dwither
@dwither.bsky.social
Resilience, adaptation and disaster management.
Ōtepoti/Dunedin, Aotearoa 🇳🇿
Ōtepoti/Dunedin, Aotearoa 🇳🇿
Did you consider adding a "I don't like this post" or some type of similar option at the front of the options?
It would be a useful way to filter out reports that come from people who are just reacting to content they don't like, rather than is specifically breaking some type of rule.
It would be a useful way to filter out reports that come from people who are just reacting to content they don't like, rather than is specifically breaking some type of rule.
November 19, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Did you consider adding a "I don't like this post" or some type of similar option at the front of the options?
It would be a useful way to filter out reports that come from people who are just reacting to content they don't like, rather than is specifically breaking some type of rule.
It would be a useful way to filter out reports that come from people who are just reacting to content they don't like, rather than is specifically breaking some type of rule.
A classic case of goodhart's law, heh.
November 4, 2025 at 8:54 PM
A classic case of goodhart's law, heh.
Topic aside, I love the design of your leaflet page. Having it all be in one frame, which you scroll through, is really cool!
November 4, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Topic aside, I love the design of your leaflet page. Having it all be in one frame, which you scroll through, is really cool!
I struggle with this framing tbh. Seems to me that the majority of the American people, where political power flows from, decided that none of this matters at the last election.
The institutions and media did their job in trump I when it might have been a fluke. But trump II shows that it was not.
The institutions and media did their job in trump I when it might have been a fluke. But trump II shows that it was not.
November 2, 2025 at 1:02 AM
I struggle with this framing tbh. Seems to me that the majority of the American people, where political power flows from, decided that none of this matters at the last election.
The institutions and media did their job in trump I when it might have been a fluke. But trump II shows that it was not.
The institutions and media did their job in trump I when it might have been a fluke. But trump II shows that it was not.
Oh wow, I did not know this.
October 31, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Oh wow, I did not know this.
They are really entrenched in terms of supply chains, and if the gov actually posed a threat, they could just lower profit margins to out compete.
But this approach sidesteps a lot of those issues by creating a new model. Ofc, gotta iron out those kinks before you think about scaling.
But this approach sidesteps a lot of those issues by creating a new model. Ofc, gotta iron out those kinks before you think about scaling.
October 31, 2025 at 10:18 PM
They are really entrenched in terms of supply chains, and if the gov actually posed a threat, they could just lower profit margins to out compete.
But this approach sidesteps a lot of those issues by creating a new model. Ofc, gotta iron out those kinks before you think about scaling.
But this approach sidesteps a lot of those issues by creating a new model. Ofc, gotta iron out those kinks before you think about scaling.
Nice that you got good feedback.
I do think that supportingthis kinda thing would be the ideal way to start some sort of alternative arrangement for food in NZ.
I think there are too many pitfalls with the gov trying to compete with supermarkets a la Kiwibank with banks.
I do think that supportingthis kinda thing would be the ideal way to start some sort of alternative arrangement for food in NZ.
I think there are too many pitfalls with the gov trying to compete with supermarkets a la Kiwibank with banks.
October 31, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Nice that you got good feedback.
I do think that supportingthis kinda thing would be the ideal way to start some sort of alternative arrangement for food in NZ.
I think there are too many pitfalls with the gov trying to compete with supermarkets a la Kiwibank with banks.
I do think that supportingthis kinda thing would be the ideal way to start some sort of alternative arrangement for food in NZ.
I think there are too many pitfalls with the gov trying to compete with supermarkets a la Kiwibank with banks.
Which, in this current environment is prob more possible than it has been in the past. Though you would obviously need a change in government.
How is it all going with coshop? I've been following you for quite a while because I was intrigued with the idea. Would 100% use it if I was in Auckland.
How is it all going with coshop? I've been following you for quite a while because I was intrigued with the idea. Would 100% use it if I was in Auckland.
October 30, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Which, in this current environment is prob more possible than it has been in the past. Though you would obviously need a change in government.
How is it all going with coshop? I've been following you for quite a while because I was intrigued with the idea. Would 100% use it if I was in Auckland.
How is it all going with coshop? I've been following you for quite a while because I was intrigued with the idea. Would 100% use it if I was in Auckland.
Ah, now thats a very different starting point! Having a workable pilot of an idea that can be expanded definitely changes the dynamics in play.
Assuming the pilot/project works as intended, that makes the key issue being social license + political will.
Assuming the pilot/project works as intended, that makes the key issue being social license + political will.
October 30, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Ah, now thats a very different starting point! Having a workable pilot of an idea that can be expanded definitely changes the dynamics in play.
Assuming the pilot/project works as intended, that makes the key issue being social license + political will.
Assuming the pilot/project works as intended, that makes the key issue being social license + political will.
Especially if it's just groceries only, and not the rest of what supermarkets stock.
In Dunedin we have a store called Veggie Boys, which is mainly groceries and is def cheaper than the supermarket. One issue they have is the quality of produce is much lower, due to what I assume is less turnover.
In Dunedin we have a store called Veggie Boys, which is mainly groceries and is def cheaper than the supermarket. One issue they have is the quality of produce is much lower, due to what I assume is less turnover.
October 30, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Especially if it's just groceries only, and not the rest of what supermarkets stock.
In Dunedin we have a store called Veggie Boys, which is mainly groceries and is def cheaper than the supermarket. One issue they have is the quality of produce is much lower, due to what I assume is less turnover.
In Dunedin we have a store called Veggie Boys, which is mainly groceries and is def cheaper than the supermarket. One issue they have is the quality of produce is much lower, due to what I assume is less turnover.
If we were to set up a Kiwibank style public option for groceries, we'd be talking about the government becoming a buyer from local food producers. I think the well managed and competitive part is definitely one of the harder parts.
You'd need to ensure demand, and for that much lower prices.
You'd need to ensure demand, and for that much lower prices.
October 30, 2025 at 9:52 AM
If we were to set up a Kiwibank style public option for groceries, we'd be talking about the government becoming a buyer from local food producers. I think the well managed and competitive part is definitely one of the harder parts.
You'd need to ensure demand, and for that much lower prices.
You'd need to ensure demand, and for that much lower prices.
Oh really? I was definitely talking about the previous arrangement, not the current one.
I thought there was a whole network of local suppliers involved, and that there was some central organisation. But I may be mistaken on that.
I thought there was a whole network of local suppliers involved, and that there was some central organisation. But I may be mistaken on that.
October 30, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Oh really? I was definitely talking about the previous arrangement, not the current one.
I thought there was a whole network of local suppliers involved, and that there was some central organisation. But I may be mistaken on that.
I thought there was a whole network of local suppliers involved, and that there was some central organisation. But I may be mistaken on that.
I'm not exactly a food policy nerd, but I do think this is a conversation well worth having.
Watching the vid, I thought that a good starting point might be the school food programme the prev gov created. How did that entire system work, and is that idea something to build on?
Watching the vid, I thought that a good starting point might be the school food programme the prev gov created. How did that entire system work, and is that idea something to build on?
October 30, 2025 at 3:17 AM
I'm not exactly a food policy nerd, but I do think this is a conversation well worth having.
Watching the vid, I thought that a good starting point might be the school food programme the prev gov created. How did that entire system work, and is that idea something to build on?
Watching the vid, I thought that a good starting point might be the school food programme the prev gov created. How did that entire system work, and is that idea something to build on?
He's been banging on this drum, and taking a lot of grief for it, for a while now heh.
October 29, 2025 at 9:39 PM
He's been banging on this drum, and taking a lot of grief for it, for a while now heh.
Makes sense.
What about leaflet? Blog on the atmosphere, and connects into bluesky.
leaflet.pub/home
What about leaflet? Blog on the atmosphere, and connects into bluesky.
leaflet.pub/home
Leaflet
tiny interconnected social documents
leaflet.pub
October 28, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Makes sense.
What about leaflet? Blog on the atmosphere, and connects into bluesky.
leaflet.pub/home
What about leaflet? Blog on the atmosphere, and connects into bluesky.
leaflet.pub/home
I would be keen to hear your thoughts on how we might address these problems structurally.
I’ll save details of what I think can be done to deal with these capacity and project delivery problems structurally and economically as it’s too complicated to get into here.
What I want to offer for now is around changing our approach to political discourse.
What I want to offer for now is around changing our approach to political discourse.
October 28, 2025 at 7:13 AM
I would be keen to hear your thoughts on how we might address these problems structurally.
And that comes back to discourse, as you mentioned. A consensus approach seems out of reach for the foreseeable future. The right appears to have no interest in engaging in good faith.
So either the left waits until they do (might be a long time), or figures out a good plan and just goes ahead.
So either the left waits until they do (might be a long time), or figures out a good plan and just goes ahead.
October 28, 2025 at 7:12 AM
And that comes back to discourse, as you mentioned. A consensus approach seems out of reach for the foreseeable future. The right appears to have no interest in engaging in good faith.
So either the left waits until they do (might be a long time), or figures out a good plan and just goes ahead.
So either the left waits until they do (might be a long time), or figures out a good plan and just goes ahead.
Preach.
Been thinking the same, the challenge here isn't wanting to build, it's taking the time and money to create the capacity to build.
And of course, the challenge there is keeping the public onside while you take the time to do it.
Been thinking the same, the challenge here isn't wanting to build, it's taking the time and money to create the capacity to build.
And of course, the challenge there is keeping the public onside while you take the time to do it.
October 28, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Preach.
Been thinking the same, the challenge here isn't wanting to build, it's taking the time and money to create the capacity to build.
And of course, the challenge there is keeping the public onside while you take the time to do it.
Been thinking the same, the challenge here isn't wanting to build, it's taking the time and money to create the capacity to build.
And of course, the challenge there is keeping the public onside while you take the time to do it.
On one hand, yes. But on the other, we gotta imagine stuff before we can bring it into existence.
If we want a brighter future, we gotta discuss how to get there.
If we want a brighter future, we gotta discuss how to get there.
October 28, 2025 at 3:14 AM
On one hand, yes. But on the other, we gotta imagine stuff before we can bring it into existence.
If we want a brighter future, we gotta discuss how to get there.
If we want a brighter future, we gotta discuss how to get there.
ourworldindata.org/data-insight...
"Costs have fallen by around 20% every time the global cumulative capacity doubles. Over four decades, solar power has transformed from one of the most expensive electricity sources to the cheapest in many countries."
Now is good. Decades go was less feasible.
"Costs have fallen by around 20% every time the global cumulative capacity doubles. Over four decades, solar power has transformed from one of the most expensive electricity sources to the cheapest in many countries."
Now is good. Decades go was less feasible.
Solar panel prices have fallen by around 20% every time global capacity doubled
One of the most transformative changes in technology over the last few decades has been the massive drop in the cost of clean energy. Solar photovoltaic costs have fallen by 90% in the last decade, on...
ourworldindata.org
October 27, 2025 at 8:33 PM
ourworldindata.org/data-insight...
"Costs have fallen by around 20% every time the global cumulative capacity doubles. Over four decades, solar power has transformed from one of the most expensive electricity sources to the cheapest in many countries."
Now is good. Decades go was less feasible.
"Costs have fallen by around 20% every time the global cumulative capacity doubles. Over four decades, solar power has transformed from one of the most expensive electricity sources to the cheapest in many countries."
Now is good. Decades go was less feasible.
i tend to see this similarly to people making claims about government being bad, or regulation being bad
ai (or gov, or regs) are not good or bad in and of themselves, but they can be done in a way that is better or worse
ai (or gov, or regs) are not good or bad in and of themselves, but they can be done in a way that is better or worse
October 27, 2025 at 8:30 PM
i tend to see this similarly to people making claims about government being bad, or regulation being bad
ai (or gov, or regs) are not good or bad in and of themselves, but they can be done in a way that is better or worse
ai (or gov, or regs) are not good or bad in and of themselves, but they can be done in a way that is better or worse
That is definitely true from a rational perspective, but we don't always make judgments rationally. We also use intuition. And it's our intuition that's leading us astray in this context.
October 14, 2025 at 11:56 AM
That is definitely true from a rational perspective, but we don't always make judgments rationally. We also use intuition. And it's our intuition that's leading us astray in this context.
Notebook LM is a tool where you could add all the papers you're reviewing, ask questions about them, and the AI won't draw from anything else but the papers you've added.
Other models will pull stuff from the web and add it in, even if you ask it not to.
Other models will pull stuff from the web and add it in, even if you ask it not to.
October 13, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Notebook LM is a tool where you could add all the papers you're reviewing, ask questions about them, and the AI won't draw from anything else but the papers you've added.
Other models will pull stuff from the web and add it in, even if you ask it not to.
Other models will pull stuff from the web and add it in, even if you ask it not to.
Yeah, we look for signifiers that the other party knows what they're talking about, and LLMs can mimic the context you're used to operating in, which gives you a false sense of confidence.
Judging LLM output is quite different to human output.
Judging LLM output is quite different to human output.
October 13, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Yeah, we look for signifiers that the other party knows what they're talking about, and LLMs can mimic the context you're used to operating in, which gives you a false sense of confidence.
Judging LLM output is quite different to human output.
Judging LLM output is quite different to human output.
I think calling them crypto libertarians takes a lot away from them, given how socially minded they are.
They didn't exactly set out to court this current user base, but welcomed them with open arms when they came.
Of course, then discovered that bad faith/context collapse isn't politically coded.
They didn't exactly set out to court this current user base, but welcomed them with open arms when they came.
Of course, then discovered that bad faith/context collapse isn't politically coded.
October 11, 2025 at 11:10 PM
I think calling them crypto libertarians takes a lot away from them, given how socially minded they are.
They didn't exactly set out to court this current user base, but welcomed them with open arms when they came.
Of course, then discovered that bad faith/context collapse isn't politically coded.
They didn't exactly set out to court this current user base, but welcomed them with open arms when they came.
Of course, then discovered that bad faith/context collapse isn't politically coded.