Exponential Growth

4th September 2023

For this week’s newsletter, I bumped into a news story about Avi Loeb, an astrophysicist who seems to be making a career out of making unfounded claims of having discovered aliens. On the back of the recent David Grusch shenanigans in the US, it’s not surprising that the public are hungry for alien stories, and Avi has a great one for them to feast on - it’s just sad that it’s likely going to end up being found to be nothing more than sloppy science and wild conjecture.

I’m going to make you all suffer by recounting the contents of a podcast episode recorded by a young Christchurch street preacher who has modelled himself on the great Ray Comfort. The episode, titled “My list of Questions for Non-Christians”, details some horrible logic and awful creationist “gotcha” arguments that it’s always disappointing to have to listen to.

Bronwyn has set her sights on a topic she first talked about writing about several months ago - Labour MP Naisi Chen, and some interesting tidbits about her past and her family.

Finally, I’ve once again had to split an article up as it was getting far too long for a single newsletter - and I’m left wondering if the articles in this issue get exponentially longer as you scroll down the page. In this first part of my article detailing a Chinese scam I deliberately fell for, I talk about how I was found by a scammer, the exponential financial growth I was told I could expect from the new scheme I was being invited to take part in, and the beginnings of my beautiful relationship with someone who was supposedly a young Chinese woman, but who I suspect was actually a man in a basement somewhere trying his hardest to follow a script.

Mark Honeychurch

Avi Loeb is at it again

Mark Honeychurch - 4 September 2023

Avi Loeb is at it again

Abi Loeb, who went against the tide of the scientific community back when the asteroid Oumuamua passed earth, and claimed it was an alien artefact, has struck again. This time, YouTube alerted me (presumably because I've been watching the UAP nonsense unfold on credulous American news channel News Nation) to the existence of a News Nation interview with Avi about his recent discovery of small spherules of alien origin dredged up from the seabed.

Lying for Jesus: Nic Blackie Edition

Mark Honeychurch - 4 September 2023

Lying for Jesus: Nic Blackie Edition

In the last two months, two of the non-religious organisations I volunteer for, the Humanists and the NZARH, have both been contacted by a young street preacher called Nic Blackie. Nic is looking for someone to interview on his Christian apologist podcast, called The Garrison. In order to figure out whether it's a good idea to have someone talk with Nic, I've spent several hours listening to most episodes of his podcast. I suffer, so you don't have to!

What to make of Naisi Chen

Bronwyn Rideout - 4 September 2023

What to make of Naisi Chen

Back in June I wrote about the sojourn Mark and I took to Prayers @ Parliament. With election season in full swing, I thought it would be a good time to return to the topic of Naisi Chen, Labour List MP. In my original editorial, it was clear Chen made an impression of sorts on us. Mark and I were both surprised and impressed with Chen's careful phrasing regarding the responsibility of religious leaders and representatives to repent on behalf of Christian brothers and sisters who harmed children; a positively ballsy move that appeared to be received well by the crowd.

Catfish Noodles

Mark Honeychurch - 4 September 2023

Catfish Noodles

It all started with noodles. During a work call with a Chinese colleague of mine, Evelyn, I was asked what I would be having for lunch. I told her that I would be having instant noodles and she berated me, saying that I should make noodles from a Chinese recipe instead. A couple of minutes later, several links to YouTube videos appeared via SMS, all showing similar recipes being made, with English subtitles to accompany the Mandarin instructions.