Isaac Freeman

#Ōtautahi, #Aotearoa / #Christchurch, #NewZealand.

He/him. #NZGreens. Funtime Comics. #Cyclist. #Ruby developer. Middle-aged cis-het abled Pākehā man.

Co-founder of magnificent.nz, for hosted libre software.

🌏Toitū te Taiao 🌏
:flag_tino: Toitū te Tiriti :flag_tino:

Country: Aotearoa/New Zealand
Pronouns: he/him/they
Website: https://isaac.freeman.org.nz
Politics: Green

Public Key

npub1k27cwdhf6nj3y06qw3urdzqwau0pkz83tykk2rl3xcn4xmfjhg5sepur2s

NIP-05 Address

isaacfreeman_at_cloudisland.nz@momostr.pink

Profile Code

nprofile1qqst90v8xm5afegj8aq8g7pk3q8w78smprc4jtt9plcnvf6nd5et52gprpmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumt0d4hhxarj9ecxjmntqy8hwumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnwdams27cxtv

Publishing to

relay.momostr.pink

nostr.now

relay.primal.net

Author Public Key

npub1k27cwdhf6nj3y06qw3urdzqwau0pkz83tykk2rl3xcn4xmfjhg5sepur2s

Show more details

Last Notes

2026-08-31 21:23:41 UTC

- reply

But… I _like_ bats.

2026-08-31 20:25:51 UTC

Autocorrect, there has never been a time when I typed “National”, a well-known political party in my country, and meant to say “Bational”, a word that is not even close to existing.
We've had, like, five years of this now. I have never accepted this suggestion but you keep making it. It's not even a good portmanteau, because “bat” has a hard T and “national” a soft one.
Please stop this.

2026-08-17 03:53:12 UTC

- reply

Sorry, it's information I've received from a reliable source who wishes to remain anonymous. I don't personally know any specifics about the attacks, just that they're "often very horrible”.
I won’t be pushing for more information, as messages of support are what my contact asked for.
@npub16p3…w83t

2026-08-16 04:38:10 UTC

I gather it’s been a hard time for the staff at #InternetNZ, and they’re receiving a lot of unfair attacks that they can't respond to. If you have a few minutes, It would make a difference to send an appreciative email to membership@internetnz.net.nz
Tell them you respect the work they do, efficiently and effectively every day. And tell them you want InternetNZ to remain a community-run organisation that respects Te Tiriti and Te Reo Māori, promotes equitable access, and makes a huge difference to New Zealand.
It's a small gesture, but helping people keep going in the short term matters, and it makes resistance in the longer term possible.

2026-07-21 07:06:45 UTC

- reply

I really liked the background outdoor noise. Being Icelandic is part of your brand, so having a sense of place is relevant. It's distinctive, but not distracting or gimmicky.
I listen to a lot of podcasts because I can combine them with other activities. So even if there was some overlap with blog posts, I'd likely hear the podcast first.

2026-06-21 00:18:16 UTC

My new office isn't quite finished, but I've moved in anyway.
For some reason it seems very important to choose the right music to play, and I have chosen _Underground_ by Thelonious Monk.
https://files.cloudisland.nz/media_attachments/files/116/785/223/356/659/274/original/cf5fe977ee46ebe6.jpeg
https://files.cloudisland.nz/media_attachments/files/116/785/223/644/767/306/original/01fd09dcad9f91a6.jpeg

2026-05-17 20:35:56 UTC

Among the number of those worthy and illustrious persons of whom it may be said with complete veracity that this is the birthday, I have at this juncture the distinct and unvarnished pleasure to account, in light of the passing of a fifty-second year, my humble self.

2026-05-03 03:34:15 UTC

- reply

“One of the biggest financial crises”… that raises an interesting question. Is the imminent financial crisis from the US war on Iran separate from the imminent financial crisis from the collapse of the AI bubble? Or are they one big imminent financial crisis?

2026-04-25 09:24:11 UTC

The studio is coming along well. Half the ceiling is now in place.
But also I have invented a way to make a little movable shelf that a person can use when they are at the top of a ladder and don't want to go back down for tools.
I guess one could also wear a tool belt, but I made a shelf. I am very proud that I had the idea to make a shelf.
https://files.cloudisland.nz/media_attachments/files/116/464/618/212/868/672/original/f7d540f21eeb0642.jpeg
https://files.cloudisland.nz/media_attachments/files/116/464/618/548/895/485/original/f6f14cb2e38274a7.jpeg

2026-02-06 03:02:08 UTC

- reply

Yeah, I think it's a gender thing, but it's mainly about how privileged men are enculturated to talk over anyone, not just over women.
I do it all the time, and don't notice until I'm already doing it. I notice most often when I'm talking over anyone woman, because that's something I've been taught to pay attention to. But I don't feel like I know a lot about how to prevent myself talking over people in the first place. I can say stuff like that“Sorry, I think I cut you off there”, or “You go”, or “What do you think, Linda?” but those are retroactive acknowledgements that I've already talked too much. I'd like to be better at actually centering others first.

2025-11-08 23:18:15 UTC

- reply

With you up to “They can't all go to ICE”. Because I don't see what's stopping Trump from expanding ICE until it employs all US cops and military personnel.

2025-10-07 23:57:28 UTC

- reply

New Zealand data point: I've never had an email from a recruiter, but have had five or six phone calls over the years. Typically they have a startup client who needs someone immediately to instantly resolve massive tech debt caused by poor planning. Not exciting opportunities.

2025-07-07 20:49:28 UTC

- reply

Would it be fair to say that lists are the functionality you want, and the issue is with client apps not making them easy to use?
I'm finding Ivory reasonably good for a similar workflow. I start with a Don't Miss list, then when that's finished go to Friends, then New Zealand, then News. I get to home about once a week, but never get close to catching up there.
I could see a UI that made this kind of workflow central.
@npub1meg…t5v9

2025-07-06 23:30:34 UTC

- reply

Congratulations on writing so good and true that it made a computer cry and exploded a techbro's brain.

2025-05-04 03:51:36 UTC

I am trying to write an involved technical document that fairly represents the views and priorities of many contributors.
Elsewhere in the same house, a child has found a kazoo.

2025-03-16 18:50:55 UTC

- reply

Bread AND Economics? In this circus?

2025-02-14 20:18:18 UTC

- reply

I do believe that both Biden and Harris care more about Palestinians in their hearts than Trump does, but what does that matter? They had the power to stop a genocide and they didn't. People begged them for any little thing they could take to voters to show that their vote might make a difference to Palestine, and they chose to berate the voters instead.
I can't blame people for being single issue voters when the issue is genocide.

2025-01-01 19:57:53 UTC

The only thing I ever use Siri for is to change the volume on my Airpods when my hands aren't free. I say “Hey Siri. Volume Up.” or “Hey Siri. Volume Down.” in a loud voice with clear enunciation.
It works about half the time. The rest of the time it does nothing and I respond appropriately.
Turns out there is actually a song on Apple Music named “Fuck Sake” which Siri can helpfully play for me without changing the volume.

2024-12-20 08:00:29 UTC

I am supposed to tell children that Santa Claus is real, but I am not supposed to tell them that I know this to be true because I have personally seen his bones in a museum in Turkey.

2024-12-05 22:23:10 UTC

Mentally preparing a plan for what I'd do if some teenager turned up at my place and said they were on the run from the government's trial boot camp for youth offenders. So far I have:
1. Promise that I won't narc
2. Big feed of cheese toasties
3. Help them contact family, friends, gang associates, whoever they need
4. Set up camp bed so they can have a sleep
5. Talk about what they want to do next
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/535850/second-government-boot-camp-trial-youth-missing

2024-11-29 19:07:46 UTC

- reply

When this happens, it's worth questioning what people are actually bothered by. Are they really honestly upset that someone is saying true things too loudly, or would they actually prefer that the true things never be said at all?
If someone is loudly offended and they're right, you can help them by supporting what they're saying in a different tone. They're loud because they don't expect to be heard any other way.
@npub1zdf…6u9l

2024-11-23 18:44:17 UTC

- reply

I take that as part of the point: it tries to stretch the idea of a novel to explore systemic change without reducing it to heroic individual action. The form complements that, frequently jumping to brief first-person chapters with unnamed characters who can be anyone in the world, including animals and even abstract concepts.
It barely coheres as a novel, which I think is the feeling it's trying to convey about the world in general.
2/2
@npub1lss…md0w @npub1wvv…yqvy @npub1v4c…cxxe @npub1xzg…e7lp

2024-11-23 18:42:37 UTC

- reply

It's correct: Ministry does centre privileged characters. However, I read that as deliberate: it's the viewpoint of an international agency trying to manage globel affairs, and sees everything from a top-down perspective. At various points it's clear that less privileged groups are acting offstage, and it's seldom clear who's really making a difference.
1/2
@npub1lss…md0w @npub1wvv…yqvy @npub1v4c…cxxe @npub1xzg…e7lp

2024-11-23 03:41:23 UTC

- reply

I often feel like modern progressive movements lack the militant wing that makes the political wing seem moderate by comparison.
There _should_ be a Children of Kali making billionaires afraid to fly their private jets in case they get shot down.

2024-11-09 20:24:40 UTC

Toitu te Tiriti Rally in Ōtautahi is 12-1pm Wednesday 13 November at the Bridge of Remembrance.
#NZPol

2024-10-30 20:33:37 UTC

It really would help at work if I could just give the other managers a brief lecture on Volume 1 of Karl Popper's _The Open Society and it's Enemies_, so they can really absorb how much damage Plato did by assuming that the main question in governance is “Who should rule?” instead of the more sensible “How can we make good decisions?”.
It'll only take an hour or so, unless I think of some more good points along the way.

2024-10-26 02:41:18 UTC

- reply

My go-to is an Earl Grey Special from Tea Total, but I also like a Masala Chai, which I drink without milk (I know this is weird). I also enjoy a genmaicha (green with roasted rice) and have recently been getting into kukicha (twigs as well as leaves). Tea Total's Manuka Flower Revitalise is my favourite herbal (i.e. like tea, but no actual tea plant used).
@npub1xzg…e7lp

2024-10-26 02:13:04 UTC

- reply

You'll know you're committed to the lifestyle when you switch from teabags to loose leaf tea that you spoon into a little strainer.

2024-10-26 02:05:14 UTC

- reply

OK then, I reckon ease in with a nice Earl Grey, like Captain Picard drinks. Black but with a little bit of nice citrusy oil to add to the taste. That is a Gateway Fancy Tea.

2024-10-25 23:43:12 UTC

- reply

Trying not to scare you off by coming in too strong with Fancy Tea information.

2024-10-25 23:07:22 UTC

- reply

One of the merits of a Fancy Tea lifestyle for the mature gentleman is that your friends and family know exactly what to do when they're looking for an affordable birthday present that is certain to be well received.

2024-10-25 18:05:50 UTC

- reply

Fancy Teas 4 Lyfe.

2024-09-25 04:20:29 UTC

- reply

I believe various groups are trying to establish corridors sufficiently connected to expand the population from Akaroa. It's been a few years since I heard about it.
I also gather they've occasionally been sighted in Mt Pleasant, which if true would suggest that it's possible. I'm hoping in my lifetime.

2024-09-25 03:01:03 UTC

I am enjoying all the tūī in this valley. My valley has no tūī. If we plant enough kōwhai and harakeke we might be able to get them back.

2024-09-18 08:50:03 UTC

- reply

Don't do it in a fancy restaurant or during a job interview or church service or a reception for foreign dignitaries.

2024-09-18 08:32:03 UTC

- reply

You can also just plonk a prune in your cup of Earl Grey and when the tea is finished tilt the cup back until the delicious teaprune falls into your mouth.
I have been doing this for years and nobody has been able to stop me.

2024-09-06 20:25:45 UTC

- reply

Along with practical limitations, I think there's another reason people get angry about hydrogen fuel cells in cars: it smells like predatory delay.
We've known about climate change for over a century, and the death rate is now around five million people per year. We urgently need to replace petrol cars with bikes, buses, trains and some EVs. Messing about with an impractical expensive technology instead tells us that car companies aren't taking their responsibilities seriously.

2024-08-23 23:29:27 UTC

- reply

I don't want to alarm you, but somebody in your country has been sending us all your TV and movies.

2024-08-23 10:24:01 UTC

- reply

A little girl who loved all soldiers unconditionally for being so brave. And that little girl grew up to be… me. [applause] I will murder anyone who stands in our way. [applause] Let's build more schools! [applause] Who's with me? [applause] WE ARE THE BEST PEOPLE WHO EVER WERE NOTHING WE DO CAN EVER BE WRONG [applause]

2024-08-23 10:13:04 UTC

- reply

Yeah. It does kind of feel like the parts about community and a brighter future are somewhat undermined by the parts uncritically celebrating lethal military power without any reference to mission or purpose.

2024-08-23 10:03:30 UTC

Watching an American politician give a speech is weird for non-Americans. They go
1. inspiring stories about how hard their parents worked
2. relatable values that led them into politics
3. well-observed points about policy, energy building
4. weird bit about thanking troops for nothing in particular
5. more energy, when we work together we can do anything
6. disturbing reference to killing enemies nobody in crowd seems to notice
7. demented yelling about being the best country
8. balloons.

2024-07-28 00:17:27 UTC

https://files.cloudisland.nz/media_attachments/files/112/861/239/253/264/633/original/12dd5f9446bb4e62.jpeg