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GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 1h

Far nicer to drive, better looking, more comfortable & similar levels of practicality. Double-cab utes have relatively small rear trays and high sills.

A big saloon like a 7-series has a huge boot. You can expand its capacity with a trailer, bike rack, roof rack etc for those occasional loads.

GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 4h

People do what's easiest. I use an e-bike for >95% of urban journeys because it is quicker and more convenient than any other mode.

Encouragement of self-sacrifice does not work at a population level. People will walk cycle and use public transport if doing so makes sense. Invest accordingly!

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GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 12h

Bravo! Car inflation really has got out of hand.

Cars that were "big" in the 1990s, like this BMW 740i, look small next to a double-cab ute (a depressingly popular type of vehicle here in New Zealand).

BMW E32 740i parked alongside a Mitsubishi double-cab ute in Coromandel Town, NZ

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GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 12h

See also: the only patent Nose Machine. Improve ugly noses of all kinds.

GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 12h

I love old ads. The products change but the basic premise stays the same.

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Richard Smyth @rsmythfreelance.bsky.social · 1d

Some enticing ads from a century ago.

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Matthew Lewis is ready for progressive federalism @mateosfo.bsky.social · 1d

I am becoming convinced that autonomous vehicles are designed to solve the problem of "I live in a wealthy suburb but have a horrible car commute and don't want to drive anymore but also hate trains and buses and refuse to ride a bike."

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Foxy @foxylustygrover.bsky.social · 22h

It's almost like climate change is costing us money #NZPol

RNZ News Feeds @rnzrss.bsky.social · 1d

Fixing storm-damaged roads in Ruapehu could cost millions

The district, as well as areas like Waitomo and Awakino, are in clean-up mode.

www.rnz.co.nz

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The Rest Is Politics @therestpolitics.bsky.social · 1d

We see you Zack Polanski 👀

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GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 15h

The podcast 'Behind the Bastards' is frequently fascinating.

The most reliably fascinating episodes are the ones that look at business.

'How Cigarettes Invented Everything' is an excellent example:

spotify.link/i4Hd8xKtvXb

▪︎ Advertising
▪︎ Trading cards
▪︎ Mass production
▪︎ Multinationals
▪︎ Brands

Print ad for Admiral cigarettes from about 1900.

Old packets of cigarettes (various brands).

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Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 1d

Finally. Let’s start holding Farage to account for the relentless shitshow that is Brexit.
Because..
“What could be more elementary than asking voters to judge a candidate on their previous assurances? What more basic function of democracy could we ask for?”
liveapp.inews.co.uk/category/398...

Labour admits Brexit was terrible. Now it’s time to act

For years now, the economic situation facing this country has been buried in the small print

liveapp.inews.co.uk

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Darin K @darink.bsky.social · 3d

This is an AMAZING listen btw, so fun youtu.be/vFcD19SeWac?...

HOME ALONE (1990) - Commentary by Macaulay Culkin & Chris Columbus

YouTube video by M.B. Archives

youtu.be

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GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 3d

Here's a joyful 45 minutes of BBC from 1994.

Sales reps zooming up and down Britain in their company Cavaliers, Astras, Fiestas and a Mercedes-Benz E-class (following promotion to management).

The nuanced anthropology of 90s UK car culture.

Recommended in @economist.com

youtu.be/Dh359S3Eg1U?...

1994: SECRETS of the COMPANY CAR MEN | From A to B: Tales of Modern Motoring | BBC Archive

YouTube video by BBC Archive

youtu.be

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Peter Stefanovic @peterstefanovic.bsky.social · 2d

I’m glad we can now talk about Brexit damage, says Wes Streeting

The Prime Minister is gearing up to blame Nigel Farage and Brexit for Britain’s expected downturn in productivity at the November Budget

It’s about time

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

I’m glad we can now talk about Brexit damage, says Wes Streeting

The prime minister is gearing up to blame Nigel Farage and Brexit for Britain’s expected downturn in productivity at the November Budget

www.independent.co.uk

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GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 2d

YES! I feel the same about 'No Limit' by 2 Unlimited...and almost anything by Scooter 😁

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Reuters @reuters.com · 3d

BREAKING: Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt win the 2025 Nobel Prize in economics for having explained innovation-driven economic growth, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said reut.rs/4olW4bE

Mokyr, Aghion and Howitt win 2025 Nobel economics prize

Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt won the 2025 Nobel economics prize for "having explained innovation-driven economic growth", the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said on Monday.

reut.rs

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GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 3d

Here's a joyful 45 minutes of BBC from 1994.

Sales reps zooming up and down Britain in their company Cavaliers, Astras, Fiestas and a Mercedes-Benz E-class (following promotion to management).

The nuanced anthropology of 90s UK car culture.

Recommended in @economist.com

youtu.be/Dh359S3Eg1U?...

1994: SECRETS of the COMPANY CAR MEN | From A to B: Tales of Modern Motoring | BBC Archive

YouTube video by BBC Archive

youtu.be

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GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 3d

Last week I reached the semi-finals of New Zealand Raw Comedy, the national competition for new comedians.

This is absolutely not my full-time job; it's a hobby & a v. enjoyable one too.

The best bit? You can learn to tell jokes right here in Auckland: Give it a go!

www.nzcomedyschool.com/enroll

GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 3d

Karanga-a-Hape station has operational passenger information displays (PIDs). Suddenly City Rail Link looks very real.

Also good to see new public realm underway in Mercury Lane.

The original CRL plan reinstated southbound through-traffic right outside a 🚇 station entrance :(

This is better.#CRL

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Idiot/Savant @norightturnnz.bsky.social · 3d

Sounds like an excellent place to get react quotes to National's weakening of methane targets.

The Press @thepress.co.nz · 4d

Hundreds of scientists and global leaders are converging on Christchurch for the world's largest and most influential climate adaptation gathering.

Global leaders, scientists gather for NZ's largest ever climate event

Hundreds of scientists and global leaders are converging on Christchurch for the world's largest and most influential climate adaptation gathering.

dlvr.it

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Kirsty Johnston @kirstyjohnston.bsky.social · 3d

I thought I’d have a go at answering the question: what’s the flow on effect on emissions budgets from the methane cuts?

The answer was worse than I had anticipated

www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...

Scientists fear weaker methane target signals wider retreat from climate action

After cutting methane targets, New Zealand has a choice: shoulder the burden at huge cost - or cause more warming to the planet.

www.rnz.co.nz

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GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 3d

I shall!

GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 3d

If you like this post, please do listen to Bowie's fabbo song.

And...while you're there, listen to 'Sunmachine' by Dario G, which is I *also* thought was about a gigantic "Sound Machine".

open.spotify.com/album/0anIAS...

Imagine a vast ghetto blaster with a DJ booth where the tapedeck would be.

Sunmachine (25th Anniversary Edition)

open.spotify.com

GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 3d

The persistence of misheard lyrics is incredible.

For 20+ years, I thought that David Bowie sang (in 'Memories of a Free Festival'):

"The sound machine is coming down,
And we're gonna have a party" 🥳

I imagined a huge fluoro ghetto blaster descending into a park.

It's *actually* the SUN MACHINE🤦‍♂️

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Dustin Moskovitz @moskov.goodventures.org · 17d

This shouldn't need to be said, but coal is failing in the year 2025 because it is more expensive than alternative solutions. You can't polish this lump.

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