Scott Payne
Scott Payne has been involved in politics and political activism in some fashion for the past decade ranging from work on poverty issues, increasing accessibility to education, increasing voter participation, and promoting energy efficiency and environmental issues. Currently, Scott is largely focused on defining embodying a more vibrant sense of citizenship and civic engagement in Calgary, Alberta.
In addition to his work with Beams and Struts, Scott is a fellow with the Canadian Council for Democracy, writing at the Council's site the Commons on Canadian politics and culture. Scott also writes about political issues at The League of Ordinary Gentlemen where he is a contributor and founding member.
That Saying About Pictures and Words...
You know what they say about a picture being worth a thousand words. Well, this picture left me speechless this morning.
What If The News Went Like This...
What if you sat down for your nightly does of news and current events and saw something like this. Think you'd tune in more often?
Saturday Night Jukebox: The Crescendo
A look at the use of crescendos in music and what they might just do for us spiritually.
Watching Your Words
Why continuing to clean up some of your less than inclusive childhood slang is about more than just political correctness.
We Can Do Better: A Reflection on the Passing of Jack Layton
On August 22, 2011, Canada was gripped by the death of federal political leader Jack Layton. What does the message Layton left us mean one year later?
Everyone Likes A Guy In A Bikini
A look at the latest viral internet video and how it manages to upend some of the dominant myths of modern life.
Intelligent Doesn't Mean Nice
What does Stephen Hawking have to say about alien life?
The Oddest, Coolest, Funnest Theory You'll Read About Today
Ever wonder why your fingers and toes "wrinkle" after being in water for a while? Here's an answer that is more intellectually satisfying than, "Just 'cuz."
The Best Political Ad I've Ever Seen
Why are most political advertisements so bad and what makes for a great one?
Because the Internet Can Be About More Than Just Porn and Farmville
What is social swarming and how is it effecting our world?
What Global Warming Really Looks Like
Think the effects of climate change are something we'll feel in the future?
Nature Is Cool, That Is All - Volume 2
When was the last time you sat and just watched clouds float by?
Saturday Night Jukebox: Undead Issue, Episode 2 - Undead Can Dance
Here are some of Beams and Struts favourite picks for Undead songs.
Four Of My Favourite Movie Endings

A good ending can make or break a work of art. Here are four that blew my mind.
President Obama is Going Forward; But Forward To Where?

What story does the new Obama campaign video and slogan, "Forward", tell the country?
The Politics of Hope
Can something as simple and cliched as hope transform our politics, and thereby our world?
Why George Lucas Is My Spiritual Mother

Think that the only worthwhile thing that George Lucas ever gave us was Star Wars? Think again.
What If The Financial Sector Was Democratized?

What if the financial sector was a democratic space. Would we have had the sort of melt down that occurred in 2008?
Was the SOPA Victory What We Thought It Was?

What does the coming battle over the latest piece of US legislation to police the internet, CISPA, tell us about the SOPA victory?
Story #4

As he turned the corner, the subtle feeling of dampness against his face surprised him. Almost like waking from an elusively active slumber.
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Agreed Mary and thanks for opening the space to clarify that one point. Of course this entire endeavour was filled…
Written by Juma Wood
Sayonara Muthafuckas: 8 Perspectives on the End of Beams & Struts
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Chela, your willingness to look unflinchingly inside, and then articulate that reality in the world, inspires and amazes me. I…
Written by Karen Kristjanson
I Heart Beams and Struts: A Eulogy
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Just wanted to say: Writing actually is a verb! And as Ishmael Reed said "Writin is Fightin." A good kind…
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Sayonara Muthafuckas: 8 Perspectives on the End of Beams & Struts
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Well that was honest! Great to read these various un-cloaked perspectives. It feels refreshing to see a take on an…
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Sayonara Muthafuckas: 8 Perspectives on the End of Beams & Struts
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Well, I'm sorry that Beams is wrapping up, but excited for all of you. You've done something amazing here, make…
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Sayonara Muthafuckas: 8 Perspectives on the End of Beams & Struts
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Leah, I'm with you here- "Sometimes it takes a healthy dose of debate to decide what we need to do.…
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Sayonara Muthafuckas: 8 Perspectives on the End of Beams & Struts
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It has been enlightening to follow along on your coattails, watching the ride from the sidelines. Everything you said is…
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Sayonara Muthafuckas: 8 Perspectives on the End of Beams & Struts
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This is beautiful Chela, it brought me to tears. Thank you for all your wonderful writing on Beams and Struts!
Written by Chloe Dierkes
I Heart Beams and Struts: A Eulogy
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