The Briefing
A newsletter on technology and politics, through an Irish lens, written by Liz Carolan

Latest

Oct
01
An image on a data centre with art on the side in Google colours

Budget reaction: the quiet triumph of the data centre lobby

In amongst the giveaways, was a opening for the Apple Tax windfall to be siphoned into state subsidies for data centres.
3 min read
Sep
14
Apple Tax, Populism, and the Persistent Fallacy that Accountancy is Economics

Apple Tax, Populism, and the Persistent Fallacy that Accountancy is Economics

Tax and tech are entering their accountability era. The Irish State, which has both enabled and benefited from the previous Wild West era, faces the prospect of not just an economic but also a political crisis if it doesn’t adjust.
5 min read
Sep
06
The grifter edit: a new pig butchering scam & shilling mascara at an election rally

The grifter edit: a new pig butchering scam & shilling mascara at an election rally

Connor McGregor announcing he is running for President has me thinking about two epic grifters who have come on my radar recently.
4 min read
Aug
29
20th newsletter, plus two good stories on tech & housing

20th newsletter, plus two good stories on tech & housing

Hello! I have a few cool links to share, but first I wanted to add 2 little programming notes. This
4 min read
Aug
22
Hope is making a comeback

Hope is making a comeback

Michelle Obama's barnstorming speech in Chicago on Tuesday night announced that "hope is making a comeback"
4 min read
Aug
14
From "Happy Slaps" to today's political violence

From "Happy Slaps" to today's political violence

Are we seeing an unholy alliance between far right radicalisation, and the exhibitionist nihilism that emerged almost as soon as the camera phone did?
4 min read
Aug
09
Simon Harris has had enough; where will that energy take us?

Simon Harris has had enough; where will that energy take us?

Simon Harris has come out swinging for Big Tech; a much needed tone shift at the top of Government. But what happens next will determine if we turn around our reputation in Europe, or descend into a pointless beef with a Silicon Valley manchild
3 min read
Jul
04
Talking points: UK election

Talking points: UK election

I will be achieving a life goal this evening - playing a small role in RTE's coverage of
3 min read
Jun
11

ICYMI: The Splinternet election

A recent Op-Ed; an overview of the Irish online campaign that looks at what our fracturing internet means for campaigning and politics in 2024 in Ireland and the rest of the world
5 min read
Jun
06
Shuttershock: Ad spend roundup, plus last minute shenanigans

Shuttershock: Ad spend roundup, plus last minute shenanigans

Happy Voting Eve. A last pre-election round up, bringing together as best anyone can spend data from the Meta and Google ad archives. Plus, a collection of election news covered by other people
5 min read