269 Comments
Oct 8·edited Oct 8

Hey David, love your work so much as a New Zealander losing faith in our government and media. What do you think of a reverse flightless bird episode about the treaty of Waitangi? Big topic, I know. I think Americans would find it fascinating to learn about our founding document and what they are currently trying to do to undermine it's legacy

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I think it's a great idea but I'd need to find my angle and something to bring it ALIVE. Like - we need to educate people about it, but also it's been done to death.

I need to find a compelling in. That's on me. And you've motivated me.

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Personally I was horrified by what felt like racist dogwhistles by current govt to call for a referendum regarding Te Tiriti. I'm no expert but pretty sure that NO third party can have any say in a document already signed by 2 'parties'. My belief is that Te Tiriti is the best hope for NZ, for the people and the environment. To hold the crown to it's own laws, to defuse the unethical corporate entities who wish to dilute the powers of Te Tiriti.

David, do you know if it would be legal or possible to change Te Tiriti?

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Oct 8Liked by David Farrier

Australia episode suggestion: drop bears!

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Oct 8Liked by David Farrier

I rate this as an option

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Oct 8Liked by David Farrier

Hola David, I'm bored at work and saw you're doing an AMA while checking my emails - love that you do these!

My question for you is, how would you personally deal with an immediate family member, for instance your dad, that has gone full blown MAGA? I'm talking fully supports Jan 6th, thinks Dems are stripping away women's rights via sports, and the latest "the hurricanes aren't random, they're being made by HAARP which is a 'secret' weather geoengineering microwave weapon".

At this point, do you think there's any hope in de-programming these Trump cultists?

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Oh D, not sure if you are dealing with this, but it would be so, so tough.

I would say - I would look after my own mental health and just be careful.

I would try and not cut them out, and when I was with them - not get angry. The thing I would try and do is keep asking them questions - not in a passive aggressive way, but to a point where they are answering and maybe, maybe realise it makes no sense.

Ask if you have it right: "So, what you are saying is that....."

You saying it back to them - not sarcastically, but genuinely - may perhaps light up a different part of their brain.

But - they will be lost in it till something snaps them out of it. They have to come to that themselves.

It is not your responsibility.

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I wish I could say "asking for a friend..." ALAS, I am the one dealing with it. Those are actually great tips, so thank you! I'm struggling with either 1. going no contact (it has been months since we spoke) or 2. try to reach out and show compassion - I've seen plenty of stories where said brainwashed person eventually saw the light, and it was always because a person (that has a complete opposite view) in their life showed them compassion. With lots of therapy I have come to terms with the fact that it is NOT my responsibility, but oooo weeee it's hard to NOT want to take it into your own hands - no matter how exhausting. Def making my needs and mental health the #1 priority though (❁ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈)

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Ask them who is saying these things, and maybe challenge them on "why do you trust what these people are saying? what makes them trust worthy to you?" Don't be surprised if the answer is... equally unhinged, but it can be good to sow that seed of doubt in their minds. Get them to defend their position and then challenge as to whether that positions is one worth defending. And then just leave them with it. Don't argue, because that usually makes them double down. Just listen and then leave them with it. Deprogramming is something that is really up to them.

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Yeah, I think arguing back is where I've messed up in the past! It's hard when no matter how many facts you present to them, it's just fake news. I think yalls suggestions to continue to ask questions, is great - esp when the hope is for them to start thinking critically!

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David Farrier's quote is right on the money (as usual).

Finding common ground with these people is usually a good start.

It doesn't help that smartphones have ruined a lot of people's attention spans so you can't just suggest they read a 500 page book that may contain all the answers but there are other shorter ways.

For Global Warming, I think this meme does a good job explaining how it isn't a hoax:

https://rationalwiki.org/w/images/e/e2/Climate_change_which_makes_more_sense.png

This comic likewise does a good job showing how temperatures have changed over the past 10,000 years:

https://xkcd.com/1732/

Hbomberguy on YouTube also does some really good videos debunking some conspiracy theories.

In particular his one on the MMR vaccine and Global Warming.

One thing I really like about him is he tries to see things from conspiracy theorists point of view.

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The climate timeline is so powerful! Thanks for sharing.

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oh these infographics are amazing lol - will be keeping these in my back pocket to share. thanks for the youtube recs as well!

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What’s a documentary that you wish YOU directed? One that you’re like “damn, that’s an insane topic that I wish I had found first”

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Oh lord, where do I even start. When I am making something, I find it near impossible to watch anything new coming out as I am just riddled with "How are they doing it? What is their story? How does this compare?!"

It's strange.

While they're both amazing, the two big docs that exist on Scientology I feel jealous of. Like - it's a dream, that world.

So yeah - Going Clear, and Louis' doc.

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Oct 8Liked by David Farrier

I'm an Alex Gibney fan. Have watched many of his docs. Excellent stuff.

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Oct 8Liked by David Farrier

David! If you were coming to Perth I would be there without question!!! But I completely understand that coming all the way to the west is an expensive challenge - so no judgement from me. However, if you were, I would love your thoughts on the rather problematic, sad, unsettling, and intriguing figure of 'Mad Dog.' He is a rumoured once mathematician or maybe physicist(?) who has been riding his bicycle around the streets of Perth (literally everywhere in our very stretched out city...like at least 200kms north to south worth!!) for the last twenty odd years, bare foot, stubbies shorts, often shirtless, barking very aggressively at people. Sometimes when just riding past them for no reason, sometimes when (sadly) provoked. Literally everyone here knows of him. He hasn't aged a day (despite being in at least his fifties?). But no one really knows who he is or why or how or when he became 'Mad Dog'. I think it would be an amazing catalyst for exploring mental health and policing in Australia, with questions that would lead in to racism in Australia against First Nations Australians (which Mad Dog as far as is known, is not). Anyway. That's a lot, but best of luck with the Aussie visit in December! ❤️

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First off - I am so sorry but I can't pull of Perth (I came there once in my life, to watch Gorillaz and interview Damon Albarn!) this trip.

A few Perth worms here - my bad.

Also noted for any future trip - Mad Dog. Thank you.

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Oct 9Liked by David Farrier

Another Perth fan here! 👋

I totally forgot about Mad Dog, I haven't seen him in a long time, and agree that would make a fascinating deep-dive for the reasons you mentioned.

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We saw him just a few weeks ago - still looking exactly the same and being his usual self!

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Oct 8Liked by David Farrier

I'm always curious what metal music people are listening to if they are into that. Also would you ever do a FB on Red Rocks Amphitheater or just a Colorado episode in general.

From being bombed by Japan in WW2 to a small town in about 1950 being a birthplace of Al Qaeda. We are a fucking weird place.

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I went to Red Rocks to see NIN and God that is a good venue. The stories that place could tell...

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Oct 8Liked by David Farrier

It's the best. I learned recently that Jimi Hendrix played there once and there are no photos or videos of it, despite apparently people climbing the rocks to see the show.

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Have you checked out angrymetalguy.com?

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Just did and Corpsefucking Art is getting a listen immediately.

That's fucking amazing. Thanks for the link!

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Oct 8Liked by David Farrier

Would love a Colorado episode !!! There’s so many interesting topics to cover

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Oct 8·edited Oct 8Author

I did very much enjoy exploring under the Denver airport for the airports episode!

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Oct 9Liked by David Farrier

Silly question: what is your favorite color?

Serious question: what's a specific subject you want to do a doc about but can't?

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Purple, by far. Followed by pink.

Tom Cruise. I'd require all access and that would be my dream job. But - Scientology.

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Oct 9Liked by David Farrier

Glad that for my Halloween costume I chose pink Crocs - my costume is niche but people on Webworm will get it!

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What *shade(s)* of purple? Or is all purple equally good?

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founding
Oct 9Liked by David Farrier

The story of the Harold Holt Memorial Swimming Pool is pretty good, it's got everything - from killer sharks and Chinese submarines, decimalisation of Australia's currency, deconstruction of the white Australia policy, the involvement in Vietnam War, bit of the old covered up affair, perhaps even drug use, all the way to one of the greatest brutalist structures ever.

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Is that named after the politician who went missing while swimming?!

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So Australian to name a swimming pool after someone who drowned

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Oct 8Liked by David Farrier

Idea for an Australian Flightless Bird ep (probably less fun than some of your suggestions) - Gambling. Particularly pokies! Reallll big, in a terrible way, here!

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I want to preface this question by saying this is genuine and I am not criticising, and I fully understand that things have changed a lot for you recently, but I've been wondering about it for a while. I just want you to know the tone is meant to be friendly!

FB regularly runs ads for BetterHelp. I know you need an income and that they are probably a good and reliable source, but they have received a lot of criticism for very shady practises including selling a lot of information about clients to other companies and being absolutely awful to the therapists that work on the platform. I know a lot of people are boycotting channels/pods that run adverts for them (I am not one of them but I can understand those who are). I understand that since you have a business relationship with them you probably can't say much, but I was wondering if you were aware of their bad reputation?

(Again, this is a genuine question and I hope it doesn't come across as aggressive!)

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Not at all - valid.

Ads are a weird decision always - and ideally I want to be in a position where we only run ads for, like, a company that exists to free people on death row.

And that is what I am ultimately working towards.

The other issue is that - we have to pay people. Editors, hosting fees, etc.

I would say overall I am aware of all the things (and every ad we run, I get about 10 emails telling me issues - some valid, some not) - it's a slow-burn to get it to an ideal.

If I dump ads, the show dies instantly.

I know I am being vague here.

I would say - I am figuring this out. I have said no go a bunch of ads recently. Weight loss. Online gambling. And some of that stuff would have had our show in the clear for *ages*.

I like the idea of making therapy accessible online. There are those I know who find it super helpful. Your issues are not not valid - it's all swirling in my head.

I would say that fuck I Iove that Webworm has no ads.

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Oct 8Liked by David Farrier

Thank you for answering - I totally appreciate the position that you and FB are in, and that you need an income from the podcast 💖 And I'm glad to be able to help even a little bit by having a membership here 😊

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The other thing I'd note is that generally someone will come on for a set time (like, they are there for 6 months), so they can't just be dropped. So the trick is learning things as you go and managing things so you are working towards your dream goal of ads that perfectly align with your entire value system.

It's also interesting because you are doing the ads reads *yourself*.

Like - when I was at TV3, I got paid because TV3 sold ads - and some of those ads were for horrific things. And yet I never once thought about it.

But of course in the podcast market you are reading them, so much closer - so you feel (perhaps rightfully so) MUCH more responsible - even though the exact same system is in place as, say, TV3.

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Oct 8Liked by David Farrier

<Rant> Just to add that it's so dumb that so much of the world is run by advertising.

Google, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, most media are all funded by it.

</Rant>

I appreciate the position you're in David being caught in a stupid system where you have to make these impossible decisions.

I recently signed up for Nebula because I'm so sick of scammy ads on YouTube.

I'm happy to pay for Nebula, Webworm, Netflix and RNZ (via taxes) if it protects my brain from this digital pollution.

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Oct 8Liked by David Farrier

I hope the Australia visit goes well!

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Thank you wonderful Rowan!

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Hi David. What is the next wild animal you want to be bitten by while trying to be friends.

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I don't like to name names.

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David have you ever done a series on scams? Online fraud is the biggest ugliest most fast-growing field of crime on our earth and what the Bleep are our govts doing about it? I know some countries are setting up centralised anti-scam centres but ours in NZ are more interested in braying about gangs. I am esp interested because I lost thousands when I was conned by a phone call "from my bank". I thought I was smarter than scammers but as it turned out, I'm not. It didn't turn out so bad cos the bank retrieved some of my money and reimbursed a bit more. But still... why are there so many holes in our systems that these fukrs can get into? And what is being done to protect us? My bank took MONTHS to resolve my case because they are overwhelmed by fraud cases. Banks and the govt make glib statements about being onto it but in my experience they are not.

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I have not. I am interested in them - but then they are so widespread that to me they become sort of boring.

I'd need to find a compelling way in. Like - Search Engine did an amazing episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/72VDFILrotJIhQFnz0OWsV?si=d47e38cafbd04ca8

I would need to find an "in" like that.

(This was a very light hearted thing I did when Webworm started: https://www.webworm.co/p/covid-19-a-love-story)

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Oct 8Liked by David Farrier

I've been targeted by a couple serious scammers lately too, Val. I also thought I was too smart, and it turns out that might not be the case!

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Oct 8Liked by David Farrier

My 2 questions:

1) if you could be transported to anywhere in the world for a refreshing ocean dip right now, where would you go?

2) Which one person dead or alive would you love to read/participate in an AMA for? (this question is an AMA inception) (also very hard to phrase grammatically)

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Rarotonga. Hands down Raro.

Tom Cruise. I am fascinate by him - as a Hollywood guy, and deeply embedded in a terrible cult.

But only if he was open and honest (not possible - cult).

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I am assuming by bin birds you are referring to bin chickens? But I think that would be a very worthwhile episode - perhaps exploring bin chickens and bush turkeys as a combo? I know North Americans are always confused when I explain that turkeys are in the cities wandering about and lurking in any bush they can find.

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Yes - bin chickens! Scary as hell. Dinosaurs. Love rubbish.

Glad you dig this idea.

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Oct 8Liked by David Farrier

Maybe just a general Aussie birds - bin chickens, cassowaries, magpies, plovers and the Great Emu War of 1932

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Oct 8Liked by David Farrier

There was a very interesting John Oliver show where he got involved in a NZ charity's "Bird of the Century" voting campaign and the wide variety of birds enlisted in that voting competition. The official results: https://www.forestandbird.org.nz/resources/bird-century-winner-announced-puteketeke-pandemonium-prevails and some additional context: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/502441/puteketeke-crowned-bird-of-the-century The Last Week Tonight episodes themselves are quite interesting, but don't seem to have those segments posted publicly. A related interview is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVE1hBzHn3s

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Oct 8Liked by David Farrier

Oh yeah, this is a great idea.

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Oct 9Liked by David Farrier

Hello from Adelaide (or Radelaide!), Ideas for some Aussie themed podcasts:

- Gina Rinehart (ick), exploring how mining business controls our politicians

- while in Sydney dive into Hillsong! (Gross)

- why do we have so many random Salvador Dali sculptures in Adelaide? In our mall, in random wineries...(weird)

- Juukan Gorge and Rio Tinto (mining again- ick). First Nations land rights , or lack of them in Aus.

Enjoying Flightless Bird!

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Great topics. I have way more than I can even begin to cover - my Google Doc is huge.

Hillsong is very tempting. Really tempting.

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Oct 8Liked by David Farrier

in 1993 i was a 3-years-younger fellow 'jurassic park' freak - and remain so. a few questions about your personal jp fan history (i can think of so many but i'll stick to these 3):

*did sam being a kiwi predispose you to loving the film? or was becoming a proud fan of a great kiwi a longer process and / or bonus? (sam's the best - all-time genre performances in at least jp and 'in the mouth of madness')

*any core memories from your first viewing? (i have a few that remain burned into my brain)

*any chance you also literally counted down the days to 'the lost world in 1997? or was that very age-11 behavior of me, repurposing a post-it note pad like that lol

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Sam being kiwi had zero to do with it. At the time, I had no idea who he was. What sold me was just being in AWE.

Core memories? Good god. Just - transfixed. From the opening scene of the raptor being delivered at the dock. The awe of first seeing the dinosaurs in the jeeps. Flying in those choppers - arriving at that waterfall. "They're... they're flocking this way". The raptors in the kitchen.

Mostly though - it's a FEELING. I was IN it. LOST in it.

Oh, I counted down to the sequel. And I loved it. Raptors in the long grass. It was Ian Malcolm's show and I was there for it. The chaos stuff from the first film fried my brain, so I was fully onboard with his character.

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TLW gets way too much disrespect. Setpieces are all-timers and Goldblum playing against type was such a good choice. A man just broken and beaten down by everyone and everything. The cut to the yawn says it all, both in regards to Malcolm's headspace and in the film's commitment to juxtaposing the silly and the deadly serious.

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