Marsden
@marsdennz.bsky.social
He/Him, Webdev from Ōtautahi, Aotearoa (Christchurch, New Zealand). Interested in #SocialIssues, #BoardGaming and #TabletopRoleplaying.
Pinned
Marsden
@marsdennz.bsky.social
· Apr 5
Achievement unlocked - sat on by a meerkat.
And some other critters from today.
#meerkat #wallaby #koala #marmoset #self #ParadiseCountry #GoldCoastAustralia
And some other critters from today.
#meerkat #wallaby #koala #marmoset #self #ParadiseCountry #GoldCoastAustralia
Reposted by Marsden
"It's a few bad apples..."
Enter, stage right an angry goose:
"How does that saying finish, motherfucker, what does a bad apple do?"
Enter, stage right an angry goose:
"How does that saying finish, motherfucker, what does a bad apple do?"
November 11, 2025 at 8:21 PM
"It's a few bad apples..."
Enter, stage right an angry goose:
"How does that saying finish, motherfucker, what does a bad apple do?"
Enter, stage right an angry goose:
"How does that saying finish, motherfucker, what does a bad apple do?"
Reposted by Marsden
People Watching: 'Mega-strike' - Healthcare staff, educators and firefighters march in central Auckland on a Thursday
November 11, 2025 at 6:38 PM
People Watching: 'Mega-strike' - Healthcare staff, educators and firefighters march in central Auckland on a Thursday
Reposted by Marsden
Honestly, the IPCA report into the police (mis)handling of the McSkimming case makes for jaw-dropping reading.
But it’s 135 pages long so I’ve read it for you.
Here’s my report on one of the most serious failures of integrity in modern policing history⬇️⬇️
But it’s 135 pages long so I’ve read it for you.
Here’s my report on one of the most serious failures of integrity in modern policing history⬇️⬇️
The inside story of how police protected a senior cop, and prosecuted his accuser instead
For years, police leadership ignored warnings about Jevon McSkimming. The IPCA has set out the chain of failures.
www.stuff.co.nz
November 11, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Honestly, the IPCA report into the police (mis)handling of the McSkimming case makes for jaw-dropping reading.
But it’s 135 pages long so I’ve read it for you.
Here’s my report on one of the most serious failures of integrity in modern policing history⬇️⬇️
But it’s 135 pages long so I’ve read it for you.
Here’s my report on one of the most serious failures of integrity in modern policing history⬇️⬇️
Reposted by Marsden
The most surprising thing in today's news - tragically and awfully - is that apparently the cops DO know how to prosecute somebody under the Harmful Digital Communications Act. #nzpol
a man in a top hat and purple jacket is flexing his muscles .
Alt: Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka leans on one elbow and says, "Really?"
media.tenor.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:04 AM
The most surprising thing in today's news - tragically and awfully - is that apparently the cops DO know how to prosecute somebody under the Harmful Digital Communications Act. #nzpol
Reposted by Marsden
It's not one bad apple. It's a barrel so rotten its seeping out the cracks in the bottom.
Louise Nicholas reported her assault in 1993.
32 years later, and we're still getting cover ups and intimidation of women abused by serving police officers.
32 years later, and we're still getting cover ups and intimidation of women abused by serving police officers.
'Inexcusable conduct': Police Commissioner says lack of leadership over McSkimming
Richard Chambers says today's IPCA review into the McSkimming complaints found inexcusable conduct by former senior police leaders.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 11, 2025 at 7:47 AM
It's not one bad apple. It's a barrel so rotten its seeping out the cracks in the bottom.
Reposted by Marsden
A concorning snippet, here:
"That campaign will receive $5.9 million from the Proceeds of Crime Fund - money taken from criminals - and the Government wants to make it faster for police use the proceeds of crime laws to seize assets from drug dealers."
www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...
"That campaign will receive $5.9 million from the Proceeds of Crime Fund - money taken from criminals - and the Government wants to make it faster for police use the proceeds of crime laws to seize assets from drug dealers."
www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...
The Post
www.thepost.co.nz
November 9, 2025 at 8:27 PM
A concorning snippet, here:
"That campaign will receive $5.9 million from the Proceeds of Crime Fund - money taken from criminals - and the Government wants to make it faster for police use the proceeds of crime laws to seize assets from drug dealers."
www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...
"That campaign will receive $5.9 million from the Proceeds of Crime Fund - money taken from criminals - and the Government wants to make it faster for police use the proceeds of crime laws to seize assets from drug dealers."
www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...
Reposted by Marsden
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:39 PM
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Reposted by Marsden
Regular reminder that RBNZ publish real data on mortgage costs. National and the bank reckonomists love to talk about the costs of *new* mortgages only, but what drives the cost of living is what kiwis *actually* pay on our $384bn mortgage pile. Here's the real data... [🧵1/n]
November 7, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Regular reminder that RBNZ publish real data on mortgage costs. National and the bank reckonomists love to talk about the costs of *new* mortgages only, but what drives the cost of living is what kiwis *actually* pay on our $384bn mortgage pile. Here's the real data... [🧵1/n]
Reposted by Marsden
I see James Watson has died.
What did Watson discover?
Rosalind Franklin's lab notes.
Only we spell it 'S-T-E-A-L' these days.
What did Watson discover?
Rosalind Franklin's lab notes.
Only we spell it 'S-T-E-A-L' these days.
November 7, 2025 at 8:16 PM
I see James Watson has died.
What did Watson discover?
Rosalind Franklin's lab notes.
Only we spell it 'S-T-E-A-L' these days.
What did Watson discover?
Rosalind Franklin's lab notes.
Only we spell it 'S-T-E-A-L' these days.
Reposted by Marsden
Thinking only of Rosalind Franklin today, and what was stolen from her (and so many other female scientists alongside her).
Rosalind Franklin and the damage of gender harassment
Spurred by a recent report on sexual harassment in academia, our columnist revisits a historical case and reflects on what has changed—and what hasn’t
www.science.org
November 7, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Thinking only of Rosalind Franklin today, and what was stolen from her (and so many other female scientists alongside her).
Reposted by Marsden
Just some of the names our Family History librarians have dug up over the years:
- Christmas Tantrum
- Rose Bush
- Rhoda Pidgeon
- Hazel Nutt
- Raspberry Sucker
And more! Read our blog post from a few year's back for more: my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/blogs/post/f... ^MT
- Christmas Tantrum
- Rose Bush
- Rhoda Pidgeon
- Hazel Nutt
- Raspberry Sucker
And more! Read our blog post from a few year's back for more: my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/blogs/post/f... ^MT
Bulah Buttocks
Spouse
Ohio, Marriages, 1800-1958
Spouse
Ohio, Marriages, 1800-1958
November 7, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Just some of the names our Family History librarians have dug up over the years:
- Christmas Tantrum
- Rose Bush
- Rhoda Pidgeon
- Hazel Nutt
- Raspberry Sucker
And more! Read our blog post from a few year's back for more: my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/blogs/post/f... ^MT
- Christmas Tantrum
- Rose Bush
- Rhoda Pidgeon
- Hazel Nutt
- Raspberry Sucker
And more! Read our blog post from a few year's back for more: my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/blogs/post/f... ^MT
Reposted by Marsden
My male, Pākehā, face correlates to historical corpuses of images of people successful in being hired as managers (noting not the same thing as being a successful manager).
For the underlying stupid causative implication, the phrenology (actually demographics) of the hiring panel likely matters more
For the underlying stupid causative implication, the phrenology (actually demographics) of the hiring panel likely matters more
"Some might argue that face-based analysis is more meritocratic than processes which reward, say, educational attainment."
what
i mean
what
how can you
what
what
i mean
what
how can you
what
A new paper suggests a photo can tell a recruiter much about an applicant’s personality
November 6, 2025 at 8:42 PM
My male, Pākehā, face correlates to historical corpuses of images of people successful in being hired as managers (noting not the same thing as being a successful manager).
For the underlying stupid causative implication, the phrenology (actually demographics) of the hiring panel likely matters more
For the underlying stupid causative implication, the phrenology (actually demographics) of the hiring panel likely matters more
❗⁉️
Oh hell. I looked into who the vendor is for the NZ public transport National Ticketing System (Motu Move)... and it's literally a U.S. defence contractor who also makes C4ISR (surveillance, intel, recon, etc.) systems.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cubic_C...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cubic_C...
Cubic Corporation - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
November 6, 2025 at 7:25 AM
❗⁉️
Reposted by Marsden
David became a freelance bioinformatician due to the situation he describes 👇.
Freelance workers are typically looking for the next contract. That's how it is. Maybe we could boost this signal so that people who appreciate David's experience and principles can find him?
Freelance workers are typically looking for the next contract. That's how it is. Maybe we could boost this signal so that people who appreciate David's experience and principles can find him?
I was made redundant from a decade-long bioinformatics job, in part, because my new boss thought that LLMs and similar technologies were better than an experienced bioinformatician who encouraged FAIR principles and discouraged abusive behaviour.
November 6, 2025 at 2:23 AM
David became a freelance bioinformatician due to the situation he describes 👇.
Freelance workers are typically looking for the next contract. That's how it is. Maybe we could boost this signal so that people who appreciate David's experience and principles can find him?
Freelance workers are typically looking for the next contract. That's how it is. Maybe we could boost this signal so that people who appreciate David's experience and principles can find him?
Reposted by Marsden
Actually yeah, let's "move on" the people responsible for the rise in "rough sleepers".
You'll find them in their fancy apartments, receiving accommodation entitlements, and frolicking through the beehive.
You'll find them in their fancy apartments, receiving accommodation entitlements, and frolicking through the beehive.
November 5, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Actually yeah, let's "move on" the people responsible for the rise in "rough sleepers".
You'll find them in their fancy apartments, receiving accommodation entitlements, and frolicking through the beehive.
You'll find them in their fancy apartments, receiving accommodation entitlements, and frolicking through the beehive.
Reposted by Marsden
Questions I'd like answered that I haven't seen in coverage of this:
- What can you tell us about this "algorithm" that Police built?
- What is it, how accurate is it, and how was it validated?
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
- What can you tell us about this "algorithm" that Police built?
- What is it, how accurate is it, and how was it validated?
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Police officers ordered to complete mandatory online alcohol breath testing training
It follows revelations more than 100 police staff were under investigation for falsifying 30,000 tests.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 5, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Questions I'd like answered that I haven't seen in coverage of this:
- What can you tell us about this "algorithm" that Police built?
- What is it, how accurate is it, and how was it validated?
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
- What can you tell us about this "algorithm" that Police built?
- What is it, how accurate is it, and how was it validated?
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Reposted by Marsden
NZ First MPs keep proposing laws they have no intention of passing, and the media falls for it every time.
thespinoff.co.nz/politics/06-...
thespinoff.co.nz/politics/06-...
The brilliant performative politics of NZ First’s fake members’ bills
NZ First MPs keep proposing laws they have no intention of passing, and the media falls for it every time.
thespinoff.co.nz
November 5, 2025 at 4:41 PM
NZ First MPs keep proposing laws they have no intention of passing, and the media falls for it every time.
thespinoff.co.nz/politics/06-...
thespinoff.co.nz/politics/06-...
Reposted by Marsden
This is fucking outrageous! Every day, there are more unhoused people just trying to survive. They don’t have emergency accommodation because YOU CUT OFF ACCESS! Stop cutting funding! Stop the cruelty! 🤬 #NZPol
Seriously? Do you think they cease to exist if we can’t see them?
Bunch of absolute fucking idiots. And cruel. #NZPol
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Bunch of absolute fucking idiots. And cruel. #NZPol
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Rough sleeping ban in central Auckland considered by government
Government ministers have confirmed they are considering measures to move homeless people out of Auckland's city centre - but the exact details remain unclear.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 5, 2025 at 4:07 AM
This is fucking outrageous! Every day, there are more unhoused people just trying to survive. They don’t have emergency accommodation because YOU CUT OFF ACCESS! Stop cutting funding! Stop the cruelty! 🤬 #NZPol
"Almost 90,000 ... rely on a benefit because of psychiatric conditions ... a striking shift for a system designed and once dominated by physical illness and injury.
... many of those affected are young and face an uphill battle to find lasting employment."
#NZPol
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
... many of those affected are young and face an uphill battle to find lasting employment."
#NZPol
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
Why nearly 90,000 Kiwis aren’t working
A growing number of Kiwis are on welfare because of mental health issues, marking a major shift for a system once designed for and focused on physical illness and unemployment.
www.stuff.co.nz
November 4, 2025 at 10:37 PM
"Almost 90,000 ... rely on a benefit because of psychiatric conditions ... a striking shift for a system designed and once dominated by physical illness and injury.
... many of those affected are young and face an uphill battle to find lasting employment."
#NZPol
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
... many of those affected are young and face an uphill battle to find lasting employment."
#NZPol
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
Reposted by Marsden
People Watching: Waka Ama at Māngere Bridge Boating Club - Māngere Bridge to French Bay Regatta, on a Saturday morning
November 4, 2025 at 6:29 PM
People Watching: Waka Ama at Māngere Bridge Boating Club - Māngere Bridge to French Bay Regatta, on a Saturday morning
Reposted by Marsden
People with a track record of behaving badly need to pay a career penalty. So long as people with track records get roles just to keep the peace, it will encourage them to wield the threat of chaos.
theendisnaenae.substack.com/p/having-a-m...
theendisnaenae.substack.com/p/having-a-m...
Having a mayor? Why we need our local leaders to take a stand
It’s done and dusted.
theendisnaenae.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:02 AM
People with a track record of behaving badly need to pay a career penalty. So long as people with track records get roles just to keep the peace, it will encourage them to wield the threat of chaos.
theendisnaenae.substack.com/p/having-a-m...
theendisnaenae.substack.com/p/having-a-m...
Reposted by Marsden
The other infectious disease ripping through schools in Aotearoa. #nzpol
@yeehawtheboys.bsky.social Always on the money
@yeehawtheboys.bsky.social Always on the money
November 4, 2025 at 4:52 AM
The other infectious disease ripping through schools in Aotearoa. #nzpol
@yeehawtheboys.bsky.social Always on the money
@yeehawtheboys.bsky.social Always on the money
Reposted by Marsden
Alright, first new article in a while, and it's my fiftieth! This one's about the important but subtle difference between social skills and social traits:
deadsimpletech.com/blog/notes_o...
deadsimpletech.com/blog/notes_o...
Notes on social skills | deadSimpleTech
Despite what an awful lot of us like to think, social capability isn't a monolith: there is no one body of skills, knowledge and innate traits that makes you "good at social stuff": rather, there's a ...
deadsimpletech.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Alright, first new article in a while, and it's my fiftieth! This one's about the important but subtle difference between social skills and social traits:
deadsimpletech.com/blog/notes_o...
deadsimpletech.com/blog/notes_o...
Reposted by Marsden
If this were a bunch of Pakeha farmers having to go back to court to relitigate an award of water rights because the government had changed allocation rules the media, business and legal establishments would be united in decrying it as the death of the rule of law.
Foreshore and seabed: ‘Exhausted’ Sth Isl group sent back to court after customary rights win
The Government says MACA changes were not a decision made lightly.
www.nzherald.co.nz
November 2, 2025 at 6:05 PM
If this were a bunch of Pakeha farmers having to go back to court to relitigate an award of water rights because the government had changed allocation rules the media, business and legal establishments would be united in decrying it as the death of the rule of law.