Yeah, it looks like the goal here is to get the thing set up to provide an option for other nations to pour resources into.

At this rate, we’re likely to outlive Star Trek itself!

I think it’s practically a necessity at this point. I’m not in the camp of “Doctor Who should have a shoestring budget,” but it could probably contract to at least the equivalent of what it was during the Chibnall era.

The sky has always been falling, and will continue to fall forevermore.

I think in the case of the Manitoba storms the other night, the correct level was being used - there were legitimate funnel clouds being produced - but the coverage area was way too large.

I got 5 or 6 top level “tornado in your area” alerts - not from Environment Canada, mind you, but from the government emergency alert system - but the actual at-risk areas were up to 30 km away.

It was worth a shot (from the perspective of an evil, soul-sucking corporation) - had it gone their way, it would have been one hell of a legal precedent.

Radio Times has more info on the tender process, and what it means in this context.

Tenders are usually issued by large companies or public bodies like local authorities, and the chosen bidder gets paid to provide a specific service like recruitment or security for them.

…

BBC programmes have gone out for tender before, lots of times; it just means that other production companies have a chance to take a crack at it and bring new voices to the table. It’s something they are required to do by the BBC Charter. This is also not the same thing as trying to find a streaming partner for the show.

According to the statement, the BBC will announce details of their tender process “in due course”. When it’s ready it will go live on their dedicated tendering site, the BBC eSourcing Portal.

…

A typical tender process starts with a tender eligibility form (TEF) so they can shortlist financially stable companies who have at least half a chance of getting something done. A full tender invitation comes to those who pass the TEF and they must sign an NDA.

Production companies will answer a series of questions like mini essays, where the question tells you exactly what they want to hear. Once the tender is submitted (usually about a month after it opens), the assessment takes between 1-3 months. The BBC will invite presentations or pitches from shortlisted bidders once the assessment ends. For a huge show like this, only a few big companies will be in the running.

Once the decision is made, all bidders are told and the standstill period begins. This is 8-10 working days and lets bidders challenge the decision if they feel it was wrong. If there are no issues, the contract can go ahead on the agreed date, and we’ll get an announcement.

It’s important to note that the BBC aren’t selling the show as part of this process. The broadcaster confirmed: “The BBC retains all IP in Doctor Who. BBC Studios will continue to lead the global distribution of Doctor Who as well as licensing, consumer products, digital and immersive experiences on behalf of the BBC.”

As Canadian businesses rush to adopt artificial intelligence tools, they face a growing risk of customer backlash — even legal action — if those tools make mistakes.

Canadian law has already established that companies can be held liable if AI chatbots dole out bad information. In a 2024 case, Air Canada was forced to honour a fare rebate after its chatbot provided a passenger with incorrect advice about bereavement fares.

The airline argued before the British Columbia Civil Resolution Tribunal that the chatbot was “a separate legal entity that is responsible for its own actions.” But the tribunal disagreed, stating that Air Canada was ultimately responsible.

“Just like an employee may do something wrong and the company’s held responsible, a bot is just like an employee,” said Tanya Walker, a litigation lawyer with Walker Law in Toronto.

“I don’t think companies really realize the magnitude and the power that a bot can have,” she said. “It can enter into a contract on your behalf.”

Amusingly(?), if we were to bring back the Retrospective Discussions, “New Earth” would be the second episode up.

Today is day 1,568 of Putin’s 10-day “special military operation” in Ukraine.

Well, that’s why I said “on its own” - the rest of the bill is extremely vulnerable to criticism.

The more I think about it, the more it’s clear that the intent here isn’t to prevent kids from using social media - it’s about forcing the social media companies to implement “adequate safeguards.”

There’s an exception available for them if they do, and a surprisingly hefty fine for violations.

That’s a good question. The bill itself is pretty vague so far:

Obligation 27 (1) Subject to section 29, an operator must, with respect to every regulated social media service specified by regulations made by the Governor in Council under subsection (5) that it operates, implement adequate age-verification or age-estimation measures designed to prevent a person under the age of 16 from being able to have an account with, or be otherwise registered with, the service.

Adequacy of measures

(2) In order to determine whether the measures implemented under subsection (1) are adequate, the Commission must be satisfied that the measures

(a) are effective;

(b) do not involve the collection or use of personal information other than for age-verification or age-estimation purposes;

© provide for the destruction of personal information that is collected for age-verification or age-estimation purposes once the verification or estimation is completed;

(d) provide for the protection of personal information that is collected for age-verification or age-estimation purposes until that information is destroyed; and

(e) comply with any other requirement specified in the regulations.

On its own, that’s not a very strong argument - underage people can still get their hands on alcohol, but the sale of it is still restricted.

The Liberal bill would force social media services — defined as traditional social media platforms, live-streaming services and adult content services focused on user-shared content — to restrict accounts for children under 16 years old.

However, services could seek an exemption if they implement what officials briefing reporters called adequate safeguards to protect children. The exemption wouldn’t apply to adult content services.

AI chatbots will need measures to respond when a user expresses ideas of suicide or self harm or an intention to commit an act that could cause death or serious bodily harm to an individual, said officials. The bill would not require the companies behind the chatbots to report those interactions to police.

According to the bill, the maximum penalty for a violation would be either $10 million or three per cent of the company’s gross global revenue — whichever is greater. Companies could face multiple penalties for repeated violations.

Full text of the bill here

Yeah, I could probably go on for hours with my various, sometimes contradictory, thoughts about the state of affairs.

And hell, I probably will at some point, because what else are we going to do around here for the foreseeable future?

For now, I’ll just say that for better or worse, I think RTD picked up where he left off with this era, and made pretty much the same show he did back in '05.

But the '05 audience has changed since then, and this era didn’t seem to attract a new generation of fans (at least, not in sufficient numbers).

I can’t get behind the “killed Who” sentiment, given the massive popularity that started with his first run, but he certainly has…certain tendencies that I’m not a big fan of, especially when it comes to finales.

Yup, that’s pretty definitive.

Now I’m as excited as anyone to see what comes next! Will they keep the theme tune? Will they lose the blue box? Will they bring back the Drahvin?! It’s all up for grabs, which is so Doctor Who, exciting and unpredictable and new! Here comes the future, vworp vworp

It’s a shame it had to end this way, but I think a fresh person at the helm will be a good thing. And as much as I like Steven Moffat, I really hope they can find someone new.

This is probably the right move - best to have a clear path forward rather than a random vistigial holiday special that’s disconnected from everything else.

But good grief, what an absolute shitshow.