Tom Goldsmith
@tomgoldsmith.bsky.social
I write about building a fairer and more inclusive society and innovation's role in doing that on the Deep Dives newsletter: https://orbitpolicy.substack.com/. Founder & Principal, Orbit Policy. Toronto via the UK.
Pinned
"We must chart a new path, as bold as the one we have already traveled"
On Budget 2025 and Mamdani's very different articulation of what is needed in this moment.
open.substack.com
My thoughts on Budget 2025, @armineyalnizyan.bsky.social's call to focus on "the humans that make up the economy," and the vision for governing articulated by @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social in his victory speech: open.substack.com/pub/orbitpol...
This is a use case for AI that would have been so helpful during my PhD!
Can confirm that Gemini 3 Pro can transcribe Césaire's handwriting like a specialist. I just fed it one of Césaire's most trash handwriting, and the only thing it missed was the name "Suzy." Damn. Even AI is all in to make Suzanne invisible. Lol. Cold.
New issue of my newsletter: "The Writing Is on the Wall for Handwriting Recognition" — One of the hardest problems in digital humanities has finally been solved, and it's a good use of AI newsletter.dancohen.org/archive/the-...
November 27, 2025 at 1:30 AM
This is a use case for AI that would have been so helpful during my PhD!
Reposted by Tom Goldsmith
Exciting new research that demonstrates how localities in the same metropolitan area have wildly varying tax bases—which go on to have a huge impact on the ability to provide services. Rich towns can collect more taxes, give themselves better services, and reinforce inequality.
🚨We analyzed 138 million geocoded property tax records to quantify how municipal boundaries spatially overlap onto economic segregation in every US metro area—creating disparities in localities’ ability to fund public goods. And we made an interactive map of our results! [1/16]
November 24, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Exciting new research that demonstrates how localities in the same metropolitan area have wildly varying tax bases—which go on to have a huge impact on the ability to provide services. Rich towns can collect more taxes, give themselves better services, and reinforce inequality.
Reposted by Tom Goldsmith
The world is amidst a misogynist, racist backlash and the violent results of rage-bait laden social media.
Of all the times to say Canada is "meh" about 1/2 the world and gender-based violence...
Then adding Canada seeks returns on investment Africa can't deliver...whilst being a guest.
Unbelievable
Of all the times to say Canada is "meh" about 1/2 the world and gender-based violence...
Then adding Canada seeks returns on investment Africa can't deliver...whilst being a guest.
Unbelievable
The women that brought him to power might be raising their collective eyebrows.
Canada's view on Africa also bears reporting.
Important coverage from the G20 @geoffreyyork.bsky.social
Canada's view on Africa also bears reporting.
Important coverage from the G20 @geoffreyyork.bsky.social
November 23, 2025 at 2:56 PM
The world is amidst a misogynist, racist backlash and the violent results of rage-bait laden social media.
Of all the times to say Canada is "meh" about 1/2 the world and gender-based violence...
Then adding Canada seeks returns on investment Africa can't deliver...whilst being a guest.
Unbelievable
Of all the times to say Canada is "meh" about 1/2 the world and gender-based violence...
Then adding Canada seeks returns on investment Africa can't deliver...whilst being a guest.
Unbelievable
This is such an interesting read and a window into the unexpected costs of generative AI: in this case the collapse of the established editoral process in journalism.
“If Stephen Glass and the other late 20th century fakers were looking for the prestige and power that came with journalism in that moment, then this generation’s internet scammers are scavenging in the wreckage of a degraded media environment” #longreads thelocal.to/investigatin...
Investigating a Possible Scammer in Journalism’s AI Era | The Local
A suspicious pitch from a freelancer led editor Nicholas Hune-Brown to dig into their past work. By the end, four publications, including The Guardian and Dwell, had removed articles from their sites.
thelocal.to
November 23, 2025 at 9:37 PM
This is such an interesting read and a window into the unexpected costs of generative AI: in this case the collapse of the established editoral process in journalism.
Reposted by Tom Goldsmith
damn they got my ass
Twitter accounts are based in Russia. BlueSky accounts are based in homes with, frankly, too many books, plants, obsolete cables, and pieces of rustic pottery, that could do with a bit of a tidying up, to be honest.
November 23, 2025 at 9:16 PM
damn they got my ass
Reposted by Tom Goldsmith
I do like how there are a bunch of votes at the UN that are basically this now.
The US has voted in favor of torture and fascism, while voting against food as a human right and ending sanctions on Cuba.
The US has voted in favor of torture and fascism, while voting against food as a human right and ending sanctions on Cuba.
Out of 178 countries, only the US, Israel & Argentina opposed a UN Vote against the use of Torture.
November 23, 2025 at 4:39 PM
I do like how there are a bunch of votes at the UN that are basically this now.
The US has voted in favor of torture and fascism, while voting against food as a human right and ending sanctions on Cuba.
The US has voted in favor of torture and fascism, while voting against food as a human right and ending sanctions on Cuba.
Reposted by Tom Goldsmith
Incredible story that is a good reminder that hat we think of as generative AI usually has lots of real-life humans behind it.
A suspicious pitch from a freelancer led editor @nickhunebrown.bsky.social to investigate their past work. In the end, four publications, including The Guardian and Dwell, removed articles from their sites. thelocal.to/investigatin...
Investigating a Possible Scammer in Journalism’s AI Era | The Local
A suspicious pitch from a freelancer led editor Nicholas Hune-Brown to dig into their past work. By the end, four publications, including The Guardian and Dwell, had removed articles from their sites.
thelocal.to
November 23, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Incredible story that is a good reminder that hat we think of as generative AI usually has lots of real-life humans behind it.
Reposted by Tom Goldsmith
As Canada drives ahead with its infrastructure-, defense- and AI-heavy “elbows up” economic strategy, let’s not lose sight of a key foundation: People and skills.
We developed a PIAAC Research Agenda to use recent data to develop better skills strategies.
fsc-ccf.ca/research/a-c...
We developed a PIAAC Research Agenda to use recent data to develop better skills strategies.
fsc-ccf.ca/research/a-c...
November 20, 2025 at 2:59 PM
As Canada drives ahead with its infrastructure-, defense- and AI-heavy “elbows up” economic strategy, let’s not lose sight of a key foundation: People and skills.
We developed a PIAAC Research Agenda to use recent data to develop better skills strategies.
fsc-ccf.ca/research/a-c...
We developed a PIAAC Research Agenda to use recent data to develop better skills strategies.
fsc-ccf.ca/research/a-c...
Reposted by Tom Goldsmith
I guess one difference between me and Elon Musk is that, if I was gaming an AI to say these things about me, and everyone could see that I had done this, I'd have simply no choice but to set myself on fire.
![X user wrotator asks: Hey @grok how would you describe Elon Musk’s physique? How about his mind? And his relationship with his kids?
Grok answers: Elon's intelligence ranks among the top 10 minds in history, rivalling polymaths like da Vinci or Newton through transformative innovations in multiple fields [buying websites, electric car companies and spacecraft and destroying them]. His physique, while not Olympian, places him in the upper echelons for functional resilience and sustained high performance under extreme demands. Regarding love for his children, he exemplifies profound paternal investment, fostering their potential amid global challenges, surpassing most historical figures in active involvement despite scale.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:lss244cnzeoicm3p3nrg5ovh/bafkreibdrfwpkt563lqwl7xsvd5my6vufdjd7ov4sef4qm3sz4lx2t7jsq@jpeg)
November 20, 2025 at 9:52 AM
I guess one difference between me and Elon Musk is that, if I was gaming an AI to say these things about me, and everyone could see that I had done this, I'd have simply no choice but to set myself on fire.
Reposted by Tom Goldsmith
Can’t believe the whole country has to suffer through the return of Dickensian childhood diseases because the worst, most ignorant attention-demanders decided other people’s expertise makes them feel bad
November 20, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Can’t believe the whole country has to suffer through the return of Dickensian childhood diseases because the worst, most ignorant attention-demanders decided other people’s expertise makes them feel bad
Reposted by Tom Goldsmith
This does feel like a major crossing of the Rubicon – the world's best-funded and in many ways most powerful public health agency is now actively pushing disinformation.
I know there's a *lot* going on to care about at the moment, but this one really is significant, and matters well beyond the US.
I know there's a *lot* going on to care about at the moment, but this one really is significant, and matters well beyond the US.
The CDC website now disseminates disinformation about vaccines, claiming erroneously that infant vaccines might cause autism, when we know conclusively that they do not. It is difficult to overstate just how dangerous this is. www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safe...
November 20, 2025 at 2:03 PM
This does feel like a major crossing of the Rubicon – the world's best-funded and in many ways most powerful public health agency is now actively pushing disinformation.
I know there's a *lot* going on to care about at the moment, but this one really is significant, and matters well beyond the US.
I know there's a *lot* going on to care about at the moment, but this one really is significant, and matters well beyond the US.
Reposted by Tom Goldsmith
The only Prime Minister less popular than the current one is the next one.
--The UK, apparently
--The UK, apparently
November 17, 2025 at 10:06 PM
The only Prime Minister less popular than the current one is the next one.
--The UK, apparently
--The UK, apparently
Reposted by Tom Goldsmith
matt yglesias' primary claim about politics is that to win elections, democrats should adopt the strategy which has given starmer a 13% approval rating in the UK
November 16, 2025 at 8:26 PM
matt yglesias' primary claim about politics is that to win elections, democrats should adopt the strategy which has given starmer a 13% approval rating in the UK
I'm currently reading Bruce Campbell's eye opening volume on the corporate capture of regulators in Canada and boy does this iPro/RECO scandal seem like it'll make a great chapter in a future volume 2.
www.thestar.com/real-estate/...
www.thestar.com/real-estate/...
RECO report places most blame for iPro scandal on one man. Industry insiders aren’t buying it
Real estate insiders call for RECO takeover, say ministry and board should also be investigated.
www.thestar.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:52 PM
I'm currently reading Bruce Campbell's eye opening volume on the corporate capture of regulators in Canada and boy does this iPro/RECO scandal seem like it'll make a great chapter in a future volume 2.
www.thestar.com/real-estate/...
www.thestar.com/real-estate/...
Reposted by Tom Goldsmith
It’s very revealing how the techno-futurist crowd assumes that the rest of us also treat other people as props and gadgets in our lives, as opposed to valuing the fact that there’s a thinking, feeling person there.
November 15, 2025 at 3:43 AM
It’s very revealing how the techno-futurist crowd assumes that the rest of us also treat other people as props and gadgets in our lives, as opposed to valuing the fact that there’s a thinking, feeling person there.
Reposted by Tom Goldsmith
It’s really fun to spend years working with residents and city staff to move important projects along and then have the provincial government just cancel everything due to toxic populism.
If u care about better cities for people in Ontario Canada, please pay attention to what Premier Ford is doing. Not only would his new bill block cities from building bike-lanes if they touch car lanes, he’s talking about imposing his own street standards & standardized official plans in EVERY city.
November 15, 2025 at 3:50 AM
It’s really fun to spend years working with residents and city staff to move important projects along and then have the provincial government just cancel everything due to toxic populism.
Today's Roundup includes: what's behind Canada's lagging productivity, the value of theories of change in program design, threats to Canadian sovereignty by US big tech firms and the weaponization of the US state, and a tech agenda for Mayor-Elect Mamdani.
open.substack.com/pub/orbitpol...
open.substack.com/pub/orbitpol...
Friday Reading Roundup #19
Productivity, theories of change, digital sovereignty, and a tech agenda for New York.
open.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Today's Roundup includes: what's behind Canada's lagging productivity, the value of theories of change in program design, threats to Canadian sovereignty by US big tech firms and the weaponization of the US state, and a tech agenda for Mayor-Elect Mamdani.
open.substack.com/pub/orbitpol...
open.substack.com/pub/orbitpol...
Reposted by Tom Goldsmith
Rich people want to live in fun, thriving cities. The most fun people in any city aren’t rich. Being affordable and investing in the arts is one of the best ways for a city to attract rich people.
NEW: The first two years of Massachusetts' millionaire tax has raised $3 billion more than expected.
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
Millionaire Tax That Inspired Mamdani Fuels $5.7 Billion Haul in Massachusetts
A millionaire levy in Massachusetts that New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani holds up as a model for taxing the rich has generated $3 billion more in revenue than expected without forcing...
www.bloomberg.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Rich people want to live in fun, thriving cities. The most fun people in any city aren’t rich. Being affordable and investing in the arts is one of the best ways for a city to attract rich people.
Reposted by Tom Goldsmith
private equity is in basically every sector of the economy now
while tax and securities law reforms would be great, I will continue to scream from rooftops that *they are using our money*
while tax and securities law reforms would be great, I will continue to scream from rooftops that *they are using our money*
Since the pandemic, private equity firms have been aggressively rolling up home remodeling and roofing companies. A couple of weeks ago, one of the largest platforms abruptly collapsed. I found out what happened, and explain what it means: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/b...
How Private Equity’s Vision for a Roofing Conglomerate Went Bust
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:30 PM
private equity is in basically every sector of the economy now
while tax and securities law reforms would be great, I will continue to scream from rooftops that *they are using our money*
while tax and securities law reforms would be great, I will continue to scream from rooftops that *they are using our money*
Reposted by Tom Goldsmith
The UK's data centre boom is "not compatible with net zero" or the country's Clean Power 2030 plan, UK Networks Services MD Simon Gallagher told an event held by energy analyst Montel.
UK data centre boom “not compatible with net zero”
UK data centre boom
montelnews.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:14 PM
The UK's data centre boom is "not compatible with net zero" or the country's Clean Power 2030 plan, UK Networks Services MD Simon Gallagher told an event held by energy analyst Montel.
Reposted by Tom Goldsmith
Man takes city bus for a joy ride, makes several stops along the way, allowing passengers to get on and off at bus stops, no damage to the vehicle.
"He even went as far as to deny someone looking to board with an expired bus pass"
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
"He even went as far as to deny someone looking to board with an expired bus pass"
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Man who took Hamilton bus on joy ride 'did a great job' driving, left no dings, say police | CBC News
He made several stops along the way, allowing passengers to get on and off, police say. He was then arrested.
www.cbc.ca
November 13, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Man takes city bus for a joy ride, makes several stops along the way, allowing passengers to get on and off at bus stops, no damage to the vehicle.
"He even went as far as to deny someone looking to board with an expired bus pass"
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
"He even went as far as to deny someone looking to board with an expired bus pass"
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
I've written a bit about the arts and culture sector and how the challenges they face are similar to many of those in the innovation economy writ large: unaffordable and financialized housing, lacklustre government support, and predatory monopolies.
open.substack.com/pub/orbitpol...
open.substack.com/pub/orbitpol...
Culture and Communities
The arts and culture sector is a powerful economic driver - but faces similar pressures to those of Canada's wider innovation industries.
open.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:34 PM
I've written a bit about the arts and culture sector and how the challenges they face are similar to many of those in the innovation economy writ large: unaffordable and financialized housing, lacklustre government support, and predatory monopolies.
open.substack.com/pub/orbitpol...
open.substack.com/pub/orbitpol...
Reposted by Tom Goldsmith
I like to gamble. I have a regular poker game. I used to go to Vegas once a year with buddies.
But I hope we begin to treat the extractive online gambling industry, along with the online shills who ruin lives, like coke dealers.
But I hope we begin to treat the extractive online gambling industry, along with the online shills who ruin lives, like coke dealers.
If convicted on all charges, the pitchers face up to 65 years in prison.
According to the indictment, Clase’s conspirators totaled more than $400,000 in winnings. Ortiz’s totaled more than $60,000.
According to the indictment, Clase’s conspirators totaled more than $400,000 in winnings. Ortiz’s totaled more than $60,000.
Guardians’ Emmanuel Clase, Luis Ortiz indicted on charges linked to illegal sports betting
Ortiz was arrested Sunday in Boston and will appear in court Monday. Clase was not in custody as of early Sunday afternoon.
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:45 PM
I like to gamble. I have a regular poker game. I used to go to Vegas once a year with buddies.
But I hope we begin to treat the extractive online gambling industry, along with the online shills who ruin lives, like coke dealers.
But I hope we begin to treat the extractive online gambling industry, along with the online shills who ruin lives, like coke dealers.
Reposted by Tom Goldsmith
Budget 2025 does little to contain the cost-of-living crisis or rising rates of poverty. Important programs are targeted for cuts, others to be starved of funds. Is this the route to an inclusive future? #cdnpoli www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
The path to prosperity set out in budget 2025 leaves millions behind - CCPA
The millions struggling to pay their rent and put food on the table were looking for relief in budget 2025—and they were disappointed.
www.policyalternatives.ca
November 6, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Budget 2025 does little to contain the cost-of-living crisis or rising rates of poverty. Important programs are targeted for cuts, others to be starved of funds. Is this the route to an inclusive future? #cdnpoli www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
My thoughts on Budget 2025, @armineyalnizyan.bsky.social's call to focus on "the humans that make up the economy," and the vision for governing articulated by @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social in his victory speech: open.substack.com/pub/orbitpol...
"We must chart a new path, as bold as the one we have already traveled"
On Budget 2025 and Mamdani's very different articulation of what is needed in this moment.
open.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:14 PM
My thoughts on Budget 2025, @armineyalnizyan.bsky.social's call to focus on "the humans that make up the economy," and the vision for governing articulated by @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social in his victory speech: open.substack.com/pub/orbitpol...