Tim Robinson
@tim12rob.bsky.social
urbanist, recovering architect. child of the oil crisis, parent raising low carbon kids. Friding. all views my own. Auckland NZ via India and t'north.
Reposted by Tim Robinson
One of the easiest ways to shoot down the idea that "AI" is an expert is to show how it deals with something people know about.
Younger readers may not get this as most appliances come pre-wired, but anyone 35+ can see these are chaotic fire hazards.
From Mastodon, AI asked how to wire a plug:
Younger readers may not get this as most appliances come pre-wired, but anyone 35+ can see these are chaotic fire hazards.
From Mastodon, AI asked how to wire a plug:
February 6, 2026 at 5:20 PM
One of the easiest ways to shoot down the idea that "AI" is an expert is to show how it deals with something people know about.
Younger readers may not get this as most appliances come pre-wired, but anyone 35+ can see these are chaotic fire hazards.
From Mastodon, AI asked how to wire a plug:
Younger readers may not get this as most appliances come pre-wired, but anyone 35+ can see these are chaotic fire hazards.
From Mastodon, AI asked how to wire a plug:
Reposted by Tim Robinson
Bikes are fine but what if you're a Hungarian police officer and you need to deploy your dog to stop a crime?
February 7, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Bikes are fine but what if you're a Hungarian police officer and you need to deploy your dog to stop a crime?
Reposted by Tim Robinson
February 6, 2026 at 11:17 PM
Reposted by Tim Robinson
Streets are for people.
February 7, 2026 at 3:17 AM
Streets are for people.
Reposted by Tim Robinson
Canada’s passenger rail lines are getting revived after decades of vanishing service.
Gift article. @taras-grescoe.com @theglobeandmail.com www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/30a4f28...
Gift article. @taras-grescoe.com @theglobeandmail.com www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/30a4f28...
Canada’s passenger rail lines are getting revived after decades of vanishing service
Across North America, there is a grassroots clamouring for the return of railway lines that once provided a reliable and affordable alternative to cars and planes
www.theglobeandmail.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Canada’s passenger rail lines are getting revived after decades of vanishing service.
Gift article. @taras-grescoe.com @theglobeandmail.com www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/30a4f28...
Gift article. @taras-grescoe.com @theglobeandmail.com www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/30a4f28...
Reposted by Tim Robinson
BREAKING: Peter Mandelson just sent this secret notice to all UK media, demanding they leave him alone.
He uses IPSO clauses designed to support grieving families in a bid to stop scrutiny of his relationship with Epstein
We have published it in full.
www.thenational.scot/news/2583451...
He uses IPSO clauses designed to support grieving families in a bid to stop scrutiny of his relationship with Epstein
We have published it in full.
www.thenational.scot/news/2583451...
Peter Mandelson issues secret notice demanding press leave him alone – read in full
LATE on Friday evening, this notice was circulated from representatives of Peter Mandelson, via press regulator IPSO and the Press Association news…
www.thenational.scot
February 6, 2026 at 7:06 PM
BREAKING: Peter Mandelson just sent this secret notice to all UK media, demanding they leave him alone.
He uses IPSO clauses designed to support grieving families in a bid to stop scrutiny of his relationship with Epstein
We have published it in full.
www.thenational.scot/news/2583451...
He uses IPSO clauses designed to support grieving families in a bid to stop scrutiny of his relationship with Epstein
We have published it in full.
www.thenational.scot/news/2583451...
Reposted by Tim Robinson
Reminder that "jaywalking" was literally made up by american car manufacturers to shift the blame for accidents from drivers to pedestrians. "Jay" was a slang term meaning "idiot" or "rube".
“Jaywalking is permitted in London. In 1966, the police tried to crack down on it, but gave up after three months.”
People walk and cycle on roads by right, people drive under licence.
Jaywalking is not a thing in English law and Waymo must not change that.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
People walk and cycle on roads by right, people drive under licence.
Jaywalking is not a thing in English law and Waymo must not change that.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Self-driving taxis are coming to London – should we be worried? | Jack Stilgoe
Waymo’s cars were first rolled out in San Francisco, but the English capital’s old roads, pelican crossings and jaywalkers may pose issues for AI, says science and technology professor Jack Stilgoe
www.theguardian.com
February 2, 2026 at 11:21 PM
Reminder that "jaywalking" was literally made up by american car manufacturers to shift the blame for accidents from drivers to pedestrians. "Jay" was a slang term meaning "idiot" or "rube".
Reposted by Tim Robinson
Please spread this far and wide, as stories don't get much bigger than this. When the government blocks even the intelligence services from telling us we're heading for environmental catastrophe, you know we have a problem. A very big problem.
Thank you.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Thank you.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The UK government didn't want you to see this report on ecosystem collapse. I'm not surprised | George Monbiot
It took an FOI request to bring this national security assessment to light. For ‘doomsayers’ like us, it is the ultimate vindication, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:18 AM
Please spread this far and wide, as stories don't get much bigger than this. When the government blocks even the intelligence services from telling us we're heading for environmental catastrophe, you know we have a problem. A very big problem.
Thank you.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Thank you.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Not the future we want for our kids. Travelled through Canada over the last two weeks, struck by the similar difference in ambition and opportunity compared to NZ thespinoff.co.nz/society/27-0...
I’m a 24-year-old NZ graduate. Here’s why I’m moving to Australia
I believed in the social contract: study, work hard, get ahead, build a life. Now I realise that deal no longer applies – at least not here.
thespinoff.co.nz
January 28, 2026 at 7:57 AM
Not the future we want for our kids. Travelled through Canada over the last two weeks, struck by the similar difference in ambition and opportunity compared to NZ thespinoff.co.nz/society/27-0...
Same bar, same bike hire, 10 years apart, opposite seasons (just a few degrees above 0⁰C today). The seawall bike ride is still amazing, especially when I don't have to tow a bike trailer for the kids! #Vancouver #bikes
January 24, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Same bar, same bike hire, 10 years apart, opposite seasons (just a few degrees above 0⁰C today). The seawall bike ride is still amazing, especially when I don't have to tow a bike trailer for the kids! #Vancouver #bikes
On the upside during today's train stuff-ups, reading the Toronto Globe and Mail is a joy. Decent, thoughtful journalism still exists.
January 17, 2026 at 11:21 PM
On the upside during today's train stuff-ups, reading the Toronto Globe and Mail is a joy. Decent, thoughtful journalism still exists.
Would like to say I am enjoying VIA Rail but today not going well. Train failure, 1hr+ late depart. Seat reservations cancelled, family scattered around carriage after boarding mayhem. 2.5hrs late after sitting in forest enjoying a track fault. We're not in Japan (or AKL), Toto.
January 17, 2026 at 11:20 PM
Would like to say I am enjoying VIA Rail but today not going well. Train failure, 1hr+ late depart. Seat reservations cancelled, family scattered around carriage after boarding mayhem. 2.5hrs late after sitting in forest enjoying a track fault. We're not in Japan (or AKL), Toto.
January 14, 2026 at 3:11 AM
January 14, 2026 at 3:06 AM
Back in the promised land. #NorthEast
January 7, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Back in the promised land. #NorthEast
Reposted by Tim Robinson
I'm posting this for no other reason than goats
Well, solar's a pretty good reason, too
And also, solar is the GOAT
Well, solar's a pretty good reason, too
And also, solar is the GOAT
January 6, 2026 at 4:02 AM
I'm posting this for no other reason than goats
Well, solar's a pretty good reason, too
And also, solar is the GOAT
Well, solar's a pretty good reason, too
And also, solar is the GOAT
Positive news. Forget burning oil.
January 6, 2026 at 7:51 AM
Positive news. Forget burning oil.
Ah yeah. Kiwi kids are stoked to see snow
January 5, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Ah yeah. Kiwi kids are stoked to see snow
Reposted by Tim Robinson
Jump Into 2026
I love the secret feature at Nine Elms London Underground station that reveals itself during a sunny day.
If you arrive at the perfect moment, the roundel logo is beautifully projected onto the floor.
So I took Dancer Andreya with me to interact with the scene.
I love the secret feature at Nine Elms London Underground station that reveals itself during a sunny day.
If you arrive at the perfect moment, the roundel logo is beautifully projected onto the floor.
So I took Dancer Andreya with me to interact with the scene.
January 2, 2026 at 8:03 AM
Jump Into 2026
I love the secret feature at Nine Elms London Underground station that reveals itself during a sunny day.
If you arrive at the perfect moment, the roundel logo is beautifully projected onto the floor.
So I took Dancer Andreya with me to interact with the scene.
I love the secret feature at Nine Elms London Underground station that reveals itself during a sunny day.
If you arrive at the perfect moment, the roundel logo is beautifully projected onto the floor.
So I took Dancer Andreya with me to interact with the scene.
Reposted by Tim Robinson
Virtuality VR for the Commodore Amiga (1992). These were sold for $65,000
December 23, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Virtuality VR for the Commodore Amiga (1992). These were sold for $65,000
Reposted by Tim Robinson
Delighted to hear that The Invisible Doctrine, the film by @peterhutchison.bsky.social and @lucas-sabean.bsky.social, is being offered free to view on YouTube for the holiday season. It's all yours! youtu.be/gR4eSEetKP0
The secret history of Neoliberalism | The Invisible Doctrine | Full Film
YouTube video by Journeyman Pictures
youtu.be
December 22, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Delighted to hear that The Invisible Doctrine, the film by @peterhutchison.bsky.social and @lucas-sabean.bsky.social, is being offered free to view on YouTube for the holiday season. It's all yours! youtu.be/gR4eSEetKP0
Reposted by Tim Robinson
Interesting, they lost so may transit nerds over on X that they’ve been reduced to screenshotting Bluesky posts
December 21, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Interesting, they lost so may transit nerds over on X that they’ve been reduced to screenshotting Bluesky posts
Reposted by Tim Robinson
New Zealand just recorded its first-ever day of zero coal- or gas-fired electricity. In fact two days, 20 & 21 December. (Still some co-gen, about 1.8%.)
December 21, 2025 at 9:36 PM
New Zealand just recorded its first-ever day of zero coal- or gas-fired electricity. In fact two days, 20 & 21 December. (Still some co-gen, about 1.8%.)