A good piece has been posted Sunday on Radio‑Canada by Jeff Yates analyzing the notorious Hatfield manifesto as based on hatred of women, and how misogyny becomes the driver of violence.
What Yates describes was an attitude that was beginning to manifest in corners of the internet years ago. I remember debating with an incipient angry incel on Usenet, who took the same position Hatfield takes: women can pick and choose, and men are at their mercy.
Go out on a summer day and look at family groups and couples. Plenty of men who aren’t Herculean “alpha males” have been able to attract a female partner, and in many cases procreate with her – it’s a simple fact. This observation wouldn’t make any impression on the Hatfields of this world, though – and this is something most male analysts don’t see – because of what an incel means by women.
They do not mean average women. In their mind, the women in their argument are fantasy constructs – actresses, models, porn performers, women born beautiful and whose looks are heightened with surgery, cosmetic skill and Photoshop. Yes, women of exceptional looks can take their pick of men. But these are the only women an incel actually desires. He doesn’t even see the rest of us – he isn’t conscious he’s excluding the vast majority of women. He’s just angry that he, an average‑looking non‑wealthy man, wouldn’t have a chance with a gorgeous six‑foot Amazon with amazing tits. It’s so unfair!
I don’t know where this gets us, but it’s an angle I don’t see acknowledged much.
Nicholas 02:16 on 2026-07-01 Permalink
I saw a city post on social media about how decorative fountains were out but the other things you mention are health/quality of life, so they stay on. I believe it was a short form video on a borough page, but can’t find it.
Joey 12:23 on 2026-07-01 Permalink
I’m pretty sure I saw a post from one of the boroughs saying that the pools had already been filled prior to the water main break.
DavidH 12:57 on 2026-07-01 Permalink
I haven’t seen any misting stations around town so far. Even the ones in front of Complexe Desjardins were not installed. Then we had 6 people evacuated during the big show at the Jazz Fest, some of them because of the heat. I think they are worth the risk. Saw big crowds on Mont-Royal avenue. They usually have misting stations as well, anyone know what was decided there?
CE 16:47 on 2026-07-01 Permalink
I saw one in Parc La Fontaine the other day although that’s a part of town not affected by the water main and not subject to water saving measures.
Joey 13:49 on 2026-07-02 Permalink
There are misting stations in Parc Jeanne-Mance – they are currently set to a level considerably less powerful than what you imagine the lowest possible strength could be. Still refreshing though! The renovated wading pool is apparently complete but won’t be open for a few weeks because that’s our city.
GC 07:46 on 2026-07-03 Permalink
There was at least one misting station at Jazz Fest, on Ste-Catherine, as well. (I assume there were probably others, but that’s the only one I noticed.)