Iceland’s “No” to the EU: Sovereignty, Geopolitics, and the Digital Misinformation Battle On August 29, 2026, Icelanders headed to the polls for a highly anticipated referendum on whether to resume European Union membership negotiations. The result was a decisive blow to the EU’s enlargement hopes: as Euronews reported in the immediate aftermath, the EU offered … Read more
On August 26, 2026, the U.S. State Department and Treasury took an unprecedented step in the realm of digital rights and counterterrorism by officially placing the Italian tech collective Autistici/Inventati (A/I) on the “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” list. Spearheaded by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, this decision has sent shockwaves through the digital rights community, … Read more
The video explores the origin and rapid rise of the Brave browser, created by JavaScript inventor Brendan Eich after his controversial ousting from Mozilla. It details how Brave was built as a direct counter to Google Chrome’s surveillance-heavy advertising model. When Google introduced the Manifest V3 update to cripple extension-based ad blockers on Chrome, the … Read more
One of my former graduate students has become an underwater photographer and has shared their work presented on this website. We always emphasize that divers who take photographs and film underwater serve as the eyes and ears of our seas and inland waters. As individuals who have taken on this responsibility, we are fully aware … Read more
The European Court of Human Rights’ Grand Chamber ruling of 25 August means that Turkey is under a binding legal obligation to release Osman Kavala and remedy the consequences of his conviction. The Court said he should be freed “at the earliest possible date” and that the conviction cannot lawfully continue to justify his imprisonment … Read more
Recently, The Guardian reported on the fierce pushback in Scotland, where locals are rallying against the data center boom with a level of objection previously unseen. Communities are questioning why their landscapes and resources are being sacrificed for global tech conglomerates. As we delve deeper into the era of algorithmic governance and the race for … Read more
I have spent most of the summer days back on campus, working on two edited volumes. However, I had a short road trip that included Lesvos, Greece. Ayşe and I took a ferry and drove around the island. I have to tell you, the island is big, and if you like to see around, you … Read more
This video analyzes the rise and fall of the Apple Vision Pro, describing it as a $20 billion bet that ultimately failed. Despite impressive specs, early hype, and selling out within 18 minutes, the $3,500 headset struggled due to its weight, high cost, and lack of compelling apps. The video argues that Apple’s fixation on … Read more
The Eurovision Song Contest 2027, scheduled to take place in Burgas, Bulgaria, will go on without the Netherlands. The Dutch public broadcaster AVROTROS announced on August 24, 2026, that they will not participate in the upcoming competition, citing a lack of neutrality due to the ongoing geopolitical tensions, primarily surrounding Israel’s involvement amid the conflict … Read more
I stopped by Ayvalık to visit my old and dear friend Çetin. Çetin is doing great stuff there. He has been working on a cologne brand for a while, and I realize that what a nice brand he created. Have a look at its site. Experimental small bottles for grandma smells! Ayvalık Macaron Kolonyası is … Read more
Netanyahu and his government are so belligerent and act with impunity that I would not be surprised if Israel attacked a Turkish entity directly. But one should also keep in mind that it is election time and Netanyahu likes to escalate things with Türkiye. Here is a roundup of recent developments: Israel’s recent posture is … Read more
You haven’t asked, but I was traveling for a week and am back to book editing camp in İstanbul! I will post about this after driving around for a week. One stop was in Urla, İzmir: Mrs. and Mr. Kesal established a fantastic cultural center near the city center. An old animal farm now serves … Read more
After the Süleymancılar, “Furkancılar” is also under investigation. This is a relatively small group based in Adana. Their type of activism differs greatly from that of the Süleymancılar, who have been exposed to a judicial process. The August 2026 Crackdown on the Furkan Movement in Turkey: Law, Politics, and Religious Civil Society Executive summary Turkey’s … Read more
The Untold Story of Ubuntu traces the origins, turbulent evolution, and enduring impact of Ubuntu [00:05]. Founded in 2004 by South African entrepreneur Mark Shuttleworth and a group of open-source veterans, the project set out to bridge the gap between technical Linux power and everyday usability by building a polished, accessible operating system on top … Read more
The video traces the history and engineering behind USB-C, explaining how the tech industry moved from the chaotic port fragmentation of the 1990s and 2000s to a unified standard. It breaks down the mechanical and electrical innovations of USB-C—including its 24-pin reversible design, multi-protocol Alternate Mode, and high-wattage Power Delivery—and examines how European Union regulations … Read more