SmartVoting isn’t simply data, however. They have a “proprietary algorithm” that they refuse to share.

Not only that, but if the true goal of the site is strategic voting to keep Conservatives out of office, then you’d think that in a tied race between an NDP and Liberal candidate, with the Cons a distant third, there wouldn’t be a strategic vote recommendation at all.

And yet, in a riding in that exact situation, with a NDP incumbent tied with a Liberal candidate yet to be named, it was recommending people vote for the Liberal up until a day or two ago (Hamilton Centre, Matthew Green’s riding).

Then you start digging a little deeper and realize that the SmartVoting site is mostly (but not entirely - they have their secret algorithm!) based on the projections from 338. Which are reasonably accurate overall. However, in the recent Ontario election they under-projected the NDP’s seat count significantly, projecting 16 seats, whereas they actually ended up winning 27.

I’m not a statistician, but that seems like a remarkable jump. If I had to guess, it’s that 338’s model is not capturing something about the NDP or their voter base, whether that’s the party’s ground game, incumbency, or some other hard-to-quantify aspect.

So I mean, if it were just data then sure, don’t shoot the messenger! But the problem is more that the modeling and recommendations seem like they have real flaws, probably unintentional, but flaws nonetheless. And projections and recommendations can and will influence voter behaviour.

Hey just FYI when you type in alternating lowercase & capitals it makes it impossible for blind or sight-impaired people using screenreaders to understand you

This is an interesting comment, because on the one hand, you’re saying that Carney’s plan is not likely to be very effective, but on the other hand you’re saying he sounds smart and that’s reassuring.

To me that sounds like the definition of an emotional response … no?

“Independent media should be allowed on the precinct, there’s no reason why it should be a small cabal of government approved mouthpieces,” Poilievre said.

Hmm ok yeah that’s a fair point I guess

“I would love to see a scenario where every different kind of journalist from all backgrounds, of all opinions, is given a chance to report on what happens on the hill.”

Interesting, sure, go on

Poilievre’s spokesperson, Sebastian Skamski, did not respond to multiple requests from PressProgress seeking clarification …

Ahhhhhh there it is

Yeah out of many changes that distorted or outright altered meaning, one of the worst bits was that the second version eliminated the crucial first few words - which acknowledged the original post and therefore set a particular tone.

Communication is way more complex than statistical relationships between words, and I sincerely doubt that any of these systems will ever be able to fully mimic that complexity

After having recently restored some stuff from an aging external hdd, i’m seriously considering getting a few dvdr discs and burning the important things every now and then.

I know they don’t last forever either, but - just as a random example that has definitely never happened to me hahaha - you can drop them from a height of 3 feet and still get files off them!

Did no one in the replies happen to notice that this is a loan

What’s strange about defending people’s freedom to be themselves?

Why not do both?

What’s the problem with drag queens reading to kids, exactly?