iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

If you think it might have been tiresome to spend a long voyage with a learner flute player, then I beg you to think of Shackleton, whose men took with them a banjo on their escape to South Georgia.

001

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

In the 1840s or thereabouts, this flute was carried on a three to four month sailing voyage from the UK to New Zealand. Now it is on its way by jet plane to Auckland, where it will be restored by Maurice Reviol and later played, just as its original owner intended. This makes me happy.

Richard Weekes Plymouth simple system flute in cocuswood and silver, circa 1840s.

111

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

Tracks like the Old Ghost Road, the Paparoa Track and the Heaphy Track (which is restricted to walkers over the summer) are all world class. I think the South Island is the more attractive proposition. The Kennet Brothers books are a great starting point.

020

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

That would be the Tour Waipounamu, for which the race organisers arrange access. New Zealand is a bikepacking paradise, you really can’t go wrong. The proviso: build your trip to incorporate as much off-road as you can. Our roads are narrow and winding and our driving standards poor.

040

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Not a jury in the land would convict.

010

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Amnesty International; UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel; Doctors Without Borders… I think the jury may be stacked against you. Also, on the face of it, your assertion is nonsense.

000

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Article published by the same Stuff that publishes op-eds by convicted fraudster and TPU acolyte Damien Grant. How they normalise this, lord only knows.

000

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

A pilot programme would help explicate the benefits of early detection versus the risks over-diagnosis and over-treatment.

100

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I guess testing needs to incorporate risk factors. Full disclosure: I am a survivor. My cancer was detected by a vigilant GP and PSA testing. My dad had prostate cancer, but at a more advanced age. My younger brothers now know they are at heightened risk.

210

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Guess which cancer leads to the most deaths among men. Prostate cancer comes in at number two, lung cancer at number one. Which government gave the tobacco industry a $50 million per-annum tax break? Yup, the one we have. Let’s vote these bastards out.

000

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

No argument at all about point two. Regarding point one, there are pros and cons, but the cost is derisory. The Prostate Foundation’s proposed initial four-year pilot comes in at $6.4 million. There is evidence that PSA screening programmes save lives: www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....

nejm.org

European Study of Prostate Cancer Screening — 23-Year Follow-up | NEJM

The European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) was initiated in 1993 to assess the effect of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing on prostate cancer mortality. Because de...

210

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Also the Tiritiri Matangi island sanctuary if you are interested in Aotearoa’s natural history.

040

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

There are now a number of glowworm cave enterprises in Waitomo. I don’t necessarily think that the longest established is best. If you are of an adventurous disposition, try blackwater rafting or even abseiling into lost world.

010

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

The Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, Amnesty international… there aren’t that many internationally known and respected aid organisation left. :-) The BBC’s fact-checking apparatus is extensive. :-)

000

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Which is why you cite so many well-respected news organisations and NGOs in your support. :-)

100

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Sorry mate, In someone else’s immortal words, you are really bad at this.

100

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

And Amnesty International, and the International Criminal Court, and reports by the Red Cross, and the day-to-day reporting of the BBC? Basically, you are a waste of internet traffic.

100

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

You are a numpty with a social media account and dopey arguments. All power to you, but the UN, Amnesty International and the ICC probably outweigh you in terms of credibility.

100

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Actually, international pressure can help resolve conflicts. Boycotts helped South Africa emerge from apartheid and protests helped end nuclear testing in the Pacific. Yes, I took part in both. Change can happen. The state of Israel is less than 80 years old. Good luck working on your conscience.

100

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

“Nobody gets to judge me.” You sound like an alcoholic at an intervention.

110

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

If you find yourself resorting to comparison with the 19th Century excesses of colonialism, then you are only proving your own moral bankruptcy. I note that Amnesty International, the UN and the ICC all deplore Israel’s actions. Perhaps you should be examining your conscience.

110

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

You seem to be wandering off. The question I asked was how do you think current-day Aborigines view Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians. I am in Aotearoa New Zealand, and doubt that much of Mäoridom would support Israel’s actions.

210

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Perhaps we ask Australia’s Aboriginal population for their views on Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians.

110

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

I guess reports from the UN and Amnesty International and the near-daily reports of settler violence from the likes of the BBC count for nothing.

020

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

So a joke, teasing hyperbole or maybe just nonsense?

100

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Hmmm… doctors do not customarily say kick rocks.

101

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

After Penk’s did-not-read-the-book book-review oped in Stuff comes Damian Grant’s obfuscation, including this: “… I am, perhaps, a little sanctimonious on the issue. Being the target of frequent, if factual, references to my past [convictions for fraud] certainly colours my perspective.” #DirtyWork

010

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Disappointing work from Steve. Usually he leavens his dutifully amusing accounts with moments of insight. Not this time. I thought Nicky’s integrity and sincerity shone through, and at the end he received the sort of ovation that would normally call for an encore.

020

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Why the scare quotes around ‘exposé’ I wonder. It seems to be exactly that.

000

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

My advice: try the platform formerly known as Twitter. You’ll be happier among your fellow bots and trolls.

000

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Don’t worry, I’ll always remember you for the gloriously disjointed “rather have hardware than just be a loot drop or are you a marry for the lost cause ?”. I have a feeling the gun lobby is not sending its best and brightest.

000

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Ahh, I see you have been distracted by thinking about your guns again. Anyway, as I pointed out earlier, you’ve amply proven yourself to be a gun-fellating nincompoop whose mission it is to promote firearm homicides in countries of which you know little. Consider your work done.

100

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Not really. Crappy gun control is one of the contributing factors to lower life expectancy. You really are grade-school level.

100

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

And I have supplied you with statistics that present the aggragates. Otherwise we are just dealing with gun-fellator reckons.

000

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

I am looking forward to you explaining how this is relevant. Not shit talking. Happy to point you at life expectancy stats.

100

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

You know, you can use the word Muslim if you prefer accuracy. And you could always do a little googling to see the Muslim community’s views. Should you be polishing your guns? Tarnish never sleeps.

000

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Gun fellator who lives in country where he is more likely to be shot and lead a shorter life says what?

100

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

You are 20 times more likely to be the victim of a gun homicide in the US than in Australia or New Zealand. You are also statistically going to live a shorter life in the US. I suspect that grade school is indeed your level. ‘Murica.

000

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Look, we’ve established that you are a gun-fellating nincompoop whose life is dedicated to promoting the death by firearm of people in far-away countries of which you know nothing. Your work here is done.

100

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

This was our local gathering, the community coming together as one.

A gathering in Wellington after the Christchurch Mosque shooting.

000

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

The “brown people who are dead” came out in support of greater gun regulation. Actually, pretty much all of New Zealand did so.

201

Malcolm Wood @ornamentalhermit.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

You are a bit dozy. Guess how many events there were in 2024 in which our police discharged firearms. The answer is three. Here’s a curiosity: when the police aren’t constantly afraid of being shot, they behave more like regular people.

000