Merry Xmas to the fern clan. We got a baby girl for Xmas (2 days before) so this might be my last post for... how many years!!? Probably should be posting gibberish at some ridic hour of the morning!

How good is that pic!

@catogrande I feel that's not the first time you've trotted that scenario out...

@JC Bro!! I've just got my 23andMe results back and we are totally related! I mean, what are the chances!?

Now I've been thinking about going electric...

@MiketheSnow such a pity she's passed away... next week.

@Hooroo said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:

@Baron-Silas-Greenback said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:

@Crucial said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:

@Baron-Silas-Greenback said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:

@Crucial said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:

@Baron-Silas-Greenback said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:

@Godder said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:

Media took a 30% hit to advertising revenue after the GFC (because spending didn't rebound after), and that's the fear again. We can hate them all we like, but that's an industry at risk, unless we just want state-owned news sources.

or news sources that actually provide what people want and not just left wing propaganda outlets. Stuff is great example. iT has a ludicrous left wing slant, especially around climate change, and yet wants a handout, perhaps if they were not so shite they would have more advertsising.

Sadly they do try and provide what people want.
Often however, it just isn't what we as individuals want to read. You, because you dislike any view to the left of your political position. Me, because Mark Reason.

The fact that we both know that they provide thing that we don't like shows that their usual metheods work to a degree.

I do admit that when they started asking for donations to continue quality journalism I thought that maybe they shoud look at starting first.

They are incredibly left wing. They dont try to provide what people want, they try to provide what a sub section wants. They even try to justify to not allow any views arguing against climate change action can be allowed on their platform. That is not journalism, that is activism.

and you know this how? because you read it there? target achieved.

Readership is not always people who agree with the message.

If we are solely talking about advertising revenue then that is based on reach not quality.

If we are talking quality, then I agree with you ion some aspects.

No because I used to read there quite abit, now I hardly ever go there. Maybe once every few weeks instead of once a day. So no.. target most certainly not achieved.

So you used to read it when National were in power and didn't mind it but now Labour are in power you dislike it?

@Higgins don't worry, England will still do a few victory laps

@shark it is pretty tough one handed aye

• Current approach is doing jack towards reduction of use and touch points with gangs etc.
• treating it as a health and education issue, funded via taxation would be a more positive approach.
• where it has been decriminalization overall use has trended downwards, with two (?) States in the US seeing youth usage dropping.
• $$$ heaps of tax and savings in govt spending with fewer people in prison and courts due to weed related events. Massive reduction for police - then they can hit P and organized crime harder imo.
• industry and medical benefits for local markets and hopefully international markets.
• smoke free is a tension, can't argue that away. But there are plenty of non-smoking ways to enjoy cannabis. Plus we ain't getting moral in booze so... that one is tounge in cheek tho.
• fear, so much of (older ahem) people's 'knowledge around weed is hangovers from reefer madness, makes u crazy, gateway, a loser drug etc, etc.
• noting that it absolutely has bad outcomes for some, but that's all the more reason to reframe as a health/education challenge imo. Reducing stigma and criminality would likely see more people getting help.
• plenty of productive and otherwise law abiding folks run the risk of conviction for enjoying weed.
• I feel the list goes on personally

@kirwan thanks for that visceral reaction. On the money btw

@nzzp yeah I'd give it a read first also. You won't lose anything from how the movie is shaping up. Dune is a book I read every couple of years and I always pick something new up, or look at something a bit different with the benefit (?!) of age.

@bovidae oh hells yeah! it is just looking better and better. I read a piece from someone who had seen the first 10min (unsure if final cut though, probably not?) and they were frothing about it. Starts with a bang apparently but they don't give too much away for those unfamiliar with the story or Dune universe. Cannot wait.

@mariner4life fucking gold! and they weren't just allowed, they were TOLD!

Oof, bit of an unwanted hiatus. But I managed a workout at the gym near work. Holy shit my hammies were singing after the first set of squats. It was soooo good to move some weight. Had missed the post-work buzz! totally worth the incoming soreness

@crucial always some prick ahead of you in the queue aye

@voodoo yep - it's another case where 'personal responsibility' holds very different meanings for a lot of folks.

@voodoo everyone has their kink aye!!

@mn5 you could argue that worked a treat! well, aside from the murder stuff of course!

@mn5 rebuilding empathy, or developing it after your formative years is pretty bloody hard. Wood's story is pretty amazing.