Welcome, Odious Xer.

ODSx stands for 'Open Data Society' + x. (Pronounced O-D-S-X, but 'ODS' said aloud sounds like 'Odious'—and that’s intentional.)

The 'x' is you. It’s your Open Data Society, in your context, for the challenges and opportunities that matter where you are.

This group was created as an emergent construct of the OOI (under the starl3n persona) with a primary, practical mission.

Your Mission: Block Builds

This email group is for coordinating, discussing, and announcing Block Builds—focused sessions of collaborative work. All builds will appear on our shared calendar.

Shared Calendar (Google)
Shared Calendar (iCal)

If you want to help coordinate and publish Block Builds, please contact the group admins.

The Broader Conversation

To discuss the OOI, the philosophy of ODSx, and other emergent constructs, join the Canadian Open Data Society Slack channel.

Slack Invitation

(Note: This link expires on 17 July 2025. If it has expired, please contact an admin for a new one.)

What It Means to Be an Odious Xer

ODSx isn't a formal entity, movement, or platform. It is a moniker for the idea of civilized societies that are informed and empowered by data by design. It’s about people, like you, building a shared understanding to support others on their own unique journey.

You are the Odious Xer. You are the lead character you get to play in this first-person, real-life sandbox edition of 'Life on Earth,' guided by your better angels and lesser demons alike.

The 'Odious' part is a core concept: in a universe of sovereign individuals, everything that isn't you is fundamentally separate, even repulsive, just as you are to it. As an Odious Xer, you possess an inalienable agency to act, speak, think, reason, or ignore. You can play for or against whatever you like, solo or in factions, in a world that finds its coherence only through the emergent constructs created by its 8 billion daily users.

So, Odious Xer, the next steps are yours to take. You can go N, S, E, W, Up, Down, or 'click' to join your next OD Block Build.

The Foundation Block

Remember: No one is perfect, and that includes you.

Odious Xers accept that reality often stinks. We accept that, often enough, we ourselves are part of that stink.

By accepting our role in the mess, we lay the first foundation blocks of shared progress. If we can collectively agree we're part of the odious issues, we can collectively agree to build the odious—and ultimately, beautiful—solutions.

Odious Xers

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