Social Media Lab
@socialmedialab.ca
SocialMediaLab.ca - News, analysis & views by @philipmai.com re: the politics of tech, social media, AI, immigration, democracy, mis/disinfo, war & propaganda. Explore our suite of social media tools for public interest research: socialmedialab.ca/apps/
"Where the White House Stands in Its Push for a Bigger Role in Running Elections. A Supreme Court decision on Friday allowed the use of an immigration database to check voter eligibility, but federal strategy spans multiple fronts" www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Where the White House Stands in Its Push for a Bigger Role in Running Elections
A Supreme Court decision allowed the use of an immigration database to check voter eligibility, but the federal strategy spans multiple fronts.
wsj.com
"Meta’s Muse Is Adults-Only. Why Does It Look Like a Kids’ Toy? Meta says Muse is just for adults, though its cuddly, Labubu-like mascot—and upcoming Tamagotchi-style AI device—may be disarming for users of all ages." www.wired.com
WIRED - The Latest in Technology, Science, Culture and Business
We bring you the future as it happens. From the latest in science and technology to the big stories in business and culture, we've got you covered.
wired.com
There are currently three major hurricanes raging simultaneously across the Pacific Ocean. #TotallyNormalRight www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
"America’s Farmers Are Rethinking Their Loyalty to the GOP. Tariffs, beef imports and rising gas, diesel and fertilizer costs fuel bitter feelings among rural voters" www.wsj.com/politics/ele...
America’s Farmers Are Rethinking Their Loyalty to the GOP
Tariffs, imported beef and rising gas, diesel and fertilizer costs fuel bitter feelings among rural voters.
wsj.com
Wow ... "X Blocks Account of National Conference of Bishops of Brasil As Catholics Back Lula" paydayreport.com/x-blocks-acc...
X Blocks Account of National Conference of Bishops of Brasil As Catholics Back Lula
Polls show Catholics backing Lula as the church denounces foreign interference.
paydayreport.com
"New Boeing 737 MAX Software Glitch Could Disrupt Navigation Feature" while landing. www.wsj.com/business/air...
Exclusive | New Boeing 737 MAX Software Glitch Could Disrupt Navigation Feature
The issue is prompting concerns about a potential safety risk while planes are landing. Boeing is working on a procedure for pilots and a software fix.
wsj.com
"Unlike earlier models of Shahed drones, which were based on Iranian designs and included piston engines, the new versions are equipped with turbojet engines. Ukrainian military intelligence officials have said some of those engines are being sourced from China." www.cbc.ca/news/world/u...
Why can't Ukraine stop Russia's jet-powered drones? | CBC News
Russia's jet-powered drones being used to carry out strikes on Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine are often able to evade air defences because they fly at higher altitudes and faster speeds. To stop thes...
cbc.ca
"Oxford lets OpenAI train its AI models on Bodleian Library. University staff voice concerns over reputational risk of partnering with company behind ChatGPT." www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Oxford lets OpenAI train its AI models on Bodleian Library
University staff voice concerns over reputational risk of partnering with company behind ChatGPT
theguardian.com
"‘It’s just getting worse’: anger in Maine over Trump’s trade war with close neighbor Canada" www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
‘It’s just getting worse’: anger in Maine over Trump’s trade war with close neighbor Canada
President’s tariffs have hurt fishers, loggers and others in a state with deep bonds to Canada – will Mainers show their displeasure in the midterms?
theguardian.com
With diesel nearing $7 a gallon, it's interesting that no one plans to send trucking convoys into DC to protest the increase. #SelectiveOutrage #FunnyHowThatWorks "If Trump bans U.S. diesel exports, global prices will go even higher, experts say" www.cbc.ca/news/busines...
If Trump bans U.S. diesel exports, global prices will go even higher, experts say | CBC News
U.S. President Donald Trump has said he's considering a ban on diesel exports to improve gas prices for Americans, a move experts say would only push an already-strained global market —further raising...
cbc.ca
Don't forget in early 2025, Trump said he will use 'economic force' to annex Canada. Then proceeded to impose a series of tariffs. youtube.com/shorts/Dcf2j... Tariffing is war by other means. bsky.app/profile/soci...
Trump suggests he could use 'economic force' to annex Canada
YouTube video by NBC News
youtube.com
Social Media Lab@socialmedialab.ca · 2d ago"U.S. President Donald Trump is 'comfortable' with where things stand w/Canada — his country's once closest ally — & is in no rush to reach a new trade deal, according to his top trade envoy." Translation: The U.S. is digging in & leaving Canada to stew in its own recalcitrance.
👏 "‘Let’s tell the truth’: Smithsonian head given standing ovation as he hits back at Trump attacks. Outgoing secretary Lonnie Bunch rejects claims the institution is unpatriotic, telling audience ‘You cannot understand all without illuminating the dark corners’" www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
‘Let’s tell the truth’: Smithsonian head given standing ovation as he hits back at Trump attacks
Outgoing secretary Lonnie Bunch rejects claims the institution is unpatriotic, telling audience ‘You cannot understand all without illuminating the dark corners’
theguardian.com
Here's the official "Musk" trailer. youtu.be/eY_8SyndC10?...
Musk | Official Trailer | Bleecker Street
YouTube video by Musk
youtu.be
"So much for free speech. The studio releasing Alex Gibney’s new Elon Musk documentary Musk is finding itself unable to buy an ad on the biggest social platforms." www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/dig...
The Major Social Media Platforms Are All Rejecting Paid Ads for Alex Gibney’s ‘Musk’ (Exclusive)
YouTube, TikTok and Meta have all turned down the trailer for the Oct. 9 doc, citing "political" content. X won't even take Bleecker Street's calls. The distributor is appealing.
hollywoodreporter.com
👀 "We All Hated Busy Work. Now That It’s Disappearing, It Turns Out We Miss It. Restructurings and AI are making entry-level work more efficient. But managers realize a lot is lost when people don’t get practice." #experiencestarvation www.wsj.com/lifestyle/ca...
We All Hated Busy Work. Now That It’s Disappearing, It Turns Out We Miss It.
Restructurings and AI are making entry-level work more efficient. But managers realize a lot is lost when people don’t get practice.
wsj.com
"The Cost of Transporting Pretty Much Everything Just Won’t Stop Going Up" www.wsj.com/business/inf...
The Cost of Transporting Pretty Much Everything Just Won’t Stop Going Up
Trucking and cargo-shipping rates are at their highest levels in years—and it isn’t just because of the price of fuel.
wsj.com
"CNN said it was pulled from a planned trip with President Trump for Saturday, the second time in less than a week that the news network was barred from a scheduled rotation in the TV press pool." www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
White House Removes CNN From Planned Weekend Trip
The network was scheduled to cover President Trump’s trip to Tennessee on Saturday on behalf of a pool of television news networks.
wsj.com
"A U.S. Arm-Twisting Campaign Is Cutting Iran Off From the Rest of the World. A former banker now with Treasury Department made a secretive trip, warning countries to end flights and cut off banks" www.wsj.com/world/middle...
Exclusive | A U.S. Arm-Twisting Campaign Is Cutting Iran Off From the Rest of the World
A former Citi banker now with the Treasury Department made a secretive trip, warning countries to end flights and cut off banks.
wsj.com
Chef 💋 of a headline: "Big Balls Now Exposed to Serious Criminal Charges in at Least Six States." He was fired at 17 for leaking secrets. Served a cybercrime ring. Named by the Social Security whistleblower. Now the (US) government's "model employee." cmarmitage.substack.com/p/big-balls-...
Big Balls Now Exposed to Serious Criminal Charges in at Least Six States
Fired at 17 for leaking secrets. Served a cybercrime ring. Named by the Social Security whistleblower. Now the government's model employee.
cmarmitage.substack.com
But it's not just Russia. China, India, the US, and Brazil all have aging leaders. This decade could mark the greatest transfer of political power from a global gerontocracy to a new generation in modern history.
Tick-tock ... "Putin, 73, Gets Confused in Stuttering Speech to Reporters." www.thedailybeast.com/vladimir-put...
Putin, 73, Gets Confused in Stuttering Speech to Reporters
The Russian president appeared on edge as he discussed Ukrainian strikes on Moscow.
thedailybeast.com
It's 2026, not 1826. Must be a slow news day. "At State Dinner for China's Leader, Melania Trump Wears the Pants." www.nytimes.com/2026/09/25/s...
At State Dinner for China’s Leader, Melania Trump Wears the Pants
And possibly makes history while doing so.
nytimes.com
The U.S. seems to be betting that Carney won’t deliver quickly enough and that Canada will eventually sing a different tune. They may be underestimating just how stubborn, patient, and quietly determined Canadians can be. #dignity #sovereignty
"U.S. President Donald Trump is 'comfortable' with where things stand w/Canada — his country's once closest ally — & is in no rush to reach a new trade deal, according to his top trade envoy." Translation: The U.S. is digging in & leaving Canada to stew in its own recalcitrance.
Trump's top trade envoy says U.S. 'comfortable' with state of relationship with Canada | CBC News
U.S. President Donald Trump is "comfortable" with where things stand with Canada — his country's once closest ally — and is in no rush to reach a new trade deal, according to his top trade envoy.
cbc.ca
"Russia has opened a new front in its campaign against Ukraine, hitting several datacentres and internet providers in Kyiv this week in an apparent attempt to weaken the digital backbone of the economy." www.theguardian.com/world/2026/s...
Russia strikes at heart of Ukraine’s digital economy with attacks on ISPs and datacentres
As winter approaches, Kyiv fears disruption to vital networks that keep banks, payment systems and public services running
theguardian.com
Tick-tock ... "Putin, 73, Gets Confused in Stuttering Speech to Reporters." www.thedailybeast.com/vladimir-put...
Putin, 73, Gets Confused in Stuttering Speech to Reporters
The Russian president appeared on edge as he discussed Ukrainian strikes on Moscow.
thedailybeast.com
"A data breach at the Pentagon’s vast HR system has exposed Social Security numbers and other personal information of current and former military personnel, raising counterintelligence concerns among national security experts." www.cnn.com/2026/09/25/p...
Pentagon data breach of military personnel raises national security concerns | CNN Politics
A data breach at the Pentagon’s vast HR system has exposed Social Security numbers and other personal information of current and former military personnel, raising counterintelligence concerns among n...
cnn.com
"Delegates at the Labour party conference in Liverpool are trying to pressurise the government into cancelling its £330m NHS contract with the controversial US tech giant Palantir." news.sky.com/story/bluesk...
Labour members call on government to cancel Palantir's NHS contract
A conference committee will decide on Saturday whether the emergency motion will be debated and voted on.
news.sky.com
