Hamish van der Ven @profhvdv.bsky.social · 6hUBC FES is hiring: forestry.ubc.ca/career-oppor...forestry.ubc.caAssistant Professor of the Social Dimensions of Wildfire | UBC FESThe Department of Forest Resources Management is seeking an Assistant Professor of the Social Dimensions of Wildfire. 021
Hamish van der Ven @profhvdv.bsky.social · 01/10/2026At least AI isn't destroying our forests yet. Wait, wut?? www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finl...helsinkitimes.fiFinland investigates suspected illegal logging at Google data centre sitesFinland’s regulator is investigating suspected unlawful logging at Google data centre sites in Muhos and Kajaani. Google denies breaking the law. 000
Hamish van der Ven @profhvdv.bsky.social · 01/10/2026"AI Safety" = QAnon for tech bros Don't be fooled by the sleight of hand, the real risk remains that AI will destroy the climate, steal our jobs, and further concentrate wealth in the hands of tech billionaires. www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...washingtonpost.comHow a fringe AI movement convinced Washington the end is nearActivists spent years cultivating allies on Capitol Hill. Now lawmakers in both major parties are discussing human extinction. 021
Reposted by Hamish van der VenTeresa Heffernan @tjheffernan.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Canada's "AI for All" asks us to trust Bengio's lawzero.org/en, but scroll down for the donors and backers (Nvidia; Musk's Future of Life institute; Gates; Schmidt etc) and you have a classic case of the fox guarding the chicken coop.lawzero.orgLawZero | HomeLawZero is a nonprofit startup developing technical solutions for highly-capable, safe-by-design AI systems. 22110
Reposted by Hamish van der VenKetan Joshi @ketanjoshi.co · 24/09/2026Funny coincidence: this estimate of China's cleantech avoided emissions is about the same as the potential *added* emissions if all planned data centre gas plants go ahead ketanjoshi.co/2026/09/16/n... 110543
Reposted by Hamish van der VenTimnit Gebru @timnitgebru.blacksky.app · 18/02/2026We shouldn't need Epstein level depravity to reject TESCREALism. 336137
Hamish van der Ven @profhvdv.bsky.social · 07/08/2026Achieve Sustainability by 2200 by Eating Billionaires 020
Hamish van der Ven @profhvdv.bsky.social · 22/07/2026But have you considered how much quicker DD would hit the shelves if you were under financial duress? 100
Reposted by Hamish van der VenMargaret Mitchell @mmitchell.bsky.social · 12/06/2026So apparently KPMG wrote a report describing the successful use of AI by businesses. But the case studies turned out to be AI hallucinations. www.ft.com/content/b382...ft.comKPMG report contained AI hallucinations on benefits of . . . AIBogus case studies on UBS and transit systems exaggerated adoption of the technology 1220873
Reposted by Hamish van der Venmolly taft @mollytaft.com · 13/05/2026NEW: xAI appears to have added more than 500 MW (!) of unpermitted gas turbines to its Colossus 2 campus in a matter of weeks, according to internal emails between the company and regulatorswired.comxAI Adds 16 New Gas Turbines Despite Ongoing LawsuitEmails show that Elon Musk's company is expanding its use of portable gas-fired power at its Colossus 2 site as a fight over air quality continues. 35819368
Reposted by Hamish van der VenWIRED @wired.com · 22/04/2026A WIRED review of permits for data center projects using natural gas and linked to OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft, and xAI shows they could emit more than 129 million tons of greenhouse gases per year. www.wired.com/story/new-ga...wired.comNew Gas-Powered Data Centers Could Emit More Greenhouse Gases Than Entire NationsA WIRED review of permits for data center projects using natural gas and linked to OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft, and xAI shows they could emit more than 129 million tons of greenhouse gases per year. 34659421
Hamish van der Ven @profhvdv.bsky.social · 22/04/2026A shoe company pivots to AI infrastructure? Ladies and gentlemen, we've reached peak GenAI FOMO. www.forbes.com/sites/jonmar...forbes.comThe $39 Million Shoe Company Allbirds Turned Into An AI StockHow Allbirds became an AI company overnight—and triggered a 600% stock surge. 010
Hamish van der Ven @profhvdv.bsky.social · 22/04/2026And the prize for most useless GenAI integration goes to...Starbucks. No Starbucks, I do not want you to guess my drink order based on my outfit for the day 😮💨 www.cnet.com/tech/service...lnkd.inLinkedInThis link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn 000
Reposted by Hamish van der VenRobert Heilmayr @econservation.bsky.social · 02/04/2026Very troubling news that'll have major implications for the state of forest management and science in the US. morethanjustparks.substack.com/p/breaking-t...morethanjustparks.substack.comBREAKING: Trump Administration Orders Dismantling of the U.S. Forest ServiceThe headquarters is going to Utah. Every regional office is being shuttered. The research program is being destroyed. 032
Reposted by Hamish van der VenUBC News @news.ubc.ca · 02/04/2026Can an AI chatbot ease loneliness as well as another human? A UBC study finds that texting a real person—even a stranger—outperforms AI companions. Human connection still matters. Read more: news.ubc.ca/2026/04/text...news.ubc.caTexting with a stranger beats a chatbot at easing loneliness - UBC NewsUBC-led study challenges the idea that an always-available AI companion can substitute for human connection. 062
Reposted by Hamish van der VenJosie Glausiusz @josiegz.bsky.social · 26/03/2026Meta and the video streaming service YouTube harmed a young user with design features that were addictive and led to her mental health distress, a jury found on Wednesday. Social media companies were accused of creating products as addictive as cigarettes. www.nytimes.com/2026/03/25/t...nytimes.comMeta and YouTube Found Negligent in Landmark Social Media Addiction Case 013
Reposted by Hamish van der VenJathan Sadowski @jathansadowski.com · 23/03/2026Yet another case of automated austerity. When the humans in the loop are actually just treated as vestigial organs waiting to be removed. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03... 110341
Reposted by Hamish van der VenUBC News @news.ubc.ca · 23/03/2026UBC and InBC are launching a new fund to accelerate and scale innovative companies advancing UBC research and discoveries, supporting economic and social impact across B.C. Read more: news.ubc.ca/2026/03/ubc-...news.ubc.caInBC and UBC partner to spur growth and commercialization of UBC-affiliated companiesA new UBC–InBC partnership is creating a $20-million venture fund to accelerate and scale innovative university spin-offs, supporting economic and social impact across B.C. 012
Reposted by Hamish van der VenJason Hickel @jasonhickel.bsky.social · 18/03/2026I'm excited to announce this new paper we have in Nature Climate Change, establishing the core principles of a post-growth climate mitigation scenario that can achieve rapid decarbonization and high well-being. nature.com/articles/s41... 412950
Reposted by Hamish van der VenErin Fogg says Free Link @criminalerin.bsky.social · 19/03/2026Oh yeah these guys are definitely giving us a UBI for sure any day nowtheguardian.comGoogle co-founder spends $45m in fight against California billionaire taxSergey Brin gives $25m on top of $20m he’s already given to Super Pac trying to block state’s proposed 5% wealth tax 14525128
Reposted by Hamish van der Ven404 Media @404media.co · 12/03/2026This is Nathan Cavanaugh, another DOGE staffer explaining how he flagged grants at NEH for "DEI" which would be reviewed for termination. 404 Media has reviewed hours of this footage and we'll have more soon. Part of a lawsuit by @acls1919.bsky.social, @modernlanguage.bsky.social + @historians.org 118686193535
Reposted by Hamish van der VenSarah DeWeerdt @sarahdeweerdt.bsky.social · 03/03/2026Substituting "greener" plastics for conventional ones won't solve environmental problems with the plastics industry, I report (again) for @anthropocenemag.bsky.social: www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2026/03/ther...anthropocenemagazine.orgThere’s no such thing as a free polymer. The tradeoff at the heart of bioplastics.A new life-cycle analysis reveals that bio-based plastics are better for the climate but worse for biodiversity. The greenest option is reducing demand. 032
Reposted by Hamish van der VenJeff Doctor @jeff.doctor · 27/01/2026"We believe in the power of social to uplift people Our social impact strategy focuses on positively impacting our employees, customers, communities, and our environment for the long term." www.hootsuite.com/social-impacthootsuite.comDriving Positive Change | Hootsuite Social Impact ProgramsLearn about Hootsuite's social impact, including how we strive to make a positive change through volunteering, philanthropy, and discounts on our products. 44822
Reposted by Hamish van der VenJosh Sternberg @joshsternberg.com · 21/01/2026The disconnect between management and employee on AI usage is big. At the same time, CEOs are reporting they aren't seeing any revenue growth from AI. 🤷 www.wsj.com/lifestyle/wo...wsj.comCEOs Say AI Is Making Work More Efficient. Employees Tell a Different Story.How much time workers say the technology saves them on the job is vastly different from what executives report. 162657784
Reposted by Hamish van der VenFuturism @futurism.com · 30/12/2025The effort is a virtual goldmine for OpenAI.trib.alOpenAI Reportedly Planning to Make ChatGPT "Prioritize" Advertisers in ConversationOpenAI employees working on ChatGPT report plans to unleash sponsored advertisements above organic results. 7912145
Hamish van der Ven @profhvdv.bsky.social · 10/12/2025Last few weeks to apply to @forestry.ubc.ca's Dual Master's of Green Business. - 2 years - 2 great cities (Helsinki & Vancouver) - 2 degrees - Unlimited career possibilities Apply now: forestry.ubc.ca/future-stude...forestry.ubc.caUBC 011
Reposted by Hamish van der VenCentre for Climate Justice @ccj-ubc.bsky.social · 03/12/2025🚨The video recording of the AI and the Politics of Extraction panel is now live! Watch this fascinating 1.5 hour discussion with @naomiaklein.bsky.social, @profwhw.bsky.social, @mysdick.bsky.social, and @profhvdv.bsky.social as they explore the risks of unfettered AI implementation.youtube.comAI and the Politics of Extraction | Centre for Climate JusticeYouTube video by Centre for Climate Justice 19734
Reposted by Hamish van der VenDr. Sabrina Mittermeier @smittermeier.bsky.social · 23/11/2025Finally something on this argument current and future school teachers keep throwing at me - no, underserved groups are not currently or ever going to benefit from LLMs. 37325
Reposted by Hamish van der VenDan McQuillan @danmcquillan.bsky.social · 21/11/2025Resisting GenAI and Big Tech in Higher Education - Tuesday 25th Nov, free registration, great panel, big focus on climate justice. Register here: lmula.zoom.us/webinar/regi... 36740
Reposted by Hamish van der VenAmy Janzwood @amyjanzwood.bsky.social · 19/11/2025I awoke to the headline this morning that Ottawa and Alberta are reportedly “close” to a deal that includes a new heavy oil pipeline to the northwest coast of BC… It feels timely to share that my book is out now with UBC Press, available open access www.ubcpress.ca/mega-pipelin...ubcpress.caMega Pipelines, Mega ResistanceMega Pipelines, Mega Resistance - Tar Sands, Social Movements, and the Politics of Energy Infrastructure; Mega Pipelines, Mega Resistance reveals how and why social movements have frustrated major pip... 095
Reposted by Hamish van der VenWendy H. Wong @profwhw.bsky.social · 17/11/2025💬 Reminder to save your spot for "AI and the Politics of Extraction" at UBC's Centre for Climate Justice. I'm on a panel moderated by Carol Liao, and we will be discussing the complex political and legal issues raised by AI-enabled resource extraction. 🗓️Nov. 20 🕰️2-3:30pm 📍In-Person & Zoomclimatejustice.ubc.caUBC 062
Reposted by Hamish van der VenStacy VanDeveer @stacydvandeveer.bsky.social · 14/11/2025Can the world quit #coal? #COP30 #energy #ActOnClimate #Brazil #China #India @matpaterson.bsky.social @leahstokes.bsky.social theconversation.com/can-the-worl...theconversation.comCan the world quit coal?Nearly a third of all countries worldwide have pledged to phase out their unabated coal-burning power. But China and India are still adding coal plants – for now. 74016
Reposted by Hamish van der VenVictor Galaz @vgalaz.bsky.social · 13/11/2025Whoever said that digital tech is neither bad nor good, just depends on how you use it, should read this article. www.404media.co/google-has-c...404media.coGoogle Has Chosen a Side in Trump's Mass Deportation EffortGoogle is hosting a CBP app that uses facial recognition to identify immigrants, while simultaneously removing apps that report the location of ICE officials because Google sees ICE as a vulnerable gr... 011
Hamish van der Ven @profhvdv.bsky.social · 05/11/2025❗ AI skeptics: don't miss this hybrid event.❗ Register here: climatejustice.ubc.ca/events/event... 093
Hamish van der Ven @profhvdv.bsky.social · 03/11/2025I believe this is what those in the biz call a 'flywheel.' Basis for a paper? www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/t... 110
Hamish van der Ven @profhvdv.bsky.social · 31/10/2025Do you find the environmental polycrisis spooky? 👻 🎃 You're not alone. Check out my latest article with Peter Dauvergne: Surging Eco-Anxiety: Consequences for Global Environmental Politics. Our conclusions will haaaaaauunt you. 🧛 👿 doi.org/10.1162/GLEP...doi.orgSurging Eco-Anxiety: Consequences for Global Environmental PoliticsAbstract. Eco-anxiety is surging as environmental crises escalate. As the ecopsychology literature reveals, the effects and intensity of eco-anxiety vary across cultures, circumstances, and personalit... 010
Reposted by Hamish van der VenOlga Byrska @obyrska.bsky.social · 23/10/2025Pretends to be shocked www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/... 317778
Hamish van der Ven @profhvdv.bsky.social · 23/10/2025This sounds…smart? I’m cautiously optimistic 010
Reposted by Hamish van der VenRyan Katz-Rosene, PhD @ryankatzrosene.bsky.social · 16/10/2025“AI will help us solve climate change” 12611
Reposted by Hamish van der VenKate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 14/10/2025Great business model! They have to turn a profit somewhere, right? Get the audience (of lonely and poorly socialized males) addicted on an investor-subsidized product (of personalized porn) and then, slowly but inevitably, turn up the cost. 3025784
Reposted by Hamish van der VenThe Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 13/10/2025Proposals to build data centers are facing growing opposition across the country. Local leaders are weighing concerns about data centers’ water and electricity use with the hefty community investments that developers often offer to sweeten their deals. washingtonpost.comTowns are saying no to AI data centers. One got sued over it.A developer sued a Michigan township after it voted against a data center proposal. Cities in Ohio and Missouri have explored data center bans. 1517262
Hamish van der Ven @profhvdv.bsky.social · 11/10/2025Nice to be interviewed by CBC's The House. Catch me talking about the environmental impacts of AI around minute 30 here: podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/t...podcasts.apple.comWill AI make or break Canada?Podcast Episode · The House · 2025-10-11 · 49m 110
Reposted by Hamish van der VenHannibal TaBOO! | writer/VO actor (he/him/his) @hannibaltabu.bsky.social · 11/10/2025I saw the dot coms crash from a front row seat. AI is running out of money way faster. The evangelism is insecurity from people who made the wrong bet. I’ve seen it before. futurism.com/future-socie...futurism.comAI Data Centers Are an Even Bigger Disaster Than Previously ThoughtAn investment manager realized he made a crucial mistake — and that his grim prediction about AI investments may not have been cynical enough. 281445606
Reposted by Hamish van der VenAndrew Jorgenson @akjorgenson.bsky.social · 09/10/2025🚨🚨Conference Alert! Abstract Submissions Due Soon!🚨🚨 “Globalizing Political Economy: Launching the Global Political Economy Network", Happening July 2026, University of British Columbia. Open to all Topics Within a GPE Framework. Lots of Travel Funding Available. Details: tinyurl.com/2nv8st73tinyurl.comClimate & Society Lab - Call for Papers: Globalizing Political EconomyUniversity of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada July 21 – July 23, 2026 With financial support from the World Society Foundation (Zurich, Switzerland) and the Climate & Society Lab at the Universi... 085
Reposted by Hamish van der VenVirginia Gewin @virginiagewin.bsky.social · 08/10/2025—>the report estimated that emerging technologies "could destroy nearly 100 million U.S. jobs in a decade," replacing 47 percent of truck drivers, 64 percent of accountants and 89 percent of fast food and counter workers.newsweek.comAI could ‘destroy nearly 100 million jobs,’ Senate report findsThe report identified 20 jobs at significant risk from AI, 15 of which could see more than half of their positions replaced. 023
Reposted by Hamish van der VenEd Zitron @edzitron.com · 29/09/2025Newsletter: This is The Case Against Generative AI, a comprehensive analysis of a financial collapse built on myths I’ll dispel, the markets’ unhealthy obsession with NVIDIA's growth, and the fact that there is not enough money in the world to fund OpenAI. www.wheresyoured.at/the-case-aga...wheresyoured.atThe Case Against Generative AISoundtrack: Queens of the Stone Age - First It Giveth Before we go any further: This is, for the third time this year, the longest newsletter I've ever written, weighing in somewhere around 18,500 wo... 461978634
Hamish van der Ven @profhvdv.bsky.social · 28/09/2025For those looking for ways to push back against the blind adoption of AI in universities, I recommend this piece: zenodo.org/records/1706...zenodo.orgAgainst the Uncritical Adoption of 'AI' Technologies in AcademiaUnder the banner of progress, products have been uncritically adopted or even imposed on users — in past centuries with tobacco and combustion engines, and in the 21st with social media. For these col... 010
Reposted by Hamish van der VenJean-Frédéric Morin @jfmorin.bsky.social · 26/09/2025🚨 New paper: Will global environmental governance survive Trump? @rakhyunkim.bsky.social and I argue that its high complexity makes it more resilient than other governance systems. We give hegemonic stability theory a complexity science twist. 📖 Open Access: doi.org/10.1111/1758...doi.orgToo Complex to Fail: The Stability of Global Environmental Governance Beyond HegemonyThe recent US disengagement from global governance has revived concerns—first theorized in the 1970s and 1980s—about the vulnerability of international institutions to hegemonic decline. While these ... 2157