Stu Barrow
@functionary.bsky.social
97 followers 98 following 550 posts
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.
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functionary.bsky.social
If the industry can be killed by asking permission from artists it should be killed by asking permission from artists.
functionary.bsky.social
That said, this was very accessible to my western-trained palate. I felt like Tidhar was bringing me stories rather than me going out and hunting them.

I acknowledge and appreciate the skill and service.
functionary.bsky.social
Great antho - I enjoyed pretty much every story, and some were absolute killers.

I reckon if you really want your mind blown you need to be open to different styles and perspectives.

And if you don't want your mind blown, why are you reading sf?
A scifi anthology: "The Best of World SF - volume 3. Edited by Lavie Tidhar."
functionary.bsky.social
I normally liveblog my Phenomenon (Canberra RPG convention) experience and I am not doing that this year because of personal reasons, but I have played some damn fine games this year.
functionary.bsky.social
That strikes me as implausible, and no doubt the plesiosaur would feel the same.
functionary.bsky.social
Wild card challenge! Sister vs. nibling!
functionary.bsky.social
The game was the winner but really the winner was my sister.
functionary.bsky.social
Championship round. Sister v. BIL. The game will be the winner.
functionary.bsky.social
A creditable performance by the eldest but brother-in-law was better on the day. All Barrows are out of the tournament.
functionary.bsky.social
I got pasted. Family honour now rests on the senior offspring.
functionary.bsky.social
My niblings have a home skeeball set and have organised a family tournament. I have just defeated my sister against the odds, and am through to the third round.

I'm against my other sister next. I'll keep you posted.
functionary.bsky.social
The South Australian Museum is still pretty great. It has whale skeletons, a giant squid, amazing rock galleries, and an inexplicable Egyptian gallery. And also a ten-thousand year old boomerang, and an opalised plesiosaur skeleton that must be one of the most wondrous things in the world.
functionary.bsky.social
"I always worry that the machine won't take my train ticket."
"I told you, if you don't have a ticket it takes your soul instead."
"Fair enough. What use is a soul these days?"
"Well. Without it you can't get a return ticket."
functionary.bsky.social
No Country for Old Men in Tights
functionary.bsky.social
Ugh. Typos. Wake up before posting, Stu.
functionary.bsky.social
I was yue very soul of politeness. The object of its ire was a couple of fimches.
functionary.bsky.social
I didn't ask. It was hissing and scowling.
functionary.bsky.social
Those tend to be drummers, don't they?
functionary.bsky.social
A Mean-Spirited Curlew.
A Bush Stone-Curlew, a grey-ish brown bird.
functionary.bsky.social
A Funky White Spoonbill.
A Royal Spoonbill - a white bird with a crest and a spoon-shaped bill - on a branch in an avairy.
functionary.bsky.social
(The second joke was my uncle's.)
functionary.bsky.social
Anyway Cleland Wildlife Park is quite nice.
A view of Adelaide from Cleland Wildlife Park, with rocks in the foreground and clouds in the sky."