Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Val Webber

AnnaHalifax @annahalifax.bsky.social · 11h

NS Health's AI apparently programmed with incorrect information. Covid's primary route of transmission is aerosol (airborne), not droplets/surfaces.

NB COVID info @nbcovidinfo.bsky.social · 18h

Asking NS’s official health AI about airborne transmission, aerosols, etc #NSPoli

Screenshot of asking NS health AI if Covid is airborne. Is Covid airborne?
Wednesday, 10:02 a.m.
0 COPY
• Nova
Wednesday, 10:02 a.m.
The primary method of COVID-19 transmission is through droplets, which quickly settle on surfaces within two meters. However, airborne precautions are used during aerosol-generating medical procedures (AGMPs) to minimize the risk of transmission. More information on AGMPs can be found here.

Screenshot of asking NS health AI about aerosol transmission. Tell me about aerosol transmission
Nova
Wednesday, 10:02 a.m.
Airborne transmission occurs when airborne particles remain suspended in the air, travel on air currents, and are inhaled by others nearby or some distance away from the source. Control of airborne transmission requires control of airflow through special ventilation systems and the use of respiratory protection.
An aerosol-generating medical procedure (AGMP)
is any procedy
production of
+ Go to bottom
aerosols of va
roplet nuclei.
Examples of AGMPs include bronchoscopy

Screenshot of asking NS health AI if breathing generates aerosols You
Wednesday, 10:03 a.m.
Does breathing generate aerosols?
•Nova
Wednesday, 10:03 a.m.
While normal breathing does produce some droplets, activities like talking, screaming, coughing, or sneezing produce larger droplets.
Labour and delivery are also not considered aerosolized events. Aerosol Generating Medical Procedures (AGMPs) are specific medical procedures that generate aerosols.

The AI claimed that breathing generates fewer aerosols than AGMPs so I tried asking for more info. How many aerosols are generated by breathing compared to an AGMP?
0 coPY
Nova
Wednesday, 10:04 a.m.
To best answer your question, could you clarify what context you're interested in? For example, are you concerned about a specific medical setting or a particular activity? #NSPoli

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Val Webber @publicpubics.bsky.social · 13h

🇨🇦's Cybersecurity bill is back! Bill C-8 is Bill C-26's twin. 👯‍♀️ Huge encryption risks, same secret orders. 🚨 Don't let #BillC8 fast track through Parliament. Speak up and tell your MP to #FixBillC8 now! 📣 openmedia.org/FixBillC8-bsky
@openmediaorg.bsky.social

Fix Bill C-8: Stop the Fast-Track of a Flawed Cybersecurity Bill

Huge encryption risks, same secret orders. 🚨 Don’t let it fast track through Parliament. Speak up and tell your MP to #FixBillC8 now! 📣 https://openmedia.org/FixBillC8

openmedia.org

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Reposted by Val Webber

Jean Ketterling @jeanketterling.bsky.social · 6d

I really enjoyed talking to Chris about the histories that shape the current deplatforming efforts affecting NSFW video games! Grateful for him taking this issue seriously. I wanted to share links to some of my colleagues’ work that I mention here:

Chris Plante @plante.bsky.social · 9d

Give me 45-minutes and I'll make you an expert on NSFW video game censorship (and the growing threat to your favorite hobby)

Why NSFW games aren't doomed (for now)

Sex games researcher Jean Ketterling puts the summer of censorship into context

postgame.substack.com

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Reposted by Val Webber

Jean Ketterling @jeanketterling.bsky.social · 6d

Thanks to everyone who came to this today. It was such a joy to be in conversation and community with these brilliant people.

Val Webber @publicpubics.bsky.social · 19d

Save the date! 🗓️
Oct 2, 12-2pm EST
💳 🎮 🍆 💻 👾 🫦

Panel on payment processors, deplatforming, and sexual censorship in games w/ @jeanketterling.bsky.social @acvalens.net @kenzitronic.bsky.social Ashley Guajardo Caroline Bem & myself - info and registration here:

irdl.info.yorku.ca/event/smc-pa...

Sex, Money, and Censorship: Battles Over the Deplatforming of Sexual Expression in Games (2025-10-02)

In July 2025, following a campaign by the Australian anti-pornography organization Collective Shout and ensuing pressure from payment processors including Mastercard, Visa, PayPal and Stripe, videogam...

irdl.info.yorku.ca

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Reposted by Val Webber

Nina Kiel @beurkeek.bsky.social · 6d

Today at 12 pm EST (6 pm CEST)!

If you'd like to listen to experts talk about the deplatforming of adult games, you can still sign up.

Val Webber @publicpubics.bsky.social · 19d

Save the date! 🗓️
Oct 2, 12-2pm EST
💳 🎮 🍆 💻 👾 🫦

Panel on payment processors, deplatforming, and sexual censorship in games w/ @jeanketterling.bsky.social @acvalens.net @kenzitronic.bsky.social Ashley Guajardo Caroline Bem & myself - info and registration here:

irdl.info.yorku.ca/event/smc-pa...

Sex, Money, and Censorship: Battles Over the Deplatforming of Sexual Expression in Games (2025-10-02)

In July 2025, following a campaign by the Australian anti-pornography organization Collective Shout and ensuing pressure from payment processors including Mastercard, Visa, PayPal and Stripe, videogam...

irdl.info.yorku.ca

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Reposted by Val Webber

Dalhousie Faculty Association @dalfaculty.bsky.social · 7d

This Friday, Oct 3, join CUPE3912 for their rally. Great chance to show solidarity for our colleagues @dalhousieu.bsky.social #KeepDalStrong

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Val Webber @publicpubics.bsky.social · 9d

📬 Link to support postal workers and fight for this vital public service:

www.cupw.ca/en/campaign/...

Take Action: Stop the Attack on Canada Post!

www.cupw.ca

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Reposted by Val Webber

Dr. Catherine Scott @cataranea.bsky.social · 13d

Canada Post “lost” 1 billion dollars last year?

How about, “it cost Canadians 1 billion dollars to have a national postal service” which works out to costing about $25 a year per person (population of Canada in 2024 = 40 million). Seems like a pretty reasonable cost to me.

Julie S. Lalonde @julieslalonde.bsky.social · 13d

"Canada Post is on track to lose money" Hum. Duh. It cost less than a toonie to send a letter across Canada.

"Canada Post is a service and not a business" was common knowledge until late stage capitalism brain rotted most people into think if it ain't making money for shareholders, it's failing.

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Reposted by Val Webber

Paris Marx @parismarx.com · 13d

It’s absolutely right that workers walk off the job in response to the government taking a chainsaw to Canada Post.

If we lose the unique national infrastructure the postal service has, it will never be rebuilt. We should be using it to expand services to the public, not nickel and diming it.

Canada Post workers walking off the job after government demands reforms | CBC News

The union representing Canada's postal workers has called for a cross-country strike in the wake of the federal government announcing major reforms to Canada Post.

www.cbc.ca

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Reposted by Val Webber

Noel Berry @noelfb.bsky.social · 13d

genuinely, who cares? public services aren't businesses. it provides services that should be accessible to the entire population. it should not be expected to make that profitable.

www.cbc.ca/news/politic...

screenshot from the article: "Canada Post is now facing an existential crisis," Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement Minister Joël Lightbound said in a statement on Thursday. "Since 2018, the corporation has accumulated more than $5 billion in losses. In 2024 alone, it lost over $1 billion, and in 2025, it is already on track to lose close to $1.5 billion."

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Reposted by Val Webber

Mike Stabile @mikestabile.bsky.social · 14d

For-profit age-verification providers are now pushing for "continuous biometric monitoring" — AI scans of your face, your voice, your behavior — while you're online to protect children.

Every session. Every website. Every keystroke. Monitored and recorded.

Why biometric AI holds the key for the UK’s Online Safety Act | The AI Journal

The next phase of the UK’s Online Safety Act, which prescribes how content platforms can serve children, has finally come into force following years of

aijourn.com

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Reposted by Val Webber

Funkit Toys @funkittoys.bsky.social · 25d

Every year i lead you further from god's light. Candy corn buttplugs have returned to haunt your timeline.

www.funkittoys.com/product-page...

three buttplugs of varied size, all colored and shaped like candy corn, in a pot of actual candy corn on a blue background.

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Reposted by Val Webber

SummerHart ❤️‍🔥 +18 @summerhart.bsky.social · 15d

@swaidcollective.bsky.social is a 100% sex worker run collective that takes all funding and redistributes it directly to community members in need. Please make a donation if you're able: SWAidVegas.org/contribute

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Reposted by Val Webber

Dr. Lucky Tran @luckytran.com · 15d

“We are told by leaders that we are the future. But when it comes to the ongoing pandemic, our present is being stolen right in front of our eyes.”

Incredible speech by Violet Affleck who warned about the ongoing dangers of COVID & Long Covid, & advocated for masks and clean air at the UN today!

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Reposted by Val Webber

Void🔞 | VGen @voiddebris.bsky.social · 18d

Do NOT believe the misinfo going around

There absolutely have been MASSIVE TOS updates

Most notably:

1) Specifying no FICTIONAL noncon
2) No "dangerous" kink
3) No DISCUSSING self harm, suicide, or substance abuse unless its "educational"

So what can we DO about it?

#SaveSpeech

1/🧵

Multiple cropped screenshots showing portions of the bsky TOS before and now. Before: "iv. Encouraging self-harm or suicide
v. Depictions of excessive violence, gore, torture, dismemberment, or non-consensual sexual activity". Now: "ii. We do not allow sexual content involving non-consensual activity including synthetic, simulated, illustrated, or animated versions. iv. Do not create, share, or promote sexual content involving realistic risk of death or serious injury. i. Do not share content, methods, instructions, or promotion of self-harm, suicide, eating disorders, and extreme dieting practices.
ii. Do not share methods, instructions, depictions, or promotion of dangerous stunts or abuse of dangerous or controlled substances. 5. Protected Expression
B. Support, Recovery, and Mental Health:
i. Personal recovery experiences or survivor stories shared to promote healing and community support rather than encouraging harmful behavior.
ii. Sharing verified mental health resources, crisis prevention".

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Val Webber @publicpubics.bsky.social · 19d

Save the date! 🗓️
Oct 2, 12-2pm EST
💳 🎮 🍆 💻 👾 🫦

Panel on payment processors, deplatforming, and sexual censorship in games w/ @jeanketterling.bsky.social @acvalens.net @kenzitronic.bsky.social Ashley Guajardo Caroline Bem & myself - info and registration here:

irdl.info.yorku.ca/event/smc-pa...

Sex, Money, and Censorship: Battles Over the Deplatforming of Sexual Expression in Games (2025-10-02)

In July 2025, following a campaign by the Australian anti-pornography organization Collective Shout and ensuing pressure from payment processors including Mastercard, Visa, PayPal and Stripe, videogam...

irdl.info.yorku.ca

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Reposted by Val Webber

calhrm.bsky.social @calhrm.bsky.social · 26d

Please share this upcoming event! #cleanair #covidisnotover #covidisairborne

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Val Webber @publicpubics.bsky.social · 26d

🚨Job!
Center for Intimacy Justice is hiring an Executive Director of Digital Suppression/Women’s Rights.
www.intimacyjustice.org/careers
This is the group behind a great report on the discriminatory sexual health ad practices of major tech platforms:
www.intimacyjustice.org/report2025

Careers | Center for Intimacy Justice — Intimacy Justice

www.intimacyjustice.org

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Reposted by Val Webber

Mike Stabile @mikestabile.bsky.social · 28d

Starting later this month, companies like X, Discord and Netflix will be legally required to use a face scan or other method to verify Ohioans age and/or identity before allowing them to go online

They passed it by claiming it was just about porn.

Ohio's porn ID, age verification law takes effect soon. What to know about the change

Starting Sept. 30, pornography websites will be required to verify the ages of their customers under a new Ohio law. Here's how sites will verify age.

www.cantonrep.com

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Reposted by Val Webber

Ryan Estrada @ryanestrada.com · Sep 6

If you do find your name, go here to file to get your money!

www.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com

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Reposted by Val Webber

Jay Hulme @jayhulmepoet.bsky.social · Sep 6

Check, then go to the original thread and use the link in the next post to cause OpenAI PROBLEMS.

Ryan Estrada @ryanestrada.com · Sep 6

Just a reminder to check for your name in this list of books that OpenAI trained from. If your name is there, they probably owe you several thousand dollars.

OpenAI cried that if everyone eligible author files, the company will go bankrupt, so I'm alerting every author I have ever spoken to.

Search LibGen, the Pirated-Books Database That Meta Used to Train AI

Millions of books and scientific papers are captured in the collection’s current iteration.

www.theatlantic.com

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Reposted by Val Webber

Ana Valens | 🔞 | Announcements Only @acvalens.net · Sep 6

Australians, spread this petition far and wide. Demands Parliament “open anti-trust investigations and penalize the unregulated monopoly of a key part of everyday infrastructure,” as “payment processors are not there to regulate what legal content people consume.”

www.aph.gov.au/e-petitions/...

Petition EN7799 - Stop VISA and
MASTERCARD from dictating access to Legal Content.
Petition Status
The petition is currently open for signatures
OPEN
CLOSED
一雪一〇
PRESENTED RESPONDED
Petition Reason
VISA and MASTERCARD control the payment processor market, in a monopoly, that is not regulated in the least. These companies openly dictate access to services, sales, or operations, of legal items, or legal businesses, based on their own political views. Credit Card Processors should only be there to process legal transactions, and not dictate what someone spends their money on. VISA and MASTERCARD are so big and control a market that can be equated to a utility. There are no alternatives widely available in the market, despite these companies acting as a key part of all payment infrastructure. just like water companies or electricity providers are regulated to prevent them from stopping service based on arbitrary views,
VISA and MASTERCARD should be held to the same standard.

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Reposted by Val Webber

Ana Valens | 🔞 | Announcements Only @acvalens.net · Sep 3

ICYMI: This is one petition Canadians do NOT want to miss. This is not your average Change-dot-org petition. This is the kind that could lead to serious changes against paypro censorship

www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en...

Petition details
Petition to the House of Commons
Whereas:

Mastercard, Visa, and other payment platforms have been leveraging their power over consumer ability to purchase legal content;
In 2021, Mastercard changed its policies to regulate adult entertainment by preventing the use of its payment platform on numerous adult entertainment sites;
As of July 2025, video game distribution service Steam now cites rule 15, that “adult only” content is not permitted on the platform if it goes against payment processor’s policies. Steam does not describe what content is defined as “adult only”;
As of July 2025, video game distribution website Itch.io has “deindexed” all adult NSFW content from browse and search pages. Users that previously purchased legitimate video games cannot access games that have been removed; and
This has set an unsettling precedent of corporate censorship, causing concern in video game development teams, including developers, voice actors, and artists in other creative fields as their livelihoods are in limbo.

We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to
1. Stop financial discrimination by payment platforms against legal goods and services;
2. Ensure transparency to consumers about content restrictions and the rationale behind them; and
3. Protect creators' rights to make legal adult content and ensure a fair appeals process for any penalized media.

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Reposted by Val Webber

Gumby Screens @gumbyscreens.bsky.social · Sep 4

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Alex Steed @alexsteed.bsky.social · Sep 3

Please join us tomorrow!

www.corntelethon.com

@siridahl.com

Siri Dahl and friends present:
Corn Telethon

A 12 hour live-streamed variety show and fundraiser for SWOP LA and SWAID

Featuring your favorite comedians, musicians, authors, journalists, performers, models and more.

September 4th
Noon to 11:59 Eastern
9a to 9p Pacific

Donation info and Twitch and YouTube stream links available at corntelethon dot com

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