Robson Fletcher
@robsonfletcher.com
Data & Storytelling Strategist. Views my own and subject to change, especially in light of new evidence. 🌐 robsonfletcher.com
Pinned
As they say, *ahem*, some personal news:
After 20 years in journalism, including a decade at CBC News, I'm moving on to something different.
I’m launching my own independent practice as a Data & Storytelling Strategist.
Yes, I'm giving up a stable job in order to hang up my own shingle.
Why?
🧵👇
After 20 years in journalism, including a decade at CBC News, I'm moving on to something different.
I’m launching my own independent practice as a Data & Storytelling Strategist.
Yes, I'm giving up a stable job in order to hang up my own shingle.
Why?
🧵👇
Fun post about how Google *can* detect fake images generated by Google AI, but only if you know the obscure way to do it.
The mainstream Google tools, meanwhile, claim the image is genuine.
(TLDR: Within Gemini, upload an image & start your prompt with '@synthid' to use the little-known tool)
The mainstream Google tools, meanwhile, claim the image is genuine.
(TLDR: Within Gemini, upload an image & start your prompt with '@synthid' to use the little-known tool)
Made by Google. Missed by Google — except for one tool, buried in the garden shed.
If Google can make the fake, it should flag the fake in all its products
www.digitaldigging.org
February 9, 2026 at 8:27 PM
Fun post about how Google *can* detect fake images generated by Google AI, but only if you know the obscure way to do it.
The mainstream Google tools, meanwhile, claim the image is genuine.
(TLDR: Within Gemini, upload an image & start your prompt with '@synthid' to use the little-known tool)
The mainstream Google tools, meanwhile, claim the image is genuine.
(TLDR: Within Gemini, upload an image & start your prompt with '@synthid' to use the little-known tool)
"Mr. Carney’s speech went beyond diagnosis, though. It also gestured toward a way out. The U.S. president left Greenland alone in part because Denmark and its allies put more troops there...
"The lesson: America might be pointing a gun at you, but it can be made to behave if you point a gun back."
"The lesson: America might be pointing a gun at you, but it can be made to behave if you point a gun back."
Opinion | The Globalization of Canadian Rage
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 11:01 PM
"Mr. Carney’s speech went beyond diagnosis, though. It also gestured toward a way out. The U.S. president left Greenland alone in part because Denmark and its allies put more troops there...
"The lesson: America might be pointing a gun at you, but it can be made to behave if you point a gun back."
"The lesson: America might be pointing a gun at you, but it can be made to behave if you point a gun back."
Reposted by Robson Fletcher
Twitter's influence never lay in numbers, but in its capacity to shape what the chattering classes talked about. And now, "mainstream" pundits are arguing with people who will proudly wear the mantle of "racist" about policy. It has to have a corrosive effect.
February 6, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Twitter's influence never lay in numbers, but in its capacity to shape what the chattering classes talked about. And now, "mainstream" pundits are arguing with people who will proudly wear the mantle of "racist" about policy. It has to have a corrosive effect.
Reposted by Robson Fletcher
Elon Musk last year: "Epstein tried to get me to go to his island and I REFUSED"
Musk to Epstein emails:
• “What day/night will be the wildest party on your island?”
• "I really want to hit the party scene"
• "Is there a good time to visit?
Story: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/u...
Musk to Epstein emails:
• “What day/night will be the wildest party on your island?”
• "I really want to hit the party scene"
• "Is there a good time to visit?
Story: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/u...
January 30, 2026 at 11:10 PM
Elon Musk last year: "Epstein tried to get me to go to his island and I REFUSED"
Musk to Epstein emails:
• “What day/night will be the wildest party on your island?”
• "I really want to hit the party scene"
• "Is there a good time to visit?
Story: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/u...
Musk to Epstein emails:
• “What day/night will be the wildest party on your island?”
• "I really want to hit the party scene"
• "Is there a good time to visit?
Story: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/u...
Reposted by Robson Fletcher
KINEW: "I'm all for protecting us from the threat of the Trump tariffs. But at the same time, I'm not going to put my hand in my pocket to check how much money I have before I say something about what happened to Mr. Pretti or Ms. Good."
January 29, 2026 at 9:24 PM
KINEW: "I'm all for protecting us from the threat of the Trump tariffs. But at the same time, I'm not going to put my hand in my pocket to check how much money I have before I say something about what happened to Mr. Pretti or Ms. Good."
Reposted by Robson Fletcher
Our analysis at @bellingcat.com on the killing of Alex Pretti breaks down the video evidence.
He never reached for his gun.
Agents sprayed/tackled him while his hands were up.
He was disarmed before he was shot.
The first shot came from an agent firing at him.
www.bellingcat.com/news/2026/01...
He never reached for his gun.
Agents sprayed/tackled him while his hands were up.
He was disarmed before he was shot.
The first shot came from an agent firing at him.
www.bellingcat.com/news/2026/01...
Alex Pretti: Analysing Footage of Minneapolis CBP Shooting - bellingcat
Bellingcat has analysed video of the shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. The footage appears to contradict statements made by the Department of Homeland Security.
www.bellingcat.com
January 25, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Our analysis at @bellingcat.com on the killing of Alex Pretti breaks down the video evidence.
He never reached for his gun.
Agents sprayed/tackled him while his hands were up.
He was disarmed before he was shot.
The first shot came from an agent firing at him.
www.bellingcat.com/news/2026/01...
He never reached for his gun.
Agents sprayed/tackled him while his hands were up.
He was disarmed before he was shot.
The first shot came from an agent firing at him.
www.bellingcat.com/news/2026/01...
"Recent events have brought Trump’s governing style into sharper focus. Fascist best describes it, and reluctance to use the term has now become perverse," writes Jonathan Rauch in The Atlantic.
Gift article link:
Gift article link:
Yes, It’s Fascism
Until recently, I thought it a term best avoided. But now, the resemblances are too many and too strong to deny.
www.theatlantic.com
January 25, 2026 at 7:55 PM
"Recent events have brought Trump’s governing style into sharper focus. Fascist best describes it, and reluctance to use the term has now become perverse," writes Jonathan Rauch in The Atlantic.
Gift article link:
Gift article link:
Regarding the ongoing signature collection in Alberta for a referendum on separation, @piosmo.bsky.social writes in Le Monde:
"The MAGA ecosystem has seized on this political moment – the signature drive is scheduled to continue until early May – in an attempt to destabilize Canada."
"The MAGA ecosystem has seized on this political moment – the signature drive is scheduled to continue until early May – in an attempt to destabilize Canada."
US seeks to use Alberta to destabilize Canada
The Trump administration and MAGA circles are closely watching the conservative, oil-rich province, particularly as a separatist movement has launched a campaign to organize an independence referendum...
www.lemonde.fr
January 25, 2026 at 1:25 AM
Regarding the ongoing signature collection in Alberta for a referendum on separation, @piosmo.bsky.social writes in Le Monde:
"The MAGA ecosystem has seized on this political moment – the signature drive is scheduled to continue until early May – in an attempt to destabilize Canada."
"The MAGA ecosystem has seized on this political moment – the signature drive is scheduled to continue until early May – in an attempt to destabilize Canada."
Reposted by Robson Fletcher
So important. What they say is not the story. That is never the story. What happened is the story. Write what happened.
Media: do not lead with the false government framing of what happened
January 25, 2026 at 12:05 AM
So important. What they say is not the story. That is never the story. What happened is the story. Write what happened.
Reposted by Robson Fletcher
Videos verified by The New York Times show Alex Jeffrey Pretti, the man federal agents shot and killed in Minneapolis on Saturday, was holding a phone, not a gun, when the agents took him to the ground and shot him. In total, at least 10 shots appear to have been fired within five seconds.
Videos Show Moments in Which Agents Killed a Man in Minneapolis
Federal authorities said the slain man, Alex Pretti, had approached agents with a gun. But videos show Mr. Pretti was holding his phone, not a weapon, when they pulled him to the ground.
nyti.ms
January 25, 2026 at 12:05 AM
Videos verified by The New York Times show Alex Jeffrey Pretti, the man federal agents shot and killed in Minneapolis on Saturday, was holding a phone, not a gun, when the agents took him to the ground and shot him. In total, at least 10 shots appear to have been fired within five seconds.
Reposted by Robson Fletcher
Kare 11 local news just read, in full, this statement from Michael and Susan Pretti, the parents of Alex Pretti.
"Please get the truth out about our son."
"Please get the truth out about our son."
January 25, 2026 at 12:43 AM
Kare 11 local news just read, in full, this statement from Michael and Susan Pretti, the parents of Alex Pretti.
"Please get the truth out about our son."
"Please get the truth out about our son."
A small group of Albertans has been advocating for the province to separate from Canada and become the 51st state.
I wonder if seeing the U.S. Secretary of War say something like this about an existing state, hours after a second civilian was shot dead by federal authorities, gives them any pause.
I wonder if seeing the U.S. Secretary of War say something like this about an existing state, hours after a second civilian was shot dead by federal authorities, gives them any pause.
This is an actual post from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth: Praising ICE after Alex Pretti was killed, blaming the Democratic leadership of Minnesota, and writing that ICE is greater/better than Minnesota.
He is actively demeaning the people of Minnesota just hours after Pretti was murdered.
He is actively demeaning the people of Minnesota just hours after Pretti was murdered.
January 24, 2026 at 11:23 PM
A small group of Albertans has been advocating for the province to separate from Canada and become the 51st state.
I wonder if seeing the U.S. Secretary of War say something like this about an existing state, hours after a second civilian was shot dead by federal authorities, gives them any pause.
I wonder if seeing the U.S. Secretary of War say something like this about an existing state, hours after a second civilian was shot dead by federal authorities, gives them any pause.
Reposted by Robson Fletcher
What we are watching is a paramilitary force learning that they can kill with impunity, that the regime will smear the victim and defend them. Unless politicians and the legal system exerts accountability, it will not stop. donmoynihan.substack.com/p/past-the-b...
January 24, 2026 at 4:32 PM
What we are watching is a paramilitary force learning that they can kill with impunity, that the regime will smear the victim and defend them. Unless politicians and the legal system exerts accountability, it will not stop. donmoynihan.substack.com/p/past-the-b...
Reposted by Robson Fletcher
BREAKING: Now that TikTok is under US-based ownership, the social media app potentially collects more detailed information about its users, including precise location data.
My latest for @wired.com:
www.wired.com/story/tiktok...
My latest for @wired.com:
www.wired.com/story/tiktok...
TikTok Is Now Collecting Even More Data About Its Users. Here Are the 3 Biggest Changes
According to its new privacy policy, TikTok now collects more data on its users, including their precise location, after majority ownership officially switched to a group based in the US.
www.wired.com
January 23, 2026 at 9:48 PM
BREAKING: Now that TikTok is under US-based ownership, the social media app potentially collects more detailed information about its users, including precise location data.
My latest for @wired.com:
www.wired.com/story/tiktok...
My latest for @wired.com:
www.wired.com/story/tiktok...
Just incredible scenes out of Minneapolis-St. Paul today amid the extreme cold.
Coverage via:
www.mprnews.org/live-updates
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
Coverage via:
www.mprnews.org/live-updates
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
January 23, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Just incredible scenes out of Minneapolis-St. Paul today amid the extreme cold.
Coverage via:
www.mprnews.org/live-updates
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
Coverage via:
www.mprnews.org/live-updates
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
Reposted by Robson Fletcher
Tomorrow’s front page of the Minnesota Star Tribune: Jan. 23, 2026
January 22, 2026 at 11:19 PM
Tomorrow’s front page of the Minnesota Star Tribune: Jan. 23, 2026
Imagine the equivalent federal officials and institutions doing this to a person accused of a crime in Canada.
How would courts react?
How would opposition politicians react?
How would the media react?
How would the public react?
How would courts react?
How would opposition politicians react?
How would the media react?
How would the public react?
January 22, 2026 at 6:22 PM
Imagine the equivalent federal officials and institutions doing this to a person accused of a crime in Canada.
How would courts react?
How would opposition politicians react?
How would the media react?
How would the public react?
How would courts react?
How would opposition politicians react?
How would the media react?
How would the public react?
Reposted by Robson Fletcher
Friends, I’d like to show @ucalgary.bsky.social that @bsky.app is where the cool kids hang out and that they should start posting here more and less/none at TheBadPlace™️. Show them some love by reskeeting this 100000000x. 🧪
January 22, 2026 at 12:42 AM
Friends, I’d like to show @ucalgary.bsky.social that @bsky.app is where the cool kids hang out and that they should start posting here more and less/none at TheBadPlace™️. Show them some love by reskeeting this 100000000x. 🧪
Um ... what?
Watch this clip from BBC News in which Republican Congressman Andy Ogles flips from talking about Greenland wanting to join the U.S. — to Alberta.
Very similar talking points at beginning and end of clip, just swapping Greenland/Denmark for Alberta/Canada.
British host seems confused
Watch this clip from BBC News in which Republican Congressman Andy Ogles flips from talking about Greenland wanting to join the U.S. — to Alberta.
Very similar talking points at beginning and end of clip, just swapping Greenland/Denmark for Alberta/Canada.
British host seems confused
January 22, 2026 at 5:59 AM
Um ... what?
Watch this clip from BBC News in which Republican Congressman Andy Ogles flips from talking about Greenland wanting to join the U.S. — to Alberta.
Very similar talking points at beginning and end of clip, just swapping Greenland/Denmark for Alberta/Canada.
British host seems confused
Watch this clip from BBC News in which Republican Congressman Andy Ogles flips from talking about Greenland wanting to join the U.S. — to Alberta.
Very similar talking points at beginning and end of clip, just swapping Greenland/Denmark for Alberta/Canada.
British host seems confused
Reposted by Robson Fletcher
This video filmed by Ben Luhmann shows the moment a federal agent sprayed chemical irritants directly into a man's face in south Minneapolis.
Three agents already had the man pinned to the ground when a fourth agent walked up and sprayed the irritants.
Three agents already had the man pinned to the ground when a fourth agent walked up and sprayed the irritants.
January 22, 2026 at 1:41 AM
This video filmed by Ben Luhmann shows the moment a federal agent sprayed chemical irritants directly into a man's face in south Minneapolis.
Three agents already had the man pinned to the ground when a fourth agent walked up and sprayed the irritants.
Three agents already had the man pinned to the ground when a fourth agent walked up and sprayed the irritants.
Reposted by Robson Fletcher
Refugee agencies estimate about 100 refugees living in Minnesota have already been swept up in an unprecedented focus on people with legal resident status.
Agencies say these legal refugees are among the most highly vetted people in the United States.
Agencies say these legal refugees are among the most highly vetted people in the United States.
Minnesota refugees with legal status being detained in sweeping operation
A federal operation launched on Jan. 9 focuses on refugees while a concurrent effort is detaining people who entered the country illegally. Both target Minnesota.
bit.ly
January 21, 2026 at 11:30 PM
Refugee agencies estimate about 100 refugees living in Minnesota have already been swept up in an unprecedented focus on people with legal resident status.
Agencies say these legal refugees are among the most highly vetted people in the United States.
Agencies say these legal refugees are among the most highly vetted people in the United States.
Reposted by Robson Fletcher
Il s’appelle Liam Ramos, il a 5 ans. Il a été enlevé par des agents fédéraux hier après-midi en revenant de l’école.
Pendant 24 heures, sa famille n’a obtenu aucune information quant à l’endroit où leur petit garçon se trouvait.
Pendant 24 heures, sa famille n’a obtenu aucune information quant à l’endroit où leur petit garçon se trouvait.
This picture making the rounds on reddit, Columbia Heights. I'm not OK.
January 22, 2026 at 12:54 AM
Il s’appelle Liam Ramos, il a 5 ans. Il a été enlevé par des agents fédéraux hier après-midi en revenant de l’école.
Pendant 24 heures, sa famille n’a obtenu aucune information quant à l’endroit où leur petit garçon se trouvait.
Pendant 24 heures, sa famille n’a obtenu aucune information quant à l’endroit où leur petit garçon se trouvait.
Reposted by Robson Fletcher
I truly hope you or your loved ones are not among the people who are suffering or experiencing a worse outcome while waiting for care in an Alberta ER and/or hospitals.
However, if you are/were, please consider sharing your experience - use the form at the bottom of this story.
#AbHealth #AbLeg
However, if you are/were, please consider sharing your experience - use the form at the bottom of this story.
#AbHealth #AbLeg
Minister says Alberta emergency room deaths and poor outcomes are exceptions to the norm | CBC News
As Alberta doctors raise red flags about seeing what they say are delays in emergency room care, the province’s hospitals minister says he doesn’t think cases that the doctors have recently highlighte...
www.cbc.ca
January 21, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Will be interesting to watch how U.S. media reports on Trump confusing Iceland with Greenland in a major speech.
These were the headlines less than two years ago, after Biden confused Abdel Fattah El-Sisi with Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
These were the headlines less than two years ago, after Biden confused Abdel Fattah El-Sisi with Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
January 21, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Will be interesting to watch how U.S. media reports on Trump confusing Iceland with Greenland in a major speech.
These were the headlines less than two years ago, after Biden confused Abdel Fattah El-Sisi with Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
These were the headlines less than two years ago, after Biden confused Abdel Fattah El-Sisi with Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
After the World Trade Center was attacked (just four miles from Trump Tower), more than 40,000 Canadians in uniform fought alongside their U.S. allies in Afghanistan.
More than 2,000 Canadians were wounded.
These 158 didn't make it home.
And now this guy is giving lectures on gratitude.
More than 2,000 Canadians were wounded.
These 158 didn't make it home.
And now this guy is giving lectures on gratitude.
January 21, 2026 at 4:13 PM
After the World Trade Center was attacked (just four miles from Trump Tower), more than 40,000 Canadians in uniform fought alongside their U.S. allies in Afghanistan.
More than 2,000 Canadians were wounded.
These 158 didn't make it home.
And now this guy is giving lectures on gratitude.
More than 2,000 Canadians were wounded.
These 158 didn't make it home.
And now this guy is giving lectures on gratitude.