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.
But I also wanted to say: if you are not transgender, there are still an awful lot of thoughts about gender and relationships and experience and life that are worth coming at from a trans perspective, because it shines a light on things you don't normally get to see.
December 9, 2025 at 10:40 AM
But I also wanted to say: if you are not transgender, there are still an awful lot of thoughts about gender and relationships and experience and life that are worth coming at from a trans perspective, because it shines a light on things you don't normally get to see.
I had to verify my age to read DMs. Feels so fucking intrusive and Orwellian.
December 9, 2025 at 4:59 AM
I had to verify my age to read DMs. Feels so fucking intrusive and Orwellian.
Also, this may not sway you but it should: it features a version of the Berkelouw Book Barn, which is a wonder and a marvel.
December 9, 2025 at 4:09 AM
Also, this may not sway you but it should: it features a version of the Berkelouw Book Barn, which is a wonder and a marvel.
Nothing has shaken my faith in the Australian government more than robodebt. Government has done plenty of shitty things before and since, but robodebt made me realise that senior government people simply don't believe they have a responsibility towards citizens.
December 9, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Nothing has shaken my faith in the Australian government more than robodebt. Government has done plenty of shitty things before and since, but robodebt made me realise that senior government people simply don't believe they have a responsibility towards citizens.
We steadfastly refused to learn the actual lessons, and we learned we could do that brazenly and with impunity.
December 9, 2025 at 12:08 AM
We steadfastly refused to learn the actual lessons, and we learned we could do that brazenly and with impunity.
We learned that any acknowledgement will take years and won't result in major changes to government operations or hiring practices.
December 9, 2025 at 12:08 AM
We learned that any acknowledgement will take years and won't result in major changes to government operations or hiring practices.
We learned plenty from robodebt.
We learned that the architects won't face any real consequences.
We learned that algorithms are bad PR. (We didn't learn why.)
We learned that public service ethics are optional, and indeed unwanted.
We learned that the architects won't face any real consequences.
We learned that algorithms are bad PR. (We didn't learn why.)
We learned that public service ethics are optional, and indeed unwanted.
December 9, 2025 at 12:08 AM
We learned plenty from robodebt.
We learned that the architects won't face any real consequences.
We learned that algorithms are bad PR. (We didn't learn why.)
We learned that public service ethics are optional, and indeed unwanted.
We learned that the architects won't face any real consequences.
We learned that algorithms are bad PR. (We didn't learn why.)
We learned that public service ethics are optional, and indeed unwanted.
One of the strange and humbling things about being a policy person is realising that some folk just aren't moved by evidence. Like, it just does not matter.
December 4, 2025 at 11:28 AM
One of the strange and humbling things about being a policy person is realising that some folk just aren't moved by evidence. Like, it just does not matter.
(Local = Canberra for these purposes.)
December 4, 2025 at 4:29 AM
(Local = Canberra for these purposes.)
The Force Awakens Ten from Navarone
December 4, 2025 at 2:52 AM
The Force Awakens Ten from Navarone
Oh. I am sorry to hear.
December 4, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Oh. I am sorry to hear.
Yes.
As a manager with ADHD, meetings become much less useful for me after half an hour, because I physically cannot concentrate, even medicated.
You know who benefits from shorter meetings with focussed agendas?
Every. Single. Person.
As a manager with ADHD, meetings become much less useful for me after half an hour, because I physically cannot concentrate, even medicated.
You know who benefits from shorter meetings with focussed agendas?
Every. Single. Person.
December 3, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Yes.
As a manager with ADHD, meetings become much less useful for me after half an hour, because I physically cannot concentrate, even medicated.
You know who benefits from shorter meetings with focussed agendas?
Every. Single. Person.
As a manager with ADHD, meetings become much less useful for me after half an hour, because I physically cannot concentrate, even medicated.
You know who benefits from shorter meetings with focussed agendas?
Every. Single. Person.
20,000 Leagues of Their Own Under the Sea
December 3, 2025 at 9:43 PM
20,000 Leagues of Their Own Under the Sea
Death Takes a Holiday in Brunswick
December 3, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Death Takes a Holiday in Brunswick
Romancing the Sword in the Stone
December 3, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Romancing the Sword in the Stone
The Good, the Bad, The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, Her Lover, and the Ugly.
December 3, 2025 at 1:45 PM
The Good, the Bad, The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, Her Lover, and the Ugly.