By Linda DV
We live in incredible times with such possibilities that is clear. Although its easily dismissed hearing about the whisperpair flaw, Windows Bitlocker keys available to the FBI and owning nothing is freeing of your money.
To quote Buckminster Fuller “You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”
You are seeing aspects of this with the quiet advances with graphene, the windfarm project agreement and Denmark very much in news recently is also trying red street lights for environmental reasons.
2026 has to be the year of digital sovereignty?
Ian thinks: This is a perfect summary of where we are right now. Marx combines the huge geopolitical and challenges with the world order, with the rush for AI and control. Recorded at the very start of 2026, the rest of the month felt perfectly placed.
EU making FOSS a priority?
Ian thinks: This is long time coming but I have seen Germany make huge changes to open source adoption. A few people I have spoken to recently have pointed out Trump is most likely the biggest reason for the push.
Does it matter which European social network is first?
Ian thinks: If you read the press, you might think the new W network is the one and only social network out of Europe. Of course this is a lie, with wedium.social and the most thoughtful eurosky also in the same hat. The main point I think people are missing is, it doesn’t matter who is first but rather how they are run, governed and their underlying values.
Atwood is sharp as a ever
Ian thinks: This interview with Margaret Atwood is a breath of fresh air. Atwood is always on point with her scrutiny but also brings a level of humour to some of the societies deepest problems. Love her thoughts on AI like fire.
How game theory influences so much of the world?
Ian thinks: I had no idea that the prisoners dilemma was not taught in Finland due to the country being strong on trust and collaboration. This interview with Sonja Amadae, is a very good reminder of the broken theories which grip the world now and future.
An enshittification resistant internet is possible?
Ian thinks: Doctorow talking at the CCC 39 over the holidays, is grand. No mixing of words and lots of great examples well thought out. This is certainly Cory on top form and the message is very strong.
Sharing as the world and society needs it
Ian thinks: I have heard the idea of a tool library a few times, including via Rushkoff. This podcast digs deep into the genuine sharing economy and if you think it can’t really work, I found one in Manchester.and will likely sign up soon. Have a look for one in your area, you might be surprised.
Do you really trust your operating system?
Ian thinks: Hearing Signal talk from CCC 39 about all the work they had to do to stop Microsoft Recall from doing just that, is a little insane. All this adds up to the end of application security and the end of trust in operating systems?
The truth of social media is laid bare for us all to see
Ian thinks: To fully understand the mindset of the people in mainstream social platforms such as meta. You should read through this court evidence. Or you could read through the high/low lights in the verge post about it. It’s not pretty and you can feel the absolute contempt for their users.
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