iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 13h

Something I love about Pākehā culture: when someone suffers sudden misfortune we come out to fix, replace, do what's needed to help out Something I dislike about Pākehā culture: we refuse to even *consider* installing or bolstering systems that could prevent said misfortunes in the first place

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Louise Hutt @saycheeselouise.bsky.social · 14h

Today's questions from a definitely unbiased candidate debate: "Why are the Greens polling so well when you had someone who shoplifted at the start of the term?" "Why do you think people don't like Chloe Swarbrick so much?" I wish I was kidding.

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

"Once you first interfere with a local business for political gain people have to ask... who's next?" says David 'I can do school lunches cheaper' Seymour

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

I know everything's awful but today i watched my small tabby cat chase an enormous dog out of our backyard

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

New Zealand never saw a failing overseas policy it didn't love

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

I am reading Sophie, Standing There and it is taking years off my life, Sophie's humiliation is always hanging in the air and then somehow she gets through, dignity intact and nobody thinking any less of her BUT I NEED SOPHIE TO BE FINE

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Today's instead-of-getting-ready-for-school question: If people from the Andromeda galaxy are Andromedians, what is the demonym for people from the Milky Way? 'Milky Way' comes from the Greek 'Galaxy' ('Milk'), so we have decided upon 'Galaxians'. (And thus 'Milky Way galaxy' is a tautology)

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

I just saw someone talking about getting the vote out and immediately receiving replies of "Voting won't do anything" and for fucksake There isn't a magic bullet for redemocratising society, so stop disparaging the imperfect for not being perfect. Voting is one *very important* tool among many.

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

I'm not enjoying the new RNZ website, I much preferred the old 'top stories' format. Some stories need to be given more weight than others but the format also being vaguely chronological made me feel like I knew what was happening around the place.

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

I'm gonna start referring to those enormous pick-up trucks as 'gravid'

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

This is one of those things that you can't really talk about irl, too much 'I wish I had that problem!'

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

I'm getting noticeably thinner. Which is nice but I should probably work out why.

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

You know what, I prefer Ann *without* an E

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G. Willow Wilson @gwillow.me · 05/08/2026

Finally

Screenshot of Kermit the Frog in a tuxedo, from a Muppets Christmas special

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Aha! An OBVIOUS CLUE that we're trapped in an imposter reality! IT'S ALL STARTING TO MAKE SENSE

A playing card, THE THIRTEEN OF CLUBS, an obvious error by whoever is behind this awful version of reality we're stuck in.

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Lynne M. Thomas 🏳️‍🌈🚀🦄 📜 @lynnemthomas.com · 03/08/2026

Or your local library's.

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Luxon said that business was the 'lifeblood of the country'. I think people are the lifeblood of the country.

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aethylred.bsky.social @aethylred.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Law passed under urgency should have a sunset clause unless the consultation and committee processes are completed before the next election

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

The urologist just lectured me about why I *do* actually still need testosterone, and I'm not as funny as i think i am

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Sassy Little Hobbit @sassypolitico.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

I would like to propose a members bill banning male politicians telling us to have babies.

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Leslie Ehrlich @leslieehrlich.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

People truly do not understand what people do just to get through the day without being yelled at, or worse, much worse

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Oh my god, the comments to this! 1. The columnist is obviously being satirical (but Rule Whatever of the internet etc.) 2. I completely agree with her! I suspect a lot of people will! Many of us find social competitiveness boring or stressful! But it never goes down well if you say so...

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Sure. I probably don't even notice. And then I was about to say that a lot of greeting/small talk scripts use idioms or contractions, but even now I have problems being able to respond to these. "How are you?" (Pretty invasive question!) "Are you winning?" (... winning what?) #AutChat

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

I know I said I learned not to ask about idioms I don't understand because people get annoyed... but I probably still ask. I'm an adult now and people can't get so overtly mad with me. And also, etymolgy is one of my special interests! #AutChat

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

I'm old enough that this isn't an issue now, but I did have adventures with idioms, especially as a child. The problem is that people don't explain idioms (or metonymies), they assume you're being insolent and punish you. So you learn not to ask. #AutChat

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Oh, great topic! I do not have difficulty understanding idioms. But. While the part of me I think of as 'Me' understands what is being meant, my brain is already responding to it literally. Which can be awkward. #AutChat

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David Ho @davidho.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Is everyone aware of the General Motors streetcar conspiracy? In the mid-20th century, auto and oil interests bought up electric streetcar systems across the US and systematically replaced them with bus routes and paved roads, funneling commuters toward private cars.

en.wikipedia.org

General Motors streetcar conspiracy - Wikipedia

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

I mean, a photo of Winston doesn't scream 'the future of Ao/NZ'

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

I was talking to my sister the other day and she told me about the times I'd been hit by a particular teacher (I was ~9yo). I remembered a different time but not the ones she was telling me. My sister was terrified of this teacher. And the next year, when she was in that class, she was hit too.

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

RNZ gently fading out a rambling Luxon for the pips was unexpectedly cathartic.

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

"I'm sure a lot of different considerations are going through Christopher Luxon's mind," says Helen Clark, kindly.

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Luxon, just now: Going forward, data centres will bring additionality to our energy sector

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Oh my god. I would actually go and watch that!

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

I really really think left-wing adults should stop and think before announcing that they'd 'beat the shit' out of a child with the wrong opinions. And then not. Irl or on-line.

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

It's amazing how often I hear esoteric and concerned discussion over how much men are suffering today, and I think: "Unions. This would be solved by unions"

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Teens *worldbuilding 'Pirateworld'* Teen 2: "... and no misogyny" Teen 1: "Yeah, Pirateworld Rule #4 — no misogyny." Teen 1 *as Pirate Captain*: "'Anyway, check this out'. Ship does a sick kick-flip"

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

A person from one of the three right-wing parties caught doing something dodgy, cruel, or abhorrent barely gets a glance from the media. Because *of course* they're dodgy/cruel/abhorrent, we expect that from them, this isn't news. A person from one of the left-wing parties, however...

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Jennifer @jennifilm.nz · 16/07/2026

It's suddenly very important to me that bsky knows about Chase, my friend's cat who kept being taken to the vet by very well meaning people who thought he was lost as he wandered about town. Now he's famous www.facebook.com/chaseisnotlost

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Thinking Person's Guide to Autism @thinkingautism.com · 12/07/2026

"Saying “I can’t” or “this is too hard” or “it’s too much” is sometimes the only way a kid has to self-advocate, other than with their behavior—especially if that kid doesn’t have a lot of ability to effectively communicate to begin with." @julierob-tndc.bsky.social: therapistndc.org/not-allowed-...

therapistndc.org

Not allowed to say "I can't"

The classroom teacher speaks up and says The kids in my class aren’t allowed to say I can’t. They have to try

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

So last night I had to navigate around a cyclist... 1. ... riding on the wrong side of the road 🌩 2. But with a front light! 🌞 3. The front light was red 🌩

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

We gave up our health service for nothing!?

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Remember how many death threats Benjamin Doyle got for... existing?

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Either the NACTs realise that imposing policies which take money out of the community hamstrings economic growth or they don't. So either they're thieves, syphoning taxpayer money up to their fellow plutocrats, or they're delusional ideologues blinded by magical thinking. Or they're both.

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

No Mister Moon? Or Sierra Leone? Or Young Blood or Good Morning Baby or Beatnik or

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

WHY DO PEOPLE KEEP CALLED NZ FIRST A CENTERIST PARTY THEY ARE FAR RIGHT

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Tom Bagatelle @tombagatelle.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Anyway, enough fooling about with all this magical-thinking Milton Friedman trickle-down crap, it's time to get serious and invest in society and (for godsake!) some emergency management!

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