The Standard

Author Archive

DIA Is Not Short For Diablo

Written By: - Date published: 3:29 pm, June 4th, 2023 - 96 comments

A fine example of when a free speech advocate is spouting garbage that serves nothing and nobody well except his own biased views.

Why We Need Universalism, Not Tax Cuts, To Solve The Cost-Of-Living Crisis

Written By: - Date published: 8:24 am, June 1st, 2023 - 64 comments

The pros & cons of tax cuts vs. universalism suggest that universalism might be universally better for New Zealand.

Countering Conspiracy – the Green Party is not in a Civil War

Written By: - Date published: 4:20 pm, May 14th, 2023 - 54 comments

Trust in academics is on a downslide, as is trust in general. This is exacerbated by academics hiding a personal-political agenda when they dabble in the public domain.

Some People Say Silly Stuff

Written By: - Date published: 2:48 pm, April 18th, 2023 - 33 comments

To err is human and human error is triggerroring, so let’s err on the side of caution and stop erring altogether.

Pale Stale Ale and Other Forbidden Fluids

Written By: - Date published: 3:25 pm, April 16th, 2023 - 11 comments

Little Adolf was relentlessly bullied during his ECE through no fault of his own. Later in life, he became a heavy drinker of pale stale ale.

The Three Sly Donkeys

Written By: - Date published: 12:50 pm, January 3rd, 2023 - 41 comments

There are no single truths in politics and wicked problems have no easy solutions if at all.

The Striking Similarities Between Elon Musk and Wayne Brown

Written By: - Date published: 9:02 pm, November 9th, 2022 - 17 comments

Elon Musk and Wayne Brown both deliberately promote chaos.

Truthiness or Ignorance*

Written By: - Date published: 10:09 am, June 10th, 2022 - 53 comments

The world is too complex and hostile, so why bother trying to learn and understand.

Why do we* write Posts on The Standard?

Written By: - Date published: 1:23 pm, February 26th, 2022 - 28 comments

Why come here to comment?

The pandemic response is like driving a car

Written By: - Date published: 3:58 pm, November 19th, 2021 - 11 comments

Staying safe from Covid-19 this summer can be as simple as a few basic steps.

Auckland could become a ghost town this summer

Written By: - Date published: 3:09 pm, November 18th, 2021 - 39 comments

Domestic tourism could become extreme tourism this summer.

Get a haircut and get a real job

Written By: - Date published: 5:19 pm, October 24th, 2021 - 63 comments

While our eyes are peeled on the 90% vaccination target, the ground under our feet is shifting.

Mad Tuesday

Written By: - Date published: 7:58 pm, October 22nd, 2021 - 15 comments

NZ Government is jumping at the deep end by re-opening schools on Tuesday.

Terra Incognita

Written By: - Date published: 7:51 pm, October 9th, 2021 - 25 comments

The future can seem scary but we do not face it alone.

Gut Feeling and Common Sense

Written By: - Date published: 10:30 pm, October 6th, 2021 - 42 comments

With clear information people can and should be expected to make optimal and sub-optimal choices & decisions.

Priorities?

Written By: - Date published: 7:54 pm, October 3rd, 2021 - 16 comments

Is setting priorities just a matter of resources?

This turkey is struggling cooped up in a bubble

Written By: - Date published: 6:21 pm, September 29th, 2021 - 78 comments

Turkeys don’t vote for Christmas but Kiwis do, don’t they?

Fearmongering or telling it how it is?

Written By: - Date published: 5:14 pm, September 25th, 2021 - 29 comments

42 is not the meaning of life and 13 is not an unlucky number.

Why did the chicken cross the road?

Written By: - Date published: 9:58 pm, September 21st, 2021 - 26 comments

Government has taken a ‘calculated risk’ with opening up Auckland somewhat tonight.

A little bit of understanding can go a long way …

Written By: - Date published: 11:09 am, August 19th, 2021 - 18 comments

Our online Persona is not us, but just a mask.

We Need Better Politicians!

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 pm, August 2nd, 2021 - 24 comments

With the right people in power, we will get the answers we deserve, and our problems will melt away and scatter in a warm worriless wind.

What does The Standard mean for you?

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, June 20th, 2021 - 60 comments

Let’s hear from you in this unscientific survey!

The Non-Partisan Populism of Popper’s Paradox

Written By: - Date published: 6:18 pm, May 22nd, 2021 - 91 comments

When democracy and free speech are hijacked to silence others, they can no longer support their principles and become a contradictio in terminis.

The Problem with Personification in Politics

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, April 19th, 2021 - 12 comments

It is a grave mistake to treat Ministries as if they are real persons.

Einstein versus Trump*

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, April 18th, 2021 - 10 comments

Einstein tried to explain complex things and understand reality; Trump tried to explain it away and distort reality.

Covid Zeitgeist

Written By: - Date published: 12:04 pm, March 21st, 2021 - 31 comments

NZ politics needs recharging and renewal to move forward. We need more charging stations.

The Unbearable Lightness of the Bright-Line Test

Written By: - Date published: 4:20 pm, March 13th, 2021 - 96 comments

The bright-line test is a red herring and does nothing to deter housing speculation.

You have 30 min to get your business in order!

Written By: - Date published: 12:50 pm, March 12th, 2021 - 77 comments

Government should have announced the decision for Auckland to go down to Level 1 first thing this morning.

So, You Want To Buy Your First Home?

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, March 7th, 2021 - 75 comments

Money does not grow on trees, it grows on houses. It is pure magic!

An Introvert’s Guide to Spending Money*

Written By: - Date published: 1:38 pm, December 29th, 2020 - 30 comments

Don’t waste your money on shit, spend it on good shit.

Words of Outrage or Outrageous Action?

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, December 24th, 2020 - 30 comments

Do you reward rage with rage or do you ignore it and walk away quietly?