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Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer

@michaelrnelson.bsky.social
980 followers 808 following 1.5K posts

Scholar, Carnegie Endowment; Former Tech Strategy, Georgetown, Cloudflare, U.S. Senate, Clinton/Gore White House, FCC, IBM, BGOV, Microsoft. Accelerating the future of the Net and the Cloud

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Reposted by Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer
Zach Everson @zacheverson.com · 11h
Here's a list of 64 previous botched executions in the United States. Christa Pike will make 65.
deathpenaltyinfo.org
Botched Executions | Death Penalty Information Center
The Death Penalty Information Center (DPI) is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to serve the media, policymakers, and the general public…
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Reposted by Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer
gamera obscura @ohrobin.bsky.social · 11h
Between 1890-2010, 276 of 8,776 executions were botched (3.15%). For lethal injection specifically, 75 of 1,054. Those are just the ones we have verifiable records for. In 2022 alone, the Death Penalty Information Center identified seven of 20 execution attempts (35%) as “visibly problematic.”
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Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer @michaelrnelson.bsky.social · 11h
BARBARIC!! www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Tennessee woman ‘snoring’ and still alive as execution halted, witnesses say
Christa Pike, sentenced to death over 1995 murder, was heard snoring 40 minutes after lethal doses administered, witnesses said
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Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer @michaelrnelson.bsky.social · 11h
What resistance looks like. What ciurage looks like!! jojofromjerz.substack.com/p/be-best-be...
jojofromjerz.substack.com
Be Best. Be Quiet. Or Be Bankrupted.
Melania Trump is selling a story about lifting women up. I’m the mother of two she tried to frighten into submission.
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Reposted by Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer
Anonymous @youranoncentral.bsky.social · 23h
I am Anon and Russia is my enemy.
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Reposted by Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer
Radio Free America @radiofreeameri.ca · 23h
Inside Downballot Dems’ Effort to Flip Texas’ Key County Battleground.
texasobserver.org
Inside Downballot Dems' Effort to Flip Texas' Key County Battleground
Amid voter suppression and rampant ideological warfare, Tarrant County Democratic candidates try to capitalize on this surge of local anger.
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Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer @michaelrnelson.bsky.social · 23h
Sen. Slotkin is showing us how to take on @realdonaldtrump.govmirrors.com & his crooked MAGA cronies. "Trump is captain of the Titanic and is charging passengers to get in the lifeboats." "He thinks America is broken, and he's grabbing his." #Corruption #DictatorsPlaybook @carnegieendowment.org
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Reposted by Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer
Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
When the “censorship industrial complex” myth was just getting started, in Fall 2022, I got a public records request from the AG’s office of Missouri looking for all my emails related to my team’s election rumor research. The Missouri AG at that time? Eric Schmitt. What a tool.
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Reposted by Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer
The New Republic @newrepublic.com · 23h
Ken Paxton’s comments are obviously a humiliating gaffe for Trump, who backed the attorney general against Senator John Cornyn in a shocking political maneuver. trib.al/19ZS4al
trib.al
Ken Paxton Caught Privately Trashing Trump in Leaked Audio
The attorney general and Senate candidate warned Trump is dragging down all Republicans with him.
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Reposted by Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer
Sahil Kapur @sahilkapur.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Klobuchar: “For a US senator to have false information and imply, based on a confusion about the name of a team … and imply that you were in another city, that you were somehow involved that day in what was happening in Georgia, and then call you a dirtbag, is something that deserves an apology.”
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Reposted by Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer
Sahil Kapur @sahilkapur.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
A phenomenal moment in the Senate. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., claims he has evidence Jack Smith went to a HAWKS game in Atlanta. Smith denies it. Schmitt declares he has busted Jack Smith for perjury. Smith, vexed, says he went to HAWKEYES game in Maryland. WATCH IN FULL, UNINTERRUPTED
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Reposted by Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer
Dave Nelson 🇨🇦 @davenlsn.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Research shows one in eight cancers worldwide are actually caused by infections. Another reason to be vaccinated #CanadaSky  www.cbc.ca/news/health/...
cbc.ca
Researchers are discovering more infections that can cause cancer | CBC News
New global research suggests 12 per cent of cancers were caused by infections, predominantly caused by HPV and H. pylori
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Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer @michaelrnelson.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Do NOT miss this (in-person or via Zoom; live or later)!!! @carnegieendowment.org @slotkin.senate.gov @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu carnegieendowment.org/events/2026/...
carnegieendowment.org
A Conversation on Defending Democracy With Senator Elissa Slotkin and Anne Applebaum
Please join the Carnegie Endowment’s Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program for a conversation with Senator Elissa Slotkin and Anne Applebaum, examining the lessons learned from global pro-democr...
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Reposted by Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer
Bill Kristol @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Tom Joscelyn: "There are some weeks in our history that matter more than others. This is the week the president of the U.S. went in front of the U.N. and said that any concerns about AI are a hoax. It's scary. Maybe others can step up." youtu.be/gtZv6V35DQE?...
youtu.be
Trump Is Gambling With America’s AI Future w/Bill Kristol and Tom Joscleyn
YouTube video by Home of the Brave
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Reposted by Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer
Dustin Volz @dustinvolz.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
New: OpenAI ignored warnings from its own employees and independent security researchers who said they needed better safety measures at the company. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/29/t...
nytimes.com
OpenAI Ignored Employees’ Warnings About Safely Testing A.I. Models (Gift Article)
Employees and security researchers said that they had cautioned the company on safely testing its A.I. models and strengthening its corporate infrastructure, but that OpenAI did not listen.
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Reposted by Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer
Castanet.net @castanet.net · 28/09/2026
Serbia's populist President Vucic resigns to run for prime minister at early vote (Serbia)
castanet.net
Serbia's populist President Vucic resigns to run for prime minister at early vote - World News
Serbia's populist President Aleksandar Vucic resigned Sunday to pursue a bid to become prime minister in an upcoming early parliamentary election that will test his firm rule in the Balkan country, which was rattled by nearly two years of protests.
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Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer @michaelrnelson.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
A very important overview of the battle between the tech billionaires and democracy: www.theguardian.com/technology/n... #RequiredReading
theguardian.com
Democracy blindsides Silicon Valley’s power players looking to transform the world with AI
‘The push against datacenters speaks to the frustration of people who don’t feel they are making the choices in their lives’
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Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer @michaelrnelson.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
This is BEAUTIFUL!! #BaseballHasHeart! www.usatoday.com/story/sports...
usatoday.com
Justin Verlander's final MLB start: Highlights, stats, reaction from farewell outing
See how Justin Verlander fared in the final start of his Hall of Fame career, including stats, highlights and reaction from Tigers vs. Pirates.
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Reposted by Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer
Tigers Claw 🐅🐾 虎の爪 @tigersclaw1.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Then: Woodward and Bernstein Now:
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Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer @michaelrnelson.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
WOW!! This gives me hope. Stubb of Finland is one of my favorite world leaders. In a sane and logical world, concerns about geographic and gender balance would not preclude 2/3 of the viable candidates, and Stubb would be a leading candidate to become the next UN S-G. m.youtube.com/watch?v=QJas...
m.youtube.com
Finland’s President Delivers Must-Watch UN Lecture to Understand Today’s World Disorder | AC1G
YouTube video by DRM News
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Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer @michaelrnelson.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Make Congress Great Again!!!
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Reposted by Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer
Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
"We must not grow indifferent to wars and human suffering, but instead channel our efforts into preventing conflicts ..." The UNSC speech by the Finnish president was refreshing in our war-focused present www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJas...
youtube.com
Finland’s President Delivers Must-Watch UN Lecture to Understand Today’s World Disorder | AC1G
YouTube video by DRM News
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Reposted by Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer
Joanna Bryson @j2bryson.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Finland knows a lot about war. I wasn’t the biggest fan of Stubb based on my first two encounters with him, but this speach and the one he gave @hertieschool.bsky.social last year were superb.
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Reposted by Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer
Olivia Guest · Ολίβια Γκεστ @olivia.science · 26/09/2026
> In most fields where the consequences for error are serious, human performance is not 99% accuracy or 99.9% accuracy; it's 99.99% accuracy or better.
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Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer @michaelrnelson.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Be afraid. VERY afraid. (But, of course, Trump & Cronies WANT you to be afraid.) #InfoWar www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
theguardian.com
‘The weaker he gets, the more dangerous he gets’: Trump lashes out as his power wanes
Trump tries to dominate at the UN as his approval ratings plummet and even some Republicans distance themselves from him
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Reposted by Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer
Social Media Lab @socialmedialab.ca · 26/09/2026
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-...
cmarmitage.substack.com
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.
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Reposted by Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer
Adolfo Neto @adolfoneto.elixiremfoco.com · 26/09/2026
If a person says it is Anti-AI and uses AI as proof, we know that person is pro-AI cc @olivia.science, who wrote on Entrysm
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Reposted by Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer
Michael Pettis @michaelpettis.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
1/2 FT: "Brussels has warned Andy Burnham that Britain would need to raise tariffs on Chinese cars and align more closely with EU trade policy if it wants to avoid “made in Europe” barriers that would hit key exports." www.ft.com/content/5453...
ft.com
EU urges UK to raise tariffs on Chinese cars to avoid ‘made in Europe’ barriers
London has lobbied intensely to secure equal treatment for British products but continues to rule out a customs union
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Reposted by Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer
Tech Policy Press @techpolicypress.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
The European Union says its AI rules already give regulators the tools to deal with the risks posed by increasingly capable AI models. Legal experts are questioning how far those powers actually extend, Joana Soares reports.
buff.ly
Europe Says Its AI Rules Are Enough. AI Agents Are Testing That Claim
Recent AI agent incidents are testing whether Europe’s AI Act can hold increasingly capable AI systems accountable, Joana Soares reports.
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Reposted by Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer
Tech Policy Press @techpolicypress.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
All five of the main presidential hopefuls in Brazil’s upcoming election feature ‘sovereignty’ prominently in their plans. But it means entirely different things to each candidate, from right to left, reports Tech Policy Press fellow Tatiana Dias.
buff.ly
Brazil’s Presidential Candidates Give Digital Sovereignty Many Meanings
Every major candidate is promising sovereignty for Brazil — but what that actually means differs completely across the political spectrum, says Tatiana Dias.
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Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer @michaelrnelson.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
A truly extraordinary interview with the head of Ukraine's drone operations. It's a brutal, senseless war that's likely to get worse. balticsentinel.eu/8540628/inte...
balticsentinel.eu
INTERVIEW ⟩ Ukrainian Drone Forces Commander “Magyar”: “Ukraine Is Using Only 14% of Its Deep-Strike Drone Potential — We Have More Pilots Than Drones”
Ukraine has everything it needs to carry out continuous drone strikes against Russia, including targets beyond the Ural Mountains. There is also no real limit preventing Ukraine from soon striking Vla...
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Reposted by Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer
Hypervisible @hypervisible.blacksky.app · 25/09/2026
“The reality is, we don’t have to wait to see how AI will bring about unprecedented death and destruction, because we’ve already witnessed its unleashing.”
theguardian.com
It’s not hypothetical: the dangers of AI are already here | Granate Kim and Mohamed Hussein
Israel and the US have used AI to kill in Gaza and Iran, while law enforcement uses it in surveillance and arrests. The future is here
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Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer @michaelrnelson.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Extraordinary insights into how Ukrainians have defended their country (so far).
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Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer @michaelrnelson.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026... Word of the Week: DIPLOTAINMENT
theguardian.com
Diplomacy or ‘diplotainment’? Key takeaways from the Trump-Xi summit in Washington
Xi Jinping’s visit heavy on symbolism but no sign closed-door meeting yielded breakthroughs on thorny issues such as AI, trade, Taiwan and Iran
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Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer @michaelrnelson.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
On a United flight to Denver. Watching a GREAT documentary about cryptocurrency scams, "Everybody is Lying to you for Money". Even better than "AI Doc", which is also available on the flight en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everyon...
en.wikipedia.org
Everyone Is Lying to You for Money - Wikipedia
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Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer @michaelrnelson.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Trump and Sons are not the first American con men--but they might be the most audacious and greedy! apnews.com/article/snak...
apnews.com
One thing that hasn’t changed in 250 years: Americans’ willingness to get suckered
America is the land of possibility and the land of cockamamie schemes. Our enduring belief that anything is possible has helped the nation become the world’s largest economy, but it has also led us to...
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Reposted by Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer
404 Media @404media.co · 21/09/2026
While people around the U.S. are tearing down Flock cameras, one group of hackers went a step further: extracting the camera's software too. Here's what we learned: www.404media.co/hackers-stol...
404media.co
Hackers Stole Flock’s Camera Software, Revealing How the Company Tracks Cars and People
While people around the U.S. are tearing down Flock cameras, one group of hackers went a step further: extracting the camera's software too.
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Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer @michaelrnelson.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Just in case you hadn't heard that the President of the United States is INSANE. www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
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Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer @michaelrnelson.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Thank you, WAMU (and the BBC)! My local PBS radio station just played this: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w... I am inspired. Starting my weekend social media sabbath--and reading some books (a couple on PAPER!!)
bbc.co.uk
BBC World Service - BBC Conversations, Can we live without our phones?
Sharing experiences of tech addiction and “weirdness” on smartphones
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Reposted by Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer
Shobita Parthasarathy @shobitap.org · 17/09/2026
In my new Expert Voices column @science.org, I argue that the Trump admin's science strategy (as written in Kratsios' Science: A Golden Age)--which gives more authority & funding to the private sector to direct the research enterprise--will harm science, and further erode its public accountability.
science.org
Escaping a downward spiral for science and public accountability
In late July, Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), released Science—A Golden Age, setting forth a strategy to revitalize US research and innova...
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Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer @michaelrnelson.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Great conversation right NOW at @AEI. Utah Governor Spencer Cox talking about whether we can fix politics in the US of A. "Our political system is attracting a lot of the wrong people." AMEN!!! www.aei.org/events/how-t...
aei.org
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Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer @michaelrnelson.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
www.dw.com/en/belarus-t... Art of the Deal or encouraging more hostage taking by #PutinsPals?
dw.com
Belarus to release 25 more prisoners as US eases sanctions
Belarus will release 25 more prisoners under an interim agreement with the United States, while Washington plans to lift sanctions on two Belarusian companies and pursue broader negotiations.
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Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer @michaelrnelson.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
If you care about AI, listen to this Ezra Klein podcast interview with my Carnegie colleague Matt Sheehan: www.nytimes.com/2026/09/15/o... Brilliance on both sides of the microphone.
nytimes.com
Opinion | The ‘But China!’ Dilemma Driving the A.I. Race
Can the U.S. regulate its A.I. industry without surrendering the A.I. race to China?
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Reposted by Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer
CCIA @ccianet.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
The House of Representatives has advanced Rep. Fedorchak’s High-Capacity Grid Act, legislation that CCIA has supported. 1/2
ccianet.org
CCIA Applauds House Passage of High-Capacity Grid Act - CCIA
Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association applauds the House passage of Rep. Julie Fedorchak’s High-Capacity Grid Act as an
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Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer @michaelrnelson.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Starting in ONE minute. The @Politico DECODED conference on #ArtificialIntelligence
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Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer @michaelrnelson.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Useful. MUCH more likely that the AI stock bubble will burst and wipe out a lot of retirement nest eggs. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
theguardian.com
Could AI really wipe out humanity – six experts spell out the risks
We examine claims and counterclaims about the risks and calls to slow down the pace of AI development
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Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer @michaelrnelson.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
But what will "regulation" do? Legislators shouldn't be in the business of designing software or dictating how it is used. But, requiring transparency about incidents and abuse would be VERY helpful and spur measures to prevent "disasters" (large or small). www.cnn.com/2026/09/10/u... @profgalloway
cnn.com
Calls for increased regulation of AI as researchers sound the alarm | CNN
AI industry insiders warn the technology could wipe out humanity within the decade. NYU professor and podcast host Scott Galloway says evil AI isn’t the problem, it’s the lack of regulation. “This is ...
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Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer @michaelrnelson.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Once again, these guys are using science fiction novels and movies as instruction manuals!! Troubling! www.dw.com/en/us-confir...
dw.com
US confirms it has weapons in space
The Space Force justified the weapons deployment by citing the US's two biggest geopolitical rivals: Russia and China. Beijing responded by urging Washington to "stop preparing for war" in outer space...
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Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer @michaelrnelson.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
www.threads.com/share/FtrNAr...
threads.com
Mike Nelson (@mikenetson) on Threads
Love the sign-off: "Stay cynical" " . . . a last-ditch effort to save their companies . . ." " . . . worse than the dot-com bubble."
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Reposted by Mike Nelson, Digital Policy Pioneer
David Mair @davidmair4.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
“The most influential factors were whether respondents felt that scientists are "on the side of people like them" and whether they thought of scientists as open and transparent. Both outweighed perceptions of scientific expertise.” Imp for science for policy/evidence-informed policymaking. #scipol
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