Gordon Ross 🇨🇦
@gordonr.ca
VP & Partner, OXD: Vancouver-based digital services firm. I work with government to afford better citizen outcomes. 🇨🇦 Spem Successus Alit | success nourishes hope.
Pinned
Was able to catch this panel at UBC in person. Really enjoyed the conversation. Now you can too.
🚨The video recording of the AI and the Politics of Extraction panel is now live! Watch this fascinating 1.5 hour discussion with @naomiaklein.bsky.social, @profwhw.bsky.social, @mysdick.bsky.social, and @profhvdv.bsky.social as they explore the risks of unfettered AI implementation.
AI and the Politics of Extraction | Centre for Climate Justice
YouTube video by Centre for Climate Justice
www.youtube.com
December 4, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Was able to catch this panel at UBC in person. Really enjoyed the conversation. Now you can too.
Reposted by Gordon Ross 🇨🇦
Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Western Conference Champions.
Incredible.
Western Conference Champions.
Incredible.
November 30, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Western Conference Champions.
Incredible.
Western Conference Champions.
Incredible.
Reposted by Gordon Ross 🇨🇦
What makes something data? Some thoughts on that question, and how answers to it help us understand AI hype:
medium.com/@emilymenonb...
medium.com/@emilymenonb...
What makes something data?
This is a question I posted on BlueSky on Friday 11/21/25, inspired by a talk I recently attended about evaluation of “AI” systems. I think…
medium.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:55 PM
What makes something data? Some thoughts on that question, and how answers to it help us understand AI hype:
medium.com/@emilymenonb...
medium.com/@emilymenonb...
What would Ursula Franklin say?
Well, let's start with her list.
"Should one not ask of any public project or loan whether it:
(1) promotes justice;
(2) restores reciprocity;
(3) confers divisible or indivisible benefits;
cont...
Well, let's start with her list.
"Should one not ask of any public project or loan whether it:
(1) promotes justice;
(2) restores reciprocity;
(3) confers divisible or indivisible benefits;
cont...
November 28, 2025 at 12:59 AM
What would Ursula Franklin say?
Well, let's start with her list.
"Should one not ask of any public project or loan whether it:
(1) promotes justice;
(2) restores reciprocity;
(3) confers divisible or indivisible benefits;
cont...
Well, let's start with her list.
"Should one not ask of any public project or loan whether it:
(1) promotes justice;
(2) restores reciprocity;
(3) confers divisible or indivisible benefits;
cont...
Oslo problems.
In Oslo, four articulated buses trapped themselves in a roundabout yesterday.
"I don't know what I'm most impressed with: That they managed to get into the situation, or that they got out of it."
"I don't know what I'm most impressed with: That they managed to get into the situation, or that they got out of it."
– Vet ikke hva jeg er mest imponert over: At de klarte å komme seg inn i situasjonen, eller at de kom seg ut av den
Mandag kveld bød på komiske scener fra Alexander Kiellands plass.
www.ao.no
November 26, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Oslo problems.
Reposted by Gordon Ross 🇨🇦
Is this cheese grater conscious? Many users feel they're talking to a real person. Scientists say it's time to consider whether they're onto something.
November 25, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Is this cheese grater conscious? Many users feel they're talking to a real person. Scientists say it's time to consider whether they're onto something.
Reposted by Gordon Ross 🇨🇦
"It’s been a nightmare, but an enjoyable one, and in the end, satisfying." I absolutely loved @phil.gyford.com's essay about getting online in the 90s. www.gyford.com/phil/writing...
My first months in cyberspace
Recalling the difficulties and wonder of getting online for the first time in 1995, including diary extracts from the time.
www.gyford.com
October 16, 2025 at 12:17 PM
"It’s been a nightmare, but an enjoyable one, and in the end, satisfying." I absolutely loved @phil.gyford.com's essay about getting online in the 90s. www.gyford.com/phil/writing...
Reposted by Gordon Ross 🇨🇦
That ball from Yohei Takaoka was just perfect.
An equally great finish from Emmanuel Sabbi.
At its finest, Route One “kick and run” can be outstanding.
An equally great finish from Emmanuel Sabbi.
At its finest, Route One “kick and run” can be outstanding.
🚨 GOALKEEPER ASSIST IN THE MLS PLAYOFFS!!! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!!!
November 23, 2025 at 3:27 AM
That ball from Yohei Takaoka was just perfect.
An equally great finish from Emmanuel Sabbi.
At its finest, Route One “kick and run” can be outstanding.
An equally great finish from Emmanuel Sabbi.
At its finest, Route One “kick and run” can be outstanding.
On affordances and technomoral choices. From @shannonvallor.bsky.social in Technology and the Virtues
November 22, 2025 at 8:01 PM
On affordances and technomoral choices. From @shannonvallor.bsky.social in Technology and the Virtues
Reposted by Gordon Ross 🇨🇦
A question for scientists (construed as broadly as you like) of BlueSky: What makes something data?
(Question inspired by a talk I listened to this morning, and of course I have thoughts, but I wanted to throw this out there first.)
(Question inspired by a talk I listened to this morning, and of course I have thoughts, but I wanted to throw this out there first.)
November 21, 2025 at 6:00 PM
A question for scientists (construed as broadly as you like) of BlueSky: What makes something data?
(Question inspired by a talk I listened to this morning, and of course I have thoughts, but I wanted to throw this out there first.)
(Question inspired by a talk I listened to this morning, and of course I have thoughts, but I wanted to throw this out there first.)
I ❤️ libraries. Especially when they host such smart, witty, and engaging conversations like the one today with @vassb.bsky.social and Cory Doctorow. Big thanks to Jorge at VPL and everyone else for making this happen. #proudformerVPLtrustee www.crowdcast.io/c/0wzs9iu1q225
November 21, 2025 at 11:15 PM
I ❤️ libraries. Especially when they host such smart, witty, and engaging conversations like the one today with @vassb.bsky.social and Cory Doctorow. Big thanks to Jorge at VPL and everyone else for making this happen. #proudformerVPLtrustee www.crowdcast.io/c/0wzs9iu1q225
Reposted by Gordon Ross 🇨🇦
I think about how big tech openly and frictionlessly scrapes/steals everything to train AI models every time I have to work through a multi-part, multi-month research ethics review process to interview a half dozen people who actually want to talk to me about their work.
In the Globe and Mail, @vassb.bsky.social asks the basic question: Should we just let big tech companies insist that consent to use data for AI training is part and parcel of using their service?
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
Opinion: With AI, you are now the product: The hidden costs of staying online
More platforms are tying data surveillance for AI training as a condition to use services. Canada needs to reject this
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:43 PM
I think about how big tech openly and frictionlessly scrapes/steals everything to train AI models every time I have to work through a multi-part, multi-month research ethics review process to interview a half dozen people who actually want to talk to me about their work.
What a treat to have this panel happen today at UBC. So many topics, so little time. Chapeau @carolmliao.bsky.social @mysdick.bsky.social @profwhw.bsky.social @profhvdv.bsky.social @naomiaklein.bsky.social and the Centre for Climate Justice for making these conversations happen.
November 21, 2025 at 12:49 AM
What a treat to have this panel happen today at UBC. So many topics, so little time. Chapeau @carolmliao.bsky.social @mysdick.bsky.social @profwhw.bsky.social @profhvdv.bsky.social @naomiaklein.bsky.social and the Centre for Climate Justice for making these conversations happen.
Reposted by Gordon Ross 🇨🇦
Have you heard of the Transit Death Spiral? It's happening right now in Metro Vancouver. Nic Laporte explains it perfectly in this video in collaboration with Movement. Do you think we can flip this downward spiral into growth that serves the needs of our region?
The Slow Collapse of Transit (...and how we stop it)
BC Residents, contact your MLA! https://www.leg.bc.ca/contact-us/mla-contact-information
https://www.patreon.com/NicTheDoor Join Patreon for early access and extras.
https://movementyvr.ca/
https://www.translink.ca/
Public transit keeps our cities moving. When service declines, everyone feels
youtu.be
November 19, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Have you heard of the Transit Death Spiral? It's happening right now in Metro Vancouver. Nic Laporte explains it perfectly in this video in collaboration with Movement. Do you think we can flip this downward spiral into growth that serves the needs of our region?
Canadian Federal budget as Rorschach test.
November 15, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Canadian Federal budget as Rorschach test.
Reposted by Gordon Ross 🇨🇦
🧵 Vancouver Public Library & @InternetArchiveCA.bsky.social have been honoured by the City of Vancouver for their innovative digitization project, making rare & historical British Columbia materials accessible online for future generations. 🏆📚🇨🇦
Learn more ⤵️
internetarchivecanada.org/2025/11/12/v...
Learn more ⤵️
internetarchivecanada.org/2025/11/12/v...
November 13, 2025 at 4:50 PM
🧵 Vancouver Public Library & @InternetArchiveCA.bsky.social have been honoured by the City of Vancouver for their innovative digitization project, making rare & historical British Columbia materials accessible online for future generations. 🏆📚🇨🇦
Learn more ⤵️
internetarchivecanada.org/2025/11/12/v...
Learn more ⤵️
internetarchivecanada.org/2025/11/12/v...
Reposted by Gordon Ross 🇨🇦
Howe Sound—Yesterday, Today, and Forever
W.P. Weston
1927
W.P. Weston
1927
November 12, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Howe Sound—Yesterday, Today, and Forever
W.P. Weston
1927
W.P. Weston
1927
Like many public sector digital nerds, I care about the new budget. But here I am, a few of days out, still haven't read it. What I do know: modernise (25 mentions) vs. modernize (17 mentions) is still a raging debate in the Canadian government. No AI was used in this post, just ctrl-F in Acrobat...
November 7, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Like many public sector digital nerds, I care about the new budget. But here I am, a few of days out, still haven't read it. What I do know: modernise (25 mentions) vs. modernize (17 mentions) is still a raging debate in the Canadian government. No AI was used in this post, just ctrl-F in Acrobat...
Reposted by Gordon Ross 🇨🇦
Tree Trunk
Emily Carr
c. 1935
Emily Carr
c. 1935
November 2, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Tree Trunk
Emily Carr
c. 1935
Emily Carr
c. 1935
Reposted by Gordon Ross 🇨🇦
Jim King's Warf
W.J. Phillips
1927
W.J. Phillips
1927
November 2, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Jim King's Warf
W.J. Phillips
1927
W.J. Phillips
1927
Reposted by Gordon Ross 🇨🇦
House of Ypres
A.Y. Jackson
1917
A.Y. Jackson
1917
November 5, 2025 at 12:30 PM
House of Ypres
A.Y. Jackson
1917
A.Y. Jackson
1917
Reposted by Gordon Ross 🇨🇦
What a delight to be part of an absolutely incredible line up at the CSA Policy Pathways Conference today in Toronto.
Terrific fireside chat at the CSA Policy Pathways Conference with Armine Yalnizyan Kaylie Tiessen and Steve Paikin unpacking yesterday’s Federal budget and what else it might have included.
Our… | S...
Terrific fireside chat at the CSA Policy Pathways Conference with Armine Yalnizyan Kaylie Tiessen and Steve Paikin unpacking yesterday’s Federal budget and what else it might have included.
Our seco...
www.linkedin.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:45 PM
What a delight to be part of an absolutely incredible line up at the CSA Policy Pathways Conference today in Toronto.
First panel at the CSA Policy Pathways conference with @kaylietiessen.bsky.social @armineyalnizyan.bsky.social and host @spaikin.bsky.social — strong provocations and challenges from a great keynote talk by Armine about the care economy.
November 5, 2025 at 3:18 PM
First panel at the CSA Policy Pathways conference with @kaylietiessen.bsky.social @armineyalnizyan.bsky.social and host @spaikin.bsky.social — strong provocations and challenges from a great keynote talk by Armine about the care economy.
That thing when it's budget day in Canada and you're in Ottawa and buy a sandwich and the guy in front of you is the Finance Minister (too distracted to look at his shoes...)
November 4, 2025 at 6:21 PM
That thing when it's budget day in Canada and you're in Ottawa and buy a sandwich and the guy in front of you is the Finance Minister (too distracted to look at his shoes...)