 The following ad didn’t really fit the tone of my “scholarly” discussion quoted above, [...]

On geograhic content restriction

Posted by on November 13, 2010 at 7:39 am

I’ve seen some amazing touring exhibits of Egyptian and Roman antiquities.  What if the geographic restrictions that corporations use to limit the viewing of online content were applied to physical art?  This piece by Paul Mutant puts it in perspective.

A Vending Machine that Sells… Live Crabs?

Posted by on November 7, 2010 at 7:20 am

Here’s a video worth viewing.  Watch it, then consider: Are you impressed by the innovation and convenience-mindedness of humankind, or the limitless of our cruelty?

The Darker Side of Positive Thinking

Posted by on June 25, 2010 at 8:30 am

American feminist, democratic socialist, pop sociologist and political activist Barbara Ehrenreich explores the hazards of forced positiveness, the subject of her book Bright-sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America.

I Heart Gnomes

Posted by on June 15, 2010 at 6:39 pm

In observance of National Public Service Week, I’d like to recognize some of my stellar peers who are contributing to making GCPEDIA the brilliant, vibrant place that it’s becoming.  Specifically, I want to offer my thanks and a small token of my gratitude to the gnomes and gardeners who are toiling regularly to make our [...]

A Typical Day at the Post Office?

Posted by on June 10, 2010 at 8:30 am

You. Must. Watch. This.

It’s Your Job to Edit GCPEDIA: Add It to Your PLA

Posted by on May 14, 2010 at 10:11 am

I consider editing (and administrating) GCPEDIA a part of my job, and I always have.  If you read the wording of your job description, there’s probably some significant wiggle room for creative interpretation, provided that your primary product or goal continues to be produced or achieved on time. For example, do your duties specify that [...]

Workplace Mental Health: Please share this video

Posted by on May 6, 2010 at 10:30 am

May 3 – 9, 2010 is Mental Health Week. Take care of yourself, and each other.

GCPEDIA Peer Helpers – “Official” Rollout

Posted by on May 5, 2010 at 10:30 am

Back in September of last year, sometime after I was already entirely swept up by obsessive compulsive wikignoming—grafting and pruning the site in a way I hoped would make it prosper—it occurred to me that a similar role should exist to help users grow and prosper.  I created the Peer helper category on GCPEDIA, made [...]