Technolandy

Day 182 (of 2025/26) Three news stories I found curious: MAID delay further stigmatizes incisively illness; social media ban vs freedoms; Fathers Day & #MensMentalHealthMonth ; bonus #fathersday poem

1. Dogs – mental illness to be excluded from MAID (Canada’s admittedly controversial to many Medial Assistance In Dying) replicating the bias of many that if the ailment is not visible (via cast… wheelchair… etc) then it’s probably not as severe as the patient claims… https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/maid-mental-disorder-committee-report-government-9.7238589  It’s hard enough to get medial diagnosis and support (and recognition) for neurological issues as it is… now because it’s not visible… once again, sufferers become invisible.
2. Canada pushing towards social media bans for under-16 year olds; but getting pushback around our charter of rights and freedoms… as I’ll continue to tweak: if only there were a place where youth gathered and could learn and practice how to use this emergent media rather than have it hidden and banned because magically a birthday will = a/effective use. https://globalnews.ca/news/11900484/social-media-online-harms-age-restriction-enforcement-questions/  Civil liberties advocates, students, and parent groups argue that a blanket ban limits freedom of expression, deprives marginalized youth of safe online support networks, and does not solve the root issues. I’m a fan of better algorithm practices, and even some strategies such as Apple’s new share that upcoming iOS will allow parent to be alerted to ‘new’ websites and apps that kids are accessing… but again, all this does is create new strategies to work around and gain access to what must be amazing content if the old people don’t want youth to view it…
   Where are the ‘third spaces’ (home * work/school * communal social) that youth are going to be able to go to find their people? Great share on this thought: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSQGonHCC/
3. Father figures are on peoples minds https://fox56news.com/news/local/lexington/fayette-county-schools-highlights-male-role-models-at-all-pro-dads-day/ and June is busy – and mens mental health month is one of the many titles it wears… and it’s not just about physical health for men: https://www.muscleandfitness.com/features/feature-news/mens-health-awareness-month-2026-why-mens-health-month-is-about-more-than-fitness/

Bonus poem:

Father’s Day – Sunday June 21

Here’s to the dads..
The birth dads.
The step dads.
The dads who adopt, formally or otherwise.
The fathers-in-law.
The brothers who stepped in.

The uncles who step up.
The best friends and old friends who check in.
The ones that crack the puns – intentionally and otherwise…
The relatives and the unrelated.
The teachers who get accidentally called “Dad” and quietly wear it like a badge of honour.
And yes, the moms and sisters and aunties too.

Here’s to all of you who do the work traditionally called that of “dad.”

The ones who show up.

Again and again.

The ones who listen, encourage, protect, advocate, teach, and learn.

Who offer a hand when needed and a nudge when necessary.

Give an extra twenty to fill the tank (as long as you check the oil)

Who make room for mistakes, growth, and second chances.

Who love without requiring a title, a bloodline, or recognition.

Today is for the people who are father figures.

The world turns a little steadier because of you.