Ben Waldman 🇨🇦

The Authoritarian Stack How Tech Billionaires Are Building a Post-Democratic America — And Why Europe Is Next

Maybe the most important site on the internet RN. Everyone should read this given the major tech decisions that are being made both in the EU and Canada.

This is why we have to make wise choices and choose true digital sovereignty over the same old tech in disguise.

authoritarian-stack.info

Hear from Jennifer, our COO, about crying through Come From Away (as you do), finding kinship in Canada and why she joined the Gander team.

#GetToKnowGander #HinterlandWhosWho

Thanks for the share James! And for the article, of course.

Canada is building its own social network - The Logic Gander Social aims to be a social network where users, not algorithms, set the tone—and where content moderation is based on Canadian laws.

Nice way to wake up today. Thanks @nadrescher.bsky.social @thelogic.co for the article.

It’s paywalled (but free with a trial). Happy to answer questions.

Thanks @bmann.ca @blaine.bsky.social @walkah.social @bad-example.com for the support!

thelogic.co/news/gander-...

Crazy week(s), but things are really coming together for Gander. We’re on our way to releasing a high-level, digestible roadmap (more depth to come), along with team bios and more. @bmann.ca has been a HUGE help. Can’t thank him enough.

Our plan right now is that early users will authenticate through Bluesky and access the broader network, but we’ll be layering in our own feed algorithm to surface Canadian content. Over time, we’ll grow to a fully independent feed powered by our Gander’s own PDS.

Super interesting. Checking it out. Thanks for the links!

Gander: The Social Media You Want, Built for Canada Fun, private, and ethical. We're changing the way social media is done around here, all without your data taking an unexpected trip south.

They said “Don’t read the comments.” I said “Hold my maple syrup” — and started building a platform where you actually can. 🇨🇦

I’m proud to finally share Gander — built on Bluesky's AT Protocol to deliver a new kind of social for Canadians.

✈️ Early Access open now → gandersocial.ca

PP can just log in to Signal. No need for security clearance at all.

Yeah I’ve seen some serious sketchiness that grocery stores are getting up to. Particularly Walmart, it seems.

Do you want a European Movement Canada? Do you want to have a stake in strengthening Canada-EU relations? In the face of Trump's increasing isolationism and tariffs on allies, protecting our shared values is paramount. Sign up here to get...

portal.europeanmovement.eu/european_mov...

Yeah. That tracks.

e.wired.com/story/trump-...

Seems like an appropriate time for new music from Consolidated.

Just heard about a petition to revoke Elon Musk’s Canadian Citizenship. I’ll just leave this here.

www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en...

Real question: does X have a place in Canada? Do we as a country believe that a platform run for hate and misinformation have a place here?

Trying to understand the “Great Again” part of MAGA. When was this period that that people are so fond of when America was broken down by an Oligarchy while it attacked its citizens and allies?

Has anybody else noticed Claude AI responding with the same confidence as a mediocre white man?

Interesting! I’ve not seen that one. I’ve seen Product of Canada… specifically on Unico (though it may have been lentils, which apparently Canada grows a lot of). Looking it up now it seems Prepared in Canada really just means “the final bits were done here.”

Or that there will be any voting at all anymore.

I’ve been wondering as well. And where are the celebrities? Where are the Woody Harrelson, Matt Damon, and Cardi B videos? Am I just not following? Things seem silent from Hollywood as well.

Seen and listening!

It sure SEEMS like we’re more unified, but I feel like you’d get a very different answer on X.

I’m starting to wonder if just ignoring the bully as he blusters wouldn’t be a more effective resistance tactic. Let him tariff our goods, make his own country pay that price, and put our energies into building better relationships elsewhere. I’m not sure there’s any coming back from this shit.

Not an expert, but from what I’ve seen, you’re looking for “Product of Canada” when you shop, which is 98% Canadian. “Made in Canada” just means that it’s 51% Canadian.

Zuckerberg has shown us who he really is. Believe him I helped create one of Facebook’s diversity programs. Now I think users should boycott the company.

"To me it’s clear the company’s ethos has changed from those days of open innovation."

Reminiscing about a time when things were more fergalicious.

Ending The Vote Split. One Riding At A Time SmartVoting.ca is a one stop tool voters in Canada can use to see who is the best party to vote for in their riding to prevent a Conservative win.

Psst. I made a thing.

Tired of the vote split in Ontario and all of Canada? Let’s change that.

Announcing www.smartvoting.ca! A one stop tool for you too see your riding and who to vote for to make it not Conservative anymore.

Updated daily! Follow us at @smartvoting.ca as well.

Ending The Vote Split. One Riding At A Time SmartVoting.ca is a one stop tool voters in Canada can use to see who is the best party to vote for in their riding to prevent a Conservative win.

Help prevent vote splitting in Ontario, and with any luck prevent a conservative win. smartvoting.ca

Skiff - Private, encrypted, secure email - 10 GB free Skiff Mail privacy-first, end-to-end encrypted product home, with Mail, Calendar, Pages, and Drive overview.

Interesting. Came across something called Skiff.com that was acquired by Notion. My poor brain has a hard time with Notion, but it may be a viable option for office tools if they’re taking security and privacy seriously. More research needed.