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.
...The last item is obviously important. Considering that most projects do not work out as planned, it would be helpful if they proceeded in a way that allowed revision and learning, that is, in small reversible steps."
From the 1989 Massey Lectures, The Real World of Technology (and my 1990 book).
From the 1989 Massey Lectures, The Real World of Technology (and my 1990 book).
November 28, 2025 at 12:59 AM
...The last item is obviously important. Considering that most projects do not work out as planned, it would be helpful if they proceeded in a way that allowed revision and learning, that is, in small reversible steps."
From the 1989 Massey Lectures, The Real World of Technology (and my 1990 book).
From the 1989 Massey Lectures, The Real World of Technology (and my 1990 book).
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
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
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.
Random: I have in my possession an original yellow and blue costume from said Rainbow War production. Last worn 10 years ago at Halloween.
November 9, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Random: I have in my possession an original yellow and blue costume from said Rainbow War production. Last worn 10 years ago at Halloween.
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.
Four cheers for @h2cents.bsky.social @honeygolightly.bsky.social @hillaryh.bsky.social and Stephanie and their encouragement about pattern finding and sharing #fwd50
November 3, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Four cheers for @h2cents.bsky.social @honeygolightly.bsky.social @hillaryh.bsky.social and Stephanie and their encouragement about pattern finding and sharing #fwd50
Calling time at 8:51pm, with 151 kids — a great turnout considering the very soggy start!
November 1, 2025 at 3:51 AM
Calling time at 8:51pm, with 151 kids — a great turnout considering the very soggy start!
The sloth and the owl have welcomed 51 kids and counting over here on Woodland Drive in East Van…
November 1, 2025 at 1:48 AM
The sloth and the owl have welcomed 51 kids and counting over here on Woodland Drive in East Van…
A soggy evening but we are open for another #treatcount2025… be safe and stay warm everyone!
November 1, 2025 at 12:52 AM
A soggy evening but we are open for another #treatcount2025… be safe and stay warm everyone!
Just finished @shannonvallor.bsky.social’s book, The AI Mirror. Deeply appreciative of the thought and care that went into this book. Left reflecting upon one of many challenges posed: how might we “reclaim technology as a human-wielded instrument of care, responsibility, and service”?
October 18, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Just finished @shannonvallor.bsky.social’s book, The AI Mirror. Deeply appreciative of the thought and care that went into this book. Left reflecting upon one of many challenges posed: how might we “reclaim technology as a human-wielded instrument of care, responsibility, and service”?
While Portland isn’t what it seems, nor is my East Van street this afternoon. Honestly, can you pick a worse place to film than an active bike route?
October 17, 2025 at 1:05 AM
While Portland isn’t what it seems, nor is my East Van street this afternoon. Honestly, can you pick a worse place to film than an active bike route?
I recently repaired my 17 year old Ortlieb cycling panniers with some new straps. In a context of so many disposable consumer goods, these nylon straps, fastex clips and screws brought me so much joy. We need more care in design, materials and repair. Well done Ortlieb.
October 16, 2025 at 6:30 PM
I recently repaired my 17 year old Ortlieb cycling panniers with some new straps. In a context of so many disposable consumer goods, these nylon straps, fastex clips and screws brought me so much joy. We need more care in design, materials and repair. Well done Ortlieb.
From earlier this week, a brilliant bit of writing (and truth) about the upcoming Fifa World Cup via the Guardian. That’s a zinger of a paragraph.
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
October 16, 2025 at 5:21 AM
From earlier this week, a brilliant bit of writing (and truth) about the upcoming Fifa World Cup via the Guardian. That’s a zinger of a paragraph.
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
What a treat to have Kate Tarling @kateldn.bsky.social visit us in Vancouver last week. A real pleasure hosting her at @oxd.bsky.social and for a great presentation on service organizations at Emily Carr University of Art + Design. Catch her keynote tomorrow at CanUX in Ottawa 🇨🇦
October 2, 2025 at 9:48 PM
What a treat to have Kate Tarling @kateldn.bsky.social visit us in Vancouver last week. A real pleasure hosting her at @oxd.bsky.social and for a great presentation on service organizations at Emily Carr University of Art + Design. Catch her keynote tomorrow at CanUX in Ottawa 🇨🇦
To explore or exploit, and other good questions covered in the pages of The Explorer’s Gene. Saw Alex Hutchinson speak in June in Vancouver about his latest book. Enjoyable summer reading.
July 26, 2025 at 8:33 PM
To explore or exploit, and other good questions covered in the pages of The Explorer’s Gene. Saw Alex Hutchinson speak in June in Vancouver about his latest book. Enjoyable summer reading.
Really excited to see the work of the Emily Carr Health Design Lab over the past year with Caylee Raber and her researchers (20 RA’s) and health ecosystem partners.
June 20, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Really excited to see the work of the Emily Carr Health Design Lab over the past year with Caylee Raber and her researchers (20 RA’s) and health ecosystem partners.
Love watching the Giro in the Aosta Valley today. Wonderful memories of riding those roads in 2019. Andiamo!
May 30, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Love watching the Giro in the Aosta Valley today. Wonderful memories of riding those roads in 2019. Andiamo!
Last time a monarch opened parliament was 1977. Finishes with a clear message: "As the anthem reminds us, the True North is indeed strong and free." Have yet to see a Mike Myers elbows-up gesture, but there's still time...
May 27, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Last time a monarch opened parliament was 1977. Finishes with a clear message: "As the anthem reminds us, the True North is indeed strong and free." Have yet to see a Mike Myers elbows-up gesture, but there's still time...
Stein's identification of the use of efficiency as most often meaning "cost-effective" or "lowest cost" without defining what an effective [service, program, government] means (because that's hard) leaves us simply with "spend less" or "expensive is bad". This was @eaves.ca's closing point...
May 23, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Stein's identification of the use of efficiency as most often meaning "cost-effective" or "lowest cost" without defining what an effective [service, program, government] means (because that's hard) leaves us simply with "spend less" or "expensive is bad". This was @eaves.ca's closing point...
On the heels of a great webinar with @hillaryh.bsky.social @eaves.ca and Dorothy Eng this week, grabbed this 2001 gem off the shelf for a slow read last night... page 6 sets things up well...
May 23, 2025 at 4:57 PM
On the heels of a great webinar with @hillaryh.bsky.social @eaves.ca and Dorothy Eng this week, grabbed this 2001 gem off the shelf for a slow read last night... page 6 sets things up well...
Indeed! Reminded of Dom’s heroic quest to get our NeXT up and running again. Though this MacPlus was quite a bit more obscure and more work. Lovely detective story. 🤓
May 18, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Indeed! Reminded of Dom’s heroic quest to get our NeXT up and running again. Though this MacPlus was quite a bit more obscure and more work. Lovely detective story. 🤓