24 Comments
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Jill Proudfoot's avatar

Ah, now I get it! No wonder the blue ones can lie so convincingly to their followers. But who is the toymaker really? And what is his agenda? Is he influenced by the USA? Russia? China? He certainly doesn't have the interests of New Zealanders at the heart of his actions.

B Insull's avatar

Exactly Jill. Brilliant Nick!

Judith Paulin's avatar

I agree - well done Nick!!

Lynette's avatar

Please make this happen, because we know what the worse that could happen will look like. A return to the dark ages

Judith Paulin's avatar

Very clever Nick! We get few laughs, and that illustrates the major problem - keep up the good work! Really appreciate it!!

Ross Anderson's avatar

Hilarious. And all true. Let’s go scrappy Chippy!

M E K's avatar

Oh I LOVE it.

The best way to approach politics is with clever humour.

Well written Nick. 👏

Peter Gow's avatar

Anyone remember the scene in 2001 as they are slowly pulling out the modules in HAL's brain and it starts to shut down ? We need to do the same to the Actoid's what they are proposing to shut down - if able to - is nothing short of barbarisim.

Janis Tonga-Climo's avatar

Yes indeed. David Slack has just listed manyof the things Seymour will cancel./shut down. That list is shocking. How much government would be left?m I'm reminded of Thomas Hobbes LEVIATHON, where life in a state of nature is defined as being NASTY, BRUTISH, AND SHORT. On Newshub Nation this morning they interviwed youth representatives of the main political parties. The Act party person , when asked about the massive gap between wealthy people who own a large share of the wealth in Aotearoa, and the poor who own only a small share of the total wealth. He was aked how he felt about those statistics. His response was to rattle on about envy, and he made it clear that he thought the wealth gap was completely fair.

Peter Gow's avatar

Scary to see young people buying into that nonsense. Lets hope life doesn't through them a curve ball and they need state assistance..... There but for the grace of God..............

Alison Kroon's avatar

I think it all started when the Toymaker made the model that lied. The growing nose was a bit of a giveaway back then, of course. That aspect has been refined, but the lying nonetheless continues in the blue and yellow models. I suggest the Toymaker focus on really zapping up and perfecting that already good red model. Well worth it, in my opinion!

Rob C's avatar

Excellent

Mac Stevenson's avatar

This is a great read Nick one of your best. So perceptive in describing all of the characters in what could be a miserable robot future.

Shell's avatar

Or, in some cases - a robot present :D

SallyT's avatar

Love this! Great read, with a grin on my face the whole way through....

Janis Tonga-Climo's avatar

Very funny Nick. Especially the Stephen Joyce AI. Well- all of them really. Apparently Chippy is going to make a policy announcement tomorrow -According to the comeback queen Tova OBrien. She says it will have to be good to combat Labour's "disastrous" response to Ms Nicola Willis' Shared Care bill. Emily Writes makes the point that Labour, in not supporting the bill, should have put forward their own solutions to making maternity leave work better for parents. I do agree with her, and I hope that response is yet to come.Tova Obrien saw Labour's response as being the literal ,exercise of a Nanny State. It could be argued that legislated paid maternity leave ,however it is organised, is already state intervention in becoming a parent. Along with other historical interventions. The official launch of the Labour campaign is set for September 2. Before then I guess they will drip feed policies. I have just been told that tomorrow's announcement will be Labour's Tax policy. I imagine given what Chippy has already ruled out, it will be a short announcement. Or maybe there will be some surprises. not holding my breath though.

Jacqueline Clarke's avatar

Brilliant, Nick!

Shell's avatar

I <3 this!!!

Patricia Flinn's avatar

Oh dear! Can Chippy do it?

Miramartian's avatar

I hope so... I’m going to the LP meeting in Lower Hutt tomorrow where Chippy will make a Big Important speech. Feeling optimistic.

Alan Doak's avatar

I'd love to go (was invited) but working tomorrow 😕

Miramartian's avatar

It was a full house and the faithful were in good voice. Grant and Chippy both on fine form and lots of MPs were present. Now to see how it is reported