Ivo Vegter
@ivovegter.bsky.social
South African. Columnist at The Daily Friend (http://dailyfriend.co.za/author/ivo/).
I advocate classical liberalism, free markets, science and reason. I oppose authoritarianism, socialism, nationalism, and prejudice.
I advocate classical liberalism, free markets, science and reason. I oppose authoritarianism, socialism, nationalism, and prejudice.
Pinned
Why Dion George had to go - Daily Friend
The new environment minister, Willie Aucamp, is the right person to regulate wildlife conservation and environment-adjacent economic activity.
dailyfriend.co.za
Why Dion George had to go
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/11/18/w...
(My latest column. The new environment minister, Willie Aucamp, is the right person to regulate wildlife conservation and environment-adjacent economic activity.)
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/11/18/w...
(My latest column. The new environment minister, Willie Aucamp, is the right person to regulate wildlife conservation and environment-adjacent economic activity.)
Why Dion George had to go
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/11/18/w...
(My latest column. The new environment minister, Willie Aucamp, is the right person to regulate wildlife conservation and environment-adjacent economic activity.)
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/11/18/w...
(My latest column. The new environment minister, Willie Aucamp, is the right person to regulate wildlife conservation and environment-adjacent economic activity.)
Why Dion George had to go - Daily Friend
The new environment minister, Willie Aucamp, is the right person to regulate wildlife conservation and environment-adjacent economic activity.
dailyfriend.co.za
November 18, 2025 at 4:04 AM
Why Dion George had to go
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/11/18/w...
(My latest column. The new environment minister, Willie Aucamp, is the right person to regulate wildlife conservation and environment-adjacent economic activity.)
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/11/18/w...
(My latest column. The new environment minister, Willie Aucamp, is the right person to regulate wildlife conservation and environment-adjacent economic activity.)
A significant list of ways weaselly researchers talk about non-significant results to make them sounds significant.
mchankins.wordpress.com/2013/04/21/s...
mchankins.wordpress.com/2013/04/21/s...
Still Not Significant
What to do if your p-value is just over the arbitrary threshold for ‘significance’ of p=0.05? You don’t need to play the significance testing game – there are better methods…
mchankins.wordpress.com
November 15, 2025 at 8:11 AM
A significant list of ways weaselly researchers talk about non-significant results to make them sounds significant.
mchankins.wordpress.com/2013/04/21/s...
mchankins.wordpress.com/2013/04/21/s...
Trump repeals tariffs on some foods as Americans face high grocery prices
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
(And yet he said food prices were way lower than under that despicable communist moron Biden. 🤷)
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
(And yet he said food prices were way lower than under that despicable communist moron Biden. 🤷)
Trump repeals tariffs on some foods as Americans face high grocery prices
President rolls back import levies on beef, tomatoes, coffee and a host of other agricultural goods after administration officials signaled coming changes aimed at addressing consumer complaints about...
www.washingtonpost.com
November 15, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Trump repeals tariffs on some foods as Americans face high grocery prices
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
(And yet he said food prices were way lower than under that despicable communist moron Biden. 🤷)
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
(And yet he said food prices were way lower than under that despicable communist moron Biden. 🤷)
Oxfam doesn’t fight poverty; it fights wealth dailyfriend.co.za/2025/11/14/o...
(My latest column, on Oxfam's dubious claim that a majority of South Africa's dollar millionaire actually want to pay more tax.)
(My latest column, on Oxfam's dubious claim that a majority of South Africa's dollar millionaire actually want to pay more tax.)
Oxfam doesn’t fight poverty; it fights wealth - Daily Friend
The local chapter of British multinational lobby group Oxfam has released another dubious report to demonise wealth rather than alleviate poverty.
dailyfriend.co.za
November 14, 2025 at 4:33 AM
Oxfam doesn’t fight poverty; it fights wealth dailyfriend.co.za/2025/11/14/o...
(My latest column, on Oxfam's dubious claim that a majority of South Africa's dollar millionaire actually want to pay more tax.)
(My latest column, on Oxfam's dubious claim that a majority of South Africa's dollar millionaire actually want to pay more tax.)
The cranks now rule the world
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/11/12/t...
(My latest column. One crazy conspiracy theory after another is being rehabilitated in the mouths of high-profile, mainstream figures. The inmates have taken over the asylum.)
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/11/12/t...
(My latest column. One crazy conspiracy theory after another is being rehabilitated in the mouths of high-profile, mainstream figures. The inmates have taken over the asylum.)
The cranks now rule the world - Daily Friend
One crazy conspiracy theory after another is being rehabilitated in the mouths of high-profile, mainstream figures. The inmates have taken over the asylum.
dailyfriend.co.za
November 12, 2025 at 4:28 AM
The cranks now rule the world
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/11/12/t...
(My latest column. One crazy conspiracy theory after another is being rehabilitated in the mouths of high-profile, mainstream figures. The inmates have taken over the asylum.)
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/11/12/t...
(My latest column. One crazy conspiracy theory after another is being rehabilitated in the mouths of high-profile, mainstream figures. The inmates have taken over the asylum.)
No credible tie between Tylenol use and autism/ADHD, huge study finds
newatlas.com/adhd-autism/...
(Too late. Morons-in-Chief have spoken, and Texas morons are already suing. Moron jurors will have the last word.)
newatlas.com/adhd-autism/...
(Too late. Morons-in-Chief have spoken, and Texas morons are already suing. Moron jurors will have the last word.)
No credible tie between Tylenol use and autism/ADHD, huge study finds
Despite high-profile advice to avoid Tylenol when pregnant and a potential warning-label change to highlight risk, a comprehensive umbrella study of existing reviews has found no credible link between...
newatlas.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:36 PM
No credible tie between Tylenol use and autism/ADHD, huge study finds
newatlas.com/adhd-autism/...
(Too late. Morons-in-Chief have spoken, and Texas morons are already suing. Moron jurors will have the last word.)
newatlas.com/adhd-autism/...
(Too late. Morons-in-Chief have spoken, and Texas morons are already suing. Moron jurors will have the last word.)
Alienated American voters dream of socialism
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/11/07/a...
(My latest column. The consequence of ruling like a crazed sociopath is that it makes the radical socialist opposition look sane and inviting.)
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/11/07/a...
(My latest column. The consequence of ruling like a crazed sociopath is that it makes the radical socialist opposition look sane and inviting.)
Alienated American voters dream of socialism - Daily Friend
The consequence of ruling like a crazed sociopath is that it makes the radical socialist opposition look sane and inviting.
dailyfriend.co.za
November 7, 2025 at 4:06 AM
Alienated American voters dream of socialism
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/11/07/a...
(My latest column. The consequence of ruling like a crazed sociopath is that it makes the radical socialist opposition look sane and inviting.)
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/11/07/a...
(My latest column. The consequence of ruling like a crazed sociopath is that it makes the radical socialist opposition look sane and inviting.)
The West needs more immigration, not less
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/11/04/t...
(My latest column. Across the developed world, populist politicians are riding a rising wave of anti-immigrant sentiment. It will sink the West.)
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/11/04/t...
(My latest column. Across the developed world, populist politicians are riding a rising wave of anti-immigrant sentiment. It will sink the West.)
The West needs more immigration, not less - Daily Friend
Across the developed world, populist politicians are riding a rising wave of anti-immigrant sentiment. It will sink the West.
dailyfriend.co.za
November 4, 2025 at 4:00 AM
The West needs more immigration, not less
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/11/04/t...
(My latest column. Across the developed world, populist politicians are riding a rising wave of anti-immigrant sentiment. It will sink the West.)
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/11/04/t...
(My latest column. Across the developed world, populist politicians are riding a rising wave of anti-immigrant sentiment. It will sink the West.)
U.S. poised to strike military targets in Venezuela in escalation against Maduro regime
www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
(Mr "I don't start wars, I end them" is being awfully adventurous.)
www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
(Mr "I don't start wars, I end them" is being awfully adventurous.)
U.S. poised to strike military targets in Venezuela in escalation against Maduro regime
The Trump Administration has made the decision to attack military installations inside Venezuela and the strikes could come at any moment, sources with knowledge of the situation told the Miami Herald...
www.miamiherald.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:33 PM
U.S. poised to strike military targets in Venezuela in escalation against Maduro regime
www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
(Mr "I don't start wars, I end them" is being awfully adventurous.)
www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
(Mr "I don't start wars, I end them" is being awfully adventurous.)
Three minutes that tells you all you need to know about Joe Rogan, and why I'll never listen to him. He's rude, ignorant, arrogant and gullible.
youtu.be/naIegDE5JxU
youtu.be/naIegDE5JxU
Joe Rogan vs Primatologist on the Bondo ape - w/ subtitles
YouTube video by Mystronox
youtu.be
October 31, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Three minutes that tells you all you need to know about Joe Rogan, and why I'll never listen to him. He's rude, ignorant, arrogant and gullible.
youtu.be/naIegDE5JxU
youtu.be/naIegDE5JxU
An ode to the rich
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/10/31/a...
(My latest column. It is easy to hate the rich. Entire economic systems are based on it. Yet we should cherish the rich, instead of always trying to tax their wealth away.)
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/10/31/a...
(My latest column. It is easy to hate the rich. Entire economic systems are based on it. Yet we should cherish the rich, instead of always trying to tax their wealth away.)
An ode to the rich - Daily Friend
It is easy to hate the rich. Entire economic systems are based on it. Yet we should cherish the rich, instead of always trying to tax their wealth away.
dailyfriend.co.za
October 31, 2025 at 4:32 AM
An ode to the rich
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/10/31/a...
(My latest column. It is easy to hate the rich. Entire economic systems are based on it. Yet we should cherish the rich, instead of always trying to tax their wealth away.)
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/10/31/a...
(My latest column. It is easy to hate the rich. Entire economic systems are based on it. Yet we should cherish the rich, instead of always trying to tax their wealth away.)
Trump cuts fentanyl tariffs on China to 10%, says U.S. reached rare earths deal with Beijing
www.cnbc.com/2025/10/30/t...
(So he's fine with fentanyl after all. He just wants magnets. 🤷)
www.cnbc.com/2025/10/30/t...
(So he's fine with fentanyl after all. He just wants magnets. 🤷)
Trump cuts fentanyl tariffs on China to 10%, says U.S. reached rare earths deal with Beijing
Trump said he will be going to China in April, followed by a trip by Xi to the U.S. without specifying a timeline.
www.cnbc.com
October 30, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Trump cuts fentanyl tariffs on China to 10%, says U.S. reached rare earths deal with Beijing
www.cnbc.com/2025/10/30/t...
(So he's fine with fentanyl after all. He just wants magnets. 🤷)
www.cnbc.com/2025/10/30/t...
(So he's fine with fentanyl after all. He just wants magnets. 🤷)
Argentina’s libertarian experiment gets electoral boost
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/10/29/a...
(My latest column. Critics were eagerly anticipating the fall of Javier Milei, but a timely intervention by Donald Trump means he lives to fight another day.)
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/10/29/a...
(My latest column. Critics were eagerly anticipating the fall of Javier Milei, but a timely intervention by Donald Trump means he lives to fight another day.)
Argentina’s libertarian experiment gets electoral boost - Daily Friend
Critics were eagerly anticipating the fall of Javier Milei, but a timely intervention by Donald Trump means he lives to fight another day.
dailyfriend.co.za
October 29, 2025 at 4:14 AM
Argentina’s libertarian experiment gets electoral boost
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/10/29/a...
(My latest column. Critics were eagerly anticipating the fall of Javier Milei, but a timely intervention by Donald Trump means he lives to fight another day.)
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/10/29/a...
(My latest column. Critics were eagerly anticipating the fall of Javier Milei, but a timely intervention by Donald Trump means he lives to fight another day.)
US gov't uses Halo images in a call to 'destroy' immigration
www.pcgamer.com/games/us-gov...
"Comparing immigrants in the US to a parasitic alien life form that infects and annihilates advanced societies is not [just] deeply offensive, it's also rooted in the worst of human history."
www.pcgamer.com/games/us-gov...
"Comparing immigrants in the US to a parasitic alien life form that infects and annihilates advanced societies is not [just] deeply offensive, it's also rooted in the worst of human history."
US government uses Halo images in a call to 'destroy' immigration, Microsoft declines to comment
The social media posts also included an image of US president Donald Trump dressed up as Master Chief.
www.pcgamer.com
October 28, 2025 at 6:55 AM
US gov't uses Halo images in a call to 'destroy' immigration
www.pcgamer.com/games/us-gov...
"Comparing immigrants in the US to a parasitic alien life form that infects and annihilates advanced societies is not [just] deeply offensive, it's also rooted in the worst of human history."
www.pcgamer.com/games/us-gov...
"Comparing immigrants in the US to a parasitic alien life form that infects and annihilates advanced societies is not [just] deeply offensive, it's also rooted in the worst of human history."
What is fascism, and is Trump’s America it? (Part 2)
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/10/28/w...
(My latest column. Despite the overuse of the term fascism, and angry denials, it has become necessary to be watchful for signs of incipient fascism in US politics today.)
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/10/28/w...
(My latest column. Despite the overuse of the term fascism, and angry denials, it has become necessary to be watchful for signs of incipient fascism in US politics today.)
What is fascism, and is Trump’s America it? (Part 2) - Daily Friend
Despite the overuse of the term fascism, and angry denials, it has become necessary to be watchful for signs of incipient fascism in US politics today.
dailyfriend.co.za
October 28, 2025 at 4:15 AM
What is fascism, and is Trump’s America it? (Part 2)
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/10/28/w...
(My latest column. Despite the overuse of the term fascism, and angry denials, it has become necessary to be watchful for signs of incipient fascism in US politics today.)
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/10/28/w...
(My latest column. Despite the overuse of the term fascism, and angry denials, it has become necessary to be watchful for signs of incipient fascism in US politics today.)
COVID-19 mRNA vaccines can trigger the immune system to recognize and kill cancer, research finds
www.livescience.com/health/cance...
(Oh, no! The dastardly depopulation shot accidentally cures cancer!)
www.livescience.com/health/cance...
(Oh, no! The dastardly depopulation shot accidentally cures cancer!)
COVID-19 mRNA vaccines can trigger the immune system to recognize and kill cancer, research finds
The researchers found that mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines could potentially help patients whose tumors don’t respond well to traditional immunotherapy.
www.livescience.com
October 27, 2025 at 9:54 AM
COVID-19 mRNA vaccines can trigger the immune system to recognize and kill cancer, research finds
www.livescience.com/health/cance...
(Oh, no! The dastardly depopulation shot accidentally cures cancer!)
www.livescience.com/health/cance...
(Oh, no! The dastardly depopulation shot accidentally cures cancer!)
Not in our name: Afrikaners respond to the misuse of their story in US politics
www.news24.com/opinions/col...
(Well said.)
www.news24.com/opinions/col...
(Well said.)
Not in our name: Afrikaners respond to the misuse of their story in US politics | News24
Afrikaners speak out against the political misuse of their identity in the USA – a topic currently gaining prominence with reports in the New York Times, Washington Post, and locally.
www.news24.com
October 25, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Not in our name: Afrikaners respond to the misuse of their story in US politics
www.news24.com/opinions/col...
(Well said.)
www.news24.com/opinions/col...
(Well said.)
Trump Dares Congress To Take Its War Powers Seriously in Venezuela |
The president bet that no one would stop him from land attacks in Venezuela. And Congress hasn’t given him any reason to think otherwise.
reason.com/2025/10/24/t...
The president bet that no one would stop him from land attacks in Venezuela. And Congress hasn’t given him any reason to think otherwise.
reason.com/2025/10/24/t...
Trump dares Congress to take its war powers seriously in Venezuela
The president bet that no one would stop him from land attacks in Venezuela. And Congress hasn’t given him any reason to think otherwise.
reason.com
October 25, 2025 at 5:27 AM
Trump Dares Congress To Take Its War Powers Seriously in Venezuela |
The president bet that no one would stop him from land attacks in Venezuela. And Congress hasn’t given him any reason to think otherwise.
reason.com/2025/10/24/t...
The president bet that no one would stop him from land attacks in Venezuela. And Congress hasn’t given him any reason to think otherwise.
reason.com/2025/10/24/t...
World-changing tech that didn't:
Maglev: techcentral.co.za/maglev-train...
Blockchain: techcentral.co.za/the-great-bl...
Segway: techcentral.co.za/most-overhyp...
CCS: techcentral.co.za/the-colossal...
3D TV: techcentral.co.za/how-3d-wowed...
Smart glasses: techcentral.co.za/why-smart-gl...
Maglev: techcentral.co.za/maglev-train...
Blockchain: techcentral.co.za/the-great-bl...
Segway: techcentral.co.za/most-overhyp...
CCS: techcentral.co.za/the-colossal...
3D TV: techcentral.co.za/how-3d-wowed...
Smart glasses: techcentral.co.za/why-smart-gl...
The train that never came - how maglev technology was derailed
This is the first in a series of articles about amazing technologies that promised to change the world but which did no such thing.
techcentral.co.za
October 24, 2025 at 9:24 AM
World-changing tech that didn't:
Maglev: techcentral.co.za/maglev-train...
Blockchain: techcentral.co.za/the-great-bl...
Segway: techcentral.co.za/most-overhyp...
CCS: techcentral.co.za/the-colossal...
3D TV: techcentral.co.za/how-3d-wowed...
Smart glasses: techcentral.co.za/why-smart-gl...
Maglev: techcentral.co.za/maglev-train...
Blockchain: techcentral.co.za/the-great-bl...
Segway: techcentral.co.za/most-overhyp...
CCS: techcentral.co.za/the-colossal...
3D TV: techcentral.co.za/how-3d-wowed...
Smart glasses: techcentral.co.za/why-smart-gl...
The Wayback Machine’s snapshots of news homepages plummet after a “breakdown” in archiving projects |
Between May and October 2025, homepage snapshots fell by 87% across 100 news publications.
www.niemanlab.org/2025/10/the-...
(Troubling. The IA is such an important project.)
Between May and October 2025, homepage snapshots fell by 87% across 100 news publications.
www.niemanlab.org/2025/10/the-...
(Troubling. The IA is such an important project.)
The Wayback Machine’s snapshots of news homepages plummet after a “breakdown” in archiving projects
Between May and October 2025, homepage snapshots fell by 87% across 100 news publications.
www.niemanlab.org
October 23, 2025 at 7:58 AM
The Wayback Machine’s snapshots of news homepages plummet after a “breakdown” in archiving projects |
Between May and October 2025, homepage snapshots fell by 87% across 100 news publications.
www.niemanlab.org/2025/10/the-...
(Troubling. The IA is such an important project.)
Between May and October 2025, homepage snapshots fell by 87% across 100 news publications.
www.niemanlab.org/2025/10/the-...
(Troubling. The IA is such an important project.)
World-changing tech that didn't:
Maglev: techcentral.co.za/maglev-train...
Blockchain: techcentral.co.za/the-great-bl...
Segway: techcentral.co.za/most-overhyp...
CCS: techcentral.co.za/most-overhyp...
3D TV: techcentral.co.za/how-3d-wowed...
Smart glasses: techcentral.co.za/why-smart-gl...
Maglev: techcentral.co.za/maglev-train...
Blockchain: techcentral.co.za/the-great-bl...
Segway: techcentral.co.za/most-overhyp...
CCS: techcentral.co.za/most-overhyp...
3D TV: techcentral.co.za/how-3d-wowed...
Smart glasses: techcentral.co.za/why-smart-gl...
October 21, 2025 at 9:44 AM
World-changing tech that didn't:
Maglev: techcentral.co.za/maglev-train...
Blockchain: techcentral.co.za/the-great-bl...
Segway: techcentral.co.za/most-overhyp...
CCS: techcentral.co.za/most-overhyp...
3D TV: techcentral.co.za/how-3d-wowed...
Smart glasses: techcentral.co.za/why-smart-gl...
Maglev: techcentral.co.za/maglev-train...
Blockchain: techcentral.co.za/the-great-bl...
Segway: techcentral.co.za/most-overhyp...
CCS: techcentral.co.za/most-overhyp...
3D TV: techcentral.co.za/how-3d-wowed...
Smart glasses: techcentral.co.za/why-smart-gl...
What is fascism, and is Trump’s America it? (Part 1)
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/10/21/w...
(My latest column. Supporters of Donald Trump are quick to disavow the label “fascist”, which really is no surprise. It is damning, and is often used gratuitously.)
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/10/21/w...
(My latest column. Supporters of Donald Trump are quick to disavow the label “fascist”, which really is no surprise. It is damning, and is often used gratuitously.)
What is fascism, and is Trump’s America it? (Part 1) - Daily Friend
Supporters of Donald Trump are quick to disavow the label “fascist”, which really is no surprise. It is damning, and is often used gratuitously.
dailyfriend.co.za
October 21, 2025 at 4:29 AM
What is fascism, and is Trump’s America it? (Part 1)
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/10/21/w...
(My latest column. Supporters of Donald Trump are quick to disavow the label “fascist”, which really is no surprise. It is damning, and is often used gratuitously.)
dailyfriend.co.za/2025/10/21/w...
(My latest column. Supporters of Donald Trump are quick to disavow the label “fascist”, which really is no surprise. It is damning, and is often used gratuitously.)
Reposted by Ivo Vegter
Smart glasses with augmented reality displays and computer vision sound very useful, but the creep factor is doing them in, writes @ivovegter.bsky.social
Why smart glasses keep failing - it's not the tech
Smart glasses with augmented reality displays and computer vision sound very useful, but the creep factor is doing them in.
techcentral.co.za
October 20, 2025 at 5:49 AM
Smart glasses with augmented reality displays and computer vision sound very useful, but the creep factor is doing them in, writes @ivovegter.bsky.social
Why smart glasses keep failing – it’s not the tech
techcentral.co.za/why-smart-gl...
{The latest in my series on technology that was supposed to change the world, but didn't.)
techcentral.co.za/why-smart-gl...
{The latest in my series on technology that was supposed to change the world, but didn't.)
Why smart glasses keep failing - it's not the tech
Smart glasses with augmented reality displays and computer vision sound very useful, but the creep factor is doing them in.
techcentral.co.za
October 20, 2025 at 3:50 AM
Why smart glasses keep failing – it’s not the tech
techcentral.co.za/why-smart-gl...
{The latest in my series on technology that was supposed to change the world, but didn't.)
techcentral.co.za/why-smart-gl...
{The latest in my series on technology that was supposed to change the world, but didn't.)
30 pages of Lolita Express passenger manifests surface, with many names redacted. Why, I wonder? What did those people do to merit protection that Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, Reid Hoffman, Jimmy Cayne, Brian Higgins or John Phelan didn't?
www.foxnews.com/us/epstein-d...
www.foxnews.com/us/epstein-d...
Epstein flight manifests revealed as House committee releases docs, transcript with former US attorney
The House Oversight Committee released more documents relating to Jeffrey Epstein on Friday afternoon. The committee released an interview with former US attorney Alex Acosta as well as flight records...
www.foxnews.com
October 18, 2025 at 8:40 AM
30 pages of Lolita Express passenger manifests surface, with many names redacted. Why, I wonder? What did those people do to merit protection that Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, Reid Hoffman, Jimmy Cayne, Brian Higgins or John Phelan didn't?
www.foxnews.com/us/epstein-d...
www.foxnews.com/us/epstein-d...