George Moon
@georgemoon.com
usually doing something involving tech, nature, biodiversity, geography, open source and kea 🦜
🌈 NZer 🥝 living in France 🥖
https://georgemoon.com
🌈 NZer 🥝 living in France 🥖
https://georgemoon.com
Reposted by George Moon
"AI is the asbestos in the walls of our technological society, stuffed there with wild abandon by a finance sector and tech monopolists run amok. We will be excavating it for a generation or more."
This piece on AI by Cory Doctorow is spectactular.
pluralistic.net/2025/12/05/p...
This piece on AI by Cory Doctorow is spectactular.
pluralistic.net/2025/12/05/p...
December 9, 2025 at 2:58 PM
"AI is the asbestos in the walls of our technological society, stuffed there with wild abandon by a finance sector and tech monopolists run amok. We will be excavating it for a generation or more."
This piece on AI by Cory Doctorow is spectactular.
pluralistic.net/2025/12/05/p...
This piece on AI by Cory Doctorow is spectactular.
pluralistic.net/2025/12/05/p...
Reposted by George Moon
do you ever stop and wonder why humans will rapidly spend trillions to expedite AI - a technology that basically no one needs or asked for...
while doing next to nothing to mitigate climate change.
while doing next to nothing to mitigate climate change.
December 4, 2025 at 8:05 AM
do you ever stop and wonder why humans will rapidly spend trillions to expedite AI - a technology that basically no one needs or asked for...
while doing next to nothing to mitigate climate change.
while doing next to nothing to mitigate climate change.
Reposted by George Moon
Librarians told 404 Media they're being inundated with new pitches for AI library tech and catalogs are being flooded with AI slop books.
But more broadly, AI maximalism across society is supercharging the ideological war on libraries, schools, government workers, and academics.
But more broadly, AI maximalism across society is supercharging the ideological war on libraries, schools, government workers, and academics.
AI Is Supercharging the War on Libraries, Education, and Human Knowledge
"Fascism and AI, whether or not they have the same goals, they sure are working to accelerate one another."
www.404media.co
November 6, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Librarians told 404 Media they're being inundated with new pitches for AI library tech and catalogs are being flooded with AI slop books.
But more broadly, AI maximalism across society is supercharging the ideological war on libraries, schools, government workers, and academics.
But more broadly, AI maximalism across society is supercharging the ideological war on libraries, schools, government workers, and academics.
Reposted by George Moon
The AI industry wants us to believe AI superintelligence is the real threat from generative AI.
But that narrative was crafted to distract from the many ways genAI is being used to tear our societies apart, as we saw this week when a deepfake video rocked the Irish election. It must be reined in.
But that narrative was crafted to distract from the many ways genAI is being used to tear our societies apart, as we saw this week when a deepfake video rocked the Irish election. It must be reined in.
Generative AI is a societal disaster
Governments are deluding themselves into believing investment justifies allowing AI to upend society
disconnect.blog
October 24, 2025 at 10:12 AM
The AI industry wants us to believe AI superintelligence is the real threat from generative AI.
But that narrative was crafted to distract from the many ways genAI is being used to tear our societies apart, as we saw this week when a deepfake video rocked the Irish election. It must be reined in.
But that narrative was crafted to distract from the many ways genAI is being used to tear our societies apart, as we saw this week when a deepfake video rocked the Irish election. It must be reined in.
Reposted by George Moon
I would laugh if this wasn't so true 😭
October 19, 2025 at 11:42 AM
I would laugh if this wasn't so true 😭
Reposted by George Moon
Revisiting the "dead internet" theory www.popularmechanics.com/science/a659...
The Internet Will Be More Dead Than Alive Within 3 Years, Trend Shows
All signs point to a future internet where bot-driven interactions far outnumber human ones.
www.popularmechanics.com
September 15, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Revisiting the "dead internet" theory www.popularmechanics.com/science/a659...
Reposted by George Moon
Le président qui se disait ni de gauche ni de droite nomme un septième Premier ministre de droite www.legorafi.fr/2025/09/10/l...
Le président qui se disait ni de gauche ni de droite nomme un septième Premier ministre de droite
Le président de la république qui a maintes fois répété qu’il n’était ni de gauche ni de droite a procédé hier à la nomination de son septième Premier ministre de droite.
www.legorafi.fr
September 10, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Le président qui se disait ni de gauche ni de droite nomme un septième Premier ministre de droite www.legorafi.fr/2025/09/10/l...
Reposted by George Moon
“A graduate starting salary is now between $50,000 and $60,000 pa. if you can get a job. That house is now over 35 times that starting salary.“
Article by Dr. Rod Carr, former chair Climate Change Commission.
Article by Dr. Rod Carr, former chair Climate Change Commission.
Housing affordability: a crisis of our own making
OPINION: Our generation broke the market for owner-occupiers by preferencing residential property over other investments in our tax system.
www.thepost.co.nz
August 23, 2025 at 9:13 PM
“A graduate starting salary is now between $50,000 and $60,000 pa. if you can get a job. That house is now over 35 times that starting salary.“
Article by Dr. Rod Carr, former chair Climate Change Commission.
Article by Dr. Rod Carr, former chair Climate Change Commission.
Reposted by George Moon
"It is time to stop pretending that we are just one more model away from magic. We are not. The magic trick is over. The rabbit is not coming out of the hat."
codemanship.wordpress.com/2025/08/08/t...
codemanship.wordpress.com/2025/08/08/t...
The LLM In The Room: ChatGPT Speaks
With the long-awaited and much anticipated launch yesterday of the mythical GPT-5, and observing the widespread disappointment that it isn’t just not the superintelligence we were promised, b…
codemanship.wordpress.com
August 8, 2025 at 6:37 AM
"It is time to stop pretending that we are just one more model away from magic. We are not. The magic trick is over. The rabbit is not coming out of the hat."
codemanship.wordpress.com/2025/08/08/t...
codemanship.wordpress.com/2025/08/08/t...
Reposted by George Moon
I do sometimes complain about New Zealand feeling boring but it has its upsides.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/08/05/p...
newsroom.co.nz/2025/08/05/p...
Police fired their guns just three times last year
New data shows police are drawing their weapons more frequently than in the past, even as firearm and Taser discharges remain rare
newsroom.co.nz
August 6, 2025 at 5:53 AM
I do sometimes complain about New Zealand feeling boring but it has its upsides.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/08/05/p...
newsroom.co.nz/2025/08/05/p...
Reposted by George Moon
Though difficult to read, this is an absolutely fascinating analysis into the extent of Better Wellington's negative campaigning techniques and the impact that they, and others, had on my mayoralty.
Thank you @sanjanah.bsky.social #nzpol
sanjanah.wordpress.com/2025/07/12/b...
Thank you @sanjanah.bsky.social #nzpol
sanjanah.wordpress.com/2025/07/12/b...
Better Wellington: Analysis of tweets, and tactics
Better Wellington’s tweets, which can be understood as the instrumentalisation of the platform for partisan gain, reveals a profound transformation in the nature of political entrepreneurship itsel…
sanjanah.wordpress.com
July 12, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Though difficult to read, this is an absolutely fascinating analysis into the extent of Better Wellington's negative campaigning techniques and the impact that they, and others, had on my mayoralty.
Thank you @sanjanah.bsky.social #nzpol
sanjanah.wordpress.com/2025/07/12/b...
Thank you @sanjanah.bsky.social #nzpol
sanjanah.wordpress.com/2025/07/12/b...
Reposted by George Moon
"Fundamental" truths about software:
- Code is liability
- The more code you have, the more bugs you tend to have
- The more complex a system, the more important architecture becomes
- Writing maintainable code is a lot more effort than just getting it to work
- Code is liability
- The more code you have, the more bugs you tend to have
- The more complex a system, the more important architecture becomes
- Writing maintainable code is a lot more effort than just getting it to work
July 8, 2025 at 11:59 AM
"Fundamental" truths about software:
- Code is liability
- The more code you have, the more bugs you tend to have
- The more complex a system, the more important architecture becomes
- Writing maintainable code is a lot more effort than just getting it to work
- Code is liability
- The more code you have, the more bugs you tend to have
- The more complex a system, the more important architecture becomes
- Writing maintainable code is a lot more effort than just getting it to work
Reposted by George Moon
“Once again, Meta has blatantly disregarded the requirement to obtain informed user consent before collecting and combining personal information from different sources.” www.zeropartydata.es/p/localhost-...
“Localhost tracking” explained. It could cost Meta 32 billion.
You just can't finish off Zuckerberg.
www.zeropartydata.es
June 11, 2025 at 10:24 AM
“Once again, Meta has blatantly disregarded the requirement to obtain informed user consent before collecting and combining personal information from different sources.” www.zeropartydata.es/p/localhost-...
Reposted by George Moon
Time to post it again.
May 28, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Time to post it again.
Reposted by George Moon
Full blog - you should *absolutely* read it deplet.ing/the-copilot-...
I also find these AI tools helpful when it’s doing the routine task I’ve done many times and can do it with eyes closed
But… it’s not helpful when I want to build something GREAT that is elegant, and better than before
I also find these AI tools helpful when it’s doing the routine task I’ve done many times and can do it with eyes closed
But… it’s not helpful when I want to build something GREAT that is elegant, and better than before
The Copilot Delusion
Disclaimer: This post was written May 2025, and the arguments apply to AI code capabilities at this time. The arguments around lack of competence are certainly likely to become less prevalent-while th...
deplet.ing
May 25, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Full blog - you should *absolutely* read it deplet.ing/the-copilot-...
I also find these AI tools helpful when it’s doing the routine task I’ve done many times and can do it with eyes closed
But… it’s not helpful when I want to build something GREAT that is elegant, and better than before
I also find these AI tools helpful when it’s doing the routine task I’ve done many times and can do it with eyes closed
But… it’s not helpful when I want to build something GREAT that is elegant, and better than before
Reposted by George Moon
“The patchy public transport, even in cities, and car-centric culture have also been cited as barriers by people I’ve spoken to.
Access to culture and entertainment is also limited.”
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Access to culture and entertainment is also limited.”
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Brits are shocked I’ve chosen Norwich over New Zealand – but there are reasons so many Kiwis are leaving | Elle Hunt
Despite the food and scenery, on a visit home this year I was struck by the many drawbacks, from housing to transport, says freelance journalist Elle Hunt
www.theguardian.com
May 16, 2025 at 8:47 PM
“The patchy public transport, even in cities, and car-centric culture have also been cited as barriers by people I’ve spoken to.
Access to culture and entertainment is also limited.”
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Access to culture and entertainment is also limited.”
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by George Moon
"I felt the slow loss of competence over time when I relied on [AI], and I recommend everyone to be cautious with making AI a key part of their workflow.[...]When you are using AI, you are sacrificing knowledge for speed."
Why I stopped using AI code editors
Why I stopped using AI code editors
April 4, 2025 at 10:00 AM
"I felt the slow loss of competence over time when I relied on [AI], and I recommend everyone to be cautious with making AI a key part of their workflow.[...]When you are using AI, you are sacrificing knowledge for speed."
Why I stopped using AI code editors
Why I stopped using AI code editors
Reposted by George Moon
The hoodie is a work-from-home security blanket. But in the office, it’s a trap.
It Might Be Time to Ditch Your Emotional Support Hoodie
The hoodie is a work-from-home security blanket. But in the office, it’s a trap.
wrd.cm
April 3, 2025 at 2:06 PM
The hoodie is a work-from-home security blanket. But in the office, it’s a trap.
Reposted by George Moon
I am reminded it has recently been the five year anniversary of Peanut Slab icecream bars.
March 20, 2025 at 11:17 PM
I am reminded it has recently been the five year anniversary of Peanut Slab icecream bars.
Reposted by George Moon
Here a wee thread for Ōtautahi people or people who grew up here before the quakes. It’s from an exhibition of miniature buildings by an artist called Ghostcat and it was held in the quakestruck Christ Church Cathedral and I was literally moved to tears. This is the old police kiosk in the Square.
March 21, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Here a wee thread for Ōtautahi people or people who grew up here before the quakes. It’s from an exhibition of miniature buildings by an artist called Ghostcat and it was held in the quakestruck Christ Church Cathedral and I was literally moved to tears. This is the old police kiosk in the Square.
Reposted by George Moon
Elon Musk’s DOGE is tearing through the US government with disastrous consequences.
But beyond its borders, the extreme right is gearing up to push their own DOGE-inspired austerity campaigns in countries around the world.
But beyond its borders, the extreme right is gearing up to push their own DOGE-inspired austerity campaigns in countries around the world.
DOGE is going global. It needs to be stopped.
The extreme right is organizing for a new austerity campaign modeled on Elon Musk’s destructive efforts
www.disconnect.blog
March 19, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Elon Musk’s DOGE is tearing through the US government with disastrous consequences.
But beyond its borders, the extreme right is gearing up to push their own DOGE-inspired austerity campaigns in countries around the world.
But beyond its borders, the extreme right is gearing up to push their own DOGE-inspired austerity campaigns in countries around the world.
Reposted by George Moon
Aotearoa hasn’t had the data of its police officers hacked (yet), but otherwise it seems like you could replace every instance of ‘the Netherlands’ in this article with ‘New Zealand’.
Perhaps Guyon Espiner could turn his eye to whether our agencies have assessed the risk
ioplus.nl/en/posts/tru...
Perhaps Guyon Espiner could turn his eye to whether our agencies have assessed the risk
ioplus.nl/en/posts/tru...
Trump has free rein over Dutch government data
The Netherlands relies heavily on American IT service providers such as Microsoft, Google and Amazon for the storage of government data.
ioplus.nl
February 16, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Aotearoa hasn’t had the data of its police officers hacked (yet), but otherwise it seems like you could replace every instance of ‘the Netherlands’ in this article with ‘New Zealand’.
Perhaps Guyon Espiner could turn his eye to whether our agencies have assessed the risk
ioplus.nl/en/posts/tru...
Perhaps Guyon Espiner could turn his eye to whether our agencies have assessed the risk
ioplus.nl/en/posts/tru...
Reposted by George Moon
Debating reactionaries is *never* a good idea
You might win on 'facts', but you'll always lose politically: they are not arguing in good faith, they want their ideas to become seen as acceptable in public discourse
And by debating them, you're giving them what they want
It really is that simple
You might win on 'facts', but you'll always lose politically: they are not arguing in good faith, they want their ideas to become seen as acceptable in public discourse
And by debating them, you're giving them what they want
It really is that simple
February 16, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Debating reactionaries is *never* a good idea
You might win on 'facts', but you'll always lose politically: they are not arguing in good faith, they want their ideas to become seen as acceptable in public discourse
And by debating them, you're giving them what they want
It really is that simple
You might win on 'facts', but you'll always lose politically: they are not arguing in good faith, they want their ideas to become seen as acceptable in public discourse
And by debating them, you're giving them what they want
It really is that simple
Reposted by George Moon
Here is Justin Tipa’s powerful speech at Ōnuku today, a profound challenge to national leadership, a scathing attack on the ideological extremism of Act it also offers a path for unity - it received a standing ovation: ‘We are not the Radicals’ ngaitahu.iwi.nz/connect-2/co...
Ngāi Tahu Kaiwhakahaere Justin Tipa Hui Whakaū I Te Tiriti ki Ōnuku Waitangi Day 2025 Commemoration Speech
ngaitahu.iwi.nz
February 6, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Here is Justin Tipa’s powerful speech at Ōnuku today, a profound challenge to national leadership, a scathing attack on the ideological extremism of Act it also offers a path for unity - it received a standing ovation: ‘We are not the Radicals’ ngaitahu.iwi.nz/connect-2/co...