Would banning social media be such a bad thing for society?

Would banning social media be such a bad thing for society?

We live in a hyper-connected world, a world seemingly glued to our screens, endlessly scrolling through the curated realities presented by social media. It’s become so ingrained in our daily lives that the mere suggestion of its absence might be met with outrage and cries of censorship. But I ask you, have we truly considered the potential benefits of a society unshackled from the grip of these platforms? Would outlawing social media, as radical as it sounds, really be a bad thing?

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Paddle, paddle -- harder, HARDER!

Paddle, paddle -- harder, HARDER!

This summer, I decided it was time to experience Canada's Bay of Fundy, not from a lookout point, but from its very surface in Nova Scotia, nestled within a kayak.

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You actually lose the argument when you do this

You actually lose the argument when you do this

I’ve been a silent observer (and occasionally, a bewildered participant) in a particular brand of human interaction that honestly, just tickles my funny bone. I’m talking about the high-drama, low-effort tactics people employ when they want to end an argument, or rather, declare an argument over, usually with themselves as the undisputed victor.

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Rich, creamy Buff'ed soup

Rich, creamy Buff'ed soup

Two things you don't normally combine: coffee and soup... until now! Really. Don't give me that look.

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There's a hot party in my mouth! (but not too hot)

There's a hot party in my mouth! (but not too hot)

Yeah, yeah, I should probably leave the food commentary to our resident chef, Ben. But I'm taking a break from reviewing the usual fitness, tech and lifestyle products for something that made my mouth really happy. Like, really happy!

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'He can't,' 'he can't,' 'he can't,' but... he does. So...

'He can't,' 'he can't,' 'he can't,' but... he does. So...

Lately, I've had this nagging thought, this ever-present question bubbling beneath the surface of every news report and political commentary I consume. It’s a thought that, frankly, leaves me more confused than ever about how our government actually works, and I suspect I’m not alone.

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My partner is too vocal about politics

My partner is too vocal about politics

My partner never had an interest in politics or protests. Lately he's been jumping into online fights with people on social media. He seems to get a kick out of riling people up but it's bringing out a new side of him that I don't like. How do I tell him to lay low and stop being a shit disturber?

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Do phones make good parents?

Do phones make good parents?

I'm struck by a disturbing trend. It seems like everywhere I look, parents are relying more and more on phones and technology to teach, entertain and even soothe their kids.

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Buff'ed coffee smoothie

Buff'ed coffee smoothie

It's no secret that we're kinda health nuts here on Team Buff. Sure, we enjoy some boozy-boozy drinky-drinks but we also spend more hours in the gym than we do slamming the hard stuff. (Leave your filthy mind out of this.)

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A whiff for a woof

A whiff for a woof

It's widely known that there are two dogs at Buff Loft. While the golden retriever and husky live mostly with their parents across the building and far away from us, they spend a lot of time with our group throughout the day -- especially when the dog parents are out of town. (And they travel a lot!)

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Is it wrong to catfish my partner to test loyalty?

Is it wrong to catfish my partner to test loyalty?

Lately I've been catfishing my partner to test his loyalty. I don't suspect that he's a cheater but I want to see how he'll react when his loyalty is tested. He responds with flirty messages but nothing that crosses the line. Should I push it further to see how he responds?

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A journey through time on the Canadian prairies

A journey through time on the Canadian prairies

There's a lot to see at Manitoba Museum which, I'll be honest, is surprising because the building in downtown Winnipeg almost looks like an office space. From the outside, you'd have no idea inside is an amazing collection of history from the Canadian prairies.

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So many companies waste their money doing this

So many companies waste their money doing this

I’ve had an epiphany recently, a moment of clarity that connects two seemingly disparate observations: the astronomical rise in digital ad revenue for giants like YouTube, Facebook and Instagram, and the bafflingly irrelevant ads that pollute my own feeds. And honestly, it boils down to something both simple and infuriating: a significant chunk of these platforms’ burgeoning wealth comes from advertisers who are, quite frankly, throwing away their money.

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Roast with the most: coffee and gravy!

Roast with the most: coffee and gravy!

When you're looking for a hearty meal, this is the real deal. A pot roast with gravy takes you back to childhood. It does for me, anyway. Playing outside those cold winter afternoons and coming in to the smell of mom making a roast. I'm getting hungry already.

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Goodbye grime, hello shine

Goodbye grime, hello shine

Let's be real: cleaning water bottles is the worst. You try to jam a sponge in there, you swirl it around (maybe you find a long wooden spoon whose handle you slide in to guide the sponge), and you're still left wondering if you really got all that gunk out -- which you didn't.

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I'll admit it: I've become a word nerd

I'll admit it: I've become a word nerd

For most of my adult life, my relationship with spelling and grammar could best be described as... estranged. Or perhaps, more accurately, non-existent. I was the kind of person who saw a misplaced apostrophe and thought, "Eh, you get the gist." A comma splice? "It adds character!" And don't even get me started on 'their,' 'there,' and 'they're' – a linguistic Bermuda Triangle that I happily navigated with blissful ignorance.

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I don't like my partner's BFF... or any of his friends, really

I don't like my partner's BFF... or any of his friends, really

I'm in a new relationship and I'm just starting to meet my partner's friends. I can't stand a lot of them and we just don't click. It's not affecting the relationship (yet) but I have no interest in hanging around them. Will this be a problem in the future?

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Get wet, wild and dirty on this ride

Get wet, wild and dirty on this ride

Nova Scotia, a land of craggy coastlines, charming fishing villages and vibrant maritime history, holds a secret that beckoned to my adventurous spirit: the tidal bore. (No, it's not some wild animal. But it is definitely wild.)

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He seriously did THAT to get on the plane?

He seriously did THAT to get on the plane?

Buff Boy Collin thinks his dimples and botox'ed face can get him out of any sort of trouble he might find himself in. Whether it's a speeding ticket or "accidentally" not paying for a chocolate bar at the store and having an employee stop him as he heads for the door (maybe that's for another gossip column), Collin feels he's untouchable. (And knowing his dating life, he mostly touches himself. Am I already getting sidetracked before I even start this story? Focus.)

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