Opal - Toitū Te Tiriti 🍉
@opaltiger.bsky.social
Libraries, UBI and the commons.
Pinned
On LBC @zoejardiniere.bsky.social lists 3 previous instances where military aircraft have been targeted by campaigners in order to prevent them being used in war crimes, and she describes the govt banning Palestine Action as terrorists as an abuse of state power.
Well said.
Well said.
This is a barn-stormer.
The part about Keir Starmer is boggling.
The part about Keir Starmer is boggling.
What in the AISlop?
Anders "Just a little freshen up" Fogh Rasmussen.
Anders "Just a little freshen up" Fogh Rasmussen.
November 25, 2025 at 5:17 AM
What in the AISlop?
Anders "Just a little freshen up" Fogh Rasmussen.
Anders "Just a little freshen up" Fogh Rasmussen.
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This colonial horror is happening now in Denmark.
Greenlandic families fight to get children back after parenting tests banned
Greenlandic families fight to get children back after parenting tests banned
The Danish government has banned the use of parental competency tests, known as FKUs, on Greenlandic families after decades of criticism.
www.bbc.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:24 AM
This colonial horror is happening now in Denmark.
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The Kamala Harris book is so excruciating
November 24, 2025 at 8:54 PM
The Kamala Harris book is so excruciating
Well of course Deloitte is gonna say that, who is going to end up with all the contracts to do all that work?
No to outsourcing public service knowledge and capacity.
#nzpol
No to outsourcing public service knowledge and capacity.
#nzpol
The report recommends reducing “people managers” by between 69 and 117 heads, or 30% to 50%, in the coming one to three years.
Wellington council overstaffed by 330, new report shows
The review has found the council is significantly overstaffed, contracts are poorly managed, and millions of dollars could be saved through major staffing cuts.
www.thepost.co.nz
November 25, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Well of course Deloitte is gonna say that, who is going to end up with all the contracts to do all that work?
No to outsourcing public service knowledge and capacity.
#nzpol
No to outsourcing public service knowledge and capacity.
#nzpol
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'Duane Leo, from the Public Service Association, labelled the report as “fundamentally flawed” and lacking in depth, rigour “or even a basic understanding of what the council’s role is”.'
The report recommends reducing “people managers” by between 69 and 117 heads, or 30% to 50%, in the coming one to three years.
Wellington council overstaffed by 330, new report shows
The review has found the council is significantly overstaffed, contracts are poorly managed, and millions of dollars could be saved through major staffing cuts.
www.thepost.co.nz
November 25, 2025 at 1:34 AM
'Duane Leo, from the Public Service Association, labelled the report as “fundamentally flawed” and lacking in depth, rigour “or even a basic understanding of what the council’s role is”.'
Beautiful Jimmy Cliff swatting off an ignorant BBC journo in the 1970s
BBC Archive on Instagram: "Reggae legend Jimmy Cliff has died at the age of 81.
In 1973, he explained the uniqueness of reggae and how he could convey serious themes within joyful music.
Interview ...
756 likes, 18 comments - bbc_archive on November 24, 2025: "Reggae legend Jimmy Cliff has died at the age of 81.
In 1973, he explained the uniqueness of reggae and how he could convey serious themes ...
www.instagram.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Beautiful Jimmy Cliff swatting off an ignorant BBC journo in the 1970s
Reposted by Opal - Toitū Te Tiriti 🍉
Reposted by Opal - Toitū Te Tiriti 🍉
I hope all you nzers know that my mum was instrumental in food labelling changes in the 80s. me and my sister were allergic to dairy - the rule then was that if it was under 5% you didn't have to put it on the ingredients list. after 2 anaphylactic shocks and a bunch of phone calls shit got changed
November 24, 2025 at 6:39 PM
I hope all you nzers know that my mum was instrumental in food labelling changes in the 80s. me and my sister were allergic to dairy - the rule then was that if it was under 5% you didn't have to put it on the ingredients list. after 2 anaphylactic shocks and a bunch of phone calls shit got changed
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A captured Government.
Fossil fuel companies were given confidential drafts of legislation during their (successful) two-year campaign to weaken oil and gas regulation and overturn the offshore exploration ban - new reporting from me via the OIA
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
How the oil and gas industry helped rewrite New Zealand’s drilling rules
A paper trail shows just how far ministers went to accommodate the oil and gas industry's wishlist.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 24, 2025 at 8:41 PM
A captured Government.
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“Mother Fletcher carried 111 years of truth, resilience, and grace and was a reminder of how far we’ve come and how far we must still go”
Breaking: Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died. She was 111 years old
Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died
Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died. She was 111 years old.
www.whatimreading.net
November 24, 2025 at 9:08 PM
“Mother Fletcher carried 111 years of truth, resilience, and grace and was a reminder of how far we’ve come and how far we must still go”
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Reposted by Opal - Toitū Te Tiriti 🍉
The UW Center for an Informed Public is looking for postdocs (for 2026-2028) from across diverse disciplines whose research sheds light on the challenges of our modern information environment, promotes civic health, and/or helps people/communities navigate online spaces: apply.interfolio.com/177901
Apply - Interfolio
{{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
apply.interfolio.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:26 PM
The UW Center for an Informed Public is looking for postdocs (for 2026-2028) from across diverse disciplines whose research sheds light on the challenges of our modern information environment, promotes civic health, and/or helps people/communities navigate online spaces: apply.interfolio.com/177901
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I’m a cynic but i do believe relentless economic punishment could be effective if it became a mass movement
In Monrovia, California, protesters are purchasing 17¢ ICE scrapers from Home Depot and immediately returning them to create long lines and slow down the entire store. Their aim is to disrupt sales and convey a message opposing ICE raids occurring in their neighborhood.
November 23, 2025 at 7:59 PM
I’m a cynic but i do believe relentless economic punishment could be effective if it became a mass movement
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It's also vastly easier and cheaper for media outlets to produce culture war content than policy stuff.
With policy, you have to find actual experts that are available and willing, then pray they're good entertaining communicators.
On culture shit, you start with a talking head and work backwards.
With policy, you have to find actual experts that are available and willing, then pray they're good entertaining communicators.
On culture shit, you start with a talking head and work backwards.
This chart (which applies even more to social media than it did to TV) lives in my head rent free.
Social media enveloping traditional media means everything and everyone is now competing in the entertainment market. Boring stuff like policy that affects millions of lives doesn’t stand a chance.
Social media enveloping traditional media means everything and everyone is now competing in the entertainment market. Boring stuff like policy that affects millions of lives doesn’t stand a chance.
November 23, 2025 at 8:37 PM
It's also vastly easier and cheaper for media outlets to produce culture war content than policy stuff.
With policy, you have to find actual experts that are available and willing, then pray they're good entertaining communicators.
On culture shit, you start with a talking head and work backwards.
With policy, you have to find actual experts that are available and willing, then pray they're good entertaining communicators.
On culture shit, you start with a talking head and work backwards.
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You think LLM-based chatbots can help students learn? Think again.
Take a few minutes to listen to Dr. @drtanksley.bsky.social clear explanation why this is very bad, harmful idea, especially for Black students.
#Critical_AI_Literacy
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mtc...
Take a few minutes to listen to Dr. @drtanksley.bsky.social clear explanation why this is very bad, harmful idea, especially for Black students.
#Critical_AI_Literacy
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mtc...
Howard University AI Panel
YouTube video by Tiera Tanksley
www.youtube.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:56 PM
You think LLM-based chatbots can help students learn? Think again.
Take a few minutes to listen to Dr. @drtanksley.bsky.social clear explanation why this is very bad, harmful idea, especially for Black students.
#Critical_AI_Literacy
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mtc...
Take a few minutes to listen to Dr. @drtanksley.bsky.social clear explanation why this is very bad, harmful idea, especially for Black students.
#Critical_AI_Literacy
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mtc...
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Some interesting reading.
www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdi...
www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdi...
RFK Jr. Misled Senators on Measles Deaths, Samoa's Health Chief Says
'It's a total fabrication,' said Alec Ekeroma, MBBS, PhD
www.medpagetoday.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Some interesting reading.
www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdi...
www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdi...
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And if you want a nice Sunday film to watch once you've done the housework, I recommend The Duke, which made me cry, twice
www.imdb.com/title/tt1120...
www.imdb.com/title/tt1120...
The Duke (2020) ⭐ 6.9 | Biography, Comedy, Crime
1h 35m | R
www.imdb.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:49 AM
And if you want a nice Sunday film to watch once you've done the housework, I recommend The Duke, which made me cry, twice
www.imdb.com/title/tt1120...
www.imdb.com/title/tt1120...
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If you want something to listen to while you're doing the housework, I joined Emily Jashinsky of UnHerd and Breaking Points and Astead Herndon of Vox to discuss why democracy is going down the toilet.
whyshoulditrustyou.substack.com/p/is-this-wh...
whyshoulditrustyou.substack.com/p/is-this-wh...
Is This What Epistemic Collapse Looks Like?
This week, we spoke with media thinkers Eliot Higgins of Bellingcat; Emily Jashinsky of UnHerd and Breaking Points and Astead Herndon of Vox about the collapse of our information ecosystem.
whyshoulditrustyou.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:48 AM
If you want something to listen to while you're doing the housework, I joined Emily Jashinsky of UnHerd and Breaking Points and Astead Herndon of Vox to discuss why democracy is going down the toilet.
whyshoulditrustyou.substack.com/p/is-this-wh...
whyshoulditrustyou.substack.com/p/is-this-wh...
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If you're looking for a Sunday morning read, our website team spent a lot of time writing code to make the animations on this article work, so give it a look, will ya?
www.bellingcat.com/news/uk-and-...
www.bellingcat.com/news/uk-and-...
Building on Ruins: The Russification of Mariupol, One Apartment Block at a Time - bellingcat
Bellingcat has identified 23 multi-storey housing complexes being built in occupied Mariupol and advertised for sale to Russian citizens.
www.bellingcat.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:47 AM
If you're looking for a Sunday morning read, our website team spent a lot of time writing code to make the animations on this article work, so give it a look, will ya?
www.bellingcat.com/news/uk-and-...
www.bellingcat.com/news/uk-and-...
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"In a sequel to her influential 'Library as Infrastructure', contributing writer Shannon Mattern delves into the organizing force of libraries at a time when public knowledge is under attack."
placesjournal.org/article/extr... @shannonmattern.bsky.social
placesjournal.org/article/extr... @shannonmattern.bsky.social
Extralibrary Loan: Making the Civic Infrastructure We Need
Amid a war on public knowledge, libraries are pushing outward, enlarging the commons through new configurations of civic and creative life.
placesjournal.org
November 22, 2025 at 5:22 PM
"In a sequel to her influential 'Library as Infrastructure', contributing writer Shannon Mattern delves into the organizing force of libraries at a time when public knowledge is under attack."
placesjournal.org/article/extr... @shannonmattern.bsky.social
placesjournal.org/article/extr... @shannonmattern.bsky.social
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I've been using this slide in library presentations for a decade and a half now. Still more relevant than ever.
October 8, 2025 at 1:46 AM
I've been using this slide in library presentations for a decade and a half now. Still more relevant than ever.
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"It's difficult to think in celebratory terms when I have spent two years seeing what shrapnel does to a child's body. It's difficult to think in celebratory terms when I know that my tax money is doing this."
- Omar El Akkad, winner of the 2025 National Book Award
- Omar El Akkad, winner of the 2025 National Book Award
Omar El Akkad spoke after winning the 2025 National Book Award for nonfiction for “One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This,” his book on the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. He accepted the award at a gala in New York City this week.
November 23, 2025 at 3:11 AM
"It's difficult to think in celebratory terms when I have spent two years seeing what shrapnel does to a child's body. It's difficult to think in celebratory terms when I know that my tax money is doing this."
- Omar El Akkad, winner of the 2025 National Book Award
- Omar El Akkad, winner of the 2025 National Book Award
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I once knew a Federal bank examiner, and one time someone asked him why we had to KEEP inspecting banks over and over. He basically said every new batch of business school grads invents bank fraud from first principles.
AirBnB CEO calling it “vibe revenue” just 👨🍳 😘
The underlying cause of every bubble - debt masquerading as financial innovation - depends on not just short financial memory & speculative neophytism, but reinventing jargon of finance, like how each generation of kids has new ways to say same things.
The underlying cause of every bubble - debt masquerading as financial innovation - depends on not just short financial memory & speculative neophytism, but reinventing jargon of finance, like how each generation of kids has new ways to say same things.
November 22, 2025 at 6:02 PM
I once knew a Federal bank examiner, and one time someone asked him why we had to KEEP inspecting banks over and over. He basically said every new batch of business school grads invents bank fraud from first principles.
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Incredible incompetence.
Confusion reigns as climate minister appears unaware of own announcement newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/21/c...
Confusion reigns as climate minister appears unaware of own announcement newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/21/c...
Confusion reigns as climate minister appears unaware of own announcement
The Govt says it rejected the Climate Change Commission's advice a month ago, but the commission says it hasn't heard anything from the Govt.
newsroom.co.nz
November 22, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Incredible incompetence.
Confusion reigns as climate minister appears unaware of own announcement newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/21/c...
Confusion reigns as climate minister appears unaware of own announcement newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/21/c...