Alicia Wanless
@lageneralista.ca
Information Ecologist exploring the information environment | Senior Fellow at @carnegieendowment.org and Director of @ieproject.bsky.social | PhD from KCL War Studies | Visiting Researcher @uniofbath.bsky.social | Author of The Information Animal 🇨🇦
Pinned
Alicia Wanless
@lageneralista.ca
· Aug 22
The Information Animal: Humans, Technology and the Competition for Reality - La Generalista
Humanity has always craved, and feared, information. How should we understand our enduring, ever-changing relationships with technology and knowledge? Description Depending on the news you read, new t...
theinformationanimal.com
A wee book page - "The Information Animal: Humans, Technology and the Competition for Reality" is finally out! theinformationanimal.com
Reposted by Alicia Wanless
There’s been a lot of internet outages lately, from AWS to Cloudflare. We know what caused these outages, but that’s not the biggest takeaway.
Aniket Panda explains how to see the bigger picture & protect information ecosystems, based on @lageneralista.ca's new book: youtube.com/shorts/D8PKd...
Aniket Panda explains how to see the bigger picture & protect information ecosystems, based on @lageneralista.ca's new book: youtube.com/shorts/D8PKd...
What's Up with All These Recent Internet Outages?
YouTube video by Carnegie Explains
youtube.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:48 PM
There’s been a lot of internet outages lately, from AWS to Cloudflare. We know what caused these outages, but that’s not the biggest takeaway.
Aniket Panda explains how to see the bigger picture & protect information ecosystems, based on @lageneralista.ca's new book: youtube.com/shorts/D8PKd...
Aniket Panda explains how to see the bigger picture & protect information ecosystems, based on @lageneralista.ca's new book: youtube.com/shorts/D8PKd...
Reposted by Alicia Wanless
On today’s #DogShirtTV, @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org, & @Alicia Wanless @lageneralista.ca welcome journalist and novelist @stephenmarche.bsky.social to discuss his book The Next Civil War: Dispatches from the American Future.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI6e...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI6e...
The Next Civil War with Stephen Marche
YouTube video by #DogShirtTV
www.youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:36 PM
On today’s #DogShirtTV, @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org, & @Alicia Wanless @lageneralista.ca welcome journalist and novelist @stephenmarche.bsky.social to discuss his book The Next Civil War: Dispatches from the American Future.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI6e...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI6e...
Reposted by Alicia Wanless
On today’s #DogShirtTV, @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org, @hollybfletcher.bsky.social & Carol Tsang discuss disagreements about defining political virtue among US religious & non-religious communities. With special appearance by an obliging @lageneralista.ca.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQDV...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQDV...
Defining Virtue
YouTube video by #DogShirtTV
www.youtube.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:16 PM
On today’s #DogShirtTV, @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org, @hollybfletcher.bsky.social & Carol Tsang discuss disagreements about defining political virtue among US religious & non-religious communities. With special appearance by an obliging @lageneralista.ca.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQDV...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQDV...
I hate how often I wish there were an undo shortcut in analogue activities.
November 17, 2025 at 3:58 PM
I hate how often I wish there were an undo shortcut in analogue activities.
I had to look that year up - but also only recognized one album in there. Clearly, I’m not great at this game regardless.
I've got plenty to lend.
"Nevermind"? "Ten"? "Cooleyhighharmony"? "Out of Time"?
I'll pick between "Blood Sugar Sex Magik", "The Low End Theory", or "Travelers and Thieves".
(There are rare advantages to being old...)
"Nevermind"? "Ten"? "Cooleyhighharmony"? "Out of Time"?
I'll pick between "Blood Sugar Sex Magik", "The Low End Theory", or "Travelers and Thieves".
(There are rare advantages to being old...)
November 17, 2025 at 11:05 AM
I had to look that year up - but also only recognized one album in there. Clearly, I’m not great at this game regardless.
I’m sad I even looked it up. My year’s best albums were ok. Not enough to post.
What perfect album came out the year you turned 16?
November 17, 2025 at 1:05 AM
I’m sad I even looked it up. My year’s best albums were ok. Not enough to post.
Was really looking forward to this one - I really enjoyed this chat with Jon!
As new technologies flood the information space, the battle for attention grows more intense. But while the technology is new, the battle isn't.
Jon Bateman sits down with @lageneralista.ca to discuss on today's World Unpacked.
Watch here: youtu.be/onyOAgVo97A?...
Jon Bateman sits down with @lageneralista.ca to discuss on today's World Unpacked.
Watch here: youtu.be/onyOAgVo97A?...
Why Information Refuses to Be Controlled
YouTube video by Carnegie Endowment
youtu.be
November 14, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Was really looking forward to this one - I really enjoyed this chat with Jon!
This is also why Finland is the one military I’d bet on.
This would be great but it’s kinda funny that Germany would still have a small total force + reserve than Finland (wartime strength 280,000 and total reserve about 900,000)
www.ft.com/content/6cbf...
www.ft.com/content/6cbf...
November 13, 2025 at 10:27 PM
This is also why Finland is the one military I’d bet on.
I feel this pain. And song lyrics triggered in my brain for almost anything that gets said.
No, really, I love the way my brain remembers my telephone number from 1987 and my dad’s car reg from 1977 but not the reason I walked into this room.
November 12, 2025 at 2:40 PM
I feel this pain. And song lyrics triggered in my brain for almost anything that gets said.
Reposted by Alicia Wanless
In the century leading up to 1975, nearly 6000 freighters went down in the Great Lakes.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
November 11, 2025 at 1:50 AM
In the century leading up to 1975, nearly 6000 freighters went down in the Great Lakes.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
When I was in undergrad (Russian), my uni thought to close some language programs including mine. I was interviewed and argued the need to know a language to study a country’s culture, history and politics. They kept mine open for a while. Knowing a language is like a key - AI can’t unlock that.
You might have heard that the University of Nottingham plans to suspend all languages courses. This is very disappointing and heartbreaking.
Here you can find their petition aimed at protecting Modern Languages at Nottingham. You can show your support by signing it.
www.change.org/p/stop-the-r...
Here you can find their petition aimed at protecting Modern Languages at Nottingham. You can show your support by signing it.
www.change.org/p/stop-the-r...
Sign the Petition
Stop the removal of Modern Languages courses at the University of Nottingham!
www.change.org
November 10, 2025 at 11:24 PM
When I was in undergrad (Russian), my uni thought to close some language programs including mine. I was interviewed and argued the need to know a language to study a country’s culture, history and politics. They kept mine open for a while. Knowing a language is like a key - AI can’t unlock that.
In case you missed the DC launch, @carnegieendowment.org has you covered with the full video - wherein @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org made the best of introductions and @verambergen.bsky.social adeptly dealt with my lack of answers: carnegieendowment.org/events/2025/...
The Information Animal: Are Humans in a Competition for Reality?
Join the Carnegie Endowment’s Technology and International Affairs Program for a conversation with Vera Bergengruen, national security reporter at The Wall Street Journal, and Dr. Alicia Wanless to di...
carnegieendowment.org
November 10, 2025 at 5:57 PM
In case you missed the DC launch, @carnegieendowment.org has you covered with the full video - wherein @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org made the best of introductions and @verambergen.bsky.social adeptly dealt with my lack of answers: carnegieendowment.org/events/2025/...
If you're in need of things to listen to or watch, here's a list of foraged info: theinformationanimal.substack.com/p/foraged-info
Foraged Info
A hodgepodge of information consumed
theinformationanimal.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:44 PM
If you're in need of things to listen to or watch, here's a list of foraged info: theinformationanimal.substack.com/p/foraged-info
Aren’t I fancy?
Congrats on your new blue check 🎉
November 9, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Aren’t I fancy?
Reposted by Alicia Wanless
Looking for prolific Wikipedians and Wikipedia experts for an article on @indicator.media next week. Any recs?
November 8, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Looking for prolific Wikipedians and Wikipedia experts for an article on @indicator.media next week. Any recs?
Reposted by Alicia Wanless
Your weekly round-up of What We Learned for Monocle Radio. monocle.com/radio/shows/...
What We Learned: The moon landing hoax, Trump threatens Nigeria and the Louvre’s embarrassing password - Monocle
Which celebrity thinks the moon landing is a hoax? Why is Trump threatening to invade Nigeria? And could you guess...
monocle.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Your weekly round-up of What We Learned for Monocle Radio. monocle.com/radio/shows/...
Here for the “What We Learned” segment from @andrewmueller.bsky.social towards the end of The Globalist:
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/t...
Viktor Orbán at the White House: can Hungary’s PM avoid the bear in the room?
Podcast Episode · The Globalist · 2025-11-07 · 59m
podcasts.apple.com
November 8, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Here for the “What We Learned” segment from @andrewmueller.bsky.social towards the end of The Globalist:
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/t...
I’m speechless over this one: www.fpol.no/the-informat...
The Information Animal: Alicia Wanless on Power, Truth, and Technology | Forskningspolitikk
Alicia Wanless’s The Information Animal: Humans, Technology and the Competition for Reality delivers a sweeping study of how societies shape — and get shaped by — their information environments.
www.fpol.no
November 8, 2025 at 1:16 AM
I’m speechless over this one: www.fpol.no/the-informat...
Reposted by Alicia Wanless
On today’s #DogShirtTV, @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org, Alicia Wanless @lageneralista.ca, @hollybfletcher.bsky.social & the #GreekChorus discuss why we’re all mad at the language learning app #Duolingo.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIBy...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIBy...
Duolingo Grievances
YouTube video by #DogShirtTV
www.youtube.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:16 PM
On today’s #DogShirtTV, @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org, Alicia Wanless @lageneralista.ca, @hollybfletcher.bsky.social & the #GreekChorus discuss why we’re all mad at the language learning app #Duolingo.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIBy...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIBy...
Reposted by Alicia Wanless
The AWS outage was just the tip of the iceberg. For countries to safeguard modern information ecosystems, they must protect all relevant aspects of social cohesion—not just the technology.
@lageneralista.ca explains for Emissary: carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...
@lageneralista.ca explains for Emissary: carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...
We Now Know What Caused the AWS Outage. That’s Not the Most Important Takeaway.
Information ecosystems depend on governments understanding, developing, and protecting all the relevant parts—not just the technology.
carnegieendowment.org
October 30, 2025 at 7:09 PM
The AWS outage was just the tip of the iceberg. For countries to safeguard modern information ecosystems, they must protect all relevant aspects of social cohesion—not just the technology.
@lageneralista.ca explains for Emissary: carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...
@lageneralista.ca explains for Emissary: carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...
Reposted by Alicia Wanless
@lageneralista.ca talking “The Information Animal” at @carnegieendowment.org with @verambergen.bsky.social of the @wsj.com!
November 5, 2025 at 9:18 PM
@lageneralista.ca talking “The Information Animal” at @carnegieendowment.org with @verambergen.bsky.social of the @wsj.com!
Excited to be back at @carnegieendowment.org for this chat with @verambergen.bsky.social about The Information Animal - should be fun! If you’re in DC on November 5, please come.
carnegieendowment.org/events/2025/...
And with that, see y’all in a couple weeks!
carnegieendowment.org/events/2025/...
And with that, see y’all in a couple weeks!
The Information Animal: Are Humans in a Competition for Reality?
Join the Carnegie Endowment’s Technology and International Affairs Program for a conversation with Vera Bergengruen, national security reporter at The Wall Street Journal, and Dr. Alicia Wanless to di...
carnegieendowment.org
October 27, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Excited to be back at @carnegieendowment.org for this chat with @verambergen.bsky.social about The Information Animal - should be fun! If you’re in DC on November 5, please come.
carnegieendowment.org/events/2025/...
And with that, see y’all in a couple weeks!
carnegieendowment.org/events/2025/...
And with that, see y’all in a couple weeks!
I’ll be taking a bit of a doomscrolling detox. It’s an experiment, maybe I’ll write about it. For work things, LinkedIn will be alive, along with email. See you in a couple weeks!
October 27, 2025 at 3:34 PM
I’ll be taking a bit of a doomscrolling detox. It’s an experiment, maybe I’ll write about it. For work things, LinkedIn will be alive, along with email. See you in a couple weeks!
A big thanks to @milkepescs.bsky.social for having me on The Gist - and for remembering all the stats!
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/a...
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/a...
Alicia Wanless — “The Ecology of Information”
Podcast Episode · The Gist · 2025-10-22 · 33m
podcasts.apple.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:30 PM
A big thanks to @milkepescs.bsky.social for having me on The Gist - and for remembering all the stats!
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/a...
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/a...
Aw, thanks, @jammaj.bsky.social! Hadn't got to posting here yet. I'm experimenting with content forms. So if you're open to attempts to share thinking about the info environment, perhaps of questionable quality, I'm your woman! And if you're still on Substack - theinformationanimal.substack.com
October 21, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Aw, thanks, @jammaj.bsky.social! Hadn't got to posting here yet. I'm experimenting with content forms. So if you're open to attempts to share thinking about the info environment, perhaps of questionable quality, I'm your woman! And if you're still on Substack - theinformationanimal.substack.com