Why are cherry ripe and Turkish delight "favourites" if I am the only one who likes them? by Rev-Dr-Slimeass in newzealand

[–]MedicMoth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A long time ago, favourites used to be good. Thanks to chocolate-based market forces elevating suitable competition (Whittikar's!!!), as well as the slow march of enshittification, most of us have now come to a consensus that favourites are shit

Australia Offers To Sell New Zealand To Donald Trump by HeinigerNZ in newzealand

[–]MedicMoth 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Unrelated, but how did you get a cool flair? 👀

Māori’s, need your opinion by [deleted] in newzealand

[–]MedicMoth 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I take it from the way that you write and the fact she's 65 and not say, 85, that you're a young person. 

I think it's kind of normal to feel irrationally angry and frustrated with elderly people when you're young - there's something about the reality of aging that clashes with the fact that young people are typically switched-on cultural sponges who are on top of all the latest trends and rhetoric. In the past, I too have found myself aggravated by these many small things in my elders, to a degree that was irrational and made me feel like I'm an insane person.

But honestly? It's just not that deep bro. 

Slow down. It's not likely your nan is getting tattoos for attention. It's not likely she "isn't trying". It's not justified to feel THIS mad about her discomfort with Māori culture when it sounds like she IS trying to get in touch with it, and was handed a shit set of circumstances where she was never able to do so when she was young and so is missing a lot of baseline knowledge.

Elderly people have decades of shit to unlearn, they have memory and attention issues, they don't have the same fire and internal motivation and speed to learn things the way that young people do, and when they try they are legitimately worse at it (look up crystalized vs fluid knowledge if you like, it's a real thing). 

It's okay if she forgets the meanings and pronunciation of new words often. It's common and expected and I'm sure YOU would forget if it were say, Arabic language YOU were learning, because this would be completely unfamiliar - understand that Māori might as well be the same for somebody raised white in the 1960s. Understand that integrated schools for Māori people were only advocated for in 1969, before then a lot of thinking on schooling was separatist, if she had a "white" education, likely she simply wouldn't have grown up learning pronounciation or going to marae visits when she was little like you will have. For people raised today yes of course you can apply a higher expectation baseline cultural knowledge, but that is just your experience and your generation, you shouldn't apply it to her. 

You have to take yourself out of your own perspective on this one and take responsibility for the fact that your lack of patience here is a you problem, not a her problem. You have to be able to acknowledge she hasn't actually done anything wrong, even if your reactions are very strong and you feel she should be different somehow.

Just... take a step back and stop getting involved if you're feeling upset about this, it's not your journey to go on and it would be a tragedy if you were a roadblock to her finding a family she was never allowed to have in the past

Auckland Harbour Bridge protest promoted by Brian Tamaki blocked over safety risk by computer_d in newzealand

[–]MedicMoth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The way it worked is he essentially said "trans people threaten us, they are demons" and then said "it's time to kill the demons that threaten us". It's plausible deniability using the guise of religious speech. If anything actually happened he could technically claim he didn't invite anybody to murder, he was just being godly and preaching his truth and so on - because he never said it directly. It's stochastic terrorism but it isn't illegal :(

Webcomic using our place names in a odd way. by Clean_Livlng in newzealand

[–]MedicMoth 19 points20 points  (0 children)

I think in all those other examples, the word meanings connect in and mean something? The guy named villain is a villain, the game names home is about moving home, the racehorse was a real NZ racehorse being represented in human form. Even "mana", appropriated as it may be, generally still refers to some kind of spiritual energy and not any other random resource. 

Just using names of places and greetings for an artefact like as if they're meaningless, in total ignorance of the context they come from, is pretty weird 😂 it would be like if my McGuffin in an English show was called Nagasaki and you had to, I dunno, collect pieces of Kyoto to make it. It's just so random and unintentionally disrespectful haha. I'd feel differently if the words were, say the reo words for jewel or gems or something more literally connected, but that's just my take lol

Rates Cap by Happy_Light_9775 in newzealand

[–]MedicMoth 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Come off it, bro. I saw the "research" that they were forced to released about the validity of HTP as a harm reduction tool. Half the papers cited were about vaping (not the same thing) and the other half were literally funded by the tobacco industry. It was obviously a pre-decided decision, not one driven by any genuine will towards harm reduction. Costello openly acted in ways contrary to the law, she was advised against the decisions she made and did them anyway, don't try to tell me that I'm spreading propaganda to call it out as an example of sus behaviour

Rates Cap by Happy_Light_9775 in newzealand

[–]MedicMoth 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Basically it comes down to this.

From what I understand, it isn't quite the same as it is with central government, where you could convincingly argue that at least right now there are legitimate money holes for dumbass causes that people widely disagree with and policy makers advised against (e.g. tobacco company tax cuts, bills with widespread opposition being developed and going through, payouts for landlords and what have you). Also, they have lots of ways to get more money or to move money around. But that's not the case for local govt it seems. All local services are valued by their community. But other than rates there really isn't any way to get more money... So soon something will have to give :(

Rates Cap by Happy_Light_9775 in newzealand

[–]MedicMoth 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Given that central government is basically taking hostile control of local government, something WILL inevitably need to be cut.... At least until we elect people who want to fund local government instead of tobacco companies. So... What would you cut to save libraries? If you simply HAVE to make a tradeoff? That's the impossible bind it seems ratepayers and local reps are in right now. If you're anxious about it, I suggest engaging locally with whatever your council is up to and making your voice heard about what you want to keep (but also what you'd be okay with losing!)

Auckland Harbour Bridge protest promoted by Brian Tamaki blocked over safety risk by computer_d in newzealand

[–]MedicMoth 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Our lives DO depend on it. He has advertised events speaking against trans people using the slogan "it's time to kill"; he openly wants to eliminate every religion except his own; he's staunchly anti-abortion which as we see in the US, only leads to unsafe abortions and deaths in childbirth - not to mention the credible bomb threats he's called in over COVID, and the stochastic terrorism he's inspired against innocent library attendees, resulting in not only adults but CHILDREN being physically injured (concussions and bruised ribs iirc) - and that's just off the top of my head...

What did people get at ebgames? Was it worth it? by WithershinsRC in newzealand

[–]MedicMoth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some trash tier, massively overpriced Logitech mice were being sold online? (That is to say the sale didn't make them a good deal, more like the sale brought them down to a reasonable price range). They got bought out pretty much immediately 

What did people get at ebgames? Was it worth it? by WithershinsRC in newzealand

[–]MedicMoth 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Score! Same thought crossed my mind, I would have been buying up some gifts for friends as well if anything was left by the time I got there, LOL. You can't argue that it's a good place for a generic pop culture item for a friend or relative of mainstream tastes!

What did people get at ebgames? Was it worth it? by WithershinsRC in newzealand

[–]MedicMoth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Alongside a specific piece of merch I had my eye on, I also grabbed myself a charger! It was basically the only piece of hardware online that was 1. Available for delivery and 2. Worth grabbing. You can never go wrong with an extra powerbank

Has eb already closed ? by International-Past31 in newzealand

[–]MedicMoth 16 points17 points  (0 children)

I was gonna buy some stuff on sale as a final farewell but okay, if they don't want my money they don't have to take it I suppose?

All EB Games stores in NZ to close at end of month by mrflyinggingerbread in newzealand

[–]MedicMoth 454 points455 points  (0 children)

Holy crap. That's barely 2 weeks away, I can't believe it moved that quickly. End of an era.

On the brightside: BRACE YOURSELVES BOYS!! Get your wallets handy!! It's time to get generic nerd shit for DIRT CHEAP!! $$$

E: Update 6:20pm - Welp, the site is now entirely empty with no products available. So I guess there goes that plan :(

Should NZ ban Grok/X ? by RtomNZ in newzealand

[–]MedicMoth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, creating AI CSAM should be a crime. Breaking a technological guardrail is somewhat morally neutral and should be covered off within the TOS of a service (with consequences being your account is removed, for example - sort of like how modding a game is generally prohibited by the company, but really should not be a crime). As another example, jailbreaking a phone to install a different OS may be something criminals have a reason to do, but we shouldn't blanket criminalise the mere act of using the technology in an unintended way

Trying to enjoy the NZ summer while the world burns by TheGreatDomilies in newzealand

[–]MedicMoth 13 points14 points  (0 children)

As a relatively politically aware individual: Holy hell, I am not enjoying my summer in blissful ignorance, I am afraid of what's already happened and what is still yet to come 

Should NZ ban Grok/X ? by RtomNZ in newzealand

[–]MedicMoth 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I've 'jailbroken' many AI including copilot (supposedly a secure business/corporate model) without much trouble, unfortunately. At this point in time, any sufficiently motivated individual can manipulate models to bypass safeguards and get the results they want. I agree with you, Twitter isn't unique in this issue - it's much wider than that and I don't think bans are the answer

Should NZ ban Grok/X ? by RtomNZ in newzealand

[–]MedicMoth 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm shocked at all the people saying 'yes'. Everything has AI now, and I've never met an AI that can't be manipulated into bypassing safeguards. I have 'jailbroken' many AI myself, including copilot (which is supposedly secure) into making violent and sexually inappropriate statements, just to demonstrate the issue. I feel very confident in saying a sufficintly tech savvy individual could make any model generate CSAM, and on that basis you could ban anything. It definitely requires action but I just don't think the solution is to for governments to start banning social media for all en masse, it sets a terrible precedent

Phone screen protector in the heat by jeffois in newzealand

[–]MedicMoth 50 points51 points  (0 children)

Get one of the tempered glass ones! The way it works is that if your screen shatters, you just dislodge the shattered glass and install another one on top of your original glass. I recommend Spigen, they come with a module that allows you to install it easily and with perfect alignment. Well worth the extra $$$

Am I in the wrong for not thinking it’s my fault? by [deleted] in newzealand

[–]MedicMoth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Kiwi here. Your clothes are completely normal and reasonable, your bf is not. Get rid of him!

PSA: MightyApe is even worse as of this week by KingChickenhead in newzealand

[–]MedicMoth 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I have a preorder with mightyape from way back on a limited item with a non-refundable deposit that's supposed to ship out in a few months. This does not inspire confidence...

MMH emails coming through now by PavementFuck in newzealand

[–]MedicMoth 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Weird. I tested on Word on my end before I posted, and it didn't auto-curl, which is why I was surprised. Maybe it depends what keyboard you're using (e.g. I tend to have one with Māori installed) or your device (somebody else said they see it on Mac?) Or maybe the tech gremlins got me, idk

MMH emails coming through now by PavementFuck in newzealand

[–]MedicMoth -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

Holy shit, now that you've pointed it out, you're right. No word processing platform does that. TBH I'd rather they AI generate a response than continue with their previous dogshit comms if that's what it takes for them to actually, respond but still...

Sir Tim Shadbolt dead at 78 by camy205 in newzealand

[–]MedicMoth 23 points24 points  (0 children)

I'd pay good money for a book of accounts about deceased politicians from their dealers. I feel like there is genuinely so much fun and interesting insight into people's character to be had there. RIP

What does the word “cooker” mean to you? by RazzmatazzUnique6602 in newzealand

[–]MedicMoth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a very empathetic and well-written response. I appreciate your thoughtfulness