Alon Eisenstein
@aloneisenstein.bsky.social
Associate Professor of Teaching in Technology Entrepreneurship at the University of British Columbia Okanagan, living on ancestral, traditional, and unceded territory of the Syilx People. #entrepreneurship & #Engineering #Education #EntEdu #EngEd #HigherEd
Pinned
I started The Germinator two year ago to give space to celebrate hesitation and contemplation. To recognize the inner voice that tells us why we should NOT do something that is uncertain and risky, yet for some, they eventually do it nonetheless, and become entrepreneurs (or entrepreneurial)
Reposted by Alon Eisenstein
You don’t have to ban cars everywhere to transform your city centre. But you do have to seriously rethink and redefine the car’s role. There are many ways to do that, from #completestreets to #sharedstreets, pedestrian priority streets & Dutch #woonerfs, that prioritize streets for people, not cars.
November 11, 2025 at 1:10 AM
You don’t have to ban cars everywhere to transform your city centre. But you do have to seriously rethink and redefine the car’s role. There are many ways to do that, from #completestreets to #sharedstreets, pedestrian priority streets & Dutch #woonerfs, that prioritize streets for people, not cars.
Which is why I believe and support in @avilewis.ca @lewisforleader.ca
Zohran Mamdani refused to compromise on his values – and was rewarded for it.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Mamdani refused to compromise on his values – and was rewarded for it | Moustafa Bayoumi
His win is a huge victory for all New Yorkers, but it is also meaningful far beyond the five boroughs of this city
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Which is why I believe and support in @avilewis.ca @lewisforleader.ca
Reposted by Alon Eisenstein
If you are looking for some inspiration, watch Zohran Mamdani's extraordinary victory speech last night.
This is what hopeful politics sounds like 👇
www.youtube.com/live/NnM_RgL...
This is what hopeful politics sounds like 👇
www.youtube.com/live/NnM_RgL...
WATCH LIVE: Zohran Mamdani addresses supporters after winning 2025 NYC mayoral race
YouTube video by PBS NewsHour
www.youtube.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:35 PM
If you are looking for some inspiration, watch Zohran Mamdani's extraordinary victory speech last night.
This is what hopeful politics sounds like 👇
www.youtube.com/live/NnM_RgL...
This is what hopeful politics sounds like 👇
www.youtube.com/live/NnM_RgL...
Reposted by Alon Eisenstein
New Yorkers just proved bold socialist ideas can win. Ottawa just proposed the most harmful climate and care budget since Harper.
Bold ideas win and we need to rebuild that kind of NDP.
www.youtube.com/live/NnM_RgL...
Bold ideas win and we need to rebuild that kind of NDP.
www.youtube.com/live/NnM_RgL...
WATCH LIVE: Zohran Mamdani addresses supporters after winning 2025 NYC mayoral race
YouTube video by PBS NewsHour
www.youtube.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:32 AM
New Yorkers just proved bold socialist ideas can win. Ottawa just proposed the most harmful climate and care budget since Harper.
Bold ideas win and we need to rebuild that kind of NDP.
www.youtube.com/live/NnM_RgL...
Bold ideas win and we need to rebuild that kind of NDP.
www.youtube.com/live/NnM_RgL...
Reposted by Alon Eisenstein
Every time discover a new piece on the dangers of LLMs, particularly for research and teaching, I add it to a Zotero library. I figure that I might as well share it, so here's my library of Cautionary AI Tales: www.zotero.org/groups/62758...
October 28, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Every time discover a new piece on the dangers of LLMs, particularly for research and teaching, I add it to a Zotero library. I figure that I might as well share it, so here's my library of Cautionary AI Tales: www.zotero.org/groups/62758...
If you see this, quote with a robot that isn't from "Star Wars", "Star Trek", "Doctor Who", or "Transformers".
October 31, 2025 at 4:41 AM
If you see this, quote with a robot that isn't from "Star Wars", "Star Trek", "Doctor Who", or "Transformers".
Reposted by Alon Eisenstein
It’s a commonplace that the only people that made money in the gold rush were the spade sellers. But if the spade sellers started offering startup funds to speculative claims that were contracted to buy tons more spades, and the spades only had a 3yr lifetime, I’m not sure the analogy still holds…
October 29, 2025 at 10:41 PM
It’s a commonplace that the only people that made money in the gold rush were the spade sellers. But if the spade sellers started offering startup funds to speculative claims that were contracted to buy tons more spades, and the spades only had a 3yr lifetime, I’m not sure the analogy still holds…
This 👇🏻!
🎤drop
🎤drop
Just a thought: How about we stop shaming the poor for buying things that may not be essential, and start shaming the rich for making a profit off things that are essential?
October 24, 2025 at 1:44 AM
This 👇🏻!
🎤drop
🎤drop
This is neither new nor shocking, for those paying attention. The fact that we are STILL using GDP as a measure of “growth” or as something “good” is the problem.
This is the same problem why recession is “bad”. Because it means GDP is NOT growing and everyone freaks out!
This is the same problem why recession is “bad”. Because it means GDP is NOT growing and everyone freaks out!
🚨EXCLUSIVE🚨
Many things are changing before our eyes. Others are harder to see
Like the US economy
Americans are spending more 💲 recovering from disasters and preparing for the next one. 36% of US GDP growth since 2000 is related to climate disasters.
Welcome to the Disaster Industrial Complex 🎁🔗
Many things are changing before our eyes. Others are harder to see
Like the US economy
Americans are spending more 💲 recovering from disasters and preparing for the next one. 36% of US GDP growth since 2000 is related to climate disasters.
Welcome to the Disaster Industrial Complex 🎁🔗
Disaster Recovery Is an $8 Trillion Driver of US Growth
Investors are on the hunt for companies powering the disaster industrial complex, which are fueling US growth and outpacing the S&P 500
www.bloomberg.com
October 22, 2025 at 1:40 PM
This is neither new nor shocking, for those paying attention. The fact that we are STILL using GDP as a measure of “growth” or as something “good” is the problem.
This is the same problem why recession is “bad”. Because it means GDP is NOT growing and everyone freaks out!
This is the same problem why recession is “bad”. Because it means GDP is NOT growing and everyone freaks out!
Channeling Brandi Carlile waiting for the bus in #Kelowna #BrokenHorses
October 21, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Channeling Brandi Carlile waiting for the bus in #Kelowna #BrokenHorses
Reposted by Alon Eisenstein
“Today, Dr. Frankenstein's descendants keep promising that Al won't destroy civilization while ignoring Shelley's point, that the inventor is more dangerous than his monster.”
October 17, 2025 at 10:11 AM
“Today, Dr. Frankenstein's descendants keep promising that Al won't destroy civilization while ignoring Shelley's point, that the inventor is more dangerous than his monster.”
A philosophy for living
October 17, 2025 at 1:41 PM
A philosophy for living
Reposted by Alon Eisenstein
Meanwhile, Sobeys and Aquaterra are pulling hundreds of millions of litres of water from wells in Colchester County which they sell as bottled water. For that water, the companies pay the province a total of $769 annually. That's not a typo. It's $769. (Exactly, $768.85.)
Nova Scotia is practically giving away 'some of the purest water in Canada' - Halifax Examiner
Every year, two corporations withdraw hundreds of millions of litres of groundwater from wells in Colchester County. They bottle the water — which the companies market as “pristine” and “some of the p...
www.halifaxexaminer.ca
October 16, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Meanwhile, Sobeys and Aquaterra are pulling hundreds of millions of litres of water from wells in Colchester County which they sell as bottled water. For that water, the companies pay the province a total of $769 annually. That's not a typo. It's $769. (Exactly, $768.85.)
Reposted by Alon Eisenstein
We should have already implemented universal basic income, but instead we're just rawdogging AI.
Hiring is at the lowest level since 2009, when the U.S. economy was still in the middle of the financial crisis, per CNBC.
This is what an AI-era adjustment looks like.
Businesses are now rethinking how many jobs are really needed now that AI is cheaper than hiring actual people.
This is what an AI-era adjustment looks like.
Businesses are now rethinking how many jobs are really needed now that AI is cheaper than hiring actual people.
October 14, 2025 at 12:14 PM
We should have already implemented universal basic income, but instead we're just rawdogging AI.
Reposted by Alon Eisenstein
Our economy is running on the spending of the top 10%. It does not care about the bottom 60%. I think this is also why they aren't pushing for universal basic income right when you'd think they would to maintain consumer buying power. Our consumer economy has become reoriented around elite spending.
October 14, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Our economy is running on the spending of the top 10%. It does not care about the bottom 60%. I think this is also why they aren't pushing for universal basic income right when you'd think they would to maintain consumer buying power. Our consumer economy has become reoriented around elite spending.
Reposted by Alon Eisenstein
Liberals and Conservatives have let corporate grocers rip off Canadians for far too long.
Billions in profits for the Big 3 Grocers, while working-class people wonder how they’ll afford their next meal.
No more waiting for the market to fix itself. Canada needs a public option for grocery stores.
Billions in profits for the Big 3 Grocers, while working-class people wonder how they’ll afford their next meal.
No more waiting for the market to fix itself. Canada needs a public option for grocery stores.
October 9, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Liberals and Conservatives have let corporate grocers rip off Canadians for far too long.
Billions in profits for the Big 3 Grocers, while working-class people wonder how they’ll afford their next meal.
No more waiting for the market to fix itself. Canada needs a public option for grocery stores.
Billions in profits for the Big 3 Grocers, while working-class people wonder how they’ll afford their next meal.
No more waiting for the market to fix itself. Canada needs a public option for grocery stores.
🚴🚴♀️🚴♂️🚴🚴♀️🚴♂️🚴🚴♀️🚴♂️🚴🚴♀️🚴♂️🚴🚴♀️🚴♂️🚴🚴♀️🚴♂️🚴🚴♀️
October 10, 2025 at 3:09 AM
🚴🚴♀️🚴♂️🚴🚴♀️🚴♂️🚴🚴♀️🚴♂️🚴🚴♀️🚴♂️🚴🚴♀️🚴♂️🚴🚴♀️🚴♂️🚴🚴♀️
Reposted by Alon Eisenstein
Momentum is growing for a Youth Climate Corps, a bold new public program to put young people to work protecting our communities & tackling the climate crisis.
It's built for this moment.
Tell Carney: it’s time to fund a Youth Climate Corps!
👉 www.goodgreenjobsforall.ca/tell-carney
It's built for this moment.
Tell Carney: it’s time to fund a Youth Climate Corps!
👉 www.goodgreenjobsforall.ca/tell-carney
October 9, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Momentum is growing for a Youth Climate Corps, a bold new public program to put young people to work protecting our communities & tackling the climate crisis.
It's built for this moment.
Tell Carney: it’s time to fund a Youth Climate Corps!
👉 www.goodgreenjobsforall.ca/tell-carney
It's built for this moment.
Tell Carney: it’s time to fund a Youth Climate Corps!
👉 www.goodgreenjobsforall.ca/tell-carney
Capturing “AI” perfectly
October 9, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Capturing “AI” perfectly
Reposted by Alon Eisenstein
This is extremely alarming. Prime Minister @mark-carney.bsky.social won the federal election promising to make us *less* depending on the US. Now we are hearing reports that he is offering up a CLOSER energy and military partnership in exchange for a trade deal... 🧵
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Carney raised Keystone XL pipeline revival in meeting with Trump | CBC News
Relief for Canada from U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum may come thanks to renewed interest in a pipeline project first proposed more than 15 years ago.
www.cbc.ca
October 8, 2025 at 4:07 PM
This is extremely alarming. Prime Minister @mark-carney.bsky.social won the federal election promising to make us *less* depending on the US. Now we are hearing reports that he is offering up a CLOSER energy and military partnership in exchange for a trade deal... 🧵
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Reposted by Alon Eisenstein
November’s federal budget could make employee ownership permanent by extending and expanding the capital gains exemption for employee ownership trusts.
Simon Pek, Lorin Bussan and @1alexhemingway.bsky.social explain why this is a good idea.
Simon Pek, Lorin Bussan and @1alexhemingway.bsky.social explain why this is a good idea.
Budget 2025 should bolster employee ownership to strengthen Canada’s economy
Budget 2025 offers Canada a chance to make employee ownership permanent by extending tax incentives for employee ownership trusts and worker co-ops. Doing so would boost productivity, reduce inequality, and secure business succession, while keeping jobs and decision-making local. A modest investment promises significant economic and social dividends.
canadiandimension.com
October 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM
November’s federal budget could make employee ownership permanent by extending and expanding the capital gains exemption for employee ownership trusts.
Simon Pek, Lorin Bussan and @1alexhemingway.bsky.social explain why this is a good idea.
Simon Pek, Lorin Bussan and @1alexhemingway.bsky.social explain why this is a good idea.
Reposted by Alon Eisenstein
OF COURSE SPEED CAMERAS WORK! There’s clear evidence of that. They save lives, and removing them will costs lives, including KIDS’ LIVES. The narrative of “cash grab” is a political tactic. Every dollar raised by such cameras is evidence of too much deadly speeding and the need for such cameras.
Parents, children rally against Ford's planned speed cam ban | CBC News
Concerned parents gathered with their children by a speed camera near Bloor and Dundas streets Saturday afternoon to protest a plan from Premier Doug Ford’s government to end automated speed enforceme...
www.cbc.ca
October 5, 2025 at 12:13 AM
OF COURSE SPEED CAMERAS WORK! There’s clear evidence of that. They save lives, and removing them will costs lives, including KIDS’ LIVES. The narrative of “cash grab” is a political tactic. Every dollar raised by such cameras is evidence of too much deadly speeding and the need for such cameras.
Reposted by Alon Eisenstein
This is good —the Mayor of Yellowknife NWT in Canada’s far north weighs in on “Car Bloat” (truck bloat actually) and its many big costs & consequences (thanks @davidzipper.bsky.social for heads-up). And like most who dare tell the truth about that, he’s taking flack.
www.linkedin.com/mwlite/feed/...
www.linkedin.com/mwlite/feed/...
October 4, 2025 at 5:48 PM
This is good —the Mayor of Yellowknife NWT in Canada’s far north weighs in on “Car Bloat” (truck bloat actually) and its many big costs & consequences (thanks @davidzipper.bsky.social for heads-up). And like most who dare tell the truth about that, he’s taking flack.
www.linkedin.com/mwlite/feed/...
www.linkedin.com/mwlite/feed/...
Reposted by Alon Eisenstein
They always say the same basic thing. They are always wrong. And we should do what we have always done and do the thing that needs doing anyway, which this time around is universal basic income and healthcare, and a 4-day workweek.
October 4, 2025 at 10:43 PM
They always say the same basic thing. They are always wrong. And we should do what we have always done and do the thing that needs doing anyway, which this time around is universal basic income and healthcare, and a 4-day workweek.