Mark Darbyshire🌱🏳️🌈
@markd.nz
He/him. Actor, analyst, and JP in Ōtautahi, Aotearoa. Cult survivor, atheist, vegan, gay. Chairing too many committees. Let's build a sustainable, just future!
Web: https://markd.nz
Blog: https://remarks.nz
Web: https://markd.nz
Blog: https://remarks.nz
Reposted by Mark Darbyshire🌱🏳️🌈
Anyone looking for the full map or wondering who made it, it’s the work of Matt Brown and it’s here. open.substack.com/pub/londonis...
December 28, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Anyone looking for the full map or wondering who made it, it’s the work of Matt Brown and it’s here. open.substack.com/pub/londonis...
Facebook is a dumpster fire of AI-generated content. Usually the posts are at least designed to be interesting, but today the algorithm served up an insult-ridden post about an electric ship designed to delight progressives, outrage conservatives, provoke arguments, and change no minds whatsoever.
December 27, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Facebook is a dumpster fire of AI-generated content. Usually the posts are at least designed to be interesting, but today the algorithm served up an insult-ridden post about an electric ship designed to delight progressives, outrage conservatives, provoke arguments, and change no minds whatsoever.
Reposted by Mark Darbyshire🌱🏳️🌈
Please for the love of all that is holy, go beyond the f***ing Google AI generated summary! It is AI GENERATED! It's barely even confirming that the titles exist somewhere on the internet, not that the books actually exist! It confirms NOTHING!
December 27, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Please for the love of all that is holy, go beyond the f***ing Google AI generated summary! It is AI GENERATED! It's barely even confirming that the titles exist somewhere on the internet, not that the books actually exist! It confirms NOTHING!
Reposted by Mark Darbyshire🌱🏳️🌈
Reposted by Mark Darbyshire🌱🏳️🌈
I’ve done some catalogue searching and am fairly confident in saying that 5/10 titles in this list do not exist (1, 2, 4, 5 and 7).
Sloppy, unacceptable, and a real kick in the guts to real authors with real books they’d love people to buy and read!
Sloppy, unacceptable, and a real kick in the guts to real authors with real books they’d love people to buy and read!
#4 sounds like a lovely book but I didn't write it. Have had whānau up and down the country send me clippings lol
Whoever put together this list that has been circulated to regional papers, didn't fact check.
Whoever put together this list that has been circulated to regional papers, didn't fact check.
December 25, 2025 at 7:18 PM
I’ve done some catalogue searching and am fairly confident in saying that 5/10 titles in this list do not exist (1, 2, 4, 5 and 7).
Sloppy, unacceptable, and a real kick in the guts to real authors with real books they’d love people to buy and read!
Sloppy, unacceptable, and a real kick in the guts to real authors with real books they’d love people to buy and read!
Dropping #FluTracking in NZ for a measly $57k of cost-cutting? #NZPol
Plan to ditch flu tracking tool will leave big data gap, epidemiologist says
The Ministry of Health is not renewing its contract for the FluTracking tool, which surveys about 40,000 people year-round, in a bid to cut costs.
www.rnz.co.nz
December 24, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Dropping #FluTracking in NZ for a measly $57k of cost-cutting? #NZPol
Reposted by Mark Darbyshire🌱🏳️🌈
Reposted by Mark Darbyshire🌱🏳️🌈
#signalBoost
"We know that, as a general rule, our audiences and artists aren’t rich. We wear that as a badge of honour - we’re keeping it real, yo! - and it’s our pleasure and purpose to be presenting quality shows that are accessible and within reach of everybody.
But, you can still help us… "
"We know that, as a general rule, our audiences and artists aren’t rich. We wear that as a badge of honour - we’re keeping it real, yo! - and it’s our pleasure and purpose to be presenting quality shows that are accessible and within reach of everybody.
But, you can still help us… "
Feeling flush with cash this Christmas? Little Andromeda would love some help to bridge a $50k gap and reopen next year. It's the coolest little fringe theatre in Aotearoa. Folk are already chipping in. With a bit of work, I know we can get this over the line! #Ōtautahi #Christchurch #theatre #NZ
Help Us | Little Andromeda Christchurch Fringe Theatre
littleandromeda.co.nz
December 23, 2025 at 11:00 PM
#signalBoost
"We know that, as a general rule, our audiences and artists aren’t rich. We wear that as a badge of honour - we’re keeping it real, yo! - and it’s our pleasure and purpose to be presenting quality shows that are accessible and within reach of everybody.
But, you can still help us… "
"We know that, as a general rule, our audiences and artists aren’t rich. We wear that as a badge of honour - we’re keeping it real, yo! - and it’s our pleasure and purpose to be presenting quality shows that are accessible and within reach of everybody.
But, you can still help us… "
If you'll be in #Ōtautahi #Christchurch on 12 January, I highly recommend this sci-fi/thriller feature #film at Lumière, directed by Ricky Townsend. It's incredible what an independent, low-budget film can achieve!
Unfortunately I can't make this repeat screening.
Unfortunately I can't make this repeat screening.
The Bostrom Scenario New Zealand Premiere Screening
Get tickets on Humanitix - The Bostrom Scenario New Zealand Premiere Screening hosted by Interframe Pictures. Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, 312 Montreal Street, Christchurch Central Cit...
events.humanitix.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:33 PM
If you'll be in #Ōtautahi #Christchurch on 12 January, I highly recommend this sci-fi/thriller feature #film at Lumière, directed by Ricky Townsend. It's incredible what an independent, low-budget film can achieve!
Unfortunately I can't make this repeat screening.
Unfortunately I can't make this repeat screening.
Feeling flush with cash this Christmas? Little Andromeda would love some help to bridge a $50k gap and reopen next year. It's the coolest little fringe theatre in Aotearoa. Folk are already chipping in. With a bit of work, I know we can get this over the line! #Ōtautahi #Christchurch #theatre #NZ
Help Us | Little Andromeda Christchurch Fringe Theatre
littleandromeda.co.nz
December 23, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Feeling flush with cash this Christmas? Little Andromeda would love some help to bridge a $50k gap and reopen next year. It's the coolest little fringe theatre in Aotearoa. Folk are already chipping in. With a bit of work, I know we can get this over the line! #Ōtautahi #Christchurch #theatre #NZ
Reposted by Mark Darbyshire🌱🏳️🌈
Bluesky CEO @jay.bsky.team joins @rabble.nz to discuss what it takes to run decentralized social media at scale.
In this ep:
- How @bsky.app grew to 40M+ users with a tiny team
- What makes the AT Protocol different
- Why the right to exit matters for social media
Watch now: youtu.be/p0O4dRi7nPs
In this ep:
- How @bsky.app grew to 40M+ users with a tiny team
- What makes the AT Protocol different
- Why the right to exit matters for social media
Watch now: youtu.be/p0O4dRi7nPs
Decentralized Social Media for 40 Million+ Users (with Bluesky’s Jay Graber)
YouTube video by revolution.social with @rabble
youtu.be
December 18, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Bluesky CEO @jay.bsky.team joins @rabble.nz to discuss what it takes to run decentralized social media at scale.
In this ep:
- How @bsky.app grew to 40M+ users with a tiny team
- What makes the AT Protocol different
- Why the right to exit matters for social media
Watch now: youtu.be/p0O4dRi7nPs
In this ep:
- How @bsky.app grew to 40M+ users with a tiny team
- What makes the AT Protocol different
- Why the right to exit matters for social media
Watch now: youtu.be/p0O4dRi7nPs
Reposted by Mark Darbyshire🌱🏳️🌈
Most social platforms make it nearly impossible to leave without losing your content and data.
@jay.bsky.team, CEO of @bsky.app, explains how open protocols give users the right to exit and build social spaces that actually work for them.
Full episode with @rabble.nz, out now.
@jay.bsky.team, CEO of @bsky.app, explains how open protocols give users the right to exit and build social spaces that actually work for them.
Full episode with @rabble.nz, out now.
December 22, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Most social platforms make it nearly impossible to leave without losing your content and data.
@jay.bsky.team, CEO of @bsky.app, explains how open protocols give users the right to exit and build social spaces that actually work for them.
Full episode with @rabble.nz, out now.
@jay.bsky.team, CEO of @bsky.app, explains how open protocols give users the right to exit and build social spaces that actually work for them.
Full episode with @rabble.nz, out now.
Reposted by Mark Darbyshire🌱🏳️🌈
When regulators design social media frameworks as if every platform is Meta-sized, they risk creating an internet where only monopolies can survive.
Bluesky CEO @jay.bsky.team & @rabble.nz discuss how Meta-scale regulation creates barriers that smaller social teams can’t operate under.
Out now.
Bluesky CEO @jay.bsky.team & @rabble.nz discuss how Meta-scale regulation creates barriers that smaller social teams can’t operate under.
Out now.
December 19, 2025 at 9:02 PM
When regulators design social media frameworks as if every platform is Meta-sized, they risk creating an internet where only monopolies can survive.
Bluesky CEO @jay.bsky.team & @rabble.nz discuss how Meta-scale regulation creates barriers that smaller social teams can’t operate under.
Out now.
Bluesky CEO @jay.bsky.team & @rabble.nz discuss how Meta-scale regulation creates barriers that smaller social teams can’t operate under.
Out now.
Reposted by Mark Darbyshire🌱🏳️🌈
When we say "no, everything hasn't been digitized," I need you to understand that we really mean is that virtually nothing has been digitized. This is because the realm of primary sources that historians use is incomprehensibly large.
Seems like it's worth posting this one again.
Why Do Historians Still Have To Go To Archives?
Why do historians go to archives? Hasn’t everything already been digitized?
contingentmagazine.org
December 22, 2025 at 1:40 AM
When we say "no, everything hasn't been digitized," I need you to understand that we really mean is that virtually nothing has been digitized. This is because the realm of primary sources that historians use is incomprehensibly large.
Reposted by Mark Darbyshire🌱🏳️🌈
Especially relevant in NZ, where funding for the Archives NZ digitisation programme of official records was axed in 2024.
When we say "no, everything hasn't been digitized," I need you to understand that we really mean is that virtually nothing has been digitized. This is because the realm of primary sources that historians use is incomprehensibly large.
Seems like it's worth posting this one again.
December 22, 2025 at 4:55 AM
Especially relevant in NZ, where funding for the Archives NZ digitisation programme of official records was axed in 2024.
"You don't have any mail! Our servers are feeling unloved," says the All Mail folder in Gmail.
"It was inevitable that I abandon you, Google," I reply. "You failed to live up to your old motto: 'Don't be evil.' You trapped users into your suite of proprietary products and got cosy with Trump."
"It was inevitable that I abandon you, Google," I reply. "You failed to live up to your old motto: 'Don't be evil.' You trapped users into your suite of proprietary products and got cosy with Trump."
December 21, 2025 at 8:27 PM
"You don't have any mail! Our servers are feeling unloved," says the All Mail folder in Gmail.
"It was inevitable that I abandon you, Google," I reply. "You failed to live up to your old motto: 'Don't be evil.' You trapped users into your suite of proprietary products and got cosy with Trump."
"It was inevitable that I abandon you, Google," I reply. "You failed to live up to your old motto: 'Don't be evil.' You trapped users into your suite of proprietary products and got cosy with Trump."
Reposted by Mark Darbyshire🌱🏳️🌈
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.
Reposted by Mark Darbyshire🌱🏳️🌈
did everybody already know that Yahoo, the pre-Google search engine that began as a list of hyperlinks, is called that because it's an acronym?
Yet Another Hierarchically Organized Oracle. Yahoo
Yet Another Hierarchically Organized Oracle. Yahoo
December 20, 2025 at 3:48 AM
did everybody already know that Yahoo, the pre-Google search engine that began as a list of hyperlinks, is called that because it's an acronym?
Yet Another Hierarchically Organized Oracle. Yahoo
Yet Another Hierarchically Organized Oracle. Yahoo
Reposted by Mark Darbyshire🌱🏳️🌈
Luxon has a plan. It looks like this. 6 plates for him, 1 plate between 5 at the other end of the divide he’s widened. I don’t misunderstand him. I see him. #nzpol #hoarder interactives.stuff.co.nz/the-side-eye...
The Side Eye: The Table
Why is New Zealand's wealth hoarded at one end of the nation's dinner table? Toby Morris of @TheSpinoffTV explains
interactives.stuff.co.nz
December 20, 2025 at 5:42 AM
Luxon has a plan. It looks like this. 6 plates for him, 1 plate between 5 at the other end of the divide he’s widened. I don’t misunderstand him. I see him. #nzpol #hoarder interactives.stuff.co.nz/the-side-eye...
Ooh this came out a few weeks ago! The pre-colonial voyaging waka recently discovered in Rēkohu Wharekauri Chatham Island arrived there between 1440 and 1470 CE, but could be much older. Finalised radiocarbon results should be released by February 2026. #waka #archaeology #NZ
Interim radiocarbon dating results shed new light on waka discovery | Manatū Taonga | Ministry for Culture & Heritage
Image
www.mch.govt.nz
December 21, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Ooh this came out a few weeks ago! The pre-colonial voyaging waka recently discovered in Rēkohu Wharekauri Chatham Island arrived there between 1440 and 1470 CE, but could be much older. Finalised radiocarbon results should be released by February 2026. #waka #archaeology #NZ
Reposted by Mark Darbyshire🌱🏳️🌈
Merriam-Webster’s human editors have chosen ‘slop’ as the 2025 Word of the Year.
December 15, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Merriam-Webster’s human editors have chosen ‘slop’ as the 2025 Word of the Year.
Reposted by Mark Darbyshire🌱🏳️🌈
Theory: English becomes a tonal language the moment you say 'fuck'.
December 6, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Theory: English becomes a tonal language the moment you say 'fuck'.
Reposted by Mark Darbyshire🌱🏳️🌈
This is the year I finally ditched all streaming services and started buying albums again so here is my @listenbrainz.org wrapped! Feels good to say I bought all these albums
December 4, 2025 at 3:16 AM
This is the year I finally ditched all streaming services and started buying albums again so here is my @listenbrainz.org wrapped! Feels good to say I bought all these albums
Reposted by Mark Darbyshire🌱🏳️🌈
Really useful advice for authors on how to deal with the Anthropic settlement. In my case, I'm trying to figure out whether I or my publishers are the reproduction-rights-holders, which matters for where the payouts go.
What Authors Need to Know About the $1.5 Billion Anthropic Settlement
Updated October 2, 2025 IMPORTANT: The Works List Is Now Live on the Settlement Website The searchable Works List and Claim Forms are now available at www.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com. Find more i...
authorsguild.org
December 2, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Really useful advice for authors on how to deal with the Anthropic settlement. In my case, I'm trying to figure out whether I or my publishers are the reproduction-rights-holders, which matters for where the payouts go.