I realize this is not a fresh observation but

Simon actually redid this one and it's really stark seeing them side by side: bsky.app/profile/simo...

Had to see what difference the accurate proportions would be ... turns out a lot.

Screenshot which summarizes community feedback on proposals to "upgrade" the basin reserve

Same deal here. "Much better" makes up ~42% of the bar visually despite numerically being 37%

Screenshot summarizing community feedback on a proposal to "improve" traffic flows in Te Aro

Do you think there's some reason the "much better" bar on here is visually larger than "much worse" even though it's numerically smaller? 🤔

Most places in central Wgtn are upwards of $3.10, nudging or just over $3 in the suburbs/Hutt for 91

I only bought my first car in my 30s and admittedly didn't grasp how much of a difference the age of a car makes to mileage until I upgraded my 1.3L last year to a much newer 2L which gives me nearly exactly the same km/L

There's a really tidy '95 Range Rover in British Racing Green in my neighborhood which I've taken note of bc it is quite a handsome car and as of this morning it's got big chalk writing on all windows that it's for sale, I guess bc a 31yo 4.6L engine is not madly economical

Me revising an essay

it’s international women’s day! could you share or donate a few bucks?

Brining myself (Epsom salt bath)

Need to stress I am not actively browsing Temu for this stuff, it's just that my Instagram algorithm seems to be this face 😏

Fairly good price on a queening stool too, if anyone is in the market

"For yoga", oh I'm sure

Bsky arguably not the most sympathetic audience for complaints about ENM, but this one has been bugging me for six months at least

Really loathe the dating app trend of describing multiple partners as 'comets'. everyone orbits you, you only think about them when they're within your field of view, and the rest of the time they're floating in the cold dark emptiness until you deign to pay attention again? Sounds amazing 😍

A lot of people are trying to get me into the gay hockey player show and I understand why, but the thing is: I already have dating apps on my phone so if I want to see a guy having a minor crisis of sexuality in my lounge I'm actually already sorted

Replaced my kitchen floor and did a backsplash over the summer, got right into it on Boxing Day while listening to a history podcast, went PEAK Dad

On the one hand, beautiful to be so accurately seen and known by so many friends, on the other, laser precision group effort dunk

Five people and counting have sent this to me :')

why are 90% of women's gym fit options rn wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen while the men's are either batman suit with nipples or armholes to your navel

Last week I was in the waiting room at the botox clinic and was like, damn the playlist is really wall to wall 90s bangers, then about 2 seconds later the penny dropped

unfortunately every time I read the new Sabrina Carpenter album title all I can think of is that Groucho Marx quote

Woodcut of an angel in a robe with a sword raised above their head chasing a man

When a client is acting up in a booking with a new girl, so you come out of the back room in a dressing gown to sort him out

Screenshot of a journal abstract. Title: Pornographic aura, AI and the value of authenticity. Text: The emergence of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools which can produce images and video from text inputs has prompted questions about the impacts of the technology on the pornography industry. While there has been extensive research into the implications of pornographic deepfakes, work which addresses the impacts of generative AI images and video that do not mimic a specific person is presently limited. Authenticity in pornography refers to multiple concepts, ranging from the depiction of non-simulated acts to the representation of ‘authentic’ pleasure. Multiple types of pornographic authenticity add value to a scene and can enhance the viewers’ enjoyment. This article argues that generative AI is unlikely to significantly disrupt the pornography industry, because the material it produces lacks a kind of auratic authenticity which pornography that depicts human subjects does possess, ultimately undermining the pleasure derived by the viewer.

I suggest that conventionally produced porn has a kind of aura even though it can be reproduced, because it represents one specific occurrence of a sexual act/encounter, unlike AI porn which is unmoored in time and space. I also argue that porn has a "ritual value" (jorkin' it)

Pornographic aura, AI and the value of authenticity The emergence of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools which can produce images and video from text inputs has prompted questions about the impacts of the technology on the pornography indu...

New article in Porn Studies! Using Benjamin's theory of aura to explain why I don't think the live-action porn industry will be meaningfully replaced by AI porn www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

You know it means a lot to me when I put my own face on it. lol... Please give what you can. There's no amount too small, every cent helps our artists. There are also other ways you can show your support by sharing the campaign link with your networks. Fafetai Lava. x

www.fafswag.nz/fundraiser

PM’s press secretary ‘recorded sex workers without consent’ Christopher Luxon’s deputy chief press secretary quits after Stuff investigation into allegations he secretly recorded sessions with sex workers.

Appreciation to the sex workers for talking to me because they knew this was in the public interest.

And I think we need to have a conversation about some of the wider issues here.

Screenshot which shows an image of Auckland Museum lit up in bright rainbow lights that has been captioned "Auckland War Memorial Museum is closed due to asbestos"

amazing image choice here