Stu Barrow
@functionary.bsky.social
Stu. Nerd and wonk. Neurodivergent.
Strong professional interest in science, science policy, knowledge systems, philosophy, communication modes.
Strong personal interest in history, mythology, politics, speculative fiction, roleplaying, more besides.
Strong professional interest in science, science policy, knowledge systems, philosophy, communication modes.
Strong personal interest in history, mythology, politics, speculative fiction, roleplaying, more besides.
Hadn't seen Grosse Pointe Blank before. It was fun.
February 7, 2026 at 1:04 PM
Hadn't seen Grosse Pointe Blank before. It was fun.
Have to feel for Tegan in these old Doctor Who episodes. Her introduction to the TARDIS is deeply traumatic, with the death of her aunt and her accidental kidnapping. The Doctor is the only persona who can help her, but from her pov he's erratic, incoherent and highly unreliable.
February 7, 2026 at 3:20 AM
Have to feel for Tegan in these old Doctor Who episodes. Her introduction to the TARDIS is deeply traumatic, with the death of her aunt and her accidental kidnapping. The Doctor is the only persona who can help her, but from her pov he's erratic, incoherent and highly unreliable.
My people are good people.
My former colleagues are good people.
My friends are good people.
My kids are good people.
My siblings and niblings are good people.
My people are good people.
My former colleagues are good people.
My friends are good people.
My kids are good people.
My siblings and niblings are good people.
My people are good people.
February 6, 2026 at 2:51 AM
My people are good people.
My former colleagues are good people.
My friends are good people.
My kids are good people.
My siblings and niblings are good people.
My people are good people.
My former colleagues are good people.
My friends are good people.
My kids are good people.
My siblings and niblings are good people.
My people are good people.
My favourite Star Trek is always the Star Trek that's on.
And I do not mind that being Starfleet Academy right now.
And I do not mind that being Starfleet Academy right now.
February 5, 2026 at 9:21 AM
My favourite Star Trek is always the Star Trek that's on.
And I do not mind that being Starfleet Academy right now.
And I do not mind that being Starfleet Academy right now.
My youngest recommended Lore Olympus, a graphic novel that tells (and somewhat reimagines) Greek myths, starting with Persephone and Hades.
And it is just lovely, and elegant, and beautiful, and sweeping, and dramatic. Exquisitely framed and designed and written.
I pass on the recommendation.
And it is just lovely, and elegant, and beautiful, and sweeping, and dramatic. Exquisitely framed and designed and written.
I pass on the recommendation.
January 30, 2026 at 10:58 AM
My youngest recommended Lore Olympus, a graphic novel that tells (and somewhat reimagines) Greek myths, starting with Persephone and Hades.
And it is just lovely, and elegant, and beautiful, and sweeping, and dramatic. Exquisitely framed and designed and written.
I pass on the recommendation.
And it is just lovely, and elegant, and beautiful, and sweeping, and dramatic. Exquisitely framed and designed and written.
I pass on the recommendation.
A thread of glory and wonder.
January 29, 2026 at 11:03 PM
A thread of glory and wonder.
Applying for government jobs is marginally easier than it was last time I was doing it, which was ~10 years ago.
January 29, 2026 at 6:37 AM
Applying for government jobs is marginally easier than it was last time I was doing it, which was ~10 years ago.
Jobhunting: "Application closing date: 17 August 2026."
It appears correct, or at least it's the same in several places. Government work, obvs.
It appears correct, or at least it's the same in several places. Government work, obvs.
January 29, 2026 at 5:29 AM
Jobhunting: "Application closing date: 17 August 2026."
It appears correct, or at least it's the same in several places. Government work, obvs.
It appears correct, or at least it's the same in several places. Government work, obvs.
Reposted by Stu Barrow
I think one of the most frustrating things for many neurodivergent people is that we cannot understand why people don’t give a fuck about things that could make the world a better and kinder place - that’s what happens when your emotional circuitry doesn’t work “effectively”
January 26, 2026 at 12:25 AM
I think one of the most frustrating things for many neurodivergent people is that we cannot understand why people don’t give a fuck about things that could make the world a better and kinder place - that’s what happens when your emotional circuitry doesn’t work “effectively”
Weird stuff in the job hunt. DFAT is looking for an EL1 Locksmith:
www.apsjobs.gov.au/s/job-detail...
www.apsjobs.gov.au/s/job-detail...
APS Jobs
APS Jobs, gateway to the Australian Public Service.
www.apsjobs.gov.au
January 23, 2026 at 4:32 AM
Weird stuff in the job hunt. DFAT is looking for an EL1 Locksmith:
www.apsjobs.gov.au/s/job-detail...
www.apsjobs.gov.au/s/job-detail...
Reposted by Stu Barrow
Guardian headline: 'use of ADHD meds has more than tripled!! 😱😭🚨'
Article details: barely anyone who might need the meds has access to them 🤷🏻♀️
Article details: barely anyone who might need the meds has access to them 🤷🏻♀️
January 22, 2026 at 7:05 AM
Guardian headline: 'use of ADHD meds has more than tripled!! 😱😭🚨'
Article details: barely anyone who might need the meds has access to them 🤷🏻♀️
Article details: barely anyone who might need the meds has access to them 🤷🏻♀️
I am feeling weighed down by weltschmerz (and a bit of personal schmerz).
What's good for the soul, entertainment-wise?
What's good for the soul, entertainment-wise?
January 22, 2026 at 8:13 AM
I am feeling weighed down by weltschmerz (and a bit of personal schmerz).
What's good for the soul, entertainment-wise?
What's good for the soul, entertainment-wise?
A thing this world has largely lost: paperbacks what fit in your pocket.
(Braidwood book fair.)
(Braidwood book fair.)
January 22, 2026 at 1:56 AM
A thing this world has largely lost: paperbacks what fit in your pocket.
(Braidwood book fair.)
(Braidwood book fair.)
Reposted by Stu Barrow
I like that the same day a guy was like “this place will never be Twitter” this thread gave us the most 2015 Twitter experience (complimentary) imaginable.
I just woke up from a nap and somehow while I was asleep, everyone on the bus has figured out we are not going to the right place
January 20, 2026 at 4:38 AM
I like that the same day a guy was like “this place will never be Twitter” this thread gave us the most 2015 Twitter experience (complimentary) imaginable.
Media literacy with the junior offspring:
"Yeah, he's going to be in a love triangle with the space princess and the smart girl."
"Yeah, I reckon."
"And not the sexy rival room-mate or the hot Klingon."
"No, those relationships are for the slashfic."
"Yeah, he's going to be in a love triangle with the space princess and the smart girl."
"Yeah, I reckon."
"And not the sexy rival room-mate or the hot Klingon."
"No, those relationships are for the slashfic."
January 17, 2026 at 8:40 AM
Media literacy with the junior offspring:
"Yeah, he's going to be in a love triangle with the space princess and the smart girl."
"Yeah, I reckon."
"And not the sexy rival room-mate or the hot Klingon."
"No, those relationships are for the slashfic."
"Yeah, he's going to be in a love triangle with the space princess and the smart girl."
"Yeah, I reckon."
"And not the sexy rival room-mate or the hot Klingon."
"No, those relationships are for the slashfic."
Breakfast conversation went from "egg yolks are my mortal enemy" to "what is the definition of life?" so I am feeling like a pretty good parent right now.
January 17, 2026 at 12:40 AM
Breakfast conversation went from "egg yolks are my mortal enemy" to "what is the definition of life?" so I am feeling like a pretty good parent right now.
Starfleet Academy:
* Gritty space crime adventure-bad start
* Consequential moral dilemma-good recovery
* Cool ship
* Dodgy pedagogy
* Like really dodgy
* ND stand-in character (several)
* Hot pacifist Klingon
* Dodgy technobabble
* Honestly pretty cool crew
* Junior offspring liked it.
It'll do.
* Gritty space crime adventure-bad start
* Consequential moral dilemma-good recovery
* Cool ship
* Dodgy pedagogy
* Like really dodgy
* ND stand-in character (several)
* Hot pacifist Klingon
* Dodgy technobabble
* Honestly pretty cool crew
* Junior offspring liked it.
It'll do.
January 16, 2026 at 9:48 AM
Starfleet Academy:
* Gritty space crime adventure-bad start
* Consequential moral dilemma-good recovery
* Cool ship
* Dodgy pedagogy
* Like really dodgy
* ND stand-in character (several)
* Hot pacifist Klingon
* Dodgy technobabble
* Honestly pretty cool crew
* Junior offspring liked it.
It'll do.
* Gritty space crime adventure-bad start
* Consequential moral dilemma-good recovery
* Cool ship
* Dodgy pedagogy
* Like really dodgy
* ND stand-in character (several)
* Hot pacifist Klingon
* Dodgy technobabble
* Honestly pretty cool crew
* Junior offspring liked it.
It'll do.
I thought the job ad asked for:
* Inattentive
* Attention to detail.
And I thought, I can nail both of those but it's an odd set of requirements, but it turned out the first one was:
* Initiative.
So I'm glad I caught that.
* Inattentive
* Attention to detail.
And I thought, I can nail both of those but it's an odd set of requirements, but it turned out the first one was:
* Initiative.
So I'm glad I caught that.
January 16, 2026 at 4:39 AM
I thought the job ad asked for:
* Inattentive
* Attention to detail.
And I thought, I can nail both of those but it's an odd set of requirements, but it turned out the first one was:
* Initiative.
So I'm glad I caught that.
* Inattentive
* Attention to detail.
And I thought, I can nail both of those but it's an odd set of requirements, but it turned out the first one was:
* Initiative.
So I'm glad I caught that.
Personal rules of editing:
1. You can't edit a blank page
2. A 20% word cull will improve almost any piece of writing
3. Stop before you ruin it.
(Credit to my friend Robbie for no. 2.)
1. You can't edit a blank page
2. A 20% word cull will improve almost any piece of writing
3. Stop before you ruin it.
(Credit to my friend Robbie for no. 2.)
January 16, 2026 at 12:55 AM
Personal rules of editing:
1. You can't edit a blank page
2. A 20% word cull will improve almost any piece of writing
3. Stop before you ruin it.
(Credit to my friend Robbie for no. 2.)
1. You can't edit a blank page
2. A 20% word cull will improve almost any piece of writing
3. Stop before you ruin it.
(Credit to my friend Robbie for no. 2.)
Oh.
Swords Without Master is a small, perfect thing: a truly genius story-game evocation of the sword and sorcery genre.
Swords Without Master is a small, perfect thing: a truly genius story-game evocation of the sword and sorcery genre.
January 15, 2026 at 11:29 PM
Oh.
Swords Without Master is a small, perfect thing: a truly genius story-game evocation of the sword and sorcery genre.
Swords Without Master is a small, perfect thing: a truly genius story-game evocation of the sword and sorcery genre.
Hard same, actually.
No new pictures - where are you mentally?
January 13, 2026 at 3:25 AM
Hard same, actually.