They weren't Luddites because they didn't understand technology, or because they hated the technology.
They were Luddites because they saw beyond the technology and understood how it was being used against them - and against others.
They hated the exploitation.
Not being one is revelatory.
Tagged: Bluesky
When I see these two letters in this order I’m filled with a sense of calm, pride, respect and trust.
Almost the polar opposite of what I feel when the letters are reversed. 😅
@wiadla.bsky.social: We’re Looking for Speakers! Have insights on adapting to change in IA? Share your expertise at WIADLA25! 📅 Date: March 8, 2025 📍 Location: Los Angeles, CA 💬 Know someone who would be a great fit? Tag them below! #WIAD2025 #InformationArchitecture #CallForSpeaker #CommunityEngagement #IAEvents
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Can tools be political?
If a tool is oppressive, exploitative, creates inequality, exacerbates bias and/or endangers people and the environment I’m not sure how it couldn’t be regarded as political.
It's that time of the decade again when acquainting yourself with the Fediverse is perhaps a good idea.
axbom.com/fediverse
By being overtly positive towards – and supportive of – something that harms other people, I'd be more than complicit. I'd view myself as oppressive.
This is what goes through my mind when I'm searching for ways to talk about certain aspects of tech in a more positive light.
↩ Replying to @desqatarian.bsky.social
Thank you for the heads up Britt. Love seeing this image out in the wild. After it was used for the Wikipedia entry it pops up in many contexts.
Here is where the latest version of the infographic always lives, along with links to all the software mentioned:
axbom.com/fediverse/
Is it me or is Google Translate just getting worse?
In this example the Swedish phrase is the polar opposite of the English meaning.
I feel like I’m living in times where Infinite Improbability Drive is being added to pretty much everything.

Facebook openly dropping safety, ethics and diversity is a source of grief for many people. But it’s also an opportunity for new platforms of care and community to thrive.
Facebook was _never_ the way forward. It was built on misogyny and privacy invasions, and it's doubling down on those roots.
There was a thread that made the rounds a while back listing reliable news sources (quite tech-focused and mostly smaller, niche outlets). Anyone know what I mean and can point me to it?
Greenland wants to buy back the United States.
The Greenlandic Prime Minister, Kim Kielsen, offered to buy the United States yesterday.
"It was Leif the Lucky who discovered America and his father, Erik the Red, who discovered Greenland and settled here."
Clipping via @dagb@snabelen.no


For everyone looking for a way to host forums, given the current state of tech, I’d suggest trying out Discourse. www.discourse.org (I especially appreciate the email options)
If you need more advanced collaborative features, Mattermost might cater to your needs.
mattermost.com
Discourse is the place to build civilized communities
-> cont’d. Also note that there is a mobile app for Discourse if you want easy access to one or many forums based on the Discourse platform.
iOS app: itunes.apple.com/us/app/disco...
Android app: play.google.com/store/apps/d...
↩ Replying to @chronopunk.bsky.social
💯 And I really recommend turning on the reminder under Accessibility Settings, so you can't publish your post without alt text.
bsky.app/profile/axbo...
@axbom.com: I love this Bluesky setting. It’s excellent that it’s there and that everyone can turn it on. It helps us remind ourselves that this is a community – or many communities – of people who contain multitudes.
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It was a weird friggin' year. My open heart surgery and new mechanical heart valve of course a central part of it. Thankful for medicine keeping me around for a bit longer.
All I know now is my intent is to write more in 2025. And listen more. Looking forward to the experience.
Take care, all. ❤️
Due to miscommunication I was not aware on Sunday that I was supposed to be teaching a class yesterday (Mon, Dec 30). Luckily a student asked for the meeting link on Sunday eve. And I was able to scramble materials. But jeepers was I stressed out on Sunday night. 😬 Thankfully I do love teaching.
↩ Replying to @triketora.com
I was pleased to find this Hello Kitty sign for tourist guidance when I was in Tokyo with my son earlier this year. 😊

↩ Replying to @anildash.com
💯 When I teach digital ethics students really appreciate this exercise, writing down their values – with an opportunity to discuss them with their peers. They practice articulating their goals and become better prepped when facing important decisions, incl. interviews. And I practice with them!