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Armies Seize Territory. Empires Seize Language.
What renaming a lake tells us about sovereignty, and the normalization of ownership
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I write about systems, identity, and the open web, on jasonbu.online and across the AT Protocol. Read, reply, and join the conversation.
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Morning. Ford’s sign says Lake Ontario is Lake Ontario. We know, Dougie. Spend it fighting. Maine: what do you want us to do about the idiot you elected? Dani’s in the U.S. during a trade war. 50 seppies rallied. Alberta, take your flag back. Hamilton sent Dominion packing. Coffee on. ☕🇨🇦
No summary today, just a new article - “Lake America” is not legal annexation. It is annexationist language: repeat a false name long enough, put it on enough maps, and people begin assuming it belongs to you. Borders do not always move first. Sometimes the maps do.
jasonbutterfield.offprint.appArmies Seize Territory. Empires Seize Language.What renaming a lake tells us about sovereignty, and the normalization of ownershipMorning. Whew. Turnip tried to rename Lake Ontario. Canada said “hydronym.” MAGA found Google. CIA chief skulks to Moscow. Trust Washington? Sure. Nepal is hurting. Norway lost a king. Canada recruits researchers the U.S. drives out. Their loss, our gain. Twitter, the brand, may live again. ☕🇨🇦