Dr. Catherine Scott
@cataranea.bsky.social
Arachnologist, behavioural ecologist, natural historian, & spider advocate. I also knit, sew, & have strong opinions. Pronouns: she or they
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
As these teens describe, AI can diminish human relationships; devalue art; threaten the environment; lead to laziness; give unreliable results; pose privacy concerns; and be misused.
So, please, stop with the narratives of inevitability and let's embrace a pedagogy and politics of refusal.
So, please, stop with the narratives of inevitability and let's embrace a pedagogy and politics of refusal.
7 Reasons Teens Say No to AI
Some young people only turn to artificial-intelligence chatbots as a last resort, citing concerns about relationships, creativity, the environment and more.
www.wsj.com
February 1, 2026 at 10:24 PM
As these teens describe, AI can diminish human relationships; devalue art; threaten the environment; lead to laziness; give unreliable results; pose privacy concerns; and be misused.
So, please, stop with the narratives of inevitability and let's embrace a pedagogy and politics of refusal.
So, please, stop with the narratives of inevitability and let's embrace a pedagogy and politics of refusal.
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
Discworld QOTD, from The Last Continent
‘“We put all our politicians in prison as soon as they’re elected. Don’t you?”
“Why?”
“It saves time.”’
‘“We put all our politicians in prison as soon as they’re elected. Don’t you?”
“Why?”
“It saves time.”’
Discworld QOTD, from Thud!
“Beating people up in little rooms…he knew where that led. And if you did it for a good reason, you’d do it for a bad one. You couldn’t say ‘We’re the good guys’ and do bad-guy things.”
“Beating people up in little rooms…he knew where that led. And if you did it for a good reason, you’d do it for a bad one. You couldn’t say ‘We’re the good guys’ and do bad-guy things.”
Discworld QOTD, from Making Money
"‘Even tyrants have to obey the law.’ He paused, looking thoughtful, and continued: ‘No, I tell a lie, tyrants do not have to obey the law, obviously, but they do have to observe the niceties.’"
"‘Even tyrants have to obey the law.’ He paused, looking thoughtful, and continued: ‘No, I tell a lie, tyrants do not have to obey the law, obviously, but they do have to observe the niceties.’"
January 30, 2026 at 7:36 PM
Discworld QOTD, from The Last Continent
‘“We put all our politicians in prison as soon as they’re elected. Don’t you?”
“Why?”
“It saves time.”’
‘“We put all our politicians in prison as soon as they’re elected. Don’t you?”
“Why?”
“It saves time.”’
Equity, Ethics, & genAI
“students & staff are reminded of the risks & advised of ‘prohibited’ uses at the same time as inhouse genAI tools are actively promoted […] ethical responsibility is passed on to staff & students, with few clear guidelines...” ecologyisnotadirtyword.com/2026/01/30/e...
“students & staff are reminded of the risks & advised of ‘prohibited’ uses at the same time as inhouse genAI tools are actively promoted […] ethical responsibility is passed on to staff & students, with few clear guidelines...” ecologyisnotadirtyword.com/2026/01/30/e...
Equity, Ethics, and genAI in Academia
Generative AI tools are openly accessible, increasingly normalised, and mostly inequitable. They’re a great example of a marketing success benefiting a specific industry that has quickly ignited a …
ecologyisnotadirtyword.com
January 30, 2026 at 11:40 AM
Equity, Ethics, & genAI
“students & staff are reminded of the risks & advised of ‘prohibited’ uses at the same time as inhouse genAI tools are actively promoted […] ethical responsibility is passed on to staff & students, with few clear guidelines...” ecologyisnotadirtyword.com/2026/01/30/e...
“students & staff are reminded of the risks & advised of ‘prohibited’ uses at the same time as inhouse genAI tools are actively promoted […] ethical responsibility is passed on to staff & students, with few clear guidelines...” ecologyisnotadirtyword.com/2026/01/30/e...
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
![3-panel comic. (1) [Three small arthropods on ocean floor.] ARTHROPOD 1: Now that we’re multicellular, what are your plans? I’m gonna evolve little legs and swim around with them! ARTHROPOD 2: I’m gonna evolve sharp pincers and use them to crunch stuff! ARTHROPOD 3: I’m gonna evolve glands to make string from my butt and use it to construct elaborate geometric nets hundreds of times my size to catch other animals. (2) [Silence] (3) ARTHROPOD 1: *Dude.* ARTHROPOD 2: Can you *please* just be normal about this? ARTHROPOD 3: *What??!*](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreia3p425asp237hjolbn5lly6g6hzm2eoygqjpkd5dii6zrwqnp7qi@jpeg)
January 28, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
As state terror amps up, here's a list of actions you can take now--
a lot of resources
and a list of upcoming virtual trainings on a number of topics:
a lot of resources
and a list of upcoming virtual trainings on a number of topics:
actions to take as ICE intensifies
ways to support MN and your own community
www.lifeisasacredtext.com
January 25, 2026 at 10:22 PM
As state terror amps up, here's a list of actions you can take now--
a lot of resources
and a list of upcoming virtual trainings on a number of topics:
a lot of resources
and a list of upcoming virtual trainings on a number of topics:
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
The biggest challenge Canadians face right now involves the utter disconnect between Carney’s rhetoric and his actual policies. It makes it so difficult to even begin a debate about what actually standing up to the US would look like.
Theoretically, a Canadian government that wanted to shield people from the crisis could place serious price controls on groceries, rent, transportation and energy. It could commit to real public health programs in the face of viral chaos down south. It could re-invest in community programs/services.
January 24, 2026 at 12:28 PM
The biggest challenge Canadians face right now involves the utter disconnect between Carney’s rhetoric and his actual policies. It makes it so difficult to even begin a debate about what actually standing up to the US would look like.
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
@thetyee.ca is hiring a biodiversity reporter! We're looking for someone who can bring a good sense of curiosity & narrative to the role, and also do some investigative/accountability reporting. Deets here: thetyee.ca/Tyeenews/202...
Are You The Tyee’s New Biodiversity Reporter? | The Tyee
We’re looking for a sharp journalist to join our team. Apply by Feb. 8.
thetyee.ca
January 23, 2026 at 9:21 PM
@thetyee.ca is hiring a biodiversity reporter! We're looking for someone who can bring a good sense of curiosity & narrative to the role, and also do some investigative/accountability reporting. Deets here: thetyee.ca/Tyeenews/202...
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
43. Stop appeasing Trump and stop trying desperately to negotiate a deal with an unreliable lunatic
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
Opinion: The U.S. is not our friend any more. Has anyone told Mark Carney?
Why is the Prime Minister still trying to negotiate a trade and security agreement with a capricious authoritarian?
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 22, 2026 at 6:07 PM
43. Stop appeasing Trump and stop trying desperately to negotiate a deal with an unreliable lunatic
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
36. Stop dumping money into recruiting researchers from outside Canada and instead properly fund our existing research community
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
In Canada, scientists are struggling with stagnant funding
Lackluster growth in federal spending squeezes research community
www.science.org
January 22, 2026 at 6:06 PM
36. Stop dumping money into recruiting researchers from outside Canada and instead properly fund our existing research community
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
35. Increase, not decrease, capacity for food safety and pathogen surveillance, especially given US erosion of both
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
‘It’s catastrophic’: Experts say U.S. public health rollbacks will impact Canadians
Canadian infectious disease experts are slamming the state of public health in the U.S., after the Trump administration fired the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
www.ctvnews.ca
January 22, 2026 at 6:06 PM
35. Increase, not decrease, capacity for food safety and pathogen surveillance, especially given US erosion of both
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
27. Move Canada's economy away from fossil fuels and extractive industry rather than making us more reliant on those
thenarwhal.ca/build-canada...
thenarwhal.ca/build-canada...
Canada is crossing off an oil and gas wish list | The Narwhal
From fast-tracking approvals to slashing a proposed emissions cap, the Carney government is working its way through requests from Canada’s fossil fuel industry
thenarwhal.ca
January 22, 2026 at 6:06 PM
27. Move Canada's economy away from fossil fuels and extractive industry rather than making us more reliant on those
thenarwhal.ca/build-canada...
thenarwhal.ca/build-canada...
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
26. Actually listen to Indigenous people rather than trying to convince them to accept pipelines, mines, and oil tankers
thewalrus.ca/a-subjugatio...
thewalrus.ca/a-subjugatio...
“A Subjugation”: First Nations Chiefs Blast Carney’s Nation-Building Scheme | The Walrus
Bill C-5, the controversial fast-track law, risks unleashing years of litigation
thewalrus.ca
January 22, 2026 at 6:06 PM
26. Actually listen to Indigenous people rather than trying to convince them to accept pipelines, mines, and oil tankers
thewalrus.ca/a-subjugatio...
thewalrus.ca/a-subjugatio...
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
19. Stop pushing AI as a panacea, and definitely stop viewing AI as a replacement for human workers
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...
Say Hi to Tech Bro Carney | The Tyee
As his government heedlessly embraces artificial intelligence, the threats to Canadians are clear.
thetyee.ca
January 22, 2026 at 6:06 PM
19. Stop pushing AI as a panacea, and definitely stop viewing AI as a replacement for human workers
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
13. Tax the wealthy, including reinstating the increase to the capital gains tax -- trickle down economics has never worked ever
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Carney cancels planned hike to capital gains tax | CBC News
Prime Minister Mark Carney says he will cancel the proposed hike to the amount of capital gains that are subject to tax introduced by Justin Trudeau's government.
www.cbc.ca
January 22, 2026 at 6:06 PM
13. Tax the wealthy, including reinstating the increase to the capital gains tax -- trickle down economics has never worked ever
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
5. Stop pushing for pipelines and west coast oil tankers, and definitely don't offer this to Trump
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Carney raised Keystone XL pipeline revival in meeting with Trump | CBC News
Relief for Canada from U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum may come thanks to renewed interest in a pipeline project first proposed more than 15 years ago.
www.cbc.ca
January 22, 2026 at 6:06 PM
5. Stop pushing for pipelines and west coast oil tankers, and definitely don't offer this to Trump
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Scott
Great thread on what Canada needs and expects from Mark Carney, for those who keep asking what our Tiny Banker Bean is supposed to do 👇🏼
"What exactly do you expect Carney to do / not do?"
A thread of 50 specific items (with links, and not in any particular order), a large fraction of which are in line with warning signs we pointed out early on and were told to be quiet, wait and see, or trust his 4D chess acumen.
1/??
A thread of 50 specific items (with links, and not in any particular order), a large fraction of which are in line with warning signs we pointed out early on and were told to be quiet, wait and see, or trust his 4D chess acumen.
1/??
January 22, 2026 at 9:08 PM
Great thread on what Canada needs and expects from Mark Carney, for those who keep asking what our Tiny Banker Bean is supposed to do 👇🏼