I just signed a petition calling for Norwegian universities to use research expertise on AI when deciding how to implement it, rather than having decisions be made mostly administratively. , If you are a researcher in Norway, please read it and sign it if you agree – and share with anyone else who might be interested. The petition was written by three researchers at UiT: Maria Danielsen (a philosopher who completed her PhD in 2025 on AI and ethics, including discussions of art and working life), Knut Ørke (Norwegian as a second language), and Holger Pötzsch (a professor of media studies with many years of research on digital media, video games, disruption, and working life, among other topics). This is not about preventing researchers from exploring AI methods in their research. It is about not uncritically accepting the hype that everyone must use AI everywhere without critical reflection. It is about not introducing Copilot as the default option in word processors, or training PhD candidates to believe they will fall behind if they do not use AI when writing articles, without proper academic discussion. Changes like these should be knowledge-based and discussed academically, not merely decided administratively, because they alter the epistemological foundations of research. Maria wrote to me a couple of months ago because she had read my opinion piece in Aftenposten in which I called for a strong brake on the use of language models in knowledge work. She was part of a committee tasked with developing UiT’s AI strategy and was concerned because there was so much hype and so few members of the committee with actual expertise in AI. I fully support the petition. There are probably some good uses for AI in research, but the uncritical, hype-driven insistence that we must simply adopt it everywhere is highly risky. There are many researchers in Norway with strong expertise in AI, language, ethics, working life, and culture. We must make use of this expertise. This is also partly about respect for research in the humanities, social sciences, psychology, and law. Introducing AI at universities and university colleges is not merely a technical issue, and perhaps not even primarily a technical one. It concerns much more: philosophy of science, methodological reflection, epistemology, writing, publishing, the working environment, and more. […]
kari
This looks great–I’d love to purchase it for my niece. How did you get around the DVD region codes? I’m pretty sure US DVD players and TVs won’t accept the Australian PAL format or region codes. Are European players more flexible?
Jill
Here they sell DVD-players with the codes for unlocking them and making them zone-free. For some reason the players aren’t sold already unlocked. I think it’s because with the trial against DVD-Jon, Norwegian courts found that it’s legal to adjust your own equiptment so it will play your own, legally bought media. Which, you know, seems a no-brainer, really.
You can find codes for unlocking many if not most DVD-players. Anders Jacobsen did.
Try dvdcodes.net or dvddezone.net. Anders J. used the second, which is in French, the first is advertised in a Google ad and looks fine. There are plenty of others. There are zone-free DVD players for Macs and PCs as well, though I haven’t tried any of them.
It’s unbelievable that a government as keen on a free market as the USA’s can accept Hollywood artificially locking equiptment like that.
kari
Many thanks, Jill.
“It‚Äôs unbelievable that a government as keen on a free market as the USA‚Äôs can accept Hollywood artificially locking equiptment like that.” Yes, and I’m afraid the American public can’t look to the Democrats to adopt a position more enlightened than that of the Republicans since Hollywood lines the coffers of the Dems by a 2-to-1 margin. At least we have Lessig fighting the good fight.
mcb
Noah and Saskia is made by the company I work for!
I could’ve got you a discount…
helen
i luv noah and saskia im 15 and its gr8 how did u get it????? i want 2 buy it. is it only on dvd or can u get it on vhs 2?
Jill
Helen, you can buy it from the ABC shop, here. It’ll say there whether it’s VHS as well as DVD. That’s great to hear you liked it – I just finished watching it all, and really enjoyed it!
nisah
yeah, noah n saskia really rocks!! i was only flicking the channel, when i finally fallen in love watching this show. i keep looking forward for the next episode. n i was entirely so sad when it’s finished.
helen sewell
Are they making a second season of Noah and Saskia by any chance?Also is it available for purchase in the Uk or will i have to buy it online?
call
noah n saskia is great though i cant believe im talking abou this show come on im 16give me some dignity ive been trying to get it in dvd but i cant find region 2 someone please help me
Carrie
hey guys! am desperately trying to find somewhere I can buy a region 2 version of Noah and Saskia before xmas! Jack Blumenau (who plays Noah) is my best friend’s boyfriend and I’m trying to get her N&S for xmas (long running joke between us…) so if anyone knows where I can commandeer one please let me know! And no they’re not currently making a second series that I know of…
Love Carrie xxxx
Jill
I’m afraid I don’t know whether you can buy a region 2 version of it – mine’s region 4, and I play it on my zone free DVD player. Perhaps you could ask the BBC, who broadcast it? They might sell it in the BBC shop.
Jarrah
yeah i really hope that they make a second series of Noah & Saskia coz it is such a good show!!
Alex
I’m 15 and I love noah and saskia! I’m really interested in wether or not they’re going to make a secound season! But i can’t find the infomation everywhere! Can any1 help me?
Matty G
I’m from the UK and I REALLY want to find a DVD of Noah and Saskia. I’ve read through the entries and trawled search engines but I can’t find any links that work. If anyone can give me any advice e-mail me at: noahandsaskia@mgfx.co.uk
Jill
I bought the Noah and Saskia DVD from the ABC shop. The link is http://shop.abc.net.au/. I did a product search today and it looks as though they no longer sell the video of the series, unfortunately, but they have a paperback book of it! Perhaps that would compensate a little? I have no idea whether they’ll make a second series.
Stephie
hey, I remember watching this programme ages ago must have been at least 4 years ago!
Does anyone know if it’s still on sale or where I can get a copy if it isn’t?