Stephanie Rodgers 🍉
@bootstheory.bsky.social
Feminist, leftie, māmā. Tangata Tiriti, she/her. Opinions stated are entirely my own and do not reflect any other person or organisation.
Pinned
Happy NYE folks. 2025 actually didn’t treat me too bad – great new job, AuDHD diagnosis, raised $1500 for Tents 4 Gaza / $1375 for Sweat With Pride, got solar on the roof, donated 46 knitted items to charity and performed in two pole shows. Not sure what 2026 holds tbh, but I've got some ideas...
Every single time ... no surprises, here's Josie Vidal, lately of @newsroom.co.nz complaining about how we should all sit down and try to understand other people's points of view, on Michael Lhaws' Platform show a month ago shitting on the Green Party
So reasonable, so mature, so balanced
So reasonable, so mature, so balanced
January 9, 2026 at 5:37 AM
Every single time ... no surprises, here's Josie Vidal, lately of @newsroom.co.nz complaining about how we should all sit down and try to understand other people's points of view, on Michael Lhaws' Platform show a month ago shitting on the Green Party
So reasonable, so mature, so balanced
So reasonable, so mature, so balanced
Reposted by Stephanie Rodgers 🍉
Whether in opposition or in govt the so called center left in every western country is utterly uninterested in meeting the moment. They wouldn’t care or pretend to notice if the moment whacked them in the face. Oh they are aware of the moment for sure but they don’t care.
January 9, 2026 at 2:56 AM
Whether in opposition or in govt the so called center left in every western country is utterly uninterested in meeting the moment. They wouldn’t care or pretend to notice if the moment whacked them in the face. Oh they are aware of the moment for sure but they don’t care.
Reposted by Stephanie Rodgers 🍉
2025 I had a soft “no substack” rule, mostly not reading anything on that platform but making exceptions for significant pieces or info unavailable elsewhere, but yall have had enough time no. 2026 no substacks. You want me to read something put it elsewhere.
January 9, 2026 at 4:11 AM
2025 I had a soft “no substack” rule, mostly not reading anything on that platform but making exceptions for significant pieces or info unavailable elsewhere, but yall have had enough time no. 2026 no substacks. You want me to read something put it elsewhere.
Without reading this I'm going to assume Josie Vidal's argument is that we should tax the rich and decarbonize the economy so that both our people AND native critters can get better treatment
Weirdly negging headline though, assume they let Braunias sub-ed that one
Weirdly negging headline though, assume they let Braunias sub-ed that one
The year ahead: We need balance, argues Minerals Council CEO Josie Vidal. We can’t produce things that no one can afford. Some of our native critters get way better treatment than some of our people.
Please stop shouting, no one listens when you shout
newsroom.co.nz
January 9, 2026 at 4:30 AM
Without reading this I'm going to assume Josie Vidal's argument is that we should tax the rich and decarbonize the economy so that both our people AND native critters can get better treatment
Weirdly negging headline though, assume they let Braunias sub-ed that one
Weirdly negging headline though, assume they let Braunias sub-ed that one
Reposted by Stephanie Rodgers 🍉
theres so much horrible shit about the murder of renee good, but there is something deeply terrifying about the way everyone from media to politicians have erased her wife from the story. ive seen far more mention of her late husband than her wife who was sitting next to her when she was murdered
January 8, 2026 at 9:25 PM
theres so much horrible shit about the murder of renee good, but there is something deeply terrifying about the way everyone from media to politicians have erased her wife from the story. ive seen far more mention of her late husband than her wife who was sitting next to her when she was murdered
Reposted by Stephanie Rodgers 🍉
For my newsletter this morning, I called for a ban on Grok after X, the child porn app formerly known as Twitter, started removing the clothes of women and girls in photos posted on the site. www.burnsnotice.com/grok-the-chi...
Grok, the Child Porn Generator, Should Be Illegal
X, the child porn company formerly known as Twitter, is now removing the clothes of women and children with photos on the site on behalf of its users.
I first joined Twitter in December 2015. Deeply ...
www.burnsnotice.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:39 PM
For my newsletter this morning, I called for a ban on Grok after X, the child porn app formerly known as Twitter, started removing the clothes of women and girls in photos posted on the site. www.burnsnotice.com/grok-the-chi...
Reposted by Stephanie Rodgers 🍉
Good journalism under authoritarianism:
1. stay away from “debate“ and “controversy”
2. don’t treat “official said x“ as a story in itself
3. call obvious lies what they are (or avoid them altogether)
4. center facts, not assertions
1. stay away from “debate“ and “controversy”
2. don’t treat “official said x“ as a story in itself
3. call obvious lies what they are (or avoid them altogether)
4. center facts, not assertions
If the headline is "disputed shooting" rather than straightforwardly telling the public what happened this rewards the DHS for lying about these events
January 8, 2026 at 6:30 AM
Good journalism under authoritarianism:
1. stay away from “debate“ and “controversy”
2. don’t treat “official said x“ as a story in itself
3. call obvious lies what they are (or avoid them altogether)
4. center facts, not assertions
1. stay away from “debate“ and “controversy”
2. don’t treat “official said x“ as a story in itself
3. call obvious lies what they are (or avoid them altogether)
4. center facts, not assertions
Reposted by Stephanie Rodgers 🍉
Let this radicalise you.
January 8, 2026 at 9:53 AM
Let this radicalise you.
The funny thing about Gavin Newsom saying the US Democrats are weak is it's exactly what the left are always saying, except we mean "they should stand on their principles and use every lever of power to oppose fascism" and he means "they should bully trans people even more"
January 7, 2026 at 8:16 AM
The funny thing about Gavin Newsom saying the US Democrats are weak is it's exactly what the left are always saying, except we mean "they should stand on their principles and use every lever of power to oppose fascism" and he means "they should bully trans people even more"
Reposted by Stephanie Rodgers 🍉
I'm on Bluesky! Apparently it is not always terrible here! But what the government is up to is terrible so I made a round up of all the upcoming bills you can submit on #nzpol #kikorangi
www.emilywrites.co.nz/ok/
www.emilywrites.co.nz/ok/
OK FINE WHAT THE F DO I HAVE TO DO?!
We talked about how last year was The Year of Revolt - I'm hoping this year will be the Year of Being Horny on Main. But that seems less likely with every new day and we're only on day bloody six. I m...
www.emilywrites.co.nz
January 7, 2026 at 3:14 AM
I'm on Bluesky! Apparently it is not always terrible here! But what the government is up to is terrible so I made a round up of all the upcoming bills you can submit on #nzpol #kikorangi
www.emilywrites.co.nz/ok/
www.emilywrites.co.nz/ok/
Just remembered one of the most fun things I've ever done, and one of the high points of living in the internet age - when the Melodicka Bros got their Patreon supporters to provide backing vocals for a cyberpunk Africa cover
God I love living in an age where that sentence makes sense
God I love living in an age where that sentence makes sense
Toto - AFRICA but it's CYBERPUNK/SYNTHWAVE/SPACE ROCK feat. @RudyAyoub & our Patrons
YouTube video by Melodicka Bros
youtu.be
January 6, 2026 at 8:20 AM
Just remembered one of the most fun things I've ever done, and one of the high points of living in the internet age - when the Melodicka Bros got their Patreon supporters to provide backing vocals for a cyberpunk Africa cover
God I love living in an age where that sentence makes sense
God I love living in an age where that sentence makes sense
Yeah THAT'S how you do it
We have published the following update to our article following an email response from the New York Times.
Trans News Network has a policy against platforming bigotry. As such, we have declined to publish the Times' statement which included blatant transphobia.
Trans News Network has a policy against platforming bigotry. As such, we have declined to publish the Times' statement which included blatant transphobia.
January 5, 2026 at 6:30 AM
Yeah THAT'S how you do it
Oh good finally an email from my GP practice telling me about the Manage My Health debacle
Except they *still don't know* if our data specifically was breached, AND it's fine, calm down, actually MMH has ~done a review~ and it's definitely super safe and okay to keep using their system 🙄
Except they *still don't know* if our data specifically was breached, AND it's fine, calm down, actually MMH has ~done a review~ and it's definitely super safe and okay to keep using their system 🙄
January 5, 2026 at 6:28 AM
Oh good finally an email from my GP practice telling me about the Manage My Health debacle
Except they *still don't know* if our data specifically was breached, AND it's fine, calm down, actually MMH has ~done a review~ and it's definitely super safe and okay to keep using their system 🙄
Except they *still don't know* if our data specifically was breached, AND it's fine, calm down, actually MMH has ~done a review~ and it's definitely super safe and okay to keep using their system 🙄
A serious news outlet would reject the ad entirely, or run it side by side with a critical analysis of the actual harm done by this government's policies to New Zealanders
Tbc, this spending is regarded as within the bounds of governments communicating with the public, although National used to scream about the last govt doing similar. But not only giving up the *lead spot* of your Business section, but running it with the same style as real editorial is horrible.
January 5, 2026 at 5:17 AM
A serious news outlet would reject the ad entirely, or run it side by side with a critical analysis of the actual harm done by this government's policies to New Zealanders
Reposted by Stephanie Rodgers 🍉
Reposted by Stephanie Rodgers 🍉
For our country’s official position on international breaking news, please refer to X, the Paedophilia App
January 4, 2026 at 3:10 AM
For our country’s official position on international breaking news, please refer to X, the Paedophilia App
"Like literally billions of people around the world, Maduro and Mamdani share the view that capitalism, somehow, bad"
ha - NYT has now changed this sentence, managing only to amplify the absurdity and offense of the original: "Both Mr. Mamdani and Mr. Maduro describe themselves as socialists, though the policies Mr. Maduro presided over in Venezuela differ starkly from those Mr. Mamdani has vowed to pursue."
NYT gonna NYT: "Both Mr. Mamdani and Mr. Maduro identify as socialists, though they have no relationship.” — would be funny if they did this every time you write about two capitalists.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/w...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/w...
January 4, 2026 at 5:45 AM
"Like literally billions of people around the world, Maduro and Mamdani share the view that capitalism, somehow, bad"
Reposted by Stephanie Rodgers 🍉
Prof Patman swinging here "It's a direct challenge for countries like New Zealand, which support the view that international relations should be based on rules, procedures and laws"
That goes straight to the rhetoric party leaders like to use about the rules based international order
That goes straight to the rhetoric party leaders like to use about the rules based international order
January 4, 2026 at 5:04 AM
Prof Patman swinging here "It's a direct challenge for countries like New Zealand, which support the view that international relations should be based on rules, procedures and laws"
That goes straight to the rhetoric party leaders like to use about the rules based international order
That goes straight to the rhetoric party leaders like to use about the rules based international order
Having literally worked as a ministerial press secretary over the holiday shutdown before: there is no excuse for this, whoever's on duty has all the emergency/personal phone numbers they need to get the right people online to issue a prompt response to an international incident of this enormity
We (RNZ) put in a bid 3 hours ago and haven't heard back
January 4, 2026 at 12:57 AM
Having literally worked as a ministerial press secretary over the holiday shutdown before: there is no excuse for this, whoever's on duty has all the emergency/personal phone numbers they need to get the right people online to issue a prompt response to an international incident of this enormity
Reposted by Stephanie Rodgers 🍉
I thought unilateral illegal invasions by foreign powers might justify a Prime Ministerial statement. I thought our independent foreign policy tradition might mean the statement said something :
www.facebook.com/share/17kTeo...
www.facebook.com/share/17kTeo...
Redirecting...
www.facebook.com
January 3, 2026 at 11:55 PM
I thought unilateral illegal invasions by foreign powers might justify a Prime Ministerial statement. I thought our independent foreign policy tradition might mean the statement said something :
www.facebook.com/share/17kTeo...
www.facebook.com/share/17kTeo...
New York Times op ed-ass post
President Trump’s actions today with Venezuela raise more questions than answers. Is America going to be involved in running and stabilizing Venezuela? Today's actions raise many questions about the stability of the region and our policy towards South America.
January 4, 2026 at 12:51 AM
New York Times op ed-ass post
Reposted by Stephanie Rodgers 🍉
What the actual fuck even by the standards of the Trump regime claiming to have kidnapped the sitting president of a sovereign nation is the most absolutely batshit thing so far. Hideous crime
Moreover, ICE must be destroyed
Moreover, ICE must be destroyed
Trump is claiming they've captured Maduro. VP is apparently still safe? No idea what to expect if this is all true but certainly this is one of those days where weeks happen
January 3, 2026 at 9:36 AM
What the actual fuck even by the standards of the Trump regime claiming to have kidnapped the sitting president of a sovereign nation is the most absolutely batshit thing so far. Hideous crime
Moreover, ICE must be destroyed
Moreover, ICE must be destroyed
Can I just underscore that this is equally true for all those "someone asked the chatbot why it gave a bad answer and it revealed its secret programming!!!!" stories y'all like to circulate
No. It *generated a plausible sounding response to the question you gave it*, please be smarter about this
No. It *generated a plausible sounding response to the question you gave it*, please be smarter about this
The way the press is treating chatbots, like they have agency and they “know” things all of a sudden, crossed the line recently from dumb and obsequious to something else entirely. Treating them as alive and making conscious decisions is an almost religious belief. It won’t age well.
January 3, 2026 at 4:49 AM
Can I just underscore that this is equally true for all those "someone asked the chatbot why it gave a bad answer and it revealed its secret programming!!!!" stories y'all like to circulate
No. It *generated a plausible sounding response to the question you gave it*, please be smarter about this
No. It *generated a plausible sounding response to the question you gave it*, please be smarter about this
Reposted by Stephanie Rodgers 🍉
1. Headlines everywhere today read "Grok apologizes."
This is bullshit. A chatbot is not something that can apologize.
Pretending otherwise is simple laundering these companies' bullshit about what AI is, while diffusing blame away from the human beings that developed and released this system.
This is bullshit. A chatbot is not something that can apologize.
Pretending otherwise is simple laundering these companies' bullshit about what AI is, while diffusing blame away from the human beings that developed and released this system.
January 3, 2026 at 12:12 AM
1. Headlines everywhere today read "Grok apologizes."
This is bullshit. A chatbot is not something that can apologize.
Pretending otherwise is simple laundering these companies' bullshit about what AI is, while diffusing blame away from the human beings that developed and released this system.
This is bullshit. A chatbot is not something that can apologize.
Pretending otherwise is simple laundering these companies' bullshit about what AI is, while diffusing blame away from the human beings that developed and released this system.
Reposted by Stephanie Rodgers 🍉
The way the press is treating chatbots, like they have agency and they “know” things all of a sudden, crossed the line recently from dumb and obsequious to something else entirely. Treating them as alive and making conscious decisions is an almost religious belief. It won’t age well.
January 3, 2026 at 2:52 AM
The way the press is treating chatbots, like they have agency and they “know” things all of a sudden, crossed the line recently from dumb and obsequious to something else entirely. Treating them as alive and making conscious decisions is an almost religious belief. It won’t age well.