Brandon Yan 甄念本
@brandonyan.com
he/him
Vancouver, Canada
Politics, Urbanism, Gay Stuff
Vancouver, Canada
Politics, Urbanism, Gay Stuff
Reposted by Brandon Yan 甄念本
As someone who worked fine-tuning LLMs and quit because of all the reasons, it pains me to see unreliable and dangerous chatbots / AI summaries being shoved down our collective throats
November 27, 2025 at 6:12 AM
As someone who worked fine-tuning LLMs and quit because of all the reasons, it pains me to see unreliable and dangerous chatbots / AI summaries being shoved down our collective throats
Reposted by Brandon Yan 甄念本
Pretty shocking how AI consistently gets incredibly simple single-source facts wrong, and how tech companies still shove it down our throats anyway.
Quickly searching for reliable info is the #1 thing google is good for and they're like "eh why don't we ruin it"
Quickly searching for reliable info is the #1 thing google is good for and they're like "eh why don't we ruin it"
November 27, 2025 at 5:43 AM
Pretty shocking how AI consistently gets incredibly simple single-source facts wrong, and how tech companies still shove it down our throats anyway.
Quickly searching for reliable info is the #1 thing google is good for and they're like "eh why don't we ruin it"
Quickly searching for reliable info is the #1 thing google is good for and they're like "eh why don't we ruin it"
Lollllll
(Models Available To Subscribers)
British Columbia Provincial Polling:
NDP: 44% (-1)
CON: 35% (-9)
GRN: 9% (+1)
ONE: 8% (New)
CNBC: 2% (New)
Others: 3%
EKOS / Nov 25, 2025 / n=889 / MOE 3.3% / Telephone
(% Change With 2024 Election)
Check out @338canada.bsky.social here: 338canada.com
British Columbia Provincial Polling:
NDP: 44% (-1)
CON: 35% (-9)
GRN: 9% (+1)
ONE: 8% (New)
CNBC: 2% (New)
Others: 3%
EKOS / Nov 25, 2025 / n=889 / MOE 3.3% / Telephone
(% Change With 2024 Election)
Check out @338canada.bsky.social here: 338canada.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Lollllll
The bodies are piling up
RIP Repair Cafes run by spec.bc.ca
ABC’s budget death count thus far: summer fireworks, community repair cafes
@lucymaloney.bsky.social @seanorr.bsky.social
ABC’s budget death count thus far: summer fireworks, community repair cafes
@lucymaloney.bsky.social @seanorr.bsky.social
November 27, 2025 at 2:10 AM
The bodies are piling up
👀
(Models Available To Subscribers)
Quebec Provincial Polling:
PQ: 36% (+21)
PLQ: 25% (+11)
PCQ: 15% (+2)
CAQ: 13% (-28)
QS: 9% (-6)
Pallas Data / Nov 25, 2025 / n=1102 / MOE 3% / IVR
(% Change With 2022 Election)
Check out QC details from @338canada.bsky.social here: 338canada.com/quebec
Quebec Provincial Polling:
PQ: 36% (+21)
PLQ: 25% (+11)
PCQ: 15% (+2)
CAQ: 13% (-28)
QS: 9% (-6)
Pallas Data / Nov 25, 2025 / n=1102 / MOE 3% / IVR
(% Change With 2022 Election)
Check out QC details from @338canada.bsky.social here: 338canada.com/quebec
November 27, 2025 at 1:19 AM
👀
28 days until I'm back on a plane to 🎌
November 27, 2025 at 12:38 AM
28 days until I'm back on a plane to 🎌
👀
Carney’s budget gives high-speed rail agency power to expropriate and skip key review
Carney’s budget gives high-speed rail agency power to expropriate and skip key review
The government has included the High Speed Rail Network Act within its more than 600-page budget bill.
www.thestar.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:54 PM
👀
That's a first: dead battery on a MODO because the user before me left the key in the ignition
November 26, 2025 at 10:47 PM
That's a first: dead battery on a MODO because the user before me left the key in the ignition
Reposted by Brandon Yan 甄念本
one of the coolest things about ChatGPT is how you can actually just never use it. you can fill your whole entire life with simply not once using it. it's incredible.
November 25, 2025 at 4:15 PM
one of the coolest things about ChatGPT is how you can actually just never use it. you can fill your whole entire life with simply not once using it. it's incredible.
Reposted by Brandon Yan 甄念本
On Tuesday, Nov 21st, #Vancouver firefighters responded to the most overdoses in department history for a single day: 54 💔
Vancouver Fire Rescue Services
On Tuesday, Nov 21st, firefighters responded to the most overdoses in department history for a single day: 54.
VFRS averaged 16 overdoses/day in May and it has jumped significantly lately and during....
www.facebook.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:15 PM
On Tuesday, Nov 21st, #Vancouver firefighters responded to the most overdoses in department history for a single day: 54 💔
And now the City will be directly competing for sponsorship dollars with their naming rights program.
An underrated part of the discussion of how to fund Vancouver's Celebration of Light is that a generation ago, big businesses spent tons of money on local culture because it was an efficient form of advertising.
And today, when everything can be targeted through online algorithms, they don't.
And today, when everything can be targeted through online algorithms, they don't.
November 26, 2025 at 9:16 PM
And now the City will be directly competing for sponsorship dollars with their naming rights program.
Reposted by Brandon Yan 甄念本
It's simply never too late to quit X www.reuters.com/business/med...
www.reuters.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:25 PM
It's simply never too late to quit X www.reuters.com/business/med...
Reposted by Brandon Yan 甄念本
You can like or dislike fireworks, enjoy the post-show exodus from downtown or abhor the crowds, but the Celebration of Light is probably the biggest event that celebrates Vancouver's Vancouverness.
Traditions die, but this one hits bigger than most.
Traditions die, but this one hits bigger than most.
Vancouver's Celebration of Light fireworks festival cancelled indefinitely | CBC News
Organizers of a public fireworks festival, which has brought millions of people to Vancouver's English Bay over the past three decades, says it can’t go ahead without long-term government and private-...
www.cbc.ca
November 26, 2025 at 6:22 PM
You can like or dislike fireworks, enjoy the post-show exodus from downtown or abhor the crowds, but the Celebration of Light is probably the biggest event that celebrates Vancouver's Vancouverness.
Traditions die, but this one hits bigger than most.
Traditions die, but this one hits bigger than most.
Reposted by Brandon Yan 甄念本
In a year when governments are clambering over each other to wreck environmental protections, the Ford government is working overtime to hold onto its title of most ghoulish
BREAKING: Yesterday the Ford government passed Bill 68, the Plan to Protect Ontario Act, quietly legislating the removal of lands from Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, including public access beaches and critical habitat for endangered piping plovers. #ONpoli
www.wildernesscommittee.org/news/ontario...
www.wildernesscommittee.org/news/ontario...
Ontario uses budget bill to remove parklands
Wilderness Committee condemns the sell-off of portions of Wasaga Beach Provincial ParkTORONTO / TRADITIONAL TERRITORIES OF MISSISSAUGAS OF THE CREDIT, ANISHNAABEG, CHIPPEWA, HAUDENOSAUNEE AND WENDAT —...
www.wildernesscommittee.org
November 26, 2025 at 6:05 PM
In a year when governments are clambering over each other to wreck environmental protections, the Ford government is working overtime to hold onto its title of most ghoulish
And the only reason I found out about it was a news article Google sent me about the winner. So I already know who wins.
What. Apparently I completely missed a season of The Great Canadian Baking Show?! How did I not see a single ad or post about it?
November 26, 2025 at 6:05 PM
And the only reason I found out about it was a news article Google sent me about the winner. So I already know who wins.
Reposted by Brandon Yan 甄念本
Netsuke of a Rat Grasping a Soybean Pod, 19th century Japan
November 26, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Netsuke of a Rat Grasping a Soybean Pod, 19th century Japan
Reposted by Brandon Yan 甄念本
At least 36 dead, 279 missing in massive housing estate fire in Tai Po, Hong Kong
www.scmp.com/news/hong-ko...
www.scmp.com/news/hong-ko...
Breaking | 36 dead, 279 missing in Hong Kong housing estate blaze
Another 29 people have been hospitalised, with seven in a critical condition as inferno ravages housing estate in Tai Po.
www.scmp.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:58 PM
At least 36 dead, 279 missing in massive housing estate fire in Tai Po, Hong Kong
www.scmp.com/news/hong-ko...
www.scmp.com/news/hong-ko...
What. Apparently I completely missed a season of The Great Canadian Baking Show?! How did I not see a single ad or post about it?
November 26, 2025 at 5:58 PM
What. Apparently I completely missed a season of The Great Canadian Baking Show?! How did I not see a single ad or post about it?
Reposted by Brandon Yan 甄念本
I’m not a religious man, but
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
Even God Is Worried About ChatGPT
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
www.vulture.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:43 PM
I’m not a religious man, but
Tourists will flock to Vancouver to admire our core services, residents will eschew arts and entertainment to revel in the joy of freshly mowed curb grass in Yaletown
November 26, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Tourists will flock to Vancouver to admire our core services, residents will eschew arts and entertainment to revel in the joy of freshly mowed curb grass in Yaletown
Reposted by Brandon Yan 甄念本
I like how the City of Vancouver’s response to the new PNE Amphitheatre being triple the original budget is to say “WORLD CLASS” like the phrase is a magical amulet that excuses any sins
November 26, 2025 at 4:09 PM
I like how the City of Vancouver’s response to the new PNE Amphitheatre being triple the original budget is to say “WORLD CLASS” like the phrase is a magical amulet that excuses any sins
It's also very funny that the city passed an austerity budget on the day that one of our biggest free events was also cancelled. But at least a few more potholes will get filled I guess.
November 26, 2025 at 4:37 PM
It's also very funny that the city passed an austerity budget on the day that one of our biggest free events was also cancelled. But at least a few more potholes will get filled I guess.
I stopped going because I can't do those crowds anymore but I have a feeling this won't be the last org/event that's cancelled this year. Arts organizations are *not* okay.
Vancouver's iconic, three-decade-old fireworks festival cancelled due to finances #Vancouver #MetroVancouver #YVR
Vancouver's iconic, three-decade-old fireworks festival cancelled due to finances - Metro Vancouver News
The iconic Vancouver waterfront fireworks festival that has been held for more than three decades has been cancelled indefinitely due to financial difficulties.
www.castanet.net
November 26, 2025 at 4:33 PM
I stopped going because I can't do those crowds anymore but I have a feeling this won't be the last org/event that's cancelled this year. Arts organizations are *not* okay.
Reposted by Brandon Yan 甄念本
Thank you @cbcstephenquinn.bsky.social for holding Ken Sim to answering Q's this morning! It's so satisfying to hear reporters refuse to let politicians skirt questions.
November 26, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Thank you @cbcstephenquinn.bsky.social for holding Ken Sim to answering Q's this morning! It's so satisfying to hear reporters refuse to let politicians skirt questions.