Ryan Gawn
@ryangawn.bsky.social
Technology, fin, geopolitics, development, stratcomms, influence. Ex-LEGO, ex diplo. Views own, RT≠endorsement.
"...the results help to explain not only the timing of increases in social division and perma-discontent on both sides of the Atlantic but also several other modern social trends."
Why American-style polarisation is spreading across the west - on.ft.com/48d1BM6 via @FT
Why American-style polarisation is spreading across the west - on.ft.com/48d1BM6 via @FT
Why American-style polarisation is spreading across the west
New research shows how incentives in the modern media ecosystem help explain rising division and negativity
on.ft.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:47 AM
"...the results help to explain not only the timing of increases in social division and perma-discontent on both sides of the Atlantic but also several other modern social trends."
Why American-style polarisation is spreading across the west - on.ft.com/48d1BM6 via @FT
Why American-style polarisation is spreading across the west - on.ft.com/48d1BM6 via @FT
“However, the problem with geoeconomics is that it is contagious: if one country adopts it, others face pressure to respond.”
The new age of geoeconomics - www.ft.com/content/762c... via @FT
The new age of geoeconomics - www.ft.com/content/762c... via @FT
The new age of geoeconomics
Donald Trump’s tariff threats are just part of a much wider shift. Gillian Tett explains why commerce is being subordinated to statecraft — and how we can adapt
www.ft.com
August 26, 2025 at 6:38 AM
“However, the problem with geoeconomics is that it is contagious: if one country adopts it, others face pressure to respond.”
The new age of geoeconomics - www.ft.com/content/762c... via @FT
The new age of geoeconomics - www.ft.com/content/762c... via @FT
“Providing all the detail and balance in the world is useless when you are faced with a reader or viewer who greets all of it with a selective memory and a lopsided scepticism.”
www.ft.com/content/db35...
www.ft.com/content/db35...
Notes on the resistant reader
It’s not just tech’s algorithms that skew how we see the world
www.ft.com
August 24, 2025 at 11:14 PM
“Providing all the detail and balance in the world is useless when you are faced with a reader or viewer who greets all of it with a selective memory and a lopsided scepticism.”
www.ft.com/content/db35...
www.ft.com/content/db35...
“Now every sloganising mainstream politician promising “change” is under pressure to deliver immediate results, with actions not just abstract words.”
on.ft.com/45ELF2HThe history of political slogans reveals words are not enough
on.ft.com/45ELF2HThe history of political slogans reveals words are not enough
on.ft.com
August 19, 2025 at 1:37 PM
“Now every sloganising mainstream politician promising “change” is under pressure to deliver immediate results, with actions not just abstract words.”
on.ft.com/45ELF2HThe history of political slogans reveals words are not enough
on.ft.com/45ELF2HThe history of political slogans reveals words are not enough
"...can make people change their political views after less than 10 minutes of conversation…. ...AI models could already do a better job of swaying people’s minds than humans in certain cases…"
on.ft.com/3He76Qh The art of persuasion: how top AI chatbots can change your mind
on.ft.com/3He76Qh The art of persuasion: how top AI chatbots can change your mind
on.ft.com
August 15, 2025 at 9:47 AM
"...can make people change their political views after less than 10 minutes of conversation…. ...AI models could already do a better job of swaying people’s minds than humans in certain cases…"
on.ft.com/3He76Qh The art of persuasion: how top AI chatbots can change your mind
on.ft.com/3He76Qh The art of persuasion: how top AI chatbots can change your mind
“It’s the end of search as we know it, and marketers feel fine. Sort of.”
a16z.com/geo-over-seo/
a16z.com/geo-over-seo/
How Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) Rewrites the Rules of Search | Andreessen Horowitz
Traditional search was built on links; GEO is built on language. A new paradigm is emerging, one driven not by page rank, but by AI models.
a16z.com
July 28, 2025 at 5:57 PM
“It’s the end of search as we know it, and marketers feel fine. Sort of.”
a16z.com/geo-over-seo/
a16z.com/geo-over-seo/
Recently announced ODA reductions create a clear call to action, including in initiative prioritization, productivity improvements, and reassessing the design of the current system.
www.mckinsey.com/industries/s...
www.mckinsey.com/industries/s...
A generational shift: The future of foreign aid
Recently announced foreign aid reductions have far-reaching implications and create a clear call to action for countries and organizations.
www.mckinsey.com
June 14, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Recently announced ODA reductions create a clear call to action, including in initiative prioritization, productivity improvements, and reassessing the design of the current system.
www.mckinsey.com/industries/s...
www.mckinsey.com/industries/s...
“If the technology catches on, diplomacy may become a field in which AI models reach deals with one another. Whether humans can hold on to a seat at the table is up for discussion.”
AI models could help negotiators secure peace deals
economist.com/science-and-...
from The Economist
AI models could help negotiators secure peace deals
economist.com/science-and-...
from The Economist
AI models could help negotiators secure peace deals
Some are being developed to help end the war in Ukraine
economist.com
April 22, 2025 at 5:08 PM
“If the technology catches on, diplomacy may become a field in which AI models reach deals with one another. Whether humans can hold on to a seat at the table is up for discussion.”
AI models could help negotiators secure peace deals
economist.com/science-and-...
from The Economist
AI models could help negotiators secure peace deals
economist.com/science-and-...
from The Economist
Can people be persuaded not to believe disinformation?
economist.com/science-and-...
from The Economist
economist.com/science-and-...
from The Economist
Can people be persuaded not to believe disinformation?
AI chatbots and critical thinking courses might help
economist.com
April 9, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Can people be persuaded not to believe disinformation?
economist.com/science-and-...
from The Economist
economist.com/science-and-...
from The Economist
“Beyond autonomy, this is an opportunity for Europe to make up its lag in tech innovation. The time for a digital euro is now.”
www.ft.com/content/40f6...
www.ft.com/content/40f6...
The battle for the global payments system is under way
Some Europeans are looking to the next geoeconomic contest
www.ft.com
April 6, 2025 at 3:22 PM
“Beyond autonomy, this is an opportunity for Europe to make up its lag in tech innovation. The time for a digital euro is now.”
www.ft.com/content/40f6...
www.ft.com/content/40f6...
How ‘See it. Say it. Sorted.’ became Britain’s most effective earworm
www.thetimes.com/article/be50...
www.thetimes.com/article/be50...
How ‘See it. Say it. Sorted.’ became Britain’s most effective earworm
The people behind the security announcement explain how they developed it almost ten years ago — and why, despite the annoyance factor, it works as well as it does
www.thetimes.com
March 20, 2025 at 12:35 PM
How ‘See it. Say it. Sorted.’ became Britain’s most effective earworm
www.thetimes.com/article/be50...
www.thetimes.com/article/be50...
AI unleashes a weird new genre of political communication
economist.com/culture/2025...
from The Economist
economist.com/culture/2025...
from The Economist
AI unleashes a weird new genre of political communication
Donald Trump’s Gaza video offers a taste of what is to come
economist.com
March 7, 2025 at 6:56 AM
AI unleashes a weird new genre of political communication
economist.com/culture/2025...
from The Economist
economist.com/culture/2025...
from The Economist
“The quest to build a more peaceful, sustainable, and just order starts at home.” #msc2025
securityconference.org/en/publicati...
securityconference.org/en/publicati...
Munich Security Report 2025: Multipolarization
The MSR 2025 analyzes the consequences of the multipolarization of the international order.
securityconference.org
February 15, 2025 at 8:09 AM
“The quest to build a more peaceful, sustainable, and just order starts at home.” #msc2025
securityconference.org/en/publicati...
securityconference.org/en/publicati...
“What could a better system of international development look like?” on.ft.com/41abkj4 The assault on USAID is a wake-up call for the rest of the world
The assault on USAID is a wake-up call for the rest of the world
Even before the Trump administration’s slash and burn approach, international assistance was ripe for a rethink
on.ft.com
February 10, 2025 at 7:09 PM
“What could a better system of international development look like?” on.ft.com/41abkj4 The assault on USAID is a wake-up call for the rest of the world
BBC News - False video claims Hollywood stars were paid by USAID to visit Ukraine
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
False video claims celebrities were 'paid' by USAID to visit Ukraine
The video claiming that USAID paid Hollywood celebrities millions of dollars to visit Ukraine is not real and has hallmarks of a Russian disinformation operation that the BBC has previously investigat...
www.bbc.com
February 6, 2025 at 8:14 PM
BBC News - False video claims Hollywood stars were paid by USAID to visit Ukraine
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
"The @ecb.europa.eu will play its part too by keeping Europe at the forefront of digital payment technologies, including through the digital euro project."
@president.ecb.europa.eu and @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu : Europe has got the message on change - on.ft.com/4hpcmNI via @FT
@president.ecb.europa.eu and @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu : Europe has got the message on change - on.ft.com/4hpcmNI via @FT
Lagarde and Von der Leyen: Europe has got the message on change
We can no longer squander our strengths with self-imposed handicaps. There is too much at stake
on.ft.com
February 5, 2025 at 8:30 PM
"The @ecb.europa.eu will play its part too by keeping Europe at the forefront of digital payment technologies, including through the digital euro project."
@president.ecb.europa.eu and @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu : Europe has got the message on change - on.ft.com/4hpcmNI via @FT
@president.ecb.europa.eu and @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu : Europe has got the message on change - on.ft.com/4hpcmNI via @FT
"...the data showed that Gen Z were simultaneously the country’s most authoritarian and liberal generation."
www.thetimes.com/article/a7ce...
www.thetimes.com/article/a7ce...
Gen Z doubts about democracy laid bare in ‘worrying’ survey
More than half believe the UK should be a dictatorship and there’s a stark gender divide over equality, research for Channel 4 shows
www.thetimes.com
January 27, 2025 at 7:11 AM
"...the data showed that Gen Z were simultaneously the country’s most authoritarian and liberal generation."
www.thetimes.com/article/a7ce...
www.thetimes.com/article/a7ce...
“…multiple challenges in 2025 that will likely include further attacks from hostile politicians, continued economic headwinds, and battles to protect intellectual property in the face of rapacious AI-driven platforms.”
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/journalism-m...
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/journalism-m...
Journalism, media, and technology trends and predictions 2025
Our annual survey of over 300 media leaders from across the world explores publishers' priorities for the year ahead, the challenges they envision and how well equipped they are to address them.
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk
January 13, 2025 at 8:12 AM
“…multiple challenges in 2025 that will likely include further attacks from hostile politicians, continued economic headwinds, and battles to protect intellectual property in the face of rapacious AI-driven platforms.”
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/journalism-m...
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/journalism-m...
Why are Nordic companies so successful?
www.economist.com/business/202...
www.economist.com/business/202...
Why are Nordic companies so successful?
From Lego to Novo Nordisk, many of Europe’s top firms come from the region
www.economist.com
January 8, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Why are Nordic companies so successful?
www.economist.com/business/202...
www.economist.com/business/202...
The search for the world’s most efficient charities
www.economist.com/finance-and-...
from The Economist
www.economist.com/finance-and-...
from The Economist
The search for the world’s most efficient charities
What the data say about doing good well
www.economist.com
December 22, 2024 at 6:35 PM
The search for the world’s most efficient charities
www.economist.com/finance-and-...
from The Economist
www.economist.com/finance-and-...
from The Economist
Can Lego remain the world’s coolest toymaker?
And get greener too?
www.economist.com
December 19, 2024 at 5:12 PM