Ai-Men Lau εŠ‰ηΎΏι›―'s Avatar

Ai-Men Lau εŠ‰ηΎΏι›―

@aimenlau.bsky.social

πŸ‡­πŸ‡°πŸ‡²πŸ‡ΎπŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦ | Information Operations and Transnational Repression Research | formerly at Alliance Canada Hong Kong and Doublethink Lab | she/elle | views are my fault

2,301 Followers  |  449 Following  |  613 Posts  |  Joined: 01.05.2023
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Posts by Ai-Men Lau εŠ‰ηΎΏι›― (@aimenlau.bsky.social)

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Is Ian Still In There? People in a vegetative state may be far more conscious than was once thought.

Eve Baer never stopped believing that her son, unresponsive for decades after a severe brain injury, was still there. Eventually, science proved her right, @sarahzhang.bsky.social reported. This story is a finalist for a National Magazine Award for Feature Writing:

27.02.2026 01:30 β€” πŸ‘ 212    πŸ” 33    πŸ’¬ 4    πŸ“Œ 3
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Alberta immigration trends and Danielle Smith's rhetoric: a visual timeline.

23.02.2026 17:55 β€” πŸ‘ 274    πŸ” 164    πŸ’¬ 20    πŸ“Œ 12
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OpenAI: Chinese agent used ChatGPT for smear ops : Note to secret agents: ChatGPT is NOT a private diary

Transnational repression for the AI age: www.theregister.com/2026/02/25/c...

26.02.2026 13:52 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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My next job I want is to crochet these cute red beanies for Japanese statues

26.02.2026 10:51 β€” πŸ‘ 14    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Seven NGOs brought together disadvantaged groups and low-income families to watch a livestream of the 2026 budget in Mong Kok on Wednesday. Around 30 residents participated.

25.02.2026 04:14 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

I’m sorry, I can’t get over this. How is your first response coming right out of the Olympics β€˜our team sucked because those losers aren’t actually really Chinese’

25.02.2026 04:57 β€” πŸ‘ 211    πŸ” 30    πŸ’¬ 8    πŸ“Œ 3
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Temple of boom! Why Taiwan’s religious sites are becoming unlikely rave venues Dance culture faces barriers in Taiwan, with frequent raids on nightclubs. But Temple Meltdown is trying a different tack, with sound systems overseen by gods

"This is our religion, and this is our culture,” Tsai says, β€œso doing this music event, in front of the temple, is very close to our lives. I love it.”

www.theguardian.com/music/2026/f...

25.02.2026 03:27 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 6    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

I am genuinely curious whether such tours work as intended, given how many protesters and activists did what they did knowing it would mean jail, or were outright willing to die for a democratic HK

24.02.2026 06:31 β€” πŸ‘ 11    πŸ” 8    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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British woman who reported rape in Hong Kong 'could face prison' Isabel Rose, 25, was arrested hours after she reported being raped to Hong Kong police.

This is so fucked up

24.02.2026 10:25 β€” πŸ‘ 18    πŸ” 6    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 3

At the risk of moving into the discourse a 2nd time today, the fact that a lot of Americans in the replies see this as a bit of fun trash talk between rivals kind of illustrates the extent to which maybe a lot of Americans aren't reading the room in how they are viewed internationally at this point

23.02.2026 02:36 β€” πŸ‘ 492    πŸ” 88    πŸ’¬ 16    πŸ“Œ 8

in the wise words of Demi Lovato

21.02.2026 21:46 β€” πŸ‘ 1817    πŸ” 199    πŸ’¬ 20    πŸ“Œ 2

To add another smaller thing, I’m kinda curious about how beauty standards in China react to Alysa’s unconventional appearance (which I absolutely adore). I remember all the fawning over Eileen’s looks that left me a bit perturbed

22.02.2026 04:20 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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On pins and needles: Why Olympians pass the time knitting A number of Olympic athletes have turned to knitting during the heat of the Games, including Ben Ogden, who this week became the most decorated American male Olympic cross-country skier.

A number of Olympic athletes have turned to knitting during the heat of the Games, including Ben Ogden, who this week became the most decorated American male Olympic cross-country skier.

21.02.2026 20:34 β€” πŸ‘ 209    πŸ” 26    πŸ’¬ 4    πŸ“Œ 7
Four members of a Canadian men’s curling team celebrate on the ice, smiling and hugging in a tight group. They wear white jerseys with red maple leaf crests and β€œCANADA” on the chest, black pants with red accents, and hold red curling brooms. One player faces the camera with a beard and a wide grin; another has β€œKEN” visible on the back of his jersey. A yellow handle is visible at one player’s waist. Behind them are blue rink boards, a digital scoreboard, and seated officials in the stands. The scene is brightly lit inside an arena.

Four members of a Canadian men’s curling team celebrate on the ice, smiling and hugging in a tight group. They wear white jerseys with red maple leaf crests and β€œCANADA” on the chest, black pants with red accents, and hold red curling brooms. One player faces the camera with a beard and a wide grin; another has β€œKEN” visible on the back of his jersey. A yellow handle is visible at one player’s waist. Behind them are blue rink boards, a digital scoreboard, and seated officials in the stands. The scene is brightly lit inside an arena.

Canada has won gold in Men's Curling at the Winter Olympics!
From 1998 to 2022, Canada has won three gold, two silvers and a bronze.
The only time Canada has not medaled in men's curling was in 2018 when we finished fourth.

21.02.2026 20:50 β€” πŸ‘ 129    πŸ” 20    πŸ’¬ 5    πŸ“Œ 6
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The tragic war in Ukraine has become tragically normal Four years after Russia began its full-scale invasion, the rest of the world is distracted by other news – but the conflict is more violent and devastating than ever

Please do read the Globe and Mail's Mark MacKinnon's @markmackinnon.bsky.social powerful and absolutely clear-sighted essay on 4 years of war in Ukraine (free link).
www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/46e1a3e...

21.02.2026 23:53 β€” πŸ‘ 16    πŸ” 10    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 2

as someone who had to work with my own parent to see how them living vicariously through me was detrimental to me, I feel this so hard

It took me too long to realize, understand and forgive why they did that. So Arthur’s understanding of Alysa’s wish to be independent was healing to read

22.02.2026 02:30 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Very briefly, why I think it's important for Arthur Liu to (reluctantly) embrace being a role model for other Asian fathers who want their kids to succeed but neglect their well-being, something that Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan delivered in spades during their Oscars-winning performances in EEAAO:

22.02.2026 01:29 β€” πŸ‘ 77    πŸ” 7    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 0

I don’t love the headline, but I love this piece. I appreciated how willing Arthur is to be vulnerable about the struggles of single parenthood (especially as a father!) and the realization to let your children be independent

22.02.2026 02:23 β€” πŸ‘ 24    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
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this was my spookiest thing I experienced

22.02.2026 02:11 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Sesame Hotel (θŠιΊ»ε€§ι…’εΊ—) β€” Josh Ellis Photography Its been said that I'm a bit slow with some of the photos I post. Sometimes it takes months for me actually get around to blogging about something or sharing photos with people. While I’m out shooting...

Some interesting history and tidbits of the hotel (θŠιΊ»ε€§ι…’εΊ—). I was pretty shocked to learn the hotel only closed in 2008. Taiwan’s humidity is unforgiving and the hotel looked far more dilapidated than I expected.

22.02.2026 02:11 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Not sure I’ll do this again, but went to a rave in an abandoned hotel in Taoyuan. Turns out, we raved in one of the top ten haunted places in Taiwan (εε€§ηŒ›ι¬Όι…’εΊ—)?

For any fellow horror enjoyers, here to report no spooky vibes or ghostly encounters, just a cool venue

22.02.2026 02:11 β€” πŸ‘ 23    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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?? β€œAlysa Liu wins gold” is a banned topic on Weibo

21.02.2026 18:31 β€” πŸ‘ 50    πŸ” 9    πŸ’¬ 4    πŸ“Œ 0
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Shinto Shrines in Taiwan (台灣η₯žη€Ύ) - Spectral Codex Documenting the original locations and remaining relics of the hundreds of Shinto shrines built in Taiwan during the Japanese colonial era, most of which were destroyed following the end of colonial r...

I've been documenting the locations and conditions of former Shinto shrines in Taiwan for several years by now. This map now shows 464 sites... and I'm sure there are dozens more to uncover! β›© spectralcodex.com/themes/taiwa...

20.02.2026 15:59 β€” πŸ‘ 39    πŸ” 18    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 1

She’s the coolest. Apart from her skating, I love her hair, love her support for other skaters and her Pochita stuff she carries around

21.02.2026 07:34 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Vietnamese workers abroad mark TαΊΏt through video calls - Focus Taiwan As Taiwanese households gather for Lunar New Year celebrations, many Vietnamese workers abroad unable to return home for TαΊΏt, resort to video calls to spend the holiday with loved ones thousands of ki...

Nice read on how Vietnamese migrant workers in Taiwan commemorate TαΊΏt

focustaiwan.tw/society/2026...

20.02.2026 18:18 β€” πŸ‘ 18    πŸ” 9    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

because when people from there talk to them and tell them it's not their socialist utopia, they say we are "westernised liberals", traitors, or whatever

18.02.2026 20:19 β€” πŸ‘ 122    πŸ” 33    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 0
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Repression in Hong Kong We uncover truth and hold the powerful to account. Take action, donate and join the Amnesty movement to protect human rights.

@amnestyuk.bsky.social calls on UK government to protect Hongkongers who have moved to the UK from transnational repression.

www.amnesty.org.uk/issues/autho...

#HongKong #TNR #NSL

20.02.2026 06:00 β€” πŸ‘ 10    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1

some of you are looksmaxxing when you need to be booksmaxxing

18.02.2026 19:41 β€” πŸ‘ 14683    πŸ” 2446    πŸ’¬ 212    πŸ“Œ 194
Dennis nedry jurrasic park "see nobody cares" meme reads

Hey everybody, this guy still posts on X!

See? Everyone is horrified and disappointed. They feel it speaks directly to your values.

Dennis nedry jurrasic park "see nobody cares" meme reads Hey everybody, this guy still posts on X! See? Everyone is horrified and disappointed. They feel it speaks directly to your values.

18.02.2026 20:13 β€” πŸ‘ 18793    πŸ” 3701    πŸ’¬ 150    πŸ“Œ 31
TVB newscast shows pro-CCP pro-Establishment DAB legislator and current LegCo President Starry Lee at a community festive event on the 2nd day of the Lunar New Year, 18 February 2026, wearing WHITE clothes, which are totally inauspicious and unlucky…

TVB newscast shows pro-CCP pro-Establishment DAB legislator and current LegCo President Starry Lee at a community festive event on the 2nd day of the Lunar New Year, 18 February 2026, wearing WHITE clothes, which are totally inauspicious and unlucky…

Why pro-CCP no wear red mah?
Wear white on New Year ε€§ε‰εˆ©ζ˜―ε–Žβ‹―

18.02.2026 14:25 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0