Robin Berjon
@robin.berjon.com
Putting human agency back into technology. Brussels, 🇪🇺.
• tech, governance, science, politics, philosophy, infrastructure, cats, terrible puns
• blog: https://berjon.com/
• fmr W3C, NYT, ScienceAI, Protocol Labs
• he/him/Ishmael
• Signal robin.77
• tech, governance, science, politics, philosophy, infrastructure, cats, terrible puns
• blog: https://berjon.com/
• fmr W3C, NYT, ScienceAI, Protocol Labs
• he/him/Ishmael
• Signal robin.77
"Private Government: How Employers Rule Our Lives (and Why We Don't Talk About It)" by Elizabeth Anderson
A much-needed reframing to show that government can take place in private contexts too. She focuses on employers in the US, but it works well for tech monopolies in the digital space too.
A much-needed reframing to show that government can take place in private contexts too. She focuses on employers in the US, but it works well for tech monopolies in the digital space too.
January 10, 2026 at 9:29 PM
"Private Government: How Employers Rule Our Lives (and Why We Don't Talk About It)" by Elizabeth Anderson
A much-needed reframing to show that government can take place in private contexts too. She focuses on employers in the US, but it works well for tech monopolies in the digital space too.
A much-needed reframing to show that government can take place in private contexts too. She focuses on employers in the US, but it works well for tech monopolies in the digital space too.
I can't even pick which meme joke works best.
January 9, 2026 at 11:38 AM
I can't even pick which meme joke works best.
"L'ordre du jour" by Éric Vuillard
Literary non-fiction recounting a couple of key moments of the rise of Nazism, notably financial support in a meeting of industrial monopolies and the Anschluss.
Parallels may be drawn.
Literary non-fiction recounting a couple of key moments of the rise of Nazism, notably financial support in a meeting of industrial monopolies and the Anschluss.
Parallels may be drawn.
January 7, 2026 at 10:35 AM
"L'ordre du jour" by Éric Vuillard
Literary non-fiction recounting a couple of key moments of the rise of Nazism, notably financial support in a meeting of industrial monopolies and the Anschluss.
Parallels may be drawn.
Literary non-fiction recounting a couple of key moments of the rise of Nazism, notably financial support in a meeting of industrial monopolies and the Anschluss.
Parallels may be drawn.
"The Course of the Heart" by M. John Harrison
Wafting dreamlike, beautifully written.
Wafting dreamlike, beautifully written.
January 3, 2026 at 7:11 PM
"The Course of the Heart" by M. John Harrison
Wafting dreamlike, beautifully written.
Wafting dreamlike, beautifully written.
I'm writing from Nuremberg, of all places to read today's news from, to tell you that the perpetrators of wars of aggression can and must be brought to justice.
But for that to happen, justice must still be standing. 🧵
But for that to happen, justice must still be standing. 🧵
January 3, 2026 at 5:15 PM
I'm writing from Nuremberg, of all places to read today's news from, to tell you that the perpetrators of wars of aggression can and must be brought to justice.
But for that to happen, justice must still be standing. 🧵
But for that to happen, justice must still be standing. 🧵
"For A Left Populism" by Chantal Mouffe
Excellent first read of the year. A framework and a strategy for the change we need. If you're progressive and unsure of what to do, what politics should look like, this is a good short read to think it through
Excellent first read of the year. A framework and a strategy for the change we need. If you're progressive and unsure of what to do, what politics should look like, this is a good short read to think it through
January 2, 2026 at 8:32 PM
"For A Left Populism" by Chantal Mouffe
Excellent first read of the year. A framework and a strategy for the change we need. If you're progressive and unsure of what to do, what politics should look like, this is a good short read to think it through
Excellent first read of the year. A framework and a strategy for the change we need. If you're progressive and unsure of what to do, what politics should look like, this is a good short read to think it through
Maybe we should figure out how to use her strategies for good.
January 2, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Maybe we should figure out how to use her strategies for good.
"The Liberal Internet in the Postliberal Era: Digital Sovereignty, Private Government, and Practices of Neutralization" by Johannes Thumfart
Dense and deeply researched. I have notes on some parts, but many good points and his overall thesis that states must make the digital neutral is great.
Dense and deeply researched. I have notes on some parts, but many good points and his overall thesis that states must make the digital neutral is great.
December 30, 2025 at 7:55 PM
"The Liberal Internet in the Postliberal Era: Digital Sovereignty, Private Government, and Practices of Neutralization" by Johannes Thumfart
Dense and deeply researched. I have notes on some parts, but many good points and his overall thesis that states must make the digital neutral is great.
Dense and deeply researched. I have notes on some parts, but many good points and his overall thesis that states must make the digital neutral is great.
"Lords of Uncreation" by @aptshadow.bsky.social
A fitting grand finale to a high speed, fun trilogy.
A fitting grand finale to a high speed, fun trilogy.
December 29, 2025 at 8:27 AM
"Lords of Uncreation" by @aptshadow.bsky.social
A fitting grand finale to a high speed, fun trilogy.
A fitting grand finale to a high speed, fun trilogy.
"Physics For Cats" by @tomgauld.bsky.social
Simply brilliant. Got it as a gift for the whole family, to rave reviews!
Simply brilliant. Got it as a gift for the whole family, to rave reviews!
December 27, 2025 at 2:50 PM
"Physics For Cats" by @tomgauld.bsky.social
Simply brilliant. Got it as a gift for the whole family, to rave reviews!
Simply brilliant. Got it as a gift for the whole family, to rave reviews!
Just a couple of examples.
December 25, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Just a couple of examples.
"La Route" by Manu Larcenet
An absolutely gorgeous graphic novel adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's The Road.
After reading the novel I dreamt in shades of ashen grey for days; Larcenet's drawings feel like you're breathing in ash and despair. Tough, harsh, but unmissable.
An absolutely gorgeous graphic novel adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's The Road.
After reading the novel I dreamt in shades of ashen grey for days; Larcenet's drawings feel like you're breathing in ash and despair. Tough, harsh, but unmissable.
December 25, 2025 at 6:14 PM
"La Route" by Manu Larcenet
An absolutely gorgeous graphic novel adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's The Road.
After reading the novel I dreamt in shades of ashen grey for days; Larcenet's drawings feel like you're breathing in ash and despair. Tough, harsh, but unmissable.
An absolutely gorgeous graphic novel adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's The Road.
After reading the novel I dreamt in shades of ashen grey for days; Larcenet's drawings feel like you're breathing in ash and despair. Tough, harsh, but unmissable.
Noodle and Kitsune wish you the same!
They're particularly relieved to hear that those [*checks without being seen by his mailbox*] 274 emails won't require immediate tending to.
They're particularly relieved to hear that those [*checks without being seen by his mailbox*] 274 emails won't require immediate tending to.
December 22, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Noodle and Kitsune wish you the same!
They're particularly relieved to hear that those [*checks without being seen by his mailbox*] 274 emails won't require immediate tending to.
They're particularly relieved to hear that those [*checks without being seen by his mailbox*] 274 emails won't require immediate tending to.
If you go through Leuven, don't miss Sint-Pieterskerk's exhibit of @faineg.bsky.social's earlier work, including this St Michael with a Big Naturals Dragon bottom centre and precursor Alf Hog on the smitten dragon.
December 21, 2025 at 8:24 PM
If you go through Leuven, don't miss Sint-Pieterskerk's exhibit of @faineg.bsky.social's earlier work, including this St Michael with a Big Naturals Dragon bottom centre and precursor Alf Hog on the smitten dragon.
@seabass.bsky.social & @laurenshof.online are you two at the beach together?
December 19, 2025 at 11:06 AM
@seabass.bsky.social & @laurenshof.online are you two at the beach together?
"We Will Rise Again" by @drkarenlord.bsky.social, @annaleen.bsky.social, and @older.bsky.social (eds.)
What better way is there to end the year than with a compendium of hope and resistance imaginaries!
What better way is there to end the year than with a compendium of hope and resistance imaginaries!
December 18, 2025 at 6:54 PM
"We Will Rise Again" by @drkarenlord.bsky.social, @annaleen.bsky.social, and @older.bsky.social (eds.)
What better way is there to end the year than with a compendium of hope and resistance imaginaries!
What better way is there to end the year than with a compendium of hope and resistance imaginaries!
Also people who think that digital infrastructure just means cloud. So if public procurement buys some cloud from European providers, all is good! No need to worry about other infrastructure — what other infrastructure?
December 14, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Also people who think that digital infrastructure just means cloud. So if public procurement buys some cloud from European providers, all is good! No need to worry about other infrastructure — what other infrastructure?
"Process-Relational Philosophy: An Introduction to Alfred North Whitehead" by Robert Mesle
Probably as simple an introduction to Whitehead as one can get (though I would've led liked something more advanced).
Probably as simple an introduction to Whitehead as one can get (though I would've led liked something more advanced).
December 13, 2025 at 9:41 AM
"Process-Relational Philosophy: An Introduction to Alfred North Whitehead" by Robert Mesle
Probably as simple an introduction to Whitehead as one can get (though I would've led liked something more advanced).
Probably as simple an introduction to Whitehead as one can get (though I would've led liked something more advanced).
The reality is different and has two paths:
1. If what you say is compatible with the political line of that media, it'll be spread, potentially far beyond your followers.
2. If it goes against the political line, it'll flop, possibly not even reaching your followers.
(This can be gradated.)
1. If what you say is compatible with the political line of that media, it'll be spread, potentially far beyond your followers.
2. If it goes against the political line, it'll flop, possibly not even reaching your followers.
(This can be gradated.)
December 12, 2025 at 12:22 PM
The reality is different and has two paths:
1. If what you say is compatible with the political line of that media, it'll be spread, potentially far beyond your followers.
2. If it goes against the political line, it'll flop, possibly not even reaching your followers.
(This can be gradated.)
1. If what you say is compatible with the political line of that media, it'll be spread, potentially far beyond your followers.
2. If it goes against the political line, it'll flop, possibly not even reaching your followers.
(This can be gradated.)
Another mistaken view is thinking that if you have followers then you can address them, as if a crowd were listening to you.
That's true on open systems like Bluesky, but it's a completely broken model to understand X, Insta, YouTube, etc.
That's true on open systems like Bluesky, but it's a completely broken model to understand X, Insta, YouTube, etc.
December 12, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Another mistaken view is thinking that if you have followers then you can address them, as if a crowd were listening to you.
That's true on open systems like Bluesky, but it's a completely broken model to understand X, Insta, YouTube, etc.
That's true on open systems like Bluesky, but it's a completely broken model to understand X, Insta, YouTube, etc.
Digital spaces don't work that way. Anyone's presence can be minimised and even erased, while others can be made so important that they're unavoidable.
There is no limit to how unbalanced the amplification of certain voices and suppression of others can be. The fascist minority will crowd you out.
There is no limit to how unbalanced the amplification of certain voices and suppression of others can be. The fascist minority will crowd you out.
December 12, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Digital spaces don't work that way. Anyone's presence can be minimised and even erased, while others can be made so important that they're unavoidable.
There is no limit to how unbalanced the amplification of certain voices and suppression of others can be. The fascist minority will crowd you out.
There is no limit to how unbalanced the amplification of certain voices and suppression of others can be. The fascist minority will crowd you out.
In a physical space, everyone takes up roughly the same volume. If a bunch of Nazis come to your town's public square, good people can show up and just crowd them out.
A lot of the "but we can't cede X!" people live in that imaginary world.
A lot of the "but we can't cede X!" people live in that imaginary world.
December 12, 2025 at 12:22 PM
In a physical space, everyone takes up roughly the same volume. If a bunch of Nazis come to your town's public square, good people can show up and just crowd them out.
A lot of the "but we can't cede X!" people live in that imaginary world.
A lot of the "but we can't cede X!" people live in that imaginary world.
From a few weeks back :)
"Rent. Ride. Repeat." 👀
"Rent. Ride. Repeat." 👀
December 11, 2025 at 4:07 PM
From a few weeks back :)
"Rent. Ride. Repeat." 👀
"Rent. Ride. Repeat." 👀
If you like your editors hot.
December 9, 2025 at 10:38 AM
If you like your editors hot.