@bingturkby.bsky.social
Books, banjos and bass guitars. www.turkby.co.nz
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My cosy Guitar Store Mysteries are perfect gifts for that friend who loves: cosy mysteries, cats, an Aotearoa (NZ) setting, witty banter, lots of stuff about guitars, and ferociously bad puns. turkby.co.nz
Reposted
Well now, would you look at that? A massive, 4-YEAR-LONG study of NEARLY 30 MILLION people in France found that individuals who received a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine had a 74% LOWER risk of death from severe COVID-19 compared to unvaccinated individuals and ZERO increased risk of all-cause mortality.
December 26, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Well now, would you look at that? A massive, 4-YEAR-LONG study of NEARLY 30 MILLION people in France found that individuals who received a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine had a 74% LOWER risk of death from severe COVID-19 compared to unvaccinated individuals and ZERO increased risk of all-cause mortality.
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Google “said its AI Overviews, which use generative AI to provide snapshots of essential information about a topic or question, are ‘helpful’ and ‘reliable’”.
“…some of the summaries, which appear at the top of search results, served up inaccurate health information and put people at risk of harm.”
“…some of the summaries, which appear at the top of search results, served up inaccurate health information and put people at risk of harm.”
Google AI Overviews put people at risk of harm with misleading health advice
Exclusive: Inaccurate information presented in summaries, Guardian investigation finds
www.theguardian.com
January 2, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Google “said its AI Overviews, which use generative AI to provide snapshots of essential information about a topic or question, are ‘helpful’ and ‘reliable’”.
“…some of the summaries, which appear at the top of search results, served up inaccurate health information and put people at risk of harm.”
“…some of the summaries, which appear at the top of search results, served up inaccurate health information and put people at risk of harm.”
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OK, we have all just about managed to survive 2025
Let's make sure we fix in 2026
Don't spend too much energy trying to change people's minds, concentrate on the ones that "can't be arsed"
#vote
#nzpol
Let's make sure we fix in 2026
Don't spend too much energy trying to change people's minds, concentrate on the ones that "can't be arsed"
#vote
#nzpol
Home
Enrol to vote in New Zealand’s elections and referendums. Our democracy is better with you in it.
vote.nz
December 31, 2025 at 10:49 PM
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Just texted a friend "can you remind me when you're around tomorrow/overmorrow" and I just think if a few of us really gave it a try suuuper casually we could bring back this word for day after tomorrow next year
December 31, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Just texted a friend "can you remind me when you're around tomorrow/overmorrow" and I just think if a few of us really gave it a try suuuper casually we could bring back this word for day after tomorrow next year
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Spoiler: They used the money just as wisely as anyone else would, and it's so frustrating that this still isn't a common sense assumption to make.
December 30, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Spoiler: They used the money just as wisely as anyone else would, and it's so frustrating that this still isn't a common sense assumption to make.
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It was a flattering nod for Tania Roxborogh to be included in the list of 10 books that would be a “gift to last a lifetime” ‒ except the book credited to her seemingly doesn’t exist and award-winning author certainly never wrote it.
A Christmas book even the ‘author’ has never seen
It was a flattering nod for Tania Roxborogh to be included in the list of 10 books that would be a “gift to last a lifetime” ‒ except the book credited to her seemingly doesn’t exist and award-winning author certainly never wrote it.
dlvr.it
December 26, 2025 at 4:41 AM
It was a flattering nod for Tania Roxborogh to be included in the list of 10 books that would be a “gift to last a lifetime” ‒ except the book credited to her seemingly doesn’t exist and award-winning author certainly never wrote it.
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Carb-cheese-tomato is one of my fav foods.
Shower thought: way more food is "mostly just grain + cheese + tomato" than you would think
lasagna
spaghetti (marina + parmesan etc)
enchiladas
grilled cheese & tomato soup
nachos if there's salsa
I gotta be missing some
lasagna
spaghetti (marina + parmesan etc)
enchiladas
grilled cheese & tomato soup
nachos if there's salsa
I gotta be missing some
December 22, 2025 at 4:28 AM
Carb-cheese-tomato is one of my fav foods.
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I wrote this back in 2020 and it's still true. If anything, it's more true because publishing as an industry is in the doldrums right now. If you're struggling with a writing career, I hope it helps.
No one is keeping secrets from you. - Alan Baxter
I get one or two emails or private messages a month on average asking some variation of this question, so I thought I might as well write a blog post about it. Then I can reply to those emails with a ...
alanbaxter.com.au
December 22, 2025 at 12:38 AM
I wrote this back in 2020 and it's still true. If anything, it's more true because publishing as an industry is in the doldrums right now. If you're struggling with a writing career, I hope it helps.
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They're experimenting on people.
"Babies in the randomized, controlled trial will or will not receive the vaccine at birth...
"It is a breach of scientific ethics to withhold an intervention that has been proven safe and effective."
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
"It is a breach of scientific ethics to withhold an intervention that has been proven safe and effective."
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
US plan for $1.6m hepatitis B vaccine study in Africa called ‘highly unethical’
Experts decry ‘neocolonialist’ Guinea-Bissau study after Trump administration changed advice for US babies
www.theguardian.com
December 22, 2025 at 12:42 AM
They're experimenting on people.
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After slashing $7b worth of infrastructure projects in 2023
Remember our first IREX boat would be doing revenue services just in time for the Xmas rush by now. But thanks to Willis we have to wait until 2029 for sub optimal replacements instead
Remember our first IREX boat would be doing revenue services just in time for the Xmas rush by now. But thanks to Willis we have to wait until 2029 for sub optimal replacements instead
The Government has mostly fulfilled its promise to have $7 billion worth of infrastructure projects underway by Christmas, after a challenging year for the sector.
Government mostly fulfils $7b infrastructure Christmas promise
ebx.sh
December 21, 2025 at 6:35 PM
After slashing $7b worth of infrastructure projects in 2023
Remember our first IREX boat would be doing revenue services just in time for the Xmas rush by now. But thanks to Willis we have to wait until 2029 for sub optimal replacements instead
Remember our first IREX boat would be doing revenue services just in time for the Xmas rush by now. But thanks to Willis we have to wait until 2029 for sub optimal replacements instead
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I had no idea this is how the NORAD Santa tracker got started! www.npr.org/2014/12/19/3...
NORAD's Santa Tracker began with a typo and a good sport
It all started in 1955 with a misprint in a Colorado newspaper and a call to Col. Harry Shoup's secret military hotline. Shoup played along with the tiny voice who called, and a tradition was born.
www.npr.org
December 21, 2025 at 1:39 AM
I had no idea this is how the NORAD Santa tracker got started! www.npr.org/2014/12/19/3...
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Today seems like a good day to share this. Spurred by articles on RNZ and the Listener about international books eclipsing local kids’ books. No dinky Xmas music sorry! I have a book to finish… www.facebook.com/share/v/17u2...
December 20, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Today seems like a good day to share this. Spurred by articles on RNZ and the Listener about international books eclipsing local kids’ books. No dinky Xmas music sorry! I have a book to finish… www.facebook.com/share/v/17u2...
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I'm a bit believer in treating fraud like fraud. If someone submits *anything*, *anywhere* and it contains stuff that's fabricated, you should treat it the same whether they sat down and consciously made up lies with their own keyboard or if they outsourced it to a text generation program
December 20, 2025 at 7:15 PM
I'm a bit believer in treating fraud like fraud. If someone submits *anything*, *anywhere* and it contains stuff that's fabricated, you should treat it the same whether they sat down and consciously made up lies with their own keyboard or if they outsourced it to a text generation program
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I am not sorry. This is simply true. Academics should be able to write fluently and express themselves clearly and academics should do their own work. It’s literally our job. It’s what we trained until 22nd grade to do. This is a simple observation that should require no explanation or defense.
I’m sorry, but it is disgraceful to be an academic who uses this technology to conduct research. It should be prohibited in all of our scholarly institutions, including universities and journals.
December 20, 2025 at 1:45 PM
I am not sorry. This is simply true. Academics should be able to write fluently and express themselves clearly and academics should do their own work. It’s literally our job. It’s what we trained until 22nd grade to do. This is a simple observation that should require no explanation or defense.
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Spell check existed long before genAI and in its most basic function is not genAI. Spell check is code. It's a function. It checks against a database of available words. Spell check in certain programs, however, may have been made worse by running it through genAI.
December 20, 2025 at 6:36 AM
Spell check existed long before genAI and in its most basic function is not genAI. Spell check is code. It's a function. It checks against a database of available words. Spell check in certain programs, however, may have been made worse by running it through genAI.
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The AI boom emitted as much CO2 in 2025 as New York City.
AI-related water use now exceeds all global bottled-water demands.
Billionaires reap the profit and corporations benefit but our society is left to pay cost.
Let’s say NO to new AI datacenters, block gen AI and push for AI-free apps.
AI-related water use now exceeds all global bottled-water demands.
Billionaires reap the profit and corporations benefit but our society is left to pay cost.
Let’s say NO to new AI datacenters, block gen AI and push for AI-free apps.
AI boom has caused same CO2 emissions in 2025 as New York City, report claims
Study author says tech companies are reaping benefits of artificial intelligence age but society is left to pay cost
www.theguardian.com
December 19, 2025 at 7:52 AM
The AI boom emitted as much CO2 in 2025 as New York City.
AI-related water use now exceeds all global bottled-water demands.
Billionaires reap the profit and corporations benefit but our society is left to pay cost.
Let’s say NO to new AI datacenters, block gen AI and push for AI-free apps.
AI-related water use now exceeds all global bottled-water demands.
Billionaires reap the profit and corporations benefit but our society is left to pay cost.
Let’s say NO to new AI datacenters, block gen AI and push for AI-free apps.
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Always nice to get a scientific poll to remind us that TalkBack radio and the Facebook comment section are not actually representative of public opinion
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/pub...
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/pub...
Public support for investing in urban cycleways outweighs opposition – National Survey | PHCC
While more New Zealanders support increasing investment in urban cycleways than oppose it, there remains a substantial proportion of people who are unsure or unengaged on this issue.
www.phcc.org.nz
December 19, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Always nice to get a scientific poll to remind us that TalkBack radio and the Facebook comment section are not actually representative of public opinion
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/pub...
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/pub...
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That's a BILLION DOLLARS this government is underspending in health. A BILLION DOLLARS taken out of healthcare!
They have the money, they just don't want to spend it. Not on on hospitals or doctors or nurses or admin staff or regional health care, or anyone of a myriad of needed items.
#nzpol
They have the money, they just don't want to spend it. Not on on hospitals or doctors or nurses or admin staff or regional health care, or anyone of a myriad of needed items.
#nzpol
Hospitals asked to save $510 millions despite $538 million going unspent
Hospitals asked to save $510 millions despite $538 million going unspent
The "underspend" was due in part to unfilled vacancies and the fact Health NZ has yet to settle collective contract disputes.
www.rnz.co.nz
December 19, 2025 at 7:13 AM
That's a BILLION DOLLARS this government is underspending in health. A BILLION DOLLARS taken out of healthcare!
They have the money, they just don't want to spend it. Not on on hospitals or doctors or nurses or admin staff or regional health care, or anyone of a myriad of needed items.
#nzpol
They have the money, they just don't want to spend it. Not on on hospitals or doctors or nurses or admin staff or regional health care, or anyone of a myriad of needed items.
#nzpol
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We are all one bad week away from from needing a food bank or housing support.
We are much more likely to have a bad week than magically become millionaires.
We are much more likely to have a bad week than magically become millionaires.
Ideally we’d have things set up so food banks weren’t required, but letting them disappear while also removing/reducing other support is beyond cruel.
Most of us are much closer to needing this support than we realise/like to admit.
Most of us are much closer to needing this support than we realise/like to admit.
Headline from 2024, and now from 2025.
Waiting until the last minute to allocate funding is a dangerous way to govern - half a million New Zealanders rely on foodbanks for support.
"Every year we're left wondering if we'll be funded. It's unsustainable.”
Unsustainable - and deeply unacceptable.👇
Waiting until the last minute to allocate funding is a dangerous way to govern - half a million New Zealanders rely on foodbanks for support.
"Every year we're left wondering if we'll be funded. It's unsustainable.”
Unsustainable - and deeply unacceptable.👇
December 19, 2025 at 8:15 PM
We are all one bad week away from from needing a food bank or housing support.
We are much more likely to have a bad week than magically become millionaires.
We are much more likely to have a bad week than magically become millionaires.
I’m calling this Baa Baa Blanc: Shears Out. Love it!
1.10 seconds. They got me at 1.10 seconds with the 'OR DID I?' sting. God DAMN it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSsG...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSsG...
THE SHEEP DETECTIVES Trailer (2026) Hugh Jackman
YouTube video by ONE Media
www.youtube.com
December 18, 2025 at 8:36 PM
I’m calling this Baa Baa Blanc: Shears Out. Love it!
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John Oliver really was not kidding about the overwhelming rebellious power of just saying “Fuck you, make me.”
we can kill them all if we just work together and ✨believe💫
December 15, 2025 at 8:49 PM
John Oliver really was not kidding about the overwhelming rebellious power of just saying “Fuck you, make me.”
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We’re left with serious questions about Jim Grenon, his judgement, motivations and what the hell his intentions are with his NZME investment. Not to mention who funded Batchelor’s booklet. Whole episode is shady AF.
I spent three days in the Auckland District Court watching the weirdest trial of the year.
Billionaires, secrets, conspiracy theories, denials of racism, contempt of court and twists at every turn. This case had it all.
thespinoff.co.nz/media/19-12-...
Billionaires, secrets, conspiracy theories, denials of racism, contempt of court and twists at every turn. This case had it all.
thespinoff.co.nz/media/19-12-...
Inside the weirdest trial of the year: Jim Grenon, Julian Batchelor and TVNZ
Billionaires, secrets, conspiracy theories, denials of racism, contempt of court and twists at every turn. This case had it all.
thespinoff.co.nz
December 18, 2025 at 8:08 PM
We’re left with serious questions about Jim Grenon, his judgement, motivations and what the hell his intentions are with his NZME investment. Not to mention who funded Batchelor’s booklet. Whole episode is shady AF.
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Who called then vampires and not neck-romancers?
December 17, 2025 at 6:07 AM
Who called then vampires and not neck-romancers?
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AoNZ just became less of a democracy😢. #nzpol
Electoral Amendment Bill passes its third reading in Parliament
Electoral Amendment Bill passes its third reading in Parliament
The bill ends same-day voter enrolment, bans prisoners from voting, allows for larger anonymous political donations, and clarifies the ban on giving out food at voting places.
www.rnz.co.nz
December 17, 2025 at 2:18 AM
AoNZ just became less of a democracy😢. #nzpol
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The NZ Govt has announced that it will be reducing support for the Total Mobility scheme that subsidises travel for some disabled people
That money being taken from disabled people is 25% of the tax rebates that were introduced for a tobacco company
#nzpol
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
That money being taken from disabled people is 25% of the tax rebates that were introduced for a tobacco company
#nzpol
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
Why it will soon cost more for disabled people to travel
Disability advocate Blake Forbes says the Government is severing a “lifeline” for some disabled Kiwis, after it confirmed prices would increase.
www.stuff.co.nz
December 16, 2025 at 4:48 PM
The NZ Govt has announced that it will be reducing support for the Total Mobility scheme that subsidises travel for some disabled people
That money being taken from disabled people is 25% of the tax rebates that were introduced for a tobacco company
#nzpol
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
That money being taken from disabled people is 25% of the tax rebates that were introduced for a tobacco company
#nzpol
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...