Leon Salter
@islates.bsky.social
Researcher on precarious work
platform capitalism and unions. Try and teach leadership communication @ University of Auckland Aotearoa New Zealand
platform capitalism and unions. Try and teach leadership communication @ University of Auckland Aotearoa New Zealand
I’m fascinated by the Wuffy robot dog I’ve seen advertised on YouTube as a “realistic AI robot puppy”
November 29, 2025 at 3:32 AM
I’m fascinated by the Wuffy robot dog I’ve seen advertised on YouTube as a “realistic AI robot puppy”
I wrote a thing on AI and left strategy
acmesmokescreen.substack.com/p/the-algori...
acmesmokescreen.substack.com/p/the-algori...
The Algorithmic big Other: on the Left and AI Strategy
What is to be done by the Left regarding AI? Leon Salter considers how the algorithmic logic of AI plays to the dominant logics and fantasies of capitalism.
acmesmokescreen.substack.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:16 AM
I wrote a thing on AI and left strategy
acmesmokescreen.substack.com/p/the-algori...
acmesmokescreen.substack.com/p/the-algori...
Reposted by Leon Salter
What the hell is going on with the new New Zealand school curriculum, and what does it have to do with the Atlas Network? (No, really!)
A thread:
#nzpol #kikorangi
A thread:
#nzpol #kikorangi
November 26, 2025 at 4:16 AM
What the hell is going on with the new New Zealand school curriculum, and what does it have to do with the Atlas Network? (No, really!)
A thread:
#nzpol #kikorangi
A thread:
#nzpol #kikorangi
Reposted by Leon Salter
Let us be real. The "problem" in local government that National/ACT/NZ First want to fix, is there are too many 'green' politicians in regional councils who care about the environment and are taking (moderate) actions to reduce the damage caused by big polluters. In particular, dairy, our sacred cow
November 26, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Let us be real. The "problem" in local government that National/ACT/NZ First want to fix, is there are too many 'green' politicians in regional councils who care about the environment and are taking (moderate) actions to reduce the damage caused by big polluters. In particular, dairy, our sacred cow
Reposted by Leon Salter
✍️ Why Digital Sovereignty Matters
In the wake of recent cloud blackouts, IIPP Professor @ceciliarikap.bsky.social and @paologerbaudo.bsky.social highlight the importance of #DigitalSovereignty and dangers of technological subordination.
🔗 Read their @tribunemagazine article here: buff.ly/euZgJ8z
In the wake of recent cloud blackouts, IIPP Professor @ceciliarikap.bsky.social and @paologerbaudo.bsky.social highlight the importance of #DigitalSovereignty and dangers of technological subordination.
🔗 Read their @tribunemagazine article here: buff.ly/euZgJ8z
November 21, 2025 at 4:30 PM
✍️ Why Digital Sovereignty Matters
In the wake of recent cloud blackouts, IIPP Professor @ceciliarikap.bsky.social and @paologerbaudo.bsky.social highlight the importance of #DigitalSovereignty and dangers of technological subordination.
🔗 Read their @tribunemagazine article here: buff.ly/euZgJ8z
In the wake of recent cloud blackouts, IIPP Professor @ceciliarikap.bsky.social and @paologerbaudo.bsky.social highlight the importance of #DigitalSovereignty and dangers of technological subordination.
🔗 Read their @tribunemagazine article here: buff.ly/euZgJ8z
Why our car consumer culture is the problem, not the internal combustion engine “The tyres contributing most to the problem were found on both EVs and utes”.
📢 Turns out the culprit is none other than every motorist on the roads, with wear from tyre tread culminating in the seas.
Marine researchers find biggest source of microplastics in our ocean
www.1news.co.nz
November 26, 2025 at 6:04 AM
Why our car consumer culture is the problem, not the internal combustion engine “The tyres contributing most to the problem were found on both EVs and utes”.
Reposted by Leon Salter
From Daniel Vernon...
On hiw the Nats screwed Kiwisaver (more than once)... and now expect us to pay more,as the cost of living skyrockets...
open.substack.com/pub/yeehawth...
On hiw the Nats screwed Kiwisaver (more than once)... and now expect us to pay more,as the cost of living skyrockets...
open.substack.com/pub/yeehawth...
Chris Luxon Relaunches Kiwisaver
Plus: Chirs Hipkins fear of putting out fires.
open.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:40 AM
From Daniel Vernon...
On hiw the Nats screwed Kiwisaver (more than once)... and now expect us to pay more,as the cost of living skyrockets...
open.substack.com/pub/yeehawth...
On hiw the Nats screwed Kiwisaver (more than once)... and now expect us to pay more,as the cost of living skyrockets...
open.substack.com/pub/yeehawth...
Reposted by Leon Salter
what % of Deloitte’s work could be handled by one person using search and replace to update their standard presentation with the name of their current client www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
Deloitte report suggests Wellington City Council has 330 more staff than it should
PSA says analysis from Deloitte, which cost $435k, lacks a basic understanding of what the Council's role is.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 25, 2025 at 8:53 AM
what % of Deloitte’s work could be handled by one person using search and replace to update their standard presentation with the name of their current client www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
Reposted by Leon Salter
Govt plans to:
1. Fuck this
2. Fuck that
3. Fuck you
4. Fuck them
5. Fuck local govt
6. Fuck some things
7. Fuck some more things
8. Fuck what's left
9. Fuck Wellington
10. Fuck the rest
11. Sell fucking everything
Repeat twice
1. Fuck this
2. Fuck that
3. Fuck you
4. Fuck them
5. Fuck local govt
6. Fuck some things
7. Fuck some more things
8. Fuck what's left
9. Fuck Wellington
10. Fuck the rest
11. Sell fucking everything
Repeat twice
November 25, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Govt plans to:
1. Fuck this
2. Fuck that
3. Fuck you
4. Fuck them
5. Fuck local govt
6. Fuck some things
7. Fuck some more things
8. Fuck what's left
9. Fuck Wellington
10. Fuck the rest
11. Sell fucking everything
Repeat twice
1. Fuck this
2. Fuck that
3. Fuck you
4. Fuck them
5. Fuck local govt
6. Fuck some things
7. Fuck some more things
8. Fuck what's left
9. Fuck Wellington
10. Fuck the rest
11. Sell fucking everything
Repeat twice
Reposted by Leon Salter
Says something about the way New Zealand politics has worked during my lifetime that there are *two* ready comparisons to this government's reckless hatchet job on the basic institutions of our society: the first terms of both the Lange and Bolger governments.
November 25, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Says something about the way New Zealand politics has worked during my lifetime that there are *two* ready comparisons to this government's reckless hatchet job on the basic institutions of our society: the first terms of both the Lange and Bolger governments.
The first post from our new ACMe (Association for Communication and Media Studies) substack. My friend and former supervisor Sean Phelan on Winston Peters' invocation of the culture wars and NZ government's inaction on Palestine: acmesmokescreen.substack.com/p/the-cultur...
The culture wars and Palestine
Sean Phelan reflects on how Palestine is articulated to cultural flashpoints (woke; leadership ...) by Aotearoa politicians.
acmesmokescreen.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:52 PM
The first post from our new ACMe (Association for Communication and Media Studies) substack. My friend and former supervisor Sean Phelan on Winston Peters' invocation of the culture wars and NZ government's inaction on Palestine: acmesmokescreen.substack.com/p/the-cultur...
Reposted by Leon Salter
You might have seen National propaganda on how much kiwis are saving on mortgage payments. So, quick reality check, and a little explainer...
The actual average interest rate on *all* NZ mortgages moves slowly - in large part because most of us plucky mortgagors are on fixed rate deals [🧵1/n]
The actual average interest rate on *all* NZ mortgages moves slowly - in large part because most of us plucky mortgagors are on fixed rate deals [🧵1/n]
November 23, 2025 at 6:59 AM
You might have seen National propaganda on how much kiwis are saving on mortgage payments. So, quick reality check, and a little explainer...
The actual average interest rate on *all* NZ mortgages moves slowly - in large part because most of us plucky mortgagors are on fixed rate deals [🧵1/n]
The actual average interest rate on *all* NZ mortgages moves slowly - in large part because most of us plucky mortgagors are on fixed rate deals [🧵1/n]
Fantastic win for Uber drivers and Workers First Union. This has been a long time coming (way too long - in the courts since 2022), but common sense has prevailed. Let's hope Van Velden doesn't pull the rug out underneath them with new contractor legislation... www.1news.co.nz/2025/11/17/s....
Supreme Court dismisses Uber appeal – says drivers are employees
The Supreme Court delivered its ruling on Uber's contract practices today, leaving the door open for contract workers to claim they are employees.
www.1news.co.nz
November 17, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Fantastic win for Uber drivers and Workers First Union. This has been a long time coming (way too long - in the courts since 2022), but common sense has prevailed. Let's hope Van Velden doesn't pull the rug out underneath them with new contractor legislation... www.1news.co.nz/2025/11/17/s....
Reposted by Leon Salter
📢 Anita Hart was last seen on CCTV along Gillespies Road heading towards Akatarawa Road, and her vehicle was found on Gillespies Road.
Police renew footage appeals as search for Upper Hutt woman continues
www.rnz.co.nz
November 16, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Reposted by Leon Salter
just opening up the new Epstein docs at random:
November 12, 2025 at 9:42 PM
just opening up the new Epstein docs at random:
Reposted by Leon Salter
appropos of going outside daily, I have to note that drivers have just absolutely and completely lost their minds. I'm amazed that it has, somehow, gotten continually worse
why do drivers do this to themselves. just in full psychopathic rage all the time, everywhere
why do drivers do this to themselves. just in full psychopathic rage all the time, everywhere
November 13, 2025 at 12:37 AM
appropos of going outside daily, I have to note that drivers have just absolutely and completely lost their minds. I'm amazed that it has, somehow, gotten continually worse
why do drivers do this to themselves. just in full psychopathic rage all the time, everywhere
why do drivers do this to themselves. just in full psychopathic rage all the time, everywhere
Reposted by Leon Salter
we’re about to start seeing a lot of “here’s a cost effective meal your grandparents made during the great depression”
Japanese giant SoftBank said Tuesday it has sold its entire stake in tech giant Nvidia for $5.83 billion.
Click here to read more: https://cnb.cx/49LCIs8
Click here to read more: https://cnb.cx/49LCIs8
November 11, 2025 at 7:39 AM
we’re about to start seeing a lot of “here’s a cost effective meal your grandparents made during the great depression”
“But I am a hater, and I will not be polite. The machine is disgusting and we should break it. The people who build it are vapid shit-eating cannibals glorifying ignorance.”
anthonymoser.github.io/writing/ai/h...
anthonymoser.github.io/writing/ai/h...
I Am An AI Hater
I am an AI hater. This is considered rude, but I do not care, because I am a hater.
anthonymoser.github.io
November 9, 2025 at 6:34 AM
“But I am a hater, and I will not be polite. The machine is disgusting and we should break it. The people who build it are vapid shit-eating cannibals glorifying ignorance.”
anthonymoser.github.io/writing/ai/h...
anthonymoser.github.io/writing/ai/h...
Reposted by Leon Salter
the only "solution" in education is refuse and reject www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/a...
November 7, 2025 at 8:56 AM
the only "solution" in education is refuse and reject www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/a...
Reposted by Leon Salter
Siouxsie took on an institution that failed to protect her and other academics from death threats, whilst doing fantastic #scicomm for the common good. She won against UOA. And is left with a house-size debt even after being awarded costs. Give a little back if you can 💚 🚨
At a time when academics are under sustained right-wing attack, Dr Siouxsie Wiles stood up to the neoliberal regime of university management and won, but it came at a cost. If you can, please consider supporting Siouxsie, one of the most courageous scholars I know.
www.pledgeme.co.nz/projects/852...
www.pledgeme.co.nz/projects/852...
Support Dr Siouxsie After She Supported Us! | PledgeMe
Support Dr Siouxsie to recover some of the money she spent fighting her legal case to protect employees experiencing online abuse
www.pledgeme.co.nz
October 30, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Siouxsie took on an institution that failed to protect her and other academics from death threats, whilst doing fantastic #scicomm for the common good. She won against UOA. And is left with a house-size debt even after being awarded costs. Give a little back if you can 💚 🚨
Having seen the very moving film last night with a Q&A from Anna and Sonya, I'm very aware of the impact of lax H&S rules on families and communities. #StandWithPike
www.together.org.nz/stand_with_p...
www.together.org.nz/stand_with_p...
Stand With Pike
Join us in building a better world
www.together.org.nz
October 30, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Having seen the very moving film last night with a Q&A from Anna and Sonya, I'm very aware of the impact of lax H&S rules on families and communities. #StandWithPike
www.together.org.nz/stand_with_p...
www.together.org.nz/stand_with_p...
Reposted by Leon Salter
Attended v good online hui on how to take advantage of early researcher opportunities. Few +reducing opportunities in Aotearoa; main take-out for me was we should prob all be looking overseas. 🤔 @islates.bsky.social called out academic precarity - time to stand together or fall apart #joinyourunion
October 29, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Attended v good online hui on how to take advantage of early researcher opportunities. Few +reducing opportunities in Aotearoa; main take-out for me was we should prob all be looking overseas. 🤔 @islates.bsky.social called out academic precarity - time to stand together or fall apart #joinyourunion
Reposted by Leon Salter
“Climate change isn’t suddenly going to slow down and ‘match our speed’; it isn’t going to wait for us, it is so far ahead of us and lapping us like a kid in bike shorts setting a new record at cross-country.” Read more: yeehawtheboys.substack.com/p/breaking-l...
October 28, 2025 at 4:15 AM
“Climate change isn’t suddenly going to slow down and ‘match our speed’; it isn’t going to wait for us, it is so far ahead of us and lapping us like a kid in bike shorts setting a new record at cross-country.” Read more: yeehawtheboys.substack.com/p/breaking-l...
Reposted by Leon Salter
When the heroes at Stats NZ are screaming at the world to take notice. A clear separation between the cost of living for the wealthy and sorted folks who are seeing a rapid easing, and the bottom-feeders who are getting properly screwed.
October 28, 2025 at 8:50 AM
When the heroes at Stats NZ are screaming at the world to take notice. A clear separation between the cost of living for the wealthy and sorted folks who are seeing a rapid easing, and the bottom-feeders who are getting properly screwed.