Dr Alina Utrata
@alinau27.bsky.social
Tech & Politics. Career Development Research Fellow at St Johns College, Oxford. PhD from Cambridge University via Queen's University Belfast & Stanford. Host of Anti-Dystopians. she/her
Agent, @agentbal.bsky.social
www.alinautrata.com
Agent, @agentbal.bsky.social
www.alinautrata.com
Pinned
Dr Alina Utrata
@alinau27.bsky.social
· Nov 13
The Anti-Dystopians | Alina Utrata | Substack
The Politics Podcast About Tech. Click to read The Anti-Dystopians, by Alina Utrata, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers.
alinautrata.substack.com
Hello Bsky!
Re/intro: I'm a political theorist of technology corporations & Silicon Valley at Oxford University. I host and produce the Anti-Dystopians, the politics podcast about tech (with new episodes incoming!)
Podcast: www.alinautrata.com/podcast
Newsletter: alinautrata.substack.com
Re/intro: I'm a political theorist of technology corporations & Silicon Valley at Oxford University. I host and produce the Anti-Dystopians, the politics podcast about tech (with new episodes incoming!)
Podcast: www.alinautrata.com/podcast
Newsletter: alinautrata.substack.com
Reposted by Dr Alina Utrata
From the same guy trying to build a nuclear reactor on the Moon
BREAKING FOX NEWS: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy goes on the record: "Pilots need to stop depending on air traffic controllers. They need to suck it up and go with their gut feelings."
November 9, 2025 at 6:55 PM
From the same guy trying to build a nuclear reactor on the Moon
Reposted by Dr Alina Utrata
This *should* act as a warning to further experiments with automating consequential decisions.
Should.
Should.
I’m old enough to remember when I got scolded on this here website by people who claimed a 3% false positive rate was good actually and well now it turns out to be an order of magnitude bigger! Still good guys?
HMRC trial of child benefit crackdown wrongly suspected fraud in 46% of cases
Exclusive: Almost half of families flagged as emigrants based on Home Office travel data were still living in UK
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:02 PM
This *should* act as a warning to further experiments with automating consequential decisions.
Should.
Should.
Reposted by Dr Alina Utrata
You name it, this story has it all: environmental destruction, executing protesters, sycophants too scared to contradict an autocrat, consultants happy to separate a rich guy from his money, idiotic urban living concepts.
End of The Line: how Saudi Arabia’s Neom dream unravelled
Mohammed bin Salman’s utopian city was undone by the laws of physics and finance
ig.ft.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:00 AM
You name it, this story has it all: environmental destruction, executing protesters, sycophants too scared to contradict an autocrat, consultants happy to separate a rich guy from his money, idiotic urban living concepts.
Reposted by Dr Alina Utrata
congrats to everyone for thinking this through before signing very big contracts to put it on every student’s device at the school or university you run
OVER A MILLION USERS
DISCUSS SUICIDE WITH CHATGPT
EVERY *WEEK*
what the fuck are we DOING here
DISCUSS SUICIDE WITH CHATGPT
EVERY *WEEK*
what the fuck are we DOING here
Panera’s moderately caffeinated lemonade was loosely associated with 2 deaths before it was taken off market.
This article alone has 4 examples of ChatGPT encouraging young people to commit suicide, and OpenAI’s own public stats estimate over a million users discuss suicide with ChatGPT each week.
This article alone has 4 examples of ChatGPT encouraging young people to commit suicide, and OpenAI’s own public stats estimate over a million users discuss suicide with ChatGPT each week.
November 7, 2025 at 11:24 PM
congrats to everyone for thinking this through before signing very big contracts to put it on every student’s device at the school or university you run
Reposted by Dr Alina Utrata
Had a great time chatting with Connor O’Brien about little known financial tool called debt for nature swaps, the colonial history of sovereign debt and finance systems, and why finance guys are trying to offshore the planet.
open.substack.com/pub/alinautr...
open.substack.com/pub/alinautr...
Why Finance Guys Are Trying to Offshore the Planet
COP30: A Conversation with Connor O'Brien
open.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Had a great time chatting with Connor O’Brien about little known financial tool called debt for nature swaps, the colonial history of sovereign debt and finance systems, and why finance guys are trying to offshore the planet.
open.substack.com/pub/alinautr...
open.substack.com/pub/alinautr...
Reposted by Dr Alina Utrata
Yay! Out now!! Thanks to @lmesseri.bsky.social @niiyokamigaabaw.bsky.social, Alexandra Ganser, Stefanie Dunning, Natalie Treviño, Matt Harvey and Frédéric Boone for their wonderful contributions and afterwords!
@jenstemmen.bsky.social and I are happy to announce the publication of our special issue on Critical Outer Space Studies. Warm thanks to the contributors, the Caliban editorial team, and our student assistants for their hard work throughout the process! 🪐🚀🌌
journals.openedition.org/caliban/14586
journals.openedition.org/caliban/14586
Critical Outer Space Studies: Framing an Emerging Field. Introduction
On October 13, 2021, 90-year-old actor William Shatner, globally known for his role of Captain James T. Kirk, gallivanting captain of the starship Enterprise on the TV show Star Trek, emerged from ...
journals.openedition.org
November 5, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Yay! Out now!! Thanks to @lmesseri.bsky.social @niiyokamigaabaw.bsky.social, Alexandra Ganser, Stefanie Dunning, Natalie Treviño, Matt Harvey and Frédéric Boone for their wonderful contributions and afterwords!
Had a great time chatting with Connor O’Brien about little known financial tool called debt for nature swaps, the colonial history of sovereign debt and finance systems, and why finance guys are trying to offshore the planet.
open.substack.com/pub/alinautr...
open.substack.com/pub/alinautr...
Why Finance Guys Are Trying to Offshore the Planet
COP30: A Conversation with Connor O'Brien
open.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Had a great time chatting with Connor O’Brien about little known financial tool called debt for nature swaps, the colonial history of sovereign debt and finance systems, and why finance guys are trying to offshore the planet.
open.substack.com/pub/alinautr...
open.substack.com/pub/alinautr...
Reposted by Dr Alina Utrata
Here in Atlanta yesterday, more than 2,000 people waited in their cars—one woman for 14 hours—for a box of food. The giveaway ended early; there wasn't enough to go around.
Multiply this scene by countless others across the country, and you get a sense of how crushing the desperation is right now.
Multiply this scene by countless others across the country, and you get a sense of how crushing the desperation is right now.
November 2, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Here in Atlanta yesterday, more than 2,000 people waited in their cars—one woman for 14 hours—for a box of food. The giveaway ended early; there wasn't enough to go around.
Multiply this scene by countless others across the country, and you get a sense of how crushing the desperation is right now.
Multiply this scene by countless others across the country, and you get a sense of how crushing the desperation is right now.
Reposted by Dr Alina Utrata
ICE shot an American citizen and food bank worker who tried to block them arresting an immigrant by pulling his car in front of them.
After being released from hospital: "He is now facing charges for assault on a federal officer."
www.calonews.com/featured-top...
After being released from hospital: "He is now facing charges for assault on a federal officer."
www.calonews.com/featured-top...
November 2, 2025 at 6:54 PM
ICE shot an American citizen and food bank worker who tried to block them arresting an immigrant by pulling his car in front of them.
After being released from hospital: "He is now facing charges for assault on a federal officer."
www.calonews.com/featured-top...
After being released from hospital: "He is now facing charges for assault on a federal officer."
www.calonews.com/featured-top...
Reposted by Dr Alina Utrata
As Ring announces increased partnership with Flock and law enforcement, do not be fooled by reassurances that you can 'opt out.' Here's evidence that ICE tapped flock from local agencies sometimes without consent: www.spokesman.com/stories/2025...
Border Patrol, ICE tapped into Washington police surveillance systems for potential immigration enforcement
Federal law enforcement agencies accessed data collected by some local police and sheriff’s offices automated license plate cameras around Washington, a University of Washington Center for Human Right...
www.spokesman.com
November 2, 2025 at 11:46 AM
As Ring announces increased partnership with Flock and law enforcement, do not be fooled by reassurances that you can 'opt out.' Here's evidence that ICE tapped flock from local agencies sometimes without consent: www.spokesman.com/stories/2025...
This is a really great article about how digital services & corporations reinforce the nuclear family, enabling domestic abuse and coercion. Reminds me of feminist approaches to cybersecurity problematizing the "external hacker" paradigm
www.wired.com/story/apples...
www.wired.com/story/apples...
Apple’s Family Sharing Helps Keep Children Safe. Until It Doesn’t
When families break down, the systems put in place to protect children online can fall apart too.
www.wired.com
November 1, 2025 at 11:50 AM
This is a really great article about how digital services & corporations reinforce the nuclear family, enabling domestic abuse and coercion. Reminds me of feminist approaches to cybersecurity problematizing the "external hacker" paradigm
www.wired.com/story/apples...
www.wired.com/story/apples...
Wow, this is really significant reporting about state-cloud contracts with global corporations
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Revealed: Israel demanded Google and Amazon use secret ‘wink’ to sidestep legal orders
The tech giants agreed to extraordinary terms to clinch a lucrative contract with the Israeli government, documents show
www.theguardian.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Wow, this is really significant reporting about state-cloud contracts with global corporations
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Dr Alina Utrata
In the run up to COP30, the Anti-Dystopians will be posting series of eps about climate catastrophe. First up, one of my all-time favorite episodes from the archive “Nationalize Gmail!: Climate Change, Critical Infrastructure, and the USPS” with @jlappen1.bsky.social
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
The Climate Catastrophe & Critical Infrastructure
COP30 Coverage
substack.com
October 29, 2025 at 11:29 AM
In the run up to COP30, the Anti-Dystopians will be posting series of eps about climate catastrophe. First up, one of my all-time favorite episodes from the archive “Nationalize Gmail!: Climate Change, Critical Infrastructure, and the USPS” with @jlappen1.bsky.social
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Really remarkable article. I kept highlighting things to screenshot but every line is good. Highly recommend a read (incl. Americans trying to understand what is the monarchy and why it’s more than a tourist trap in the UK)
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Abolish the monarchy
It’s more than Prince Andrew – the whole House of Windsor is rotten to the core
www.newstatesman.com
October 30, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Really remarkable article. I kept highlighting things to screenshot but every line is good. Highly recommend a read (incl. Americans trying to understand what is the monarchy and why it’s more than a tourist trap in the UK)
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Dr Alina Utrata
It's fun and restorative and empowering to think big with friends about the futures we want to see!
In the run up to COP30, the Anti-Dystopians will be posting series of eps about climate catastrophe. First up, one of my all-time favorite episodes from the archive “Nationalize Gmail!: Climate Change, Critical Infrastructure, and the USPS” with @jlappen1.bsky.social
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
The Climate Catastrophe & Critical Infrastructure
COP30 Coverage
substack.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:43 PM
It's fun and restorative and empowering to think big with friends about the futures we want to see!
In the run up to COP30, the Anti-Dystopians will be posting series of eps about climate catastrophe. First up, one of my all-time favorite episodes from the archive “Nationalize Gmail!: Climate Change, Critical Infrastructure, and the USPS” with @jlappen1.bsky.social
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
The Climate Catastrophe & Critical Infrastructure
COP30 Coverage
substack.com
October 29, 2025 at 11:29 AM
In the run up to COP30, the Anti-Dystopians will be posting series of eps about climate catastrophe. First up, one of my all-time favorite episodes from the archive “Nationalize Gmail!: Climate Change, Critical Infrastructure, and the USPS” with @jlappen1.bsky.social
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
She’s a queen 😍
"I DON'T NEED YOU TO FUCKING REWRITE WHAT I'VE JUST WRITTEN!"
October 28, 2025 at 1:41 PM
She’s a queen 😍
Reposted by Dr Alina Utrata
Once again, @mcsweeneys.net does not miss.
------------------------------------------------
"In 2004, you saw some college guy using me and thought, 'What a lazy cheater.'
Now you’d think, 'At least he’s not asking Gemini.'
In a few years, you’ll say, 'Wow, look, a human being who can read.'"
------------------------------------------------
"In 2004, you saw some college guy using me and thought, 'What a lazy cheater.'
Now you’d think, 'At least he’s not asking Gemini.'
In a few years, you’ll say, 'Wow, look, a human being who can read.'"
Hi, It’s Me, Wikipedia, and I Am Ready for Your Apology
“Wikipedia, the constantly changing knowledge base created by a global free-for-all of anonymous users, now stands as the leading force for the dum...
www.mcsweeneys.net
October 28, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Once again, @mcsweeneys.net does not miss.
------------------------------------------------
"In 2004, you saw some college guy using me and thought, 'What a lazy cheater.'
Now you’d think, 'At least he’s not asking Gemini.'
In a few years, you’ll say, 'Wow, look, a human being who can read.'"
------------------------------------------------
"In 2004, you saw some college guy using me and thought, 'What a lazy cheater.'
Now you’d think, 'At least he’s not asking Gemini.'
In a few years, you’ll say, 'Wow, look, a human being who can read.'"
Reposted by Dr Alina Utrata
When we said we don't intend to be concerned or disappointed by the Labour Government - we intend to replace them, we meant it.
Yougov have Labours lowest poll ever and Greens highest ever.
Keep going everybody.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
Yougov have Labours lowest poll ever and Greens highest ever.
Keep going everybody.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
Our latest Westminster voting intention (26-27 Oct) has Labour on their lowest figure ever recorded by YouGov, with the Greens on their highest
Reform UK: 27% (+1 from 19-20 Oct)
Labour: 17% (-3)
Conservatives: 17% (=)
Greens: 16% (+1)
Lib Dems: 15% (=)
SNP: 3% (-1)
yougov.co.uk/topics/polit...
Reform UK: 27% (+1 from 19-20 Oct)
Labour: 17% (-3)
Conservatives: 17% (=)
Greens: 16% (+1)
Lib Dems: 15% (=)
SNP: 3% (-1)
yougov.co.uk/topics/polit...
October 28, 2025 at 11:36 AM
When we said we don't intend to be concerned or disappointed by the Labour Government - we intend to replace them, we meant it.
Yougov have Labours lowest poll ever and Greens highest ever.
Keep going everybody.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
Yougov have Labours lowest poll ever and Greens highest ever.
Keep going everybody.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
Reposted by Dr Alina Utrata
The sheer volume of people showing signs of mania, psychosis, and suicidal ideation each and every week on ChatGPT is staggering, alarming, awful, all of it. from @lmatsakis.bsky.social www.wired.com/story/chatgp...
OpenAI Says Hundreds of Thousands of ChatGPT Users May Show Signs of Manic or Psychotic Crisis Every Week
OpenAI Says Hundreds of Thousands of ChatGPT Users May Show Signs of Manic or Psychotic Crisis Every Week
www.wired.com
October 27, 2025 at 5:29 PM
The sheer volume of people showing signs of mania, psychosis, and suicidal ideation each and every week on ChatGPT is staggering, alarming, awful, all of it. from @lmatsakis.bsky.social www.wired.com/story/chatgp...
Interesting piece on Larry Ellison, one of the Silicon Valley guys who goes under the radar (but owns 98% of the Hawaiian island of Lanai, about to get a huge stake in TikTok and big friend of Tony Blair Institute)
www.wired.com/story/larry-...
www.wired.com/story/larry-...
Larry Ellison Is a ‘Shadow President’ in Donald Trump’s America
The Ellison family is cornering the market on attention and data the same way the Vanderbilts did railroads and the Rockefellers did oil.
www.wired.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Interesting piece on Larry Ellison, one of the Silicon Valley guys who goes under the radar (but owns 98% of the Hawaiian island of Lanai, about to get a huge stake in TikTok and big friend of Tony Blair Institute)
www.wired.com/story/larry-...
www.wired.com/story/larry-...
Reposted by Dr Alina Utrata
Overshooting 1.5°C wasn't 'inevitable.'
We've been pushed by fossil fuel giants & governments that pander to them.
Every delay, every oil field, every broken promise made this crisis worse.
Keir Starmer, will you promise to leave Rosebank undeveloped?
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
We've been pushed by fossil fuel giants & governments that pander to them.
Every delay, every oil field, every broken promise made this crisis worse.
Keir Starmer, will you promise to leave Rosebank undeveloped?
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Change course now’: humanity has missed 1.5C climate target, says UN head
Exclusive: ‘Devastating consequences’ now inevitable but emissions cuts still vital, says António Guterres in sole interview before Cop30
www.theguardian.com
October 28, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Overshooting 1.5°C wasn't 'inevitable.'
We've been pushed by fossil fuel giants & governments that pander to them.
Every delay, every oil field, every broken promise made this crisis worse.
Keir Starmer, will you promise to leave Rosebank undeveloped?
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
We've been pushed by fossil fuel giants & governments that pander to them.
Every delay, every oil field, every broken promise made this crisis worse.
Keir Starmer, will you promise to leave Rosebank undeveloped?
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Good quick piece on how firing people for AI leads to loss of historical institutional knowledge and can, you know, crash the internet
futurism.com/artificial-i...
futurism.com/artificial-i...
AWS Outage That Took Down Internet Came After Amazon Fired Tons of Workers in Favor of AI
AWS CEO Andy Jassy bragged that the company's adoption of AI agents meant that it would "need fewer people" doing the same jobs.
futurism.com
October 28, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Good quick piece on how firing people for AI leads to loss of historical institutional knowledge and can, you know, crash the internet
futurism.com/artificial-i...
futurism.com/artificial-i...