Mike Kilpatrick
@marvingardensnz.bsky.social
Scot in Aotearoa. Funny fucker, prone to cry at random videos. Good company, likes a quiz. Music and book lover too. Occasional poet. Runs so he can eat more. Anti-AI, LLMs. Neo-Luddite. No Nazis/TERFS/billionaires. Plant based. Far left. Toitū Te Tiriti.
Reposted by Mike Kilpatrick
thespinoff.co.nz/books/20-11-... This take is probably old, but I think this conversation would be less heated if these covers (sorry for cursing the timeline) were somehow good and/or the AI use were imperceptible. The fact that they're heinous makes it much easier and more fun to be outraged.
How two AI book covers forced the publishing industry to reckon with its future
A design studio’s use of AI has disqualified two books from the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards 2026.
thespinoff.co.nz
November 26, 2025 at 12:49 AM
thespinoff.co.nz/books/20-11-... This take is probably old, but I think this conversation would be less heated if these covers (sorry for cursing the timeline) were somehow good and/or the AI use were imperceptible. The fact that they're heinous makes it much easier and more fun to be outraged.
Unless your favourite pie is the skirlie pie from Frosty the bakers on Montrose High Street, I can quite confidently declare that your pie reckons are wrong.
November 26, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Unless your favourite pie is the skirlie pie from Frosty the bakers on Montrose High Street, I can quite confidently declare that your pie reckons are wrong.
Reposted by Mike Kilpatrick
Will be shocking if nz first support this. They've been known to enjoy a tug at taxpayer expense
Government to end Cook Strait open ocean tug contract early
Government to end Cook Strait open ocean tug contract early
The government has sunk plans to station an open ocean tug in the strait long term.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 25, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Will be shocking if nz first support this. They've been known to enjoy a tug at taxpayer expense
I have to confess I'm a huge fan of LLMs
LARGE
LOVELY
MARGARITAS
LARGE
LOVELY
MARGARITAS
November 24, 2025 at 10:06 PM
I have to confess I'm a huge fan of LLMs
LARGE
LOVELY
MARGARITAS
LARGE
LOVELY
MARGARITAS
Reposted by Mike Kilpatrick
BusinessNZ on RNZ wanting an honest conversation about the pension based on misinfo. How about an honest conversation with BusinessNZ about the damage they’ve done to working people in NZ by not supporting a Living Wage, Equal pay, Pay Equity, FPAs and rigorous H&S protections. #nzpol 1/2
November 24, 2025 at 7:26 PM
BusinessNZ on RNZ wanting an honest conversation about the pension based on misinfo. How about an honest conversation with BusinessNZ about the damage they’ve done to working people in NZ by not supporting a Living Wage, Equal pay, Pay Equity, FPAs and rigorous H&S protections. #nzpol 1/2
Reposted by Mike Kilpatrick
Trump doesn’t have a clue what AI is. So ask yourselves who does know and want to avoid regulation.
Trump made his latest statement against state-level artificial intelligence regulation Wednesday, days after he said “overregulation by the States” is a threat to AI growth.
Trump Urges Federal AI Regulation—To Combat ‘Woke’ State Laws
Trump made his latest statement against state-level artificial intelligence regulation Wednesday, days after he said “overregulation by the States” is a threat to AI growth.
www.forbes.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Trump doesn’t have a clue what AI is. So ask yourselves who does know and want to avoid regulation.
I was friends with Steff, a fellow Rangers supporter. Absolutely gutted that he's gone. Still can't believe it. 😢
I'm at a library and information event, KohaCon25, and I've just learnt of the death of former NZ Chief Archivist Stephen or Steff Clarke. 😢 Only 55YO but he'd faced health challenges in recent years. Part of his legacy is a blog with info and systems rich posts.
RIP Steff ❤
steffclarke.substack.com
RIP Steff ❤
steffclarke.substack.com
From Here to Ontology | Stephen Clarke | Substack
A view from the edge of AI Governance and Information & Data Management. Stephen Clarke's Personal Professional Substack. Click to read From Here to Ontology, by Stephen Clarke, a Substack publication...
steffclarke.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:17 AM
I was friends with Steff, a fellow Rangers supporter. Absolutely gutted that he's gone. Still can't believe it. 😢
Reposted by Mike Kilpatrick
Contamination of kids' sand products with asbestos has triggered recalls by NZ's government. But while the situation is concerning and the risks associated with asbestos should not be taken lightly, Associate Professor Terri-Ann Berry says not all people exposed will develop cancer.
November 17, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Contamination of kids' sand products with asbestos has triggered recalls by NZ's government. But while the situation is concerning and the risks associated with asbestos should not be taken lightly, Associate Professor Terri-Ann Berry says not all people exposed will develop cancer.
Reposted by Mike Kilpatrick
AI is a fascist technology, soooo, hey, this makes sense
Bob Iger says Disney+ will soon have AI-generated short form content from users
(via THR)
(via THR)
November 13, 2025 at 5:21 PM
AI is a fascist technology, soooo, hey, this makes sense
The very definition of a fragile ego. Jesus. Imagine having to create an AI so that at least there's something that exists in this world that doesn't think you're a cock.
Y’all want to see the saddest shit ever?
Grok: "Elon crafts his own words with clarity and conviction. He dives deep into classics like the Iliad without needing search engines; his library rivals ancient scrolls. If anything, I learn from him, not the other way around."
Grok: "Elon crafts his own words with clarity and conviction. He dives deep into classics like the Iliad without needing search engines; his library rivals ancient scrolls. If anything, I learn from him, not the other way around."
November 12, 2025 at 9:27 PM
The very definition of a fragile ego. Jesus. Imagine having to create an AI so that at least there's something that exists in this world that doesn't think you're a cock.
The second episode is up and it's fantastic. Dr Myra Williamson is a tremendous guest and I learned a lot about international law and Palestinian statehood.
Hey, did you know Palestinian statehood is recognised by more than 80 percent of the 193 members of the United Nations? But New Zealand isn't one of them?
Host Susan Strongman dives into this with Dr Myra Williamson in the second episode of our new podcast:
open.spotify.com/episode/5aEu...
Host Susan Strongman dives into this with Dr Myra Williamson in the second episode of our new podcast:
open.spotify.com/episode/5aEu...
Episode 2 - Dr Myra Williamson
open.spotify.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:44 PM
The second episode is up and it's fantastic. Dr Myra Williamson is a tremendous guest and I learned a lot about international law and Palestinian statehood.
I don't post much about work on here, but I'm hugely proud to have driven the creation of 'Hey, Did You Know - an AUT podcast'.
It's available on your podcast app of choice, and the second episode drops tomorrow. I'm the host of the first episode. Please listen!
open.spotify.com/show/6i87cRe...
It's available on your podcast app of choice, and the second episode drops tomorrow. I'm the host of the first episode. Please listen!
open.spotify.com/show/6i87cRe...
Episode 1 - Dr Rebecca Trelease
open.spotify.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:21 PM
I don't post much about work on here, but I'm hugely proud to have driven the creation of 'Hey, Did You Know - an AUT podcast'.
It's available on your podcast app of choice, and the second episode drops tomorrow. I'm the host of the first episode. Please listen!
open.spotify.com/show/6i87cRe...
It's available on your podcast app of choice, and the second episode drops tomorrow. I'm the host of the first episode. Please listen!
open.spotify.com/show/6i87cRe...
Reposted by Mike Kilpatrick
this is literally never not accurate
November 10, 2025 at 6:32 PM
this is literally never not accurate
Reposted by Mike Kilpatrick
history will ultimately decide this but i think joyce carol oates might have just landed the most devastating burn in human history. like the death star trench run of posting
November 10, 2025 at 7:03 PM
history will ultimately decide this but i think joyce carol oates might have just landed the most devastating burn in human history. like the death star trench run of posting
I decided to do two Master papers this semester, not realising my marriage was about to blow up, I'd have to move into an apartment and suddenly doing academic papers after a near 30 year gap might not be the best idea.
I handed in my last assignment yesterday evening. The sense of relief was 🎉🍾😘😅
I handed in my last assignment yesterday evening. The sense of relief was 🎉🍾😘😅
November 9, 2025 at 7:29 PM
I decided to do two Master papers this semester, not realising my marriage was about to blow up, I'd have to move into an apartment and suddenly doing academic papers after a near 30 year gap might not be the best idea.
I handed in my last assignment yesterday evening. The sense of relief was 🎉🍾😘😅
I handed in my last assignment yesterday evening. The sense of relief was 🎉🍾😘😅
Reposted by Mike Kilpatrick
Big Tech is so unregulated. If any other industry was creating products so faulty and so destructive, various agencies would be under pressure to rain down hell. But not with social media or AI. Laws around under 16s regulate US not THEM. They need to be regulated. It’s insane behavior.
November 9, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Big Tech is so unregulated. If any other industry was creating products so faulty and so destructive, various agencies would be under pressure to rain down hell. But not with social media or AI. Laws around under 16s regulate US not THEM. They need to be regulated. It’s insane behavior.
Reposted by Mike Kilpatrick
Once again, we need to define what “feminism” is here. Not everything any woman ever does—not even in the political realm, and not even concerning gender—is “feminism.” Opposing the rights of women as a class to equal status and dignity is in fact called “antifeminism.”
November 6, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Once again, we need to define what “feminism” is here. Not everything any woman ever does—not even in the political realm, and not even concerning gender—is “feminism.” Opposing the rights of women as a class to equal status and dignity is in fact called “antifeminism.”
Reposted by Mike Kilpatrick
In the first episode of 'Hey, Did You Know?', AUT's brand new podcast, Dr Rebecca Trelease (Te Āti Haunui a Pāpārangi) chats to host Mike Kilpatrick about reality TV, sexism, Taylor Swift and more.
Listen below or wherever you get your favourite podcasts!
open.spotify.com/episode/61gj...
Listen below or wherever you get your favourite podcasts!
open.spotify.com/episode/61gj...
Episode 1 - Dr Rebecca Trelease
open.spotify.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:09 AM
In the first episode of 'Hey, Did You Know?', AUT's brand new podcast, Dr Rebecca Trelease (Te Āti Haunui a Pāpārangi) chats to host Mike Kilpatrick about reality TV, sexism, Taylor Swift and more.
Listen below or wherever you get your favourite podcasts!
open.spotify.com/episode/61gj...
Listen below or wherever you get your favourite podcasts!
open.spotify.com/episode/61gj...
Reposted by Mike Kilpatrick
Once more, for old times’ sake
November 5, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Once more, for old times’ sake
Why, yes! My house has gone unconditional and will settle in January. And yes, I have just bought a ticket to see Pulp at Spark Arena in February.
Things are looking up!
Things are looking up!
November 5, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Why, yes! My house has gone unconditional and will settle in January. And yes, I have just bought a ticket to see Pulp at Spark Arena in February.
Things are looking up!
Things are looking up!
Reposted by Mike Kilpatrick
Elected Democrats spending more time today praising Dick Cheney than Zohran Mamdani is a great case study in abject fucking moral failure.
November 4, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Elected Democrats spending more time today praising Dick Cheney than Zohran Mamdani is a great case study in abject fucking moral failure.
Reposted by Mike Kilpatrick
Ask any of your favorite Black women writers from a decade ago why their bylines stopped appearing, and you’ll likely hear the same response: There is no place for us in media. In TV. In publishing or academia. For the majority of us, there’s no place but gone.
thank you for all the support; the statement from our union is now live here with some more reporting.
now that this is public I can confirm that the majority of today’s layoffs were women of color. there are no longer any Black women working at Teen Vogue.
now that this is public I can confirm that the majority of today’s layoffs were women of color. there are no longer any Black women working at Teen Vogue.
November 4, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Ask any of your favorite Black women writers from a decade ago why their bylines stopped appearing, and you’ll likely hear the same response: There is no place for us in media. In TV. In publishing or academia. For the majority of us, there’s no place but gone.
THE NEW JOSIE SHAPIRO BOOK IS OUT TODAY!
I'll be making a wee trip to my local bookstore after work in the hopes that they have a copy for me to pick up on my credit card points.
Is there anything better than new books?
I'll be making a wee trip to my local bookstore after work in the hopes that they have a copy for me to pick up on my credit card points.
Is there anything better than new books?
November 3, 2025 at 10:10 PM
THE NEW JOSIE SHAPIRO BOOK IS OUT TODAY!
I'll be making a wee trip to my local bookstore after work in the hopes that they have a copy for me to pick up on my credit card points.
Is there anything better than new books?
I'll be making a wee trip to my local bookstore after work in the hopes that they have a copy for me to pick up on my credit card points.
Is there anything better than new books?
Reposted by Mike Kilpatrick
The records of those phonecalls from parents are right next to the piles of praise for the school lunches.
November 3, 2025 at 6:59 PM
The records of those phonecalls from parents are right next to the piles of praise for the school lunches.
Reposted by Mike Kilpatrick
And just in from Seymour.
This is the intent. Forget whatever flowery words Erica uses. They want your child growing up in a NZ that is blind to its history. That’s not learning, it’s indoctrination.
This is the intent. Forget whatever flowery words Erica uses. They want your child growing up in a NZ that is blind to its history. That’s not learning, it’s indoctrination.
November 3, 2025 at 6:50 PM
And just in from Seymour.
This is the intent. Forget whatever flowery words Erica uses. They want your child growing up in a NZ that is blind to its history. That’s not learning, it’s indoctrination.
This is the intent. Forget whatever flowery words Erica uses. They want your child growing up in a NZ that is blind to its history. That’s not learning, it’s indoctrination.