The official podcast of the Free Speech Union. Focused on protecting and promoting freedom of expression in New Zealand, the Free Speech Union Podcast hosts interviews with international and local guests discussing the importance of free speech in a free and open society.www.fsu.nz
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WEB8 holds conversations that weave inner and outer technology as a vehicle for your soul’s expression in the world. We explore entrepreneurship, creativity and ritual in the digital age. Welcome to the space where you weave a new world of soul led self expression, in a world of infinite possibility. May the frequencies you tap into on this podcast remind you that you are the weaver of your own reality, expressing soul through your humanity. May you be moved into peace, truth, joy, playfulne ...
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The Church and the Treaty: Free Speech in the Face of Controversy
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In this episode of the Free Speech Union podcast, Jonathan Ayling is joined by Simon O'Connor, former MP for Tamaki, and Nick Hanne, education partnership manager at FSU. The discussion revolves around a controversial letter signed by 400 church leaders denouncing the Act Party's Treaty Principles Bill. The episode delves into themes of free speech…
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Free Speech vs. "Hate Speech": Navigating New Zealand's Controversial Police Training
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54:46
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In this episode Jonathan sits down with Major Grant Fletcher, a barrister based in Christchurch, and Graham Edgler, lawyer and political and legal. They delve into the pressing issue of new hate training for police officers, the implications of hate speech and hate crime laws in New Zealand, and how these affect free speech. Tune in for a stimulati…
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Free Speech Under Fire: Challenging institutional Censorship and public service Activism in New Zealand
32:49
32:49
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Join Nathan, Jonathan, and Hannah for this episode for the Free Speech Union podcast to dive into the pressing issues surrounding free speech in New Zealand, focusing on the implications of recent police training on hate crimes, the role of the Law Commission, and the influence of unelected officials. Jonathan and Hannah provide insightful commenta…
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The historical and philosophical underpinnings of free speech with Prof Michael Grimshaw
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Join us for a thought-provoking episode of the Free Speech Union Podcast. Hosted by Jonathan (FSU NZ CEO), this episode features a deep dive into the essence of free speech, democracy, and societal values with Professor Mike Grimshaw from the University of Canterbury. Explore the historical and philosophical underpinnings of free speech, the challe…
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Unmasking Unteaching: A Conversation with Dr. Paul Crowhurst
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Join Nick Hanne (Education Partnerships Manager) as he sits down with Dr. Paul Crowhurst to talk about tertiary education, white fragility, and the concept of unteaching racism. Dr. Crowhurst unpacks his experiences as a teacher, principal, and lecturer, and discusses the series of events leading to his encounter with cancel culture. Support the sh…
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Nick & Nathan on Schools & Regulatory bodies
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Nathan Seiuli (Events & Outreach Manager) & Nick Hanne (Education Partnerships Manager) talk about free speech in schools, the FSU’s “Speak Up” schools program, and how the current free speech climate is affecting teachers. Support the show https://www.fsu.nz/ https://x.com/NZFreeSpeech https://www.instagram.com/freespeechnz/ https://www.tiktok.com…
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"If not journalists then who?" with Dr Gavin Ellis
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Join Jonathan Ayling as he welcomes Dr. Gavin Ellis, a media consultant, researcher, and former editor-in-chief of the New Zealand Herald. With a PhD in Political Studies and a rich background in journalism and communications, Dr. Ellis offers insights into the current media landscape in New Zealand and shares his hopes for its future growth, chang…
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240. I’m Back! A Big Life Update After Having a Baby (Following Guidance One Step at a Time)
1:07:43
1:07:43
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It’s been almost a year since I’ve released an episode and since then we’ve moved across the country, bought and renovated a house (well, it’s still in progress!), birthed a baby, and welcomed another furry member to our family. I also released my first spoken word song. I’ve been hearing very strong inner guidance whispers to come back to the podc…
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"Why Free Speech is the Only Safe Space for Minorities" with Jonathan Rauch
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45:31
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Listen to Jonathan Rauch’s talk, “Why Free Speech is the Only Safe Space for Minorities,” which he delivered to our audience in Christchurch. It is a powerful talk about the dire need for free speech in the fight for equality. “Minorities are always better off in a society that protects hate speech than in a society that protects us from hate speec…
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"The Most Human Right: Why Free Speech is Everything" with Prof Eric Heinze
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Eric Heinze is a Professor of Law and Humanities at the School of Law Queen Mary, University of London. He is also the author of “The Most Human Right: Why Free Speech is Everything”. Eric joins Jonathan Ayling for a discussion on free speech, academic freedom and democracy. You can purchase Eric’s book here https://www.amazon.com/dp/0262547244/ Fo…
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Another victory for free speech: DIA abandons proposals for online censorship
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Former Judge Dr. David Harvey and Netsafe CEO Brent Carey discuss the DIA's abandoned proposal for online censorship. The Free Speech Union celebrates the decision by the Department of Internal Affairs to abandon proposals to further regulate online speech. It is increasingly clear Kiwis have no interest in our would-be-censors’ obsession with tryi…
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Canceling the FSU from university; and other childish antics
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As a result of lobbying and threats of protest and boycott, Victoria University has postponed the panel discussion that was set to be hosted on 29 April. Jonathan Ayling and Dr. Michael Johnson, from the New Zealand Initiative, were two of the panellists in this discussion; it seems that their presence was the reason for the delay. Jonathan and Mic…
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‘From the River to the Sea': Censorship, free speech, and the Israel-Gaza conflict.
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Hear from Josie Pagani, Paul Moon, Marcus Roberts, and Jonathan Ayling on a panel discussion and Q+A on speech rights and the ability to pursue tolerant debate on conflict in the Middle East. This discussion is about our ability to deal with complex and competing ideas, not the substance of the conflict itself. Support the show https://www.fsu.nz/ …
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Keyboard warriors clash: opponents meet to test free speech
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Paul Thistoll is a dedicated trans-rights activist and outspoken opponent of the Free Speech Union. But he was willing to sit down with Jonathan Ayling, the Chief Executive of the Union, to discuss hate speech, trans-rights, preferred pronouns, professional deregistration, and more. There are two very different views on free speech on display in th…
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River of Freedom: a documentary epic on the need for open debate
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More than any other one thing, COVID-19 has defined our past 3 years. But are we starting to thinking about it, or talk about it in fresh ways? Our lives have been impacted in unprecedented ways by COVID-19; but this virus has also been weaponised by our would-be-censors to corral us into one position on this issue, and a host of others. In this ep…
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"A Liberal Democracy Operates Because Voices Are Heard!" Sir Peter Gluckman on Social Cohesion and Free Speech
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Speaking to the recently published Addressing the Challenges to Social Cohesion, Sir Peter Gluckman (former Chief Science Advisor to the Prime Minister and Director of Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures) sits down with Jonathan Ayling to discuss what's happening to fraying public discourse, and what we can do to address it. Support the show h…
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239. I’m 24 Weeks Pregnant! Lessons from My Pregnancy Journey, Part 1
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In this episode, I share one of the most expansive journeys I’ve ever been on: my path to being 24 weeks pregnant with a healthy baby boy. After multiple pregnancy losses, there have been so many non-obvious, non-linear initiations and activations that have moved through me to prepare me for this moment. In this solo episode, I share some of them. …
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Free speech developments at University of Auckland
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Free speech across our universities is under fire- but many academics are also working to address this. After 3 years, a working group established at the University of Auckland to consider how to preserve academic freedom and free speech has reported back, making a bold stand in a hostile environment. Free Speech Union member and UoA Professor, Ken…
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238. Trusting Your Creative Process, Being Available For Spirit While Staying Grounded In Your Body, Quantum Leaping Through Journaling – KARINA IVANOVA
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Four years ago musician, writer and podcaster Karina Ivanova was listening to one of my podcast episodes, and planted a seed that she’d like to be a guest one day. But then she heard an inner voice ask: “What would you be excited to tell Ksenia about?” That’s when she realized that the creations she’s meant to share with me (and with you) haven’t c…
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The fear of tyrants: why free speech is for the marginalised, oppressed and poor
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"Most important thinking I've written", this is how Prof. Grimes describes his recent research on who benefits from free speech. Spoiler alert- it's not who you might think. We're often told that the marginalised, oppressed and poor need protection from free speech, probably provided by the State, to ensure that free speech doesn't oppress them. Bu…
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237. Honoring The Sacred Creative Pause, Podcast As A Ceremony, Magical Experiences During Recent Travels, Choosing Creation, and Lemurian Crystals
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In this solo update I’m sharing the WHY behind the longest break from podcasting I’ve ever taken, some of the creations that I’m currently bringing into the world, and why allowing the space for Source to move through is an invitation for miracles. Here are some of the things I share: - Our experience at the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show (and an invita…
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Universities in trouble- why the academic freedom results matter
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46:12
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Academic freedom and free speech can appear to be nebulous subjects at times, which wonky intellectuals pontificate on. Yet the real world implications for a university that fails to preserve academic freedom are far-reaching. In this episode, Jonathan Ayling sits down with Dr. James Kierstead and Dr. Michael Johnston to discuss the opposition we’v…
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Worrying Trends: Academic Freedom in New Zealand with Prof. Elizabeth Rata and Dr. David Bromell
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39:58
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With the Free Speech Unions Academic Survey for 2023 now released and raising concerns Jonathan Ayling sat down with Prof Elizabeth Rata (a co-author of the "Listener 7" letter) and Dr. David Bromell (formerly of Canterbury University) to discuss the state of academic freedom in today's New Zealand. The trio explores the increasingly doctrinaire ap…
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236. KSENIA and ERIC BRIEF with MICHELLE SINNETTE: Why Spirituality, Taxes & Finances Are The Same Thing | Being A Business Artist | Facing Money Fears | ERC As An Opportunity for Source To Deliver Money ...
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My mentor Michelle Sinnette and my husband Eric Brief join me in this very special conversation about a soul calling we’ve all said YES to. After a few very internal months away from podcasting (I’m growing a baby in my belly!), I heard clear guidance to jump back in. What we share in this conversation is an answered prayer in many ways, and we go …
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Interview with Jonathan Ayling and Paul Brennan on Reality Check Radio
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Jonatha sits does with Paul Brennan on Reality Check Radio to discuss the FSU announcement that we are supporting a tender-bid for a DPMC contract to research disinformation. Support the show https://www.fsu.nz/ https://x.com/NZFreeSpeech https://www.instagram.com/freespeechnz/ https://www.tiktok.com/@freespeechunionnz…
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Interview with Prof. Grant Schofield: Academic freedom and the need for courage
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Free Speech Union Chief Executive Jonathan Ayling sat down with Prof. Grant Schofield who recently authored a 'A falling out of love letter to the university'- which reflects on his over 30 years in academia. Prof. Schofield questions whether the contemporary New Zealand university can any longer claim to be the 'conscious and critic of society' an…
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What Would Nadine Do? A debrief on the Nadine Strossen tour and 'The Disinformation Project' report.
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Join Free Speech Union Chief Executive Jonathan Ayling, FSU council member Stephen Franks and Left-wing commentator Josie Pagani and Connor Molloy for a debrief on former ACLU president Nadine Strossen's recent tour of Aotearoa. The team discuss some of the high-profile members Strossen attended, why rationalism wins the argument, and what lessons …
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Should The Public Square ever be 'Cool and Rational'? with Dr David Cumin and A/Prof Mike Grimshaw
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51:58
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"For me this is the recognition of the linking of free speech with the right for civil disobedience because the public square is never cool and rational and only ‘discursive’ – except when constrained and imposed to be so by the privileging and power of ‘the rational’." This provocative paragraph was written by Canterbury-based sociologist and form…
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Interview with Samantha Blanchard director of Silenced
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Free Speech Union council member Dane Giraud speaks with journalist and now filmmaker Samantha Blanchard about her new documentary "Silenced" which was released online over Easter weekend. "Silenced" looks at censorship during the pandemic and features the story of Peter Williams who walked away from a job at Magic Talk after being given directives…
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Was Albert Park a turning point in the Free Speech battle?
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Gender-critical speaker Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull's 'Let Woman Speak' tour of New Zealand ended before it began: due to violence. A feral mob assaulted her and women were viciously assaulted including a 72-year-old woman who was left with a fractured skull. This followed failed attempts by fringe LGBTQI+ voices to deny KJK entry to New Zealand. Will…
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Free Speech Union council member Dane Giraud speaks to Corina Shields (@AuntyHeihei on Twitter), a wahine Maori who took her opinions and concerns with government policy to TikTok after being denied the ear of MPs. Dane and Corina discuss distrust and why governments need to work much harder to win back the poor - the failure of the media to cover …
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Defending the Free Speech Rights of Drag Queen Story Time & Tusiata Avia
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Free Speech Union council members Ani O'Brien and Dane Giraud discuss the union's defending of Drag Queen story time along with Tusiata Avia's controversial poem. Enjoy! https://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/131393894/the-free-speech-door-swings-both-ways Support the show https://www.fsu.nz/ https://x.com/NZFreeSpeech https://www.instagram.com/freespeech…
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Josephine Varghese is a political analyst and researcher with the Democracy Project at Victoria University of Wellington. In today's episode, Josephine and Free Speech Union council member Dane Giraud discuss Left-wing perspectives on free speech, whether a Leftist should view free speech as a central right, and anti-colonisation thought both as ex…
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Interview with James Kierstead: The Roald Dahl Re-Edits and Dignity in Debate
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Free Speech Union spokesperson Dane Giraud speaks to James Kierstead, a Senior Lecturer in Classics at Victoria University of Wellington and Research Fellow at The New Zealand Initiative. James (who should be no stranger to Free Speech Union supporters) gives his summary of the failed hate speech laws before the boys discuss the need for generosity…
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235. 5-Step Intuitive Social Media Process for Artists, Creators, Healers, Coaches and Entrepreneurs
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If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed or just unclear about how to show up on social media – and wondering if you should show up at all – this one’s for you. In this episode, I will share a 5-step intuitive social media process that is inspired by some of the downloads that have been coming through during my one-on-one energy/social media strat…
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Interview with Mike Grimshaw: Free Speech Vs the "Gated Community"
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In a fascinating discussion that covers an amazing amount of ground, Free Speech Union spokesperson Dane Giraud speaks to Sociologist Mike Grimshaw of the University of Canterbury. Mike discusses the open society that relies on free speech to function versus the retreat into identity groups censorship encourages. The boys talk through tagging and s…
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Interview with Ashley Church: Competing Faiths - The Woke Vs The Traditional Christian Worldview
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1:09:38
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Free Speech Union council member Dane Giraud speaks with Ashley Church - a prominent media commentator on politics and property - about the religious impulse driving the "woke doctrine" and the challenges it poses for traditional text-based Christians like Ashley. The boys also touch on the pros and cons of progressive congregations in a wide-rangi…
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Protest and the Limits of Free Speech with Simeon Brown and James Cockle
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Climate change dominates tense debate around the world. Some aren't satisfied with just words however and are taking dramatic protest actions like blocking motorways and gluing their hands to roads to demand the attention they believe this crisis demands. In this podcast, Jonathan Ayling sits with Simeon Brown MP to discuss his proposed Bill to inc…
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234. Ancestral Healing, Living In Your Truth, and Remembering That We Are Already Free – NATHAN MAINGARD
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I really enjoyed this conversation with Nathan Maingard – podcast host, transformational guide and wordsmith. This is the first interview under the updated podcast cover art, and that’s intentional: the depths to which we journey in this episode takes the sacred space that is this podcast to a new level! We discuss: How a conscious social media Goo…
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I’ve been in a deep process of surrendering and incubating an upgraded podcast name and cover, and I’m so excited to share this update with you. In this solo episode, I share: Alchemization of WEB8 podcast name How someone calling me out led to a big expansion New podcast cover! Some of the symbols within the WEB8 podcast cover art The most importa…
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Special Report: Did online abuse force the Prime Minister to resign?
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In today's special episode, Free Speech Union board members Dane Giraud and Ani O'Brien discuss the emerging narrative that now-former Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern resigned due to online abuse. Were the levels of abuse she faced unprecedented and have they been contributive to increased polarisation? Or is this a cynical attempt to limit criticism …
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International Free Speech Union meeting: A Common Cause.
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We kick off the year with a very special episode: New Zealand Free Speech Union Chief Executive Jonathan Ayling in discussion with his UK and South African counterparts Toby Young and Sara Gon respectively. This inaugural meeting offers a chance to reflect on the global fight for free speech and to learn about the unique cultural challenges each un…
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