The Centre for Useless Splendour
@gerritb.bsky.social
I'm Gerrit. Retired, hurt: hence the useless splendour. 😁
"We are all just walking each other home." Ram Das
Focus: #wisdom #climate #beauty #dem-soc #Cdapoli.
Me: 👨🏻🦳🇨🇦🇿🇦🪖♿️🏺🥗 [Ally: 💙🇺🇦🇵🇸🖤🤎🌍]
Dad & FIL of 🏳️🌈 & 🏳️⚧️
"We are all just walking each other home." Ram Das
Focus: #wisdom #climate #beauty #dem-soc #Cdapoli.
Me: 👨🏻🦳🇨🇦🇿🇦🪖♿️🏺🥗 [Ally: 💙🇺🇦🇵🇸🖤🤎🌍]
Dad & FIL of 🏳️🌈 & 🏳️⚧️
Pinned
🇺🇸 The Liberty Bell was cast with the lettering:
"Proclaim LIBERTY Throughout all the Land
unto all the Inhabitants Thereof."
The legend is that it was rung
at the revolutionary victory in 1776.
Perhaps the resistance whistles of the blue cities
could then rightly also be called Liberty Whistles.
"Proclaim LIBERTY Throughout all the Land
unto all the Inhabitants Thereof."
The legend is that it was rung
at the revolutionary victory in 1776.
Perhaps the resistance whistles of the blue cities
could then rightly also be called Liberty Whistles.
Reposted by The Centre for Useless Splendour
A Red-bellied Woodpecker showing his red belly. This is one of the more colorful Red-bellied Woodpeckers in the park so he has a decent amount of red, some have very little on their tummies.
February 1, 2026 at 11:28 PM
A Red-bellied Woodpecker showing his red belly. This is one of the more colorful Red-bellied Woodpeckers in the park so he has a decent amount of red, some have very little on their tummies.
Reposted by The Centre for Useless Splendour
The actual number was 205K cubic metres/day, from Jul 1-Nov 30, 2025.
The public was kept in the dark,
“Among the documents is one prepared by the BC Energy Regulator, a government agency that oversees the oil and gas sector and other industries. It detailed “an
thenarwhal.ca/lng-canada-f...
The public was kept in the dark,
“Among the documents is one prepared by the BC Energy Regulator, a government agency that oversees the oil and gas sector and other industries. It detailed “an
thenarwhal.ca/lng-canada-f...
Equipment issue led to excessive LNG Canada flaring, docs reveal | The Narwhal
LNG Canada delayed reporting ‘integrity issue’ to regulators and never fully informed the public, while locals raised concerns about noise, smoke and emissions
thenarwhal.ca
February 1, 2026 at 11:06 PM
The actual number was 205K cubic metres/day, from Jul 1-Nov 30, 2025.
The public was kept in the dark,
“Among the documents is one prepared by the BC Energy Regulator, a government agency that oversees the oil and gas sector and other industries. It detailed “an
thenarwhal.ca/lng-canada-f...
The public was kept in the dark,
“Among the documents is one prepared by the BC Energy Regulator, a government agency that oversees the oil and gas sector and other industries. It detailed “an
thenarwhal.ca/lng-canada-f...
Reposted by The Centre for Useless Splendour
Reposted by The Centre for Useless Splendour
Franz Bischoff (1864–1929)
February 1, 2026 at 11:15 PM
Franz Bischoff (1864–1929)
Reposted by The Centre for Useless Splendour
It’s imperative we shift from mining to processing rare earth minerals:
“What we want to do is create a minerals-to-metals refinery that is vertically integrated in three components,” Crabtree said.
“First is the processing facility, which strips away all
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/06/a...
“What we want to do is create a minerals-to-metals refinery that is vertically integrated in three components,” Crabtree said.
“First is the processing facility, which strips away all
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/06/a...
Can Canada pivot to exploit a rush on rare earths?
Canada is investing billions of dollars to challenge China’s grip on rare earths and other critical minerals essential for modern technologies. As Canada races to build its own supply chain, refining ...
www.nationalobserver.com
February 1, 2026 at 11:16 PM
It’s imperative we shift from mining to processing rare earth minerals:
“What we want to do is create a minerals-to-metals refinery that is vertically integrated in three components,” Crabtree said.
“First is the processing facility, which strips away all
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/06/a...
“What we want to do is create a minerals-to-metals refinery that is vertically integrated in three components,” Crabtree said.
“First is the processing facility, which strips away all
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/06/a...
Reposted by The Centre for Useless Splendour
White-breasted Nuthatch
Reflecting on the big thoughts...
Reflecting on the big thoughts...
February 1, 2026 at 11:18 PM
White-breasted Nuthatch
Reflecting on the big thoughts...
Reflecting on the big thoughts...
Reposted by The Centre for Useless Splendour
#Minneapolis
“Whatever you see or hear on the news, it’s worse."
“Whatever you see or hear on the news, it’s worse."
February 1, 2026 at 11:19 PM
#Minneapolis
“Whatever you see or hear on the news, it’s worse."
“Whatever you see or hear on the news, it’s worse."
Reposted by The Centre for Useless Splendour
February 1, 2026 at 11:22 PM
Reposted by The Centre for Useless Splendour
“The vast majority of Quebecers (86%) say they’re proud to be Canadian.” ⚜️🇨🇦
Large majority of Quebecers oppose Quebec sovereignty
A large majority of Quebecers oppose Quebec sovereignty.
cultmtl.com
February 1, 2026 at 7:47 PM
“The vast majority of Quebecers (86%) say they’re proud to be Canadian.” ⚜️🇨🇦
Reposted by The Centre for Useless Splendour
“Virtue alone affords everlasting and peace-giving joy; even if some obstacle arises, it is but like an intervening cloud, which floats beneath the sun but never prevails against it.”
— Seneca, Moral Letters to Lucilius
— Seneca, Moral Letters to Lucilius
February 1, 2026 at 8:04 PM
“Virtue alone affords everlasting and peace-giving joy; even if some obstacle arises, it is but like an intervening cloud, which floats beneath the sun but never prevails against it.”
— Seneca, Moral Letters to Lucilius
— Seneca, Moral Letters to Lucilius
Reposted by The Centre for Useless Splendour
‘A real menace:’ Here’s what environmental groups hope is next on #Canada’s plastic ban list
/1 thread
www.ctvnews.ca/canada/artic...
/1 thread
www.ctvnews.ca/canada/artic...
‘A real menace:’ Here’s what environmental groups hope is next on Canada’s plastic ban list
Deep inside a shipping container sitting in a grocery store parking lot, adjacent to Toronto’s Don River, are more than a dozen bags filled with items Lawrence Warriner has worked tirelessly long days...
www.ctvnews.ca
February 1, 2026 at 8:23 PM
‘A real menace:’ Here’s what environmental groups hope is next on #Canada’s plastic ban list
/1 thread
www.ctvnews.ca/canada/artic...
/1 thread
www.ctvnews.ca/canada/artic...
Reposted by The Centre for Useless Splendour
Québec City from Lévis
Robert W. Pilot
1920
Robert W. Pilot
1920
February 1, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Québec City from Lévis
Robert W. Pilot
1920
Robert W. Pilot
1920
Reposted by The Centre for Useless Splendour
Reposted by The Centre for Useless Splendour
This documentary was made by a French television crew when I was still an MP.
I am in the last third of the film. This is a heavy and dark story of the abuse of Indigenous rights. But it must be told.
Canada must know its history in order to move forward.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jnA...
I am in the last third of the film. This is a heavy and dark story of the abuse of Indigenous rights. But it must be told.
Canada must know its history in order to move forward.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jnA...
Canada’s Dark Secret: The Inhumane Treatment of Indigenous Peoples | ENDEVR Documentary
YouTube video by ENDEVR
www.youtube.com
February 1, 2026 at 8:48 PM
This documentary was made by a French television crew when I was still an MP.
I am in the last third of the film. This is a heavy and dark story of the abuse of Indigenous rights. But it must be told.
Canada must know its history in order to move forward.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jnA...
I am in the last third of the film. This is a heavy and dark story of the abuse of Indigenous rights. But it must be told.
Canada must know its history in order to move forward.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jnA...
Reposted by The Centre for Useless Splendour
CBC First Page student writing challenge open for submissions
www.cbc.ca/books/the-fi...
www.cbc.ca/books/the-fi...
The First Page student writing challenge is open for submissions! | CBC Books
The annual student writing challenge asks students to imagine what the world will be like in 150 years.
www.cbc.ca
February 1, 2026 at 8:49 PM
CBC First Page student writing challenge open for submissions
www.cbc.ca/books/the-fi...
www.cbc.ca/books/the-fi...
Reposted by The Centre for Useless Splendour
Il faudrait bannir Palantir au Canada.
Mais le ministre de l’IA est complètement hypnotisé par les brotechs.
Mais le ministre de l’IA est complètement hypnotisé par les brotechs.
Comment l’IA aide ICE à traquer les migrants…
et pourquoi il faut s’intéresser à ce que fait Palantir au Canada.
ici.radio-canada.ca/ohdio/premie...
et pourquoi il faut s’intéresser à ce que fait Palantir au Canada.
ici.radio-canada.ca/ohdio/premie...
Les outils de Palantir utilisés par l’ICE à Minneapolis | OHdio | Radio-Canada
Écoutez l’extrait de l’émission Tout terrain : Les outils de Palantir utilisés par l’ICE à Minneapolis
ici.radio-canada.ca
February 1, 2026 at 8:56 PM
Il faudrait bannir Palantir au Canada.
Mais le ministre de l’IA est complètement hypnotisé par les brotechs.
Mais le ministre de l’IA est complètement hypnotisé par les brotechs.
Reposted by The Centre for Useless Splendour
It doesn't have to be a dog eat dog world. Animals you'd never expect to be helping one another out, do so all the time.
If you take it step further you get into Animal altruism.
Photo credit
Tofiq Rashidov
If you take it step further you get into Animal altruism.
Photo credit
Tofiq Rashidov
February 1, 2026 at 9:00 PM
It doesn't have to be a dog eat dog world. Animals you'd never expect to be helping one another out, do so all the time.
If you take it step further you get into Animal altruism.
Photo credit
Tofiq Rashidov
If you take it step further you get into Animal altruism.
Photo credit
Tofiq Rashidov
Reposted by The Centre for Useless Splendour
Reposted by The Centre for Useless Splendour
February 1, 2026 at 9:07 PM
Reposted by The Centre for Useless Splendour
www.smallripples.com/the-origins-... ☘️☘️☘️
Happy St. Brigid’s Day (Embolc)
Happy St. Brigid’s Day (Embolc)
What is Imbolc?: The Goddess Brigid, Rituals and the Return of Light - Small Ripples
January draws to a close - the days are becoming longer, the sun is getting stronger and the first flowers of spring can be seen on the still frosty ground. These are the signs that Imbolc (pronounced...
www.smallripples.com
February 1, 2026 at 9:14 PM
www.smallripples.com/the-origins-... ☘️☘️☘️
Happy St. Brigid’s Day (Embolc)
Happy St. Brigid’s Day (Embolc)
Reposted by The Centre for Useless Splendour
The evil deny the suffering of their guilt—the painful awareness of their sins, inadequacy, and imperfection. They cause suffering. The evil create for those under their dominion a miniature sick society.”
🖊️ M. Scott Peck
People of the Lie: The Hope for Healing Human Evil
#resist #fascism
🖊️ M. Scott Peck
People of the Lie: The Hope for Healing Human Evil
#resist #fascism
February 1, 2026 at 9:23 PM
Reposted by The Centre for Useless Splendour
#ImageAndVerse
Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
#February #art by #EdithHolden
Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
#February #art by #EdithHolden
February 1, 2026 at 9:23 PM
#ImageAndVerse
Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
#February #art by #EdithHolden
Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
#February #art by #EdithHolden
Reposted by The Centre for Useless Splendour
Reposted by The Centre for Useless Splendour
Peach Trees in Blossom - 1889
https://botfrens.com/collections/46/contents/14613
https://botfrens.com/collections/46/contents/14613
February 1, 2026 at 9:32 PM
Peach Trees in Blossom - 1889
https://botfrens.com/collections/46/contents/14613
https://botfrens.com/collections/46/contents/14613
Reposted by The Centre for Useless Splendour
February 1, 2026 at 9:51 PM