Mike Dickison
@adzebill.bsky.social
My Jeopardy categories would be Wikipedia, natural history of Aotearoa New Zealand, Sondheim musicals, bird bones, and enough typography to get me into trouble. Ōtautahi, Dr Him.
0000-0003-1183-2550, Q56458901
0000-0003-1183-2550, Q56458901
Reposted by Mike Dickison
Honeybees were never in existential trouble.
Well-meaning efforts to boost their numbers with backyard beekeeping have accelerated the decline of native bees that actually are.
Well-meaning efforts to boost their numbers with backyard beekeeping have accelerated the decline of native bees that actually are.
Column | Good news: We saved the bees. Bad news: We saved the wrong ones.
Honeybees have never been in danger of extinction. But scientists are finding that they can accelerate the demise of native bee populations.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:00 AM
Honeybees were never in existential trouble.
Well-meaning efforts to boost their numbers with backyard beekeeping have accelerated the decline of native bees that actually are.
Well-meaning efforts to boost their numbers with backyard beekeeping have accelerated the decline of native bees that actually are.
Today I heard Paul Scofield, Senior Curator of Natural History at Canterbury Museum, give a public talk on moa resurrection and the museumʻs partnership with Colossal Biosciences (the “dire wolf” people).
February 17, 2026 at 1:31 AM
Today I heard Paul Scofield, Senior Curator of Natural History at Canterbury Museum, give a public talk on moa resurrection and the museumʻs partnership with Colossal Biosciences (the “dire wolf” people).
Reposting this because I’m about to hear a public talk from Canterbury Museum about moa resurrection.
February 16, 2026 at 9:04 PM
Reposting this because I’m about to hear a public talk from Canterbury Museum about moa resurrection.
I've always liked the little Art Deco theatre in Kaikōura. Back in 2010 I saw THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK there because it was one of the few non-digital films they could still play on their antique arc lamp projector setup.
February 16, 2026 at 8:22 PM
I've always liked the little Art Deco theatre in Kaikōura. Back in 2010 I saw THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK there because it was one of the few non-digital films they could still play on their antique arc lamp projector setup.
The Spinoff does some great stuff, but I’m getting sick of their politics podcast Gone By Lunchtime, which is great on the ramifications of by-elections in marginal Māori seats, but has no real clue about climate, tech, science, transport, or the environment.
February 16, 2026 at 6:16 PM
The Spinoff does some great stuff, but I’m getting sick of their politics podcast Gone By Lunchtime, which is great on the ramifications of by-elections in marginal Māori seats, but has no real clue about climate, tech, science, transport, or the environment.
Reposted by Mike Dickison
I watched Listers: A Glimpse Into Extreme Birdwatching (free on YouTube) and I really think you should also watch Listers: A Glimpse Into Extreme Birdwatching (free on YouTube)
I must insist you watch: Listers: A Glimpse Into Extreme Birdwatching (free on YouTube)
About a month ago I declared that One Battle After Another was the best film of 2025 and it wasn't even close. I now know that assessment to be flawed. Because now I've watched Listers: A Glimpse…
buff.ly
February 15, 2026 at 10:41 AM
I watched Listers: A Glimpse Into Extreme Birdwatching (free on YouTube) and I really think you should also watch Listers: A Glimpse Into Extreme Birdwatching (free on YouTube)
I visited the tiny settlement of Boulder Bay southeast of Christchurch yesterday, which has a collection of old baches with a complicated and contested legal history. So I did some research and wrote the Wikipedia article about them. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boulder...
Boulder Bay - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
February 15, 2026 at 7:38 AM
I visited the tiny settlement of Boulder Bay southeast of Christchurch yesterday, which has a collection of old baches with a complicated and contested legal history. So I did some research and wrote the Wikipedia article about them. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boulder...
Reposted by Mike Dickison
Bluesky is the new science Twitter, new study by @whysharksmatter.bsky.social and Julia Wester concludes!
"Results show that for every reported professional benefit that scientists once gained from Twitter, scientists can now gain that benefit more effectively on Bluesky than on Twitter."
"Results show that for every reported professional benefit that scientists once gained from Twitter, scientists can now gain that benefit more effectively on Bluesky than on Twitter."
Scientists no Longer Find Twitter Professionally Useful, and have Switched to Bluesky
Synopsis. Social media has become widely used by the scientific community for a variety of professional uses, including networking and public outreach. For
academic.oup.com
February 13, 2026 at 10:08 PM
Bluesky is the new science Twitter, new study by @whysharksmatter.bsky.social and Julia Wester concludes!
"Results show that for every reported professional benefit that scientists once gained from Twitter, scientists can now gain that benefit more effectively on Bluesky than on Twitter."
"Results show that for every reported professional benefit that scientists once gained from Twitter, scientists can now gain that benefit more effectively on Bluesky than on Twitter."
Reposted by Mike Dickison
I really enjoyed this interview with Mihingarangi Forbes. In 20 minutes we managed to touch on numerous issues relating to how AI is changing society, issues I've been grappling daily in conversations with colleagues here in New Zealand.
"Nothing like this has existed before, and we don't quite know what it does to people."
@carlbergstrom.com spoke to Mihingarangi Forbes about living with AI on Saturday Morning this morning → www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...
#cccss26 🧪
@carlbergstrom.com spoke to Mihingarangi Forbes about living with AI on Saturday Morning this morning → www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...
#cccss26 🧪
Professor Carl Bergstrom: Living with AI
Internationally acclaimed scientist Carl Bergstrom on why humans are so psychologically wired for online and whether we are living with "modern-day oracles or bullsh*t machines."
www.rnz.co.nz
February 14, 2026 at 7:23 AM
I really enjoyed this interview with Mihingarangi Forbes. In 20 minutes we managed to touch on numerous issues relating to how AI is changing society, issues I've been grappling daily in conversations with colleagues here in New Zealand.
Reposted by Mike Dickison
*Puts on "worked in biostandards for a few days" hat*
Coliforms = Colony-forming units; things that make colonies. Samples get spread out onto growth media (e.g. agar), and the number of total colonies found is counted. If there are too many to count, then the sample is diluted and counted again.
Coliforms = Colony-forming units; things that make colonies. Samples get spread out onto growth media (e.g. agar), and the number of total colonies found is counted. If there are too many to count, then the sample is diluted and counted again.
To be clear, “total coliforms” are not a group or kind of bacteria; coliforms are the gut bacteria that you find in poo, and a high “total coliforms” number in the water sample indicates there’s poo in there. Worrying that the Council spokesperson seems confused about this.
Christchurch City Council issues boil water notice for eastern suburbs
A public health alert has been issued for peple living in New Brighton, Burwood, Wainoni, Aranui and Southshore.
www.rnz.co.nz
February 14, 2026 at 5:36 AM
*Puts on "worked in biostandards for a few days" hat*
Coliforms = Colony-forming units; things that make colonies. Samples get spread out onto growth media (e.g. agar), and the number of total colonies found is counted. If there are too many to count, then the sample is diluted and counted again.
Coliforms = Colony-forming units; things that make colonies. Samples get spread out onto growth media (e.g. agar), and the number of total colonies found is counted. If there are too many to count, then the sample is diluted and counted again.
To be clear, “total coliforms” are not a group or kind of bacteria; coliforms are the gut bacteria that you find in poo, and a high “total coliforms” number in the water sample indicates there’s poo in there. Worrying that the Council spokesperson seems confused about this.
Christchurch City Council issues boil water notice for eastern suburbs
A public health alert has been issued for peple living in New Brighton, Burwood, Wainoni, Aranui and Southshore.
www.rnz.co.nz
February 14, 2026 at 3:14 AM
To be clear, “total coliforms” are not a group or kind of bacteria; coliforms are the gut bacteria that you find in poo, and a high “total coliforms” number in the water sample indicates there’s poo in there. Worrying that the Council spokesperson seems confused about this.
Reposted by Mike Dickison
These mining fast-track applicants don't appear to genuinely benefit New Zealand.
Removing limited resources, returning 2-5% royalties, and paying no tax.
Then we get lugged with clean up costs (like Tui oilfields that cost $500m for taxpayers to clean up)
#nzpol #Kiwi #NZ
Removing limited resources, returning 2-5% royalties, and paying no tax.
Then we get lugged with clean up costs (like Tui oilfields that cost $500m for taxpayers to clean up)
#nzpol #Kiwi #NZ
February 13, 2026 at 3:16 AM
Reposted by Mike Dickison
Been a busy week prepping for O Week next week. I made a “Can I trust Wikipedia?” Game, a poll about Wikipedia and AI, and two displays of Wiki-based games for students queuing for their ID cards. And a stack of “what can a Wikimedian in Residence do for you?” flyers. Phew, roll on Monday!
February 13, 2026 at 5:27 AM
Been a busy week prepping for O Week next week. I made a “Can I trust Wikipedia?” Game, a poll about Wikipedia and AI, and two displays of Wiki-based games for students queuing for their ID cards. And a stack of “what can a Wikimedian in Residence do for you?” flyers. Phew, roll on Monday!
My favourite thing about food YouTubers is when they talk to the person who lives inside their fridge.
February 12, 2026 at 4:09 AM
My favourite thing about food YouTubers is when they talk to the person who lives inside their fridge.
Reposted by Mike Dickison
Absolutely fascinating piece by @elisecutts.bsky.social that should be required reading for all scientists and science journalists 👩🔬🧪 www.reviewertoo.com/pop-science-...
Pop science doesn't reach a "general audience"
Pop sci readers are wealthy, educated, and left-leaning
www.reviewertoo.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:27 AM
Absolutely fascinating piece by @elisecutts.bsky.social that should be required reading for all scientists and science journalists 👩🔬🧪 www.reviewertoo.com/pop-science-...
Reposted by Mike Dickison
I just refused to review a book with an AI illustrated cover. My partner is an illustrator
February 11, 2026 at 7:07 PM
I just refused to review a book with an AI illustrated cover. My partner is an illustrator
Reposted by Mike Dickison
That’s my photo on the front page of Wikipedia right now! I couldn’t find a decent (c) free colour pic of the pudding after I wrote a page for it, so I bought canned chestnuts ($15!) and made the damn thing. It does taste glorious though…
Delighted to see the Nesselrode pudding in the Did You Know section of the front page of #Wikipedia today. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page @wikimediaaotearoa.bsky.social @thneed.bsky.social
February 11, 2026 at 2:15 AM
That’s my photo on the front page of Wikipedia right now! I couldn’t find a decent (c) free colour pic of the pudding after I wrote a page for it, so I bought canned chestnuts ($15!) and made the damn thing. It does taste glorious though…
Reposted by Mike Dickison
Medical doctors have no particular expertise on spider bites, and absent the patient bringing in the spider in a jar, and/or a venom test, 99% of "spider bites" are something else.
Medical doctors, in the absense of knowledge, will pass along folklore just to avoid admitting they don't know.
Medical doctors, in the absense of knowledge, will pass along folklore just to avoid admitting they don't know.
February 10, 2026 at 2:23 PM
Medical doctors have no particular expertise on spider bites, and absent the patient bringing in the spider in a jar, and/or a venom test, 99% of "spider bites" are something else.
Medical doctors, in the absense of knowledge, will pass along folklore just to avoid admitting they don't know.
Medical doctors, in the absense of knowledge, will pass along folklore just to avoid admitting they don't know.
Reposted by Mike Dickison
Reposted by Mike Dickison
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (a) is utterly delightful, charming, clever, funny and with hidden depths; (b) you do not need to have seen Game of Thrones to get / enjoy it; (c) you certainly don’t need to have gone anywhere near the abysmal quagmire that is House of the Dragon. Trust me on this!
February 8, 2026 at 9:33 PM
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (a) is utterly delightful, charming, clever, funny and with hidden depths; (b) you do not need to have seen Game of Thrones to get / enjoy it; (c) you certainly don’t need to have gone anywhere near the abysmal quagmire that is House of the Dragon. Trust me on this!
Not sure if "in record numbers" means "not as high as in 2018, 2019, or 2020". This whole story reads like sponsored content for Crimson Education. It also confuses undergrad study (NZ$50–100K/year, CE's market) and postgrad study (usually free)—utterly different cases.
February 8, 2026 at 6:39 PM
Not sure if "in record numbers" means "not as high as in 2018, 2019, or 2020". This whole story reads like sponsored content for Crimson Education. It also confuses undergrad study (NZ$50–100K/year, CE's market) and postgrad study (usually free)—utterly different cases.
A guide for Aucklanders keeping watch for yellow-legged hornets:
1. “Hmm, is this stripy waspy thing a hornet?” = not a hornet
2. “JESUS EFFING C what the F is that MONSTER, that’s he biggest wasp I’ve ever SEEN, NO Jaden KEEP AWAY, shit I think it has yellow legs” = hornet
1. “Hmm, is this stripy waspy thing a hornet?” = not a hornet
2. “JESUS EFFING C what the F is that MONSTER, that’s he biggest wasp I’ve ever SEEN, NO Jaden KEEP AWAY, shit I think it has yellow legs” = hornet
February 7, 2026 at 2:55 AM
A guide for Aucklanders keeping watch for yellow-legged hornets:
1. “Hmm, is this stripy waspy thing a hornet?” = not a hornet
2. “JESUS EFFING C what the F is that MONSTER, that’s he biggest wasp I’ve ever SEEN, NO Jaden KEEP AWAY, shit I think it has yellow legs” = hornet
1. “Hmm, is this stripy waspy thing a hornet?” = not a hornet
2. “JESUS EFFING C what the F is that MONSTER, that’s he biggest wasp I’ve ever SEEN, NO Jaden KEEP AWAY, shit I think it has yellow legs” = hornet
Reposted by Mike Dickison
Excellent classification. xkcd.com/3204/
Dinosaurs And Non-Dinosaurs
xkcd.com
February 6, 2026 at 8:37 PM
Excellent classification. xkcd.com/3204/
It’s heartbreaking to see the rivers I used to swim in as a boy being slowly killed to irrigate dairy farms. Climate change will make dairying impossible in Canterbury before too long; but no, we’re going to wring the last few $$ out of the environment while we can.
A once abundant native fish is on the verge of extinction. It is seemingly linked to the rapid collapse of the Rakaia river ecosystem www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3609...
What happened to all the fish?
For the first time in more than 40 years, this year’s Rakaia fishing competition will not involve fishing. What has gone wrong?
www.thepress.co.nz
February 6, 2026 at 9:15 PM
It’s heartbreaking to see the rivers I used to swim in as a boy being slowly killed to irrigate dairy farms. Climate change will make dairying impossible in Canterbury before too long; but no, we’re going to wring the last few $$ out of the environment while we can.
Concur: just watch the trailer and see if you can resist. m.youtube.com/watch?v=FLWC...
February 6, 2026 at 8:27 PM
Concur: just watch the trailer and see if you can resist. m.youtube.com/watch?v=FLWC...