The Geniuses in Charge

17^th February 2026

Before Christmas I suggested to one of our readers that they write an article for us about a visiting climate denier who was giving talks about climate change around the country, hosted by Groundswell. That person has done an amazing job of writing up the event, showing just how bad some of Dr Happer’s arguments are. I’d love to thank them by name, but their article is written under a pen name so I will carry the secret of their true identity to my grave.

Following this we have an article from Katrina looking into the Uncanny Valley - some of the pictures really are quite unnerving. I’ve written about a few different ideas that are floating around suggesting that Jeffrey Epstein’s emails might contain secret codes that are just waiting to be cracked. And finally Bronwyn has written a monster of an article, concluding her look into Thomas Driver and his attempts in New Zealand to challenge charlatans.

Mark Honeychurch

Climate Platitude Bingo

Reef Spotter - 17 February 2026

On a fine summer evening in South Canterbury in early December, I set off for a public meeting at the Phar Lap Raceway in Timaru. I'd seen an advertisement in the local newspaper for a “Climate Change Tour” hosted by Groundswell and the Methane Science Accord.

Uncanny Valley

Katrina Borthwick - 17 February 2026

Do you ever get the creeps from a robot that's just a bit too lifelike, or feel a shiver run down your spine when a CGI character seems like it's almost - but not quite - human? This weird feeling is called the uncanny valley effect.

Hidden Messages in the Epstein Emails?

Mark Honeychurch - 17 February 2026

With the recent release of millions of digital files (mainly emails) related to Jeffrey Epstein, there's a lot to go through. Both journalists and activists are combing the documents for people they want to name shame - politicians, celebrities, culture war pundits, etc.

Dead Skeptics Society: Thomas William Driver, aka Professor Robert Kudarz, Part 2

Bronwyn Rideout - 17 February 2026

At the end of part 1, Kudarz had essentially stepped away from the stage for nearly a decade, until word of an Australian magician named Charles Bailey decided to visit New Zealand.