There's a binary switch in the mind, that shifts us between imaginal and real. Our imagination helps us survive by creating possible paths to the future, so we can optimise our personal worlds via our choices.
This psychological process works when we do so via both/and logic: grounding ourselves in the real world but simultaneously investing energy in choices and actions and activities intended to catalyse the world we want.
Thus the alchemy of progress. Problems emerge when co-creating the desired future world with others. Typical is the common one in which folks assume common ground instead of identifying it and agreeing to it. Tacit psychology then takes over and everyone proceeds on the basis of popular delusions.
With sub-cultures, the belief system of the group forms a trap for young (or naive) players. Lotsa folks aren't good at doing reality checks. Critical thinking is now taught at universities, but for those not born with the innate ability to do it as part of normal life, it remains a minority trend.
So the binary switch shifts many from conventional co-created reality (mandated by convention, recycled by msm) into the unconventional co-created reality of the sub-culture. True believers then operate as social justice warriors in an attempt to expose the falsity of the mainstreamers. God is on Billy TK's side, he believes. As the instrument of god's will, his mission is to save the poor deluded Nat/Lab voters.
A mate and I were korero about Covid and 'conspiracies'.
The observation he made was that in the past (20 yrs ago), the folk enquiring along conspiracy lines, had to work hard and seek out info, plus, they tended to be on the margins of society.
Nowadays, dubious information is logarithmically fed to the mainstream, and they are losing their shit. They are not used to being on the outer.
On conspiracy, it was a relatively quiet anniversary of 12/9.
Nowadays, dubious information is logarithmically fed to the mainstream
A key point, I suspect. Enabled by multiculturalism – which was a healthy antidote to mainstream monoculture when it started.
Via postmodernism, diversity of views became paradigmatic. Tolerance of the mentally ill (under the guise of pretending they can be normalised) gives us Trump.
So competing world-views can be rationalised as the sensible product of a caring, tolerant, all-inclusive civilisation. Freedom of choice, caveat emptor. In ancient Rome, tolerance of foreign religions became the norm for centuries until christianity imposed monoculture.
In the nexus of faith, science, and politics, we mustn't lose sight of the fact that the reality of covid-19 is more evident to the specialists who study it than anyone else. Everyone else just has faith that the advice they provide to govt is sensible. We have faith in the msm when it tells us about those infected as a secondary consequence.
We don't believe Bill Gates is using 5G with the UN mandate to make them sick. Our faith in govt decision-making derives from our faith in the scientists whose collective judgments drive public health policy. Seems logical, but it's faith-based, just like Billy's faith in god's will.
Equating public trust in the collective judgement of experienced expert scientists re the Covid-19 pandemic, with faith in Billy TK's intepretation of God's will, may be a stretch.
I'm comfortable with the opinions of practitioners of faith-based movements in matters of faith – heck, the comparatively new religion/cult of Scientology was manufactured in short order by one creative mind – but when faith-based judgements, and consequent actions, are in conflict with science-based precautionary recommendations in matters of public health, then I'd hope that common sense would prevail, eventually.
Oh, headbanging stuff has arrived from the USA to give us the full smorgasbord of their psycho-logic.
The song for today: Daddy started out in San Francisco,
Tootin’ on his trumpet loud and mean.
Suddenly a voice said, “Go forth, Daddy.
Spread the picture on a wider screen.”
And the voice said, “Daddy, there’s a million pigeons
Ready to be hooked on new religions.
Hit the road, Daddy. Leave your common-law wife.
Spread the religion of the rhythm of life.”
I draw the line when it comes to misinformation which can harm others.
When you have a choice to avoid not being harmed by the view of a conspiracy theorist they can do and think what they want. The problem with Covid – 19 is the community spread and a person would need to put their self on home detention to avoid it.
So who is being restricted the most when it comes to misinformation about the transmission of Covid – 19?
Dennis; I was trialling an idea with friends over the weekend; perhaps you'd like to masticate this too: if every human had the power to make real their every imaginary scenario, on a global scale and could repeat and adjust their creation endlessly and instantly, what would happen (take out irreversible chaos or non-existence etc.). Would there be a settling-out to a world that reflects the true human spirit? Would the choices and result reflect the deep subconscious of the human race? Would we reach a steady-state, or be plunged into a flickering super-8 movie where no frame connects with any other?
One friend suggested, "Isn't what you propose what we have now"?
But I like the discourse you co-created. What chaos theory told us about nature is that patterns of order emerge naturally (in an apparently chaotic system). So, since a social system operates similarly to an ecosystem, monocultural trends will persist awhile when produced as a result of system bifurcation, then evaporate or subside into a context of multiculturalism after that.
Would we reach a steady-state, or be plunged into a flickering super-8 movie where no frame connects with any other?
Both/and applies. Some will feel that the flicker is too much, and will gravitate toward the islands of stability. Those islands will grow in response. Firefly humans will dance amidst the flicker. Butterfly humans will flit between islands. You get the picture, eh? Biodiversity.
Human fish will experience fluid cultural chaos as an ocean. Surfers will ride the surface of that. In astrology, ocean is represented by the Pisces archetype (mutable water, fixed water is pond or lake, cardinal water is rain, a spring or run-off originating stream or river). Kinetic energy and potential energy are the physics binary: discovering the emergence of subatomic particles into the physical universe a century ago caused theoretical physicists to postulate a realm of potential energy, with forms and fields also emergent from that. Fields are the tertiary category in physics that are real inasmuch as they are detectable, but we can't sense them so we use the imaginal to describe them. How forms arise in nature remains too hard!
or the truth could be a lot simpler. someone with a reputation of non-payment of fellow musicians(goes down very badly in nz small music scene) who spent way too much time watching online rubbish during lockdown. needs to find another way of self promotion because he has burnt too many bridges in the music scene. as for god being on billys side ,think bob dylan (a LOT closer to god than billy ever will be)says it best in "with god on our side"
Thanks for the identification RG. Can see it better now.
I did not know who it was but had more or less settled on David Seymour except I thought there was something wrong with the hair. Some of the point DS comes out with also fit.
Is this the same Will Ryan from the nutter 'Right Minds' group? I think so. Dangerous people who, along with the likes of BFD (Whaleoil) model themselves on US extremist conspiracy theorists.
If it is, then it is likely the reason for refusing to wear the mask is not so much to do with "freedom" but more to do with gaining media exposure, and being able to credibly complain about personal persecution.
Wonder if he's copped a lifetime ban from Fullers? Poster in the terminal and his fellow passengers will rat him out in a heartbeat. Guess he is now stuck some where.
Alert levels . What is the point about different regional levels when people can simply change levels by travelling?
We have some of the people who went to the demo in Auckland also showing up at meetings in Southland if I have understood correctly ( no idea as to the actual time Line) But if we had trapped Auckland in Auckland then the rest of us could be at level 1.
Also seen stuff with a story from Baker about purpose built facilities at Ohakea Read the idea here first?
I find it illogical too that people in the two areas where Covid is can travel out of those areas at whim. I do think some containment boundaries are required , be it regional or by suburb , until those areas are cleared.
I understand the concern about mixed levels without internal borders, but I think the approach is valid.
Firstly, placing a hermetic seal around Auckland would be counterproductive: it will piss people off even more, and they'll walk out through forests if need be. Even the Berlin Wall wasn't 100%.
Secondly, infection control is about probabilities rather than perfection. There are diminishing returns on efforts in that regard, even if we could ensure 100% compliance. We don't ask people to wear full hazmat suits to go to the shops, even if theoretically that would stop the infections 100%. Masks lower transmission, cheaply, for little effort and training (and if people wear their masks on top of their heads or under their nose, they won't be able to operate a full environment suit).
So if a few Aucklanders leave under level 2.5, what are the odds of them spreading an infection? What are the odds of that not getting detected early in other regions? Spacing in planes lowers those odds even more. A specific aucklander being detected to having an infection on a given day is currently in the region of a million to one.
Third, the levels system is still proportional to the risk presented by specific infection scenarios. Under L4 everyone was locked down. Under L2-3 we're cautious, but not actually too worried that there are clusters or cases we haven't identified as possible contacts. But we still slow stuff down and keep distancing, because if it has gotten out these measures will slow it down.
I like the idea of bespoke isolation facilities, but I'd actually go so far as to suggest that the government should develop some dual-purpose facilities: hotels/conference venues for even a few decades, but can be adapted into an isolation facility or a refugee/disaster processing centre as and when needed. As in, from the design stage up it can operate as one or the other or even both but separately, with neither group crossing paths at any stage.
Thanks for those sound words McFlock. It's practical to sit down and think out the whole situation. We need to understand and not just get irritated with the Why don’t we’s, why can't we's?
Was out in the Albany shopping precinct (mall and adjoining blocks of shops) on Saturday morning and was so impressed with the very high turnout of mask wearers and shoppers using the tracing ap. All ages and ethnicities . I would have put it at about 85%. It was great to see. Then today I was at Glenfield mall for a short visit and the complete opposite was happening. My hubby and myself commented at how many people were wandering around completely mask free. Again all sorts of people and ages. I thought how strange. What it is it that makes some areas compliant and some so non-compliant. Even using the ap was haphazard as I was waiting for the other half (as you do) to finish off what he was doing and was adjacent to the ap and observed people wandering into the mall and not using the ap.
On another subject. I know this is pretty full on but I can see how people get confused with the PM's announcements. Why is it that people coming into the country whether they are showing symptoms or not have to isolate and be tested over two weeks before going on their way. Then on the other hand the Greater Auckland area has clusters of infection being monitored and in some cases in managed isolation yet we allow our region to travel wherever they like all over NZ taking the bug with them to other areas.
I understand that commerce has to carry on, goods have to be carried up north and down south but the logic isn't there for me. Surely we the Auckland region needs to be isolated from the rest of the country , get on top of the virus and then allow free travel. Simplistic I know but I am not a logistics wonk just a curious person . Meanwhile the planes are filling up with us lot up here and going to the ski fields and wherever. No wonder the provinces get sick of us!!
The difference in probability of catching Covid from an Aucklander in or outside of Auckland is negligible to zero This targeting of Aucklanders is bs by a small number of small brain provincial hicks
“Modelling done for the Ministry of Health continues to suggest around a 25 percent chance of cases moving outside of the Auckland region. So while the cases are currently in Auckland, with inter-regional travel open there remains a risk of spreading the virus to the rest of the country.”
I am not a small brained provincial hick thank you. This is our shit up here and for the sake of the rest of the country we shouldn't be allowed to take this shit out of town.
[Removed the first sentence of your comment from your user name field]
I apply first principles here. Nothing comes or will come of depriving people of their land no matter how laudable the proposals by others for the future are. The Maori owners have been deprived of their ownership, and have been for many many years since the land was taken for defence purposes without compensation.
The land should be returned to the Maori owners forthwith. If the Maori owners wish to negotiate for parts to be used as a commercial entity then so be it. Maori owners have seen large chunks of this land used for private housing and this is so far away from a defence use or even a Govt use as to be a misuse of power by the current occupiers, in my view.
It was a syndicate of the users of the runways, developers etc. The Todd group owned it for many years then sold to (now) The Templeton group now owns.
Land was Maori owned until the land was taken for Emergency use/defence purposes during WW2. Despite no longer being required for defence purposes or any other public works purpose( the PW Act has strict parameters) the land has never been handed back to Maori. To me all talk of future uses, that take the future use of the land further and further away from the use it was taken for should be put on the back burner.
This is one of my 'bee in bonnet' & hot button issues.
Restrictions banning social gatherings of more than six people have come into effect in England. The "rule of six" applies to both indoor and outdoor activities.
Groups larger than six can be broken up by police, with members of the group facing fines of £100 for a first offence, doubling on each further offence up to £3,200.
Roads in NZ the biggest fun is getting them afterwards it's pedestrian.
Foundations for two flyovers on the Baypark to Bayfair project are having to be redesigned because of the instability of a buried layer of pumice.
The agency has twice said the pumice was "unknown" and was "discovered" during ground works.
But it now says it knew the pumice was there.
The impact on costs and schedule is still being worked out on a project where the completion has already been pushed back to December 2022.
In April, the agency said: "The unknown pumice layer, which was discovered as part of the ground conditions work, could have wide implications on overall construction in the Bayfair area."
RNZ questioned this as the region is well known for pumice and the agency has had past bad experiences when piles for the nearby harbour bridges threatened to sink.
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Five things we’ve learnt 1. We know where the virus ultimately came from We know that the virus originally came from bats, and most probably a species of horseshoe bat in South East Asia. However, the spike protein in SARS-CoV-2, which allows the virus to attach to cells and infect ...
The Greens' greatest disappointment while in government this term has been the failure to implement a ban on mining on conservation land. Promised by Jacinda Ardern immediately after gaining power, it had long been assumed that the problem was NZ First (who have a long history of environmental vandalism). But ...
If they get into Parliament, everyone expects the Greens to form a coalition with Labour. But James Shaw has said that that might not be the case, and that they might instead choose to sit on the cross-benches: The Greens are prepared to forego a coalition or confidence and ...
Tonight was the first Leaders’ Debate, broadcast live on TVNZ 1. It was the first time New Zealanders have seen Jacinda Ardern side-by-side Opposition Leader Judith Collins this campaign. ...
Last updated 30 July 2020. The whole world is battling with COVID-19, and no country is immune. In New Zealand, our focus is getting the latest resurgence under control and making sure we put in place immediate financial supports to cushion the economic blow.As before, the best economic response is ...
Led by Jacinda Ardern, our strong, stable government has delivered results and put people first every step of the way. In health, housing, education and more, we've got a strong track record of delivering for New Zealanders. Now, we’re continuing to put people first with our decisive response to COVID-19. ...
Labour has a strong track record of making progress on the big issues facing our country. Now, as we recover and rebuild from COVID-19, we’re rolling out our plan to grow our economy, support businesses and communities, and keep New Zealand moving. If you’re still undecided ahead of this year’s ...
The Green Party is calling for Waka Kotahi the NZ Transport Agency to convert a lane over the Auckland Harbour Bridge to bus-only and make buses free to use across the bridge until all lanes are back in operation. ...
The Green Party has released its Thriving Oceans Plan, which would dramatically increase marine protected areas and ban bottom trawling on seamounts. ...
It was another busy week out on the campaign trail, with Labour focused on jobs, training, and supporting Kiwi workers. As we continue to roll out our five-point plan for recovery, we’re investing in our people, businesses, communities and vital services, so we can keep our economy moving as we ...
Our regions are a vital part of our economic recovery plan. They’re home to innovative and creative businesses, and the backbone of our export economy - which is why Labour will continue to support our regions to grow as together, we rebuild better. ...
National’s ‘alternative budget’ that includes huge cuts to the government’s operating allowance would risk gutting critical public services, and put health, education and nature at dire risk. ...
Data released this week shows that, while New Zealand is not immune to the economic impacts of the global pandemic, our strong health response has meant we’ve been able to get our economy going faster than many other countries. ...
This year’s election is on 17 October - and it’s coming up fast! With one month to go until Election Day, we’ve come up with 17 ways you, your friends and family can get involved in our campaign and help Labour keep New Zealand moving. ...
PREFU has given a good insight into what was required to ensure New Zealanders were largely supported to continue work and remain healthy during COVID-19, but it is clear we need additional revenue raising measures ongoing, Green Party Co-leader James Shaw said today. ...
The Green Party is disappointed with the Labour Party’s decision to reverse their three free years education policy and back down on their commitment to postgraduate student allowances. ...
In the first two years of our term in Government, we gave teachers record pay rises as a way of recognising the lack of adequate adjustments over the previous decade and the significant role they play in the lives of children and young people. We also increased the number of ...
Labour has a proud history of supporting working New Zealanders, whether through the implementation of the 40hr work week or the introduction of the Working for Families package. ...
The Green Party welcome Labour’s commitment to extend the living wage to Government contractors, but will push for Fair Pay Agreements across industries in the next Government so more New Zealanders can earn a dignified income. ...
The Green Party is urging the Government to act on its commitment to te reo Māori, by making it a core subject up to year 10, and including te reo courses in the Targeted Training and Apprenticeships scheme. ...
We're officially back to the campaign for the 2020 General Election. The campaign may look a little different this year, but our candidates are still getting out and about in their communities and spreading the word about how another term of Labour will keep New Zealand moving in the right ...
You might have heard a bit of discussion about Government debt lately, as experts weigh in on the COVID-19 economic recovery. If you’re wondering why it’s such a contested topic, or even if you’re unsure of what Government debt actually is, then read on - we’ve got you covered! ...
The Green Party has released its Farming for the Future Plan, including a $297m fund to support farmers and growers to transition to climate-friendly practices. ...
We believe every New Zealander deserves the chance to make an informed decision on Election Day. We’ve answered some of the most common questions on our 2020 tax policy, including how much money will be raised from our new top tax rate, and how this will be used to control ...
The Green Party says Labour’s energy policy is a step in the right direction, but the Greens would go further and faster to meaningfully tackle the climate crisis. ...
All this tax talk leaving you a bit dazed and confused? Read below to find out more about our progressive tax system and what Labour's policy means for you. ...
We’re committed to managing the Government’s books responsibly and keeping debt under control while supporting our people and our economy through the 1-in-100 year shock caused by COVID-19. ...
The Labour Party has moved towards more progressive income tax, but is not addressing the growing wealth gap and inequality in Aotearoa. Labour’s new revenue policy also doesn’t help pay for the necessary response to the COVID-19 crisis, Green Party Co-leader James Shaw said today. ...
As New Zealanders we are proud of who we are, what we stand for, and the way we weave together different worlds and cultures to create our unique national identity. ...
It is appalling and negligent that landlords are being encouraged to keep their properties cold and damp until after the election, as advised by the NZ Property Investors Federation, Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson said today. ...
The expanded scheme will cover: People who have COVID-19 like symptoms and meet the Ministry of Health’s criteria, and need to self-isolate while awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test. People who are directed to self-isolate by a Medical Officer of Health or their delegate or on advice of their ...
The Government is putting in place a range of immigration policy changes to help fill labour shortages in key industries while ensuring New Zealanders, who have lost jobs due to COVID-19, have the chance to find new employment. “Two key sectors we are moving to help are horticulture and wine ...
The Government has established class exceptions for border entry for a limited number of veterinarians, deep sea fishing crew, as well as agricultural and horticultural machinery operators. “Tight border restrictions remain the backbone of the Government’s border strategy to protect New Zealand against COVID-19 and ensure New Zealand citizens and ...
The Crown will not appeal the Court of Appeal decision in the Dodds v Southern Response case, Grant Robertson announced today. “Southern Response will be paying the damages awarded by the Court to Mr and Mrs Dodds shortly. The Crown was already meeting their legal costs for this appeal. “The ...
The Provincial Growth Fund is investing nearly $30 million in a diverse range of projects that will create immediate and long-term jobs and lift economic and social outcomes for Northland and its people. Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones made the announcement today in ...
The Coalition Government has committed to invest $27 million in COVID-19 vaccine development through the global COVAX Facility, Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced today. “The COVAX Facility is a key part of our COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy to obtain safe and effective vaccines. It allows us to invest in a high-quality, ...
The Government will provide up to $1.69 million through the One Billion Trees programme to Māori landowners to make their whenua more productive through the planting of forests, both native and exotic, and improve economic and environmental outcomes, Forestry Minister Shane Jones has announced. “Around 1.5 million ha of land ...
People planning to head outdoors now have a resource that lets them know how accessible an area is for people with varying levels of mobility, Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage announced today. The Halberg Foundation, Sensibel, and the Department of Conservation (DOC) have launched Accessibel, a new tool which helps ...
One of the most significant battle sites of the 1860s Land Wars will receive $2.96 million from the Provincial Growth Fund to improve the site and help tell the New Zealand story to visitors, Māori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones have announced. Nanaia Mahuta ...
The journey towards recognising Māori as an official language and taonga has been captured as a web series and launched today during Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, announced Associate Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Carmel Sepuloni. “Te reo Māori is a living language, and understanding its significance, and pathways to ...
Today’s better-than-forecast GDP figures show the expected impact of the decision to act quickly to protect New Zealanders from the global COVID-19 pandemic. GDP fell 12.2% in the June quarter from March, reflecting decisions to close New Zealand’s borders and enter Alert Level 4. “This result was better than the ...
The Government is investing $39.7 Million over four years to support the educational needs of Pacific learners and families in the regions hardest hit by COVID-19, with Auckland getting an immediate boost, Associate Minister of Education Jenny Salesa says. “Like all New Zealanders Pacific families want learners to do well ...
New Zealand’s goal of 100,000 kiwi by 2030 is being helped by an extra $19.7 million in funding to accelerate iwi and community efforts to protect kiwi, Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage announced. “$19.7 million of Jobs for Nature funding is being invested in kiwi conservation activities including increased predator ...
Ensuring New Zealanders can get the best deal on their electricity takes a step in the right direction today with the South Island launch of the EnergyMate pilot run by the Electricity Retailers’ Association, says Minister of Energy and Resources, Dr Megan Woods. EnergyMate is an industry-led programme providing coaching ...
Minister for Women Julie Anne Genter announced today that the Government has reached its target of 50 percent on women on state sector board and committees – setting a new record level of women on state sector boards. “This Government is committed to having more women in leadership roles - ...
Transport Minister Phil Twyford released today the final Government Policy Statement on land transport (GPS) 2021 which outlines the planned $48 billion investment in services and infrastructure over the next decade. “The final GPS supports our Government’s five-point plan for economic recovery by confirming our record investments in transport infrastructure ...
Three ambitious and cutting-edge research programmes that will lift New Zealand’s advanced energy technology research capability over seven years, have been supported by Government today, says Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods. The projects will each receive a share of $40.7 million investment from the Strategic Science Investment Fund. ...
The critical area for forensic examination known as Pit Bottom in Stone has been reached in what is a major milestone for the Pike River re-entry project, Minister Responsible for Pike River Re-entry Andrew Little announced. “The infrastructure located in Pit Bottom in Stone is of very significant interest in ...
The Government is working on how New Zealand’s retirement income policies and settings can best support Kiwis in light of the COVID-19 economic recovery, with the help of the Retirement Commissioner’s latest review, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Kris Faafoi said. “The Retirement Commissioner’s three-yearly review into New Zealand’s retirement ...
A new digital hub and development centre in Murupara will be instrumental in growing the region’s productivity, said Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau at the official opening of two community initiatives today. “I’m pleased to be here celebrating a significant milestone for two projects set to make a ...
PREFU shows economy doing better than forecast Unemployment to peak at 7.8%, down from 9.8% forecast in the Budget Year-to-June accounts show tax revenue, debt and OBEGAL better than forecast Global forecast downgraded as COVID-19 second waves and uncertainty grows Balanced plan to support critical public services, manage debt and ...
The Kāpiti Coast town of Ōtaki will receive $1.4 million in Government funding for two projects providing scores of jobs for locals while improving community facilities, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones has announced. The Māoriland Charitable Trust will receive a $900,000 Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) grant to upgrade the ...
The Provincial Growth Fund will provide $11.88 million to fund fencing and waterway projects nationwide that will improve the environment and create jobs in their communities, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones has announced. “These projects will create more than 100 jobs nationwide with work starting within the next couple ...
As part of the COVID-19 recovery, the Government has strengthened its procurement rules to ensure its annual $42 billion spend creates more jobs, uses more sustainable construction practices and results in better outcomes for Māori and Pasifika, Government Ministers announced today. Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford says the $42 ...
The Government is supporting a major upgrade of Timaru’s iconic Theatre Royal and the construction of a new connected Heritage Facility museum and exhibition space with $11.6 million from the Government’s Infrastructure Fund, Jacinda Ardern announced today. “We heard the call from the community and the council. The Theatre Royal ...
Chrissy Montague (formerly Armstrong), barrister of Auckland has been appointed as a District Court Judge with Family Court jurisdiction to be based in Wellington, Attorney-General David Parker announced today. Ms Montague commenced practice in Auckland in 1987 and went into general practice dealing with Wills, Estates, Trusts, Conveyancing, Relationship Property ...
A Proposal to provide for the development and operation of commercial film and video production facilities in areas of Christchurch has been given the go ahead. Hon Poto Williams, Associate Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration, has approved the Proposal, which was prepared and submitted by Regenerate Christchurch. Minister Williams ...
As part of the Government’s focus on building closer partnerships with Māori and enhancing the quality of, and access to, Māori medium education, a payment of $8 million will be made to Te Wānanga o Raukawa in partial recognition of its Waitangi Tribunal claim (WAI 2698), Associate Education Minister Kelvin ...
The Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage has announced a $19 million investment over four years in an important forest restoration project involving a partnership between the Department of Conservation, iwi/hapū, the Bay of Plenty and Waikato Regional Councils, community conservation groups and organisations such as Forest and Bird across the ...
New Zealand will be the first country in the world to require the financial sector to report on climate risks, the Minister for Climate Change James Shaw announced today. The changes build on the huge progress this Government has made to tackle the climate crisis. “Today is another step on ...
Economic activity across the Auckland region and the country bounced back to levels experienced under Alert Level 1 following Auckland’s move out of Alert Level 3, analysis in the Treasury’s latest Weekly Economic Update shows. The analysis of economic data since Auckland’s move out of Level 3 shows: Auckland card ...
Takiri mai te ata, ka ao, ka ao, ka awatea, tihei mauriora! Tātou katoa ngā iwi o Aotearoa, tēnā koutou! Tēnā tātou e whakanuia ana i te wiki nei, te wiki o te reo Māori Greeting to you all from Otepoti, Dunedin. This week is the Māori Language week and ...
More mental health and addiction services are available for young New Zealanders in Rotorua and Taupō, Wairarapa, South Canterbury, Dunedin and Southland from next month, Health Minister Chris Hipkins and Associate Health Minister Julie Anne Genter say. “The Government is serious about making sure New Zealanders struggling with mental health ...
The Manuherekia catchment in Central Otago is the third exemplar catchment to be targeted as part of the Government’s plan to clean up waterways by supporting community-led programmes. Environment Minister David Parker said the Manuherekia catchment is vitally important to the people of Central Otago. “The Manuherekia rises in the ...
The Government has agreed on a preferred design for the new Dunedin Hospital featuring two separate buildings, and has provided funding for the next stages of work. Minister of Health Chris Hipkins says Cabinet has approved in principle the detailed business case for the new hospital, giving people in ...
New Zealanders across the country are set to mark history as part of the Māori Language Week commemorations led by Te Taura Whiri i te reo Māori this year. Māori Development Minister, Nanaia Mahuta says the initiative will mark history for all the right reasons including making te reo Māori ...
More than 1000 teachers, support staff and school leaders have graduated from a programme designed to grow their capability to use te reo Māori in their teaching practice, as part of the Government’s plan to integrate te reo Māori into education, Associate Education Minister Kelvin Davis announced today. Being trialled ...
The Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio, says the Toloa Tertiary Scholarships which aims to encourage more Pacific student numbers participating and pursuing STEM-related studies in 2021, are now open. “These tertiary scholarships are administrated by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP), and are part of MPP’s overall Toloa ...
Four Bay of Plenty timber businesses will receive investments totalling nearly $22 million through the Provincial Growth Fund to boost the local economy and create jobs, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones has announced. Rotorua-based sawmill Red Stag Wood Solutions will receive a $15 million loan to develop an engineered ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced that New Zealand is exploring the viability of working with partners to conduct a search for the black box on the Gulf Livestock 1. “We know how much it would mean to the families of those on the ship to understand more about ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Grant Duncan, Associate Professor for the School of People, Environment and Planning, Massey University Prime Minister and Labour leader Jacinda Ardern and National Party leader Judith Collins have met for the first televised debate of the 2020 election campaign. With the results ...
Analysis - Riding high on the back of a stellar public poll, ACT leader David Seymour was the standout performer at the finance debate in Queenstown tonight. ...
Who came out on top in tonight’s leaders’ debate? Here are our debate watchers’ verdicts. A bit knackeredGiven that most of the country, most of the Covid-battered world, is basically just knackered, is it any surprise that tonight’s opening debate felt a bit knackered, tooWhether it was in an attempt to ...
Labour leader Jacinda Ardern and National leader Judith Collins are facing off in their first televised election debate at 7pm, with a new poll out at 6pm. Follow live updates here. ...
The first leader debate begins at 7pm on TVNZ 1. Ready your pencils.Judith Collins, Jacinda Ardern and John Campbell all want you to have a good time during tonight’s first leader debate for election 2020. And so do we.That’s why we (well, Toby Morris mostly) have conjured up a bingo ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Harry Al-Wassiti, Bioengineer and Research Fellow, Monash University On Sunday, the Australian government announced it would put A$6 million towards the research and development of three local COVID-19 vaccine candidates, via the Medical Research Future Fund. The three candidates to share this ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Frank Larkins, Professor Emeritus and Former Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Melbourne Australian university research funding is made up of discretionary income that comes from various sources, including international student fees. This is additional to the funding, including government grants, specifically received ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Frank Larkins, Professor Emeritus and Former Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Melbourne Australian university research funding is made up of discretionary income that comes from various sources, including international student fees. This is additional to the funding, including government grants, specifically received ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Haskell-Dowland, Associate Dean (Computing and Security), Edith Cowan University Plot twists in the TikTok saga continue to emerge daily, with a proposed deal to secure the future of the video sharing platform in the United States now in doubt. Under the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Greg Raymond, Lecturer, Australian National University Thousands of Thai students turned out over the weekend to protest in Bangkok — the latest gathering in a long-simmering movement against the power structures that hold sway in Thailand. The three core demands of students ...
Greater Christchurch Regeneration Minister Megan Woods has spoken about the government's decision not to appeal a landmark court case against Southern Response. ...
Dunedin general election candidates will take part in a My Votes Count forum event on 29 September organised by the Dunedin and Districts Disabled Persons Assembly (DPA) alongside Disability Information Service, People First, Blind Citizens New ...
Greater Christchurch Regeneration Minister Megan Woods has spoken about the government's decision not to appeal a landmark court case against Southern Response. ...
Greater Christchurch Regeneration Minister Megan Woods is speaking to media after the government revealed it has decided not to appeal a landmark court case. ...
What happened to the bridge, when will it be fixed, are we ever getting another harbour crossing – and how long will it take to get home tonight?Few of us remember a time before the bridge. Its eight glorious lanes run from St Mary’s Bay across the Waitematā harbour to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Axel Bruns, Professor, Creative Industries, Queensland University of Technology Google’s role in delivering audiences to news outlets has been under scrutiny of late. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s initiative to redirect advertising revenue from Google and Facebook to news publishers has ...
Discriminatory laws that place unreasonable hurdles to increased Māori participation in local government need to be urgently reformed, says Nelson Mayor Rachel Reese. In a Nelson City Council meeting held on Tuesday, 22 September, Council resolved ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vivienne Skinner, Industry/Professional Fellow, School of the Built Environment, University of Technology Sydney Australia’s six-month moratorium on evictions is due to end soon. Somestates have extended the moratorium, but when it ends that’s likely to force even more Australians into housing ...
On Thursday night the arts, culture and heritage spokespeople from Labour, National and the Greens will have a conversation on arts policy, facilitated by Miriama Kamo. We’ve got all their policies here, so you know who stands for what.Earlier this year, Ben Thomas wrote for The Spinoff about why politicians ...
Responding to reports that Cr Catherine Chu failed to attend over half of Christchurch City Council briefings since October , the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union says the revelation is proof elected local councillors must refuse their salaries while they ...
From next week, the scheme will cover people who have symptoms of the coronavirus and need to self-isolate while waiting for the results of a test. ...
Pacific Media Centre Newsdesk The Tabernacle Bible Church of Indonesia’s congregation from the Intan Jaya regency in Papua has fled into the forests in fear after the killing of a pastor at the weekend, allegedly by the military, reports CNN Indonesia. The church (GKII) says it believes Rev Yeremia Zanambani ...
When we first checked the Beehive website for press statements this morning, we found just one announcement – from the Deputy PM – had been posted since September 19. His news was that the Coalition Government has committed to invest $27 million in Covid-19 vaccine development through the global COVAX ...
The government’s decision today to slightly loosen border entry restrictions to allow in certain specialised staff crucial to the agriculture and fishing industries is excellent news, Federated Farmers says. "Feds has been strongly advocating ...
We recently built our own members platform so that readers can donate to and support our journalism in a more direct way. If you’re a Spinoff Member, here’s how it affects you. At the end of last year, our team was fortunate to receive a grant that allowed us to ...
Keep New Zealand Beautiful are excited to announce that three New Zealand students have won awards at the 2020 Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) International competition. These three students were all winners from the national New Zealand ...
The government has announced more border exemptions and visa changes to help get specialised workers in the country and fill labour shortages in key sectors. ...
The National Party leader tells Duncan Greive what conviction means to her, and why she thinks she gets a different treatment to Jacinda Ardern.The first time I saw Judith Collins at close quarters, she was moving through what was inelegantly billed as the “National stakeholder party” held at parliament last ...
Being in the midst of a global pandemic does funny things to you, finds Michelle Langstone as she gives in to an overwhelming urge to return to the Auckland amusement park of her youth. I don’t know if it’s nostalgia working, but my husband and I had an overwhelming urge ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Blair Williams, Associate Lecturer, School of Political Science and International Relations, Australian National University The grand final of Plate of Origin will air on on Channel Seven tonight. Like other blockbuster cooking shows (think MasterChef, My Kitchen Rules), Plate of Origin is ...
The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has released a list of questions that should be asked at tonight’s TVNZ leaders' debate – and at tonight’s separate finance debate in Queenstown. Questions for Jacinda Ardern and Judith Collins: Is tax theft ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonathan Barrett, Senior Lecturer in Taxation, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington The conservative tax policies proposed by Labour and National ahead of next month’s election are hard to distinguish in substance, with each party offering no more than a ...
Judith Collins says she'll be pointing out a "lack of follow-through" by the Labour leader while for Jacinda Ardern it is less about "sparring" than "directly communicating". ...
National wants to boost the capacity of managed isolation facilities by allowing private accommodation providers to join the government-controlled network and charge what they like. ...
National wants to boost the capacity of managed isolation facilities by allowing private accommodation providers to join the government-controlled network and charge what they like. ...
Covid-19 will not be going away any time soon and the National Party says we should team up with the private sector to let more workers and tourists in safely National have announced that, if elected, they will ramp up the private provision of quarantine to allow workers and long-term tourists ...
A joint statement by the national leaders of most New Zealand church denominations We urge the people of Aotearoa New Zealand to vote very cautiously in the two Referendums, because both decisions carry the risk of inflicting serious long-term damage on our ...
A celebration of 35 years working with whānau in the Heretaunga community was celebrated with a short history lesson, waiata and the cutting of the cake this morning. Iwi chair Ngahiwi Tomoana provided the history of the kaupapa Māori organisation which ...
Fonterra CEO Miles Hurrell says 2019/20 was a good year for the co-op, with profit up, debt down and a strong milk price. The result, a profit of $659m, may have brought a cheer from the co-op’s farmer-suppliers and Hurrell deserves a cheer, too, for succeeding in turning around the ...
Three weeks ago, the NZ Parliament enacted new Water Laws. The WHO says 1.1 levels Nitrogen for rivers is OK. We are already at 0.6. The new Law (The Greens) wants 0.1 Nitrogen, this is impossible and absolutely ridiculous! ...
Too much news? Welcome to the only round-up you need.The election was supposed to be over by now. We were all supposed to be free but instead we’re back talking about fiscal holes and house prices. Bit of housekeeping: there’ll be no more yes, no, huh? in this column as ...
In a time of growing ideological conformity within the New Zealand media, a backlash from the public has seen media outlets seeking to proclaim themselves as the arbiters of truth. The New Zealand media industry, once renowned for impartial journalism, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katherine Wynn, Lead Economist, CSIRO Futures, CSIRO Over the next few years, science and technology will have a vital role in supporting Australia’s economy as it strives to recover from the coronavirus pandemic. At Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, we’ve identified opportunities ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yun Jiang, Senior Research Officer, Australian National University Last month, the University of New South Wales came under harsh criticism after its media team deleted an article and tweet in which Elaine Pearson, the Australia director of Human Rights Watch, expressed concern ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Theodore E. (Ted) Zorn, Professor of Organisational Communication and Head of Massey Executive Development, Massey University When New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was named the “world’s most eloquent leader” last month it raised the question of just how important eloquence is ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Collins, Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Newcastle Coffee is regularly in the news for its potential health benefits and drawbacks. A review of the research found drinking a few cups of coffee a day was associated with a lower ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bryan Fry, Associate Professor, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland Funnel webs are considered one of Australia’s most fearsome spiders, but their ability to kill humans is by accident rather than design, our new research shows. In findings published today, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tracey Muir, Associate Professor in Mathematics Education, University of Tasmania Parents and carers were responsible for overseeing their children’s learning during the first wave of COVID restrictions in Australia. Many parents in Melbourne and some in regional Victoria will still be doing ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marilyn Lake, Professorial Fellow in History, University of Melbourne Review: Vida: A Woman for Our Time, published by Penguin (Viking imprint) Australian women were not the first to win the right to vote in national elections. That world-historic distinction belongs to New ...
Welcome to The Spinoff’s Election Live for September 22, bringing you the latest on election 2020 and other NZ news. The essential campaign dates are here. For all you need to know about the cannabis referendum click here. For the assisted dying referendum click here. Explore the parties’ pledges at Policy. I’m ...
Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Country outside Auckland now at level one, previewing the first major leader debate, and another error found in National’s costings.The alert levels will shift down around the country this week, with most of the country moving back into level one. Our live ...
Our Seas Our Future (OSOF) is encouraged by the Green Party’s marine policy to protect and restore our seas and oceans, as outlined in its Thriving Oceans Plan. OSOF representative, Noel Jhinku, says that the policy recognises the need to address ...
In an extraordinary exchange during a recent press conference our Finance Minister, when asked why the Reserve Bank does not write off the Covid19 debt, said “it isn’t the way we manage monetary and fiscal policy”. He did not say that it is not technically ...
“ACT has a plan to lift the restrictions holding back the tourism sector and give operators the tax relief they need after being hammered by Covid,” says ACT Leader David Seymour. “I’ve travelled from Northland to Southland talking to tourism ...
With voting set to begin in under two weeks, the Howick Youth Council’s interactive candidate forums have been the first successful community meetings held virtually in the Botany and Pakuranga electorates for the 2020 general election. The youth-led ...
New Zealand is already taking risks allowing Kiwis to return, so why not rich Americans, ACT says. A Southland tourism operator says it's a bold move, but won't get the industry back on its feet. ...
Wealthy people’s money grows at a faster rate than the economy, like a dam hoarding water while the city below grows thirsty. To conserve our way of life, we need to ensure wealth flows between the top and the bottom, writes Tax Justice's Louise Delaney Now both major parties have ...
We continue our week-long series on an extraordinary book of essays by Ghazaleh Golbakhsh with a memoir of the author from Golriz Ghahrman My friend Ghazaleh Golbakhsh is a film-maker, a writer, actor, Iranian, Kiwi, woman of colour, citizen of the world, and wild dreamer. Her new book of essays ...
Angela Merkel’s response to the latest refugee crisis only makes sense in an ideal world - in the real world it is dividing the EU and encouraging human traffickers, says Oliver Hartwich ...
While Covid-19 put the airline’s passenger business into a steep dive the airline’s cargo business has been climbing. It is now referred to as Air New Zealand’s green shoot.Mark Jennings reports. Aside from a massive one day sale of low priced domestic seats there’s not been a lot of good ...
Stephen Hoadley provides some context around US President Donald Trump's claimed successes in the Middle East On September 15, 2020, President Trump hosted leaders from Israel, UAE, and Bahrain at the White House. The event was the signing of agreements in which UAE and Bahrain normalised diplomatic relations with Israel. Trump characterised this ...
Kanyon Paul will wear the Warriors jersey in next month's NRL women's championship with the blessing of her late grandfather - who helped her make the decision to cross the Tasman to play. Kanyon Paul wasn’t meant to play for the Warriors women’s team this season. But her league-loving grandfather ...
The West Coast was promised $140 million from the provincial growth fund. David Williams asks how much has been spent The need is great, and it has been for years. The Pancake Rocks, at Dolomite Point, the foot of the Paparoa National Park, is a must-see natural attraction for tourists ...
On Saturday four parties that believe Covid-19 is being used by the government to impose social control put their differences aside to share a stage. Alex Braae went to Nelson to see where they were coming from. “If you question the government, you get called a conspiracy theorist. Why? And ...
One sudden gust of wind and traffic around New Zealand's biggest city goes into a chaotic meltdown. How long will it take to fix the Auckland Harbour Bridge and why can't it be faster? Over the weekend, we saw what happens when an unstoppable (gale) force meets a moveable object. It ...
Covid alert Levels 3 and 2.5 in Auckland impact credit card spending in Auckland, but our international online spend-up continues - plus Queensland hotels and apartments face empty summer ...
By Yanuarius Weya in Jayapura A pastor has been shot dead at the weekend allegedly by the Indonesian military, sparking protests by church groups and a call for an investigation. The pastor, Rev Yeremia Zanambani, was killed on Saturday in the Hitadipa district of Intan Jaya regency, Papua. He was ...
Open mike 14/09/2020 
Tonight, The Civilian will be live-blogging the first of too many debates between Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and National Party leader Judith Collins, and also the last fifteen minutes of the news. Be sure to tune in from 6:45pm for regular updates, which can be accessed by refreshing this page ...4 hours ago
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Someone investigated how the pandemic transformed Billy TK from blues musician into aspiring politician in a few short months, and provides the historical evidence documenting the transition: https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/14-09-2020/how-billy-tk-plunged-down-the-covid-conspiracy-rabbit-hole/
There's a binary switch in the mind, that shifts us between imaginal and real. Our imagination helps us survive by creating possible paths to the future, so we can optimise our personal worlds via our choices.
This psychological process works when we do so via both/and logic: grounding ourselves in the real world but simultaneously investing energy in choices and actions and activities intended to catalyse the world we want.
Thus the alchemy of progress. Problems emerge when co-creating the desired future world with others. Typical is the common one in which folks assume common ground instead of identifying it and agreeing to it. Tacit psychology then takes over and everyone proceeds on the basis of popular delusions.
With sub-cultures, the belief system of the group forms a trap for young (or naive) players. Lotsa folks aren't good at doing reality checks. Critical thinking is now taught at universities, but for those not born with the innate ability to do it as part of normal life, it remains a minority trend.
So the binary switch shifts many from conventional co-created reality (mandated by convention, recycled by msm) into the unconventional co-created reality of the sub-culture. True believers then operate as social justice warriors in an attempt to expose the falsity of the mainstreamers. God is on Billy TK's side, he believes. As the instrument of god's will, his mission is to save the poor deluded Nat/Lab voters.
A mate and I were korero about Covid and 'conspiracies'.
The observation he made was that in the past (20 yrs ago), the folk enquiring along conspiracy lines, had to work hard and seek out info, plus, they tended to be on the margins of society.
Nowadays, dubious information is logarithmically fed to the mainstream, and they are losing their shit. They are not used to being on the outer.
On conspiracy, it was a relatively quiet anniversary of 12/9.
Nowadays, dubious information is logarithmically fed to the mainstream
A key point, I suspect. Enabled by multiculturalism – which was a healthy antidote to mainstream monoculture when it started.
Via postmodernism, diversity of views became paradigmatic. Tolerance of the mentally ill (under the guise of pretending they can be normalised) gives us Trump.
So competing world-views can be rationalised as the sensible product of a caring, tolerant, all-inclusive civilisation. Freedom of choice, caveat emptor. In ancient Rome, tolerance of foreign religions became the norm for centuries until christianity imposed monoculture.
In the nexus of faith, science, and politics, we mustn't lose sight of the fact that the reality of covid-19 is more evident to the specialists who study it than anyone else. Everyone else just has faith that the advice they provide to govt is sensible. We have faith in the msm when it tells us about those infected as a secondary consequence.
We don't believe Bill Gates is using 5G with the UN mandate to make them sick. Our faith in govt decision-making derives from our faith in the scientists whose collective judgments drive public health policy. Seems logical, but it's faith-based, just like Billy's faith in god's will.
Equating public trust in the collective judgement of experienced expert scientists re the Covid-19 pandemic, with faith in Billy TK's intepretation of God's will, may be a stretch.
I'm comfortable with the opinions of practitioners of faith-based movements in matters of faith – heck, the comparatively new religion/cult of Scientology was manufactured in short order by one creative mind – but when faith-based judgements, and consequent actions, are in conflict with science-based precautionary recommendations in matters of public health, then I'd hope that common sense would prevail, eventually.
What might L. Ron Hubbard have made of Billy TK?
Scientology’s multi-million dollar headquarters to open in NZ
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11781005
Oh, headbanging stuff has arrived from the USA to give us the full smorgasbord of their psycho-logic.
The song for today:
Daddy started out in San Francisco,
Tootin’ on his trumpet loud and mean.
Suddenly a voice said, “Go forth, Daddy.
Spread the picture on a wider screen.”
And the voice said, “Daddy, there’s a million pigeons
Ready to be hooked on new religions.
Hit the road, Daddy. Leave your common-law wife.
Spread the religion of the rhythm of life.”
The lyrics in the song are adjusted for the religious. The original as you see is more saucy.
Here is Sammy Davis giving his performance very lively.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKSA049xkiU
Will this be the setting for the left on October 17th?
Thanks Grey for this well-observed lyric – worth bearing in mind as we approach election day.
It's a great little rhyme that sticks in the mind, more and more after the Evangelicals mucked up the country and its election.
I draw the line when it comes to misinformation which can harm others.
When you have a choice to avoid not being harmed by the view of a conspiracy theorist they can do and think what they want. The problem with Covid – 19 is the community spread and a person would need to put their self on home detention to avoid it.
So who is being restricted the most when it comes to misinformation about the transmission of Covid – 19?
Dennis; I was trialling an idea with friends over the weekend; perhaps you'd like to masticate this too: if every human had the power to make real their every imaginary scenario, on a global scale and could repeat and adjust their creation endlessly and instantly, what would happen (take out irreversible chaos or non-existence etc.). Would there be a settling-out to a world that reflects the true human spirit? Would the choices and result reflect the deep subconscious of the human race? Would we reach a steady-state, or be plunged into a flickering super-8 movie where no frame connects with any other?
One friend suggested, "Isn't what you propose what we have now"?
I tend to agree with that friend. 😊
But I like the discourse you co-created. What chaos theory told us about nature is that patterns of order emerge naturally (in an apparently chaotic system). So, since a social system operates similarly to an ecosystem, monocultural trends will persist awhile when produced as a result of system bifurcation, then evaporate or subside into a context of multiculturalism after that.
Would we reach a steady-state, or be plunged into a flickering super-8 movie where no frame connects with any other?
Both/and applies. Some will feel that the flicker is too much, and will gravitate toward the islands of stability. Those islands will grow in response. Firefly humans will dance amidst the flicker. Butterfly humans will flit between islands. You get the picture, eh? Biodiversity.
Human fish will experience fluid cultural chaos as an ocean. Surfers will ride the surface of that. In astrology, ocean is represented by the Pisces archetype (mutable water, fixed water is pond or lake, cardinal water is rain, a spring or run-off originating stream or river). Kinetic energy and potential energy are the physics binary: discovering the emergence of subatomic particles into the physical universe a century ago caused theoretical physicists to postulate a realm of potential energy, with forms and fields also emergent from that. Fields are the tertiary category in physics that are real inasmuch as they are detectable, but we can't sense them so we use the imaginal to describe them. How forms arise in nature remains too hard!
or the truth could be a lot simpler. someone with a reputation of non-payment of fellow musicians(goes down very badly in nz small music scene) who spent way too much time watching online rubbish during lockdown. needs to find another way of self promotion because he has burnt too many bridges in the music scene. as for god being on billys side ,think bob dylan (a LOT closer to god than billy ever will be)says it best in "with god on our side"
That's a very apt comment, woodart, thanks!
cant go wrong listening to bob .
Today's "Jeff Bell" cartoon reveals Billy's bestie, Jamie-Lee Ross in all his glory.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/114832270/jeff-bell-cartoons
Thanks for the identification RG. Can see it better now.
I did not know who it was but had more or less settled on David Seymour except I thought there was something wrong with the hair. Some of the point DS comes out with also fit.
The under-attack Maori language video should be the topic of a post.
Is this the same Will Ryan from the nutter 'Right Minds' group? I think so. Dangerous people who, along with the likes of BFD (Whaleoil) model themselves on US extremist conspiracy theorists.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12364555
If it is, then it is likely the reason for refusing to wear the mask is not so much to do with "freedom" but more to do with gaining media exposure, and being able to credibly complain about personal persecution.
Wonder if he's copped a lifetime ban from Fullers? Poster in the terminal and his fellow passengers will rat him out in a heartbeat. Guess he is now stuck some where.
They published his NZers for Trump rant – google cache
Anyone got a link to one of those graphs that shows Labour as a better financial/economic manager than National?
Alert levels . What is the point about different regional levels when people can simply change levels by travelling?
We have some of the people who went to the demo in Auckland also showing up at meetings in Southland if I have understood correctly ( no idea as to the actual time Line) But if we had trapped Auckland in Auckland then the rest of us could be at level 1.
Also seen stuff with a story from Baker about purpose built facilities at Ohakea Read the idea here first?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/122722400/high-risk-covid19-hotels-should-be-ditched-replaced-with-purposebuilt-facilities–experts
I find it illogical too that people in the two areas where Covid is can travel out of those areas at whim. I do think some containment boundaries are required , be it regional or by suburb , until those areas are cleared.
I understand the concern about mixed levels without internal borders, but I think the approach is valid.
So if a few Aucklanders leave under level 2.5, what are the odds of them spreading an infection? What are the odds of that not getting detected early in other regions? Spacing in planes lowers those odds even more. A specific aucklander being detected to having an infection on a given day is currently in the region of a million to one.
I like the idea of bespoke isolation facilities, but I'd actually go so far as to suggest that the government should develop some dual-purpose facilities: hotels/conference venues for even a few decades, but can be adapted into an isolation facility or a refugee/disaster processing centre as and when needed. As in, from the design stage up it can operate as one or the other or even both but separately, with neither group crossing paths at any stage.
Thanks for those sound words McFlock. It's practical to sit down and think out the whole situation. We need to understand and not just get irritated with the Why don’t we’s, why can't we's?
There is no more spacing in planes or on buses. Mask wearing is compulsory. Yet Auckland is still at level 2.5 until a review next Monday.
So the level 2.5 has changed in Auckland and the rest of the country is still at level 2.
Correct me if I am wrong.
Was out in the Albany shopping precinct (mall and adjoining blocks of shops) on Saturday morning and was so impressed with the very high turnout of mask wearers and shoppers using the tracing ap. All ages and ethnicities . I would have put it at about 85%. It was great to see. Then today I was at Glenfield mall for a short visit and the complete opposite was happening. My hubby and myself commented at how many people were wandering around completely mask free. Again all sorts of people and ages. I thought how strange. What it is it that makes some areas compliant and some so non-compliant. Even using the ap was haphazard as I was waiting for the other half (as you do) to finish off what he was doing and was adjacent to the ap and observed people wandering into the mall and not using the ap.
On another subject. I know this is pretty full on but I can see how people get confused with the PM's announcements. Why is it that people coming into the country whether they are showing symptoms or not have to isolate and be tested over two weeks before going on their way. Then on the other hand the Greater Auckland area has clusters of infection being monitored and in some cases in managed isolation yet we allow our region to travel wherever they like all over NZ taking the bug with them to other areas.
I understand that commerce has to carry on, goods have to be carried up north and down south but the logic isn't there for me. Surely we the Auckland region needs to be isolated from the rest of the country , get on top of the virus and then allow free travel. Simplistic I know but I am not a logistics wonk just a curious person . Meanwhile the planes are filling up with us lot up here and going to the ski fields and wherever. No wonder the provinces get sick of us!!
The difference in probability of catching Covid from an Aucklander in or outside of Auckland is negligible to zero This targeting of Aucklanders is bs by a small number of small brain provincial hicks
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/122758106/coronavirus-covid19-restrictions-to-remain-for-a-week-at-least-prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-announces
I am not a small brained provincial hick thank you. This is our shit up here and for the sake of the rest of the country we shouldn't be allowed to take this shit out of town.
[Removed the first sentence of your comment from your user name field]
This seems a sensible spend for the regional fund? Why wasn't it utilised here, and can it still be repurchased for Kapiti area?
http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=130854
Sep.9/20 Disastrous consequences if Kāpiti Airport is closed
I apply first principles here. Nothing comes or will come of depriving people of their land no matter how laudable the proposals by others for the future are. The Maori owners have been deprived of their ownership, and have been for many many years since the land was taken for defence purposes without compensation.
The land should be returned to the Maori owners forthwith. If the Maori owners wish to negotiate for parts to be used as a commercial entity then so be it. Maori owners have seen large chunks of this land used for private housing and this is so far away from a defence use or even a Govt use as to be a misuse of power by the current occupiers, in my view.
I didn't read who the owners are – Maori?
It was a syndicate of the users of the runways, developers etc. The Todd group owned it for many years then sold to (now) The Templeton group now owns.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/property/116263291/kpiti-coast-airport-sale-by-todd-property-group-comes-as-a-surprise-to-air-chathams
Land was Maori owned until the land was taken for Emergency use/defence purposes during WW2. Despite no longer being required for defence purposes or any other public works purpose( the PW Act has strict parameters) the land has never been handed back to Maori. To me all talk of future uses, that take the future use of the land further and further away from the use it was taken for should be put on the back burner.
This is one of my 'bee in bonnet' & hot button issues.
Restrictions banning social gatherings of more than six people have come into effect in England. The "rule of six" applies to both indoor and outdoor activities.
Groups larger than six can be broken up by police, with members of the group facing fines of £100 for a first offence, doubling on each further offence up to £3,200.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-54142699
Nothing wrong with a six pack
I wonder if bashing oversized groups over the head with a baton produces blood particles that float in the air and spread the virus..
Not easy to beat this beast.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/426001/pumice-layer-delaying-140m-highway-was-known-about-before-work-started
Roads in NZ the biggest fun is getting them afterwards it's pedestrian.
Foundations for two flyovers on the Baypark to Bayfair project are having to be redesigned because of the instability of a buried layer of pumice.
The agency has twice said the pumice was "unknown" and was "discovered" during ground works.
But it now says it knew the pumice was there.
The impact on costs and schedule is still being worked out on a project where the completion has already been pushed back to December 2022.
In April, the agency said: "The unknown pumice layer, which was discovered as part of the ground conditions work, could have wide implications on overall construction in the Bayfair area."
RNZ questioned this as the region is well known for pumice and the agency has had past bad experiences when piles for the nearby harbour bridges threatened to sink.
should the labour party change there name to the middle class party?
They do seem intent upon destroying the middle class – or at least reducing it in to common penury …..