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.
I'm entirely impressed with the dialogue in these old Doctor Who episodes.
Nyssa: "How can it be bigger on the inside than the outside?"
Adric: "The Doctor told me it's because it's dimensionality transcendent."
N: "But what does that mean?"
A: "It means it's bigger on the inside than the outside."
Nyssa: "How can it be bigger on the inside than the outside?"
Adric: "The Doctor told me it's because it's dimensionality transcendent."
N: "But what does that mean?"
A: "It means it's bigger on the inside than the outside."
December 25, 2025 at 9:43 AM
I'm entirely impressed with the dialogue in these old Doctor Who episodes.
Nyssa: "How can it be bigger on the inside than the outside?"
Adric: "The Doctor told me it's because it's dimensionality transcendent."
N: "But what does that mean?"
A: "It means it's bigger on the inside than the outside."
Nyssa: "How can it be bigger on the inside than the outside?"
Adric: "The Doctor told me it's because it's dimensionality transcendent."
N: "But what does that mean?"
A: "It means it's bigger on the inside than the outside."
Reposted by Stu Barrow
The map's form: real-time
It shows: unexplored
Its purpose: nefarious
It shows: unexplored
Its purpose: nefarious
December 24, 2025 at 7:30 AM
The map's form: real-time
It shows: unexplored
Its purpose: nefarious
It shows: unexplored
Its purpose: nefarious
Reposted by Stu Barrow
The map's form: route/linear
It shows: story
Its purpose: to construct
It shows: story
Its purpose: to construct
December 24, 2025 at 6:29 AM
The map's form: route/linear
It shows: story
Its purpose: to construct
It shows: story
Its purpose: to construct
I am watching old Doctor Who episodes.
I hadn't quite realised how much K9 gets blown up, broken down, torn up, shorted out or otherwise destroyed. Poor dog!
I hadn't quite realised how much K9 gets blown up, broken down, torn up, shorted out or otherwise destroyed. Poor dog!
December 24, 2025 at 3:03 AM
I am watching old Doctor Who episodes.
I hadn't quite realised how much K9 gets blown up, broken down, torn up, shorted out or otherwise destroyed. Poor dog!
I hadn't quite realised how much K9 gets blown up, broken down, torn up, shorted out or otherwise destroyed. Poor dog!
Bruce Sterling's 1986 genre-defining anthology Mirrorshades is available for free download:
www.rudyrucker.com/mirrorshades/
Could have sworn I still had the paperback, but alas, no.
"The Difference Engine" has wandered, as well.
www.rudyrucker.com/mirrorshades/
Could have sworn I still had the paperback, but alas, no.
"The Difference Engine" has wandered, as well.
Mirrorshades
www.rudyrucker.com
December 22, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Bruce Sterling's 1986 genre-defining anthology Mirrorshades is available for free download:
www.rudyrucker.com/mirrorshades/
Could have sworn I still had the paperback, but alas, no.
"The Difference Engine" has wandered, as well.
www.rudyrucker.com/mirrorshades/
Could have sworn I still had the paperback, but alas, no.
"The Difference Engine" has wandered, as well.
Watching The Neverending Story with the offspring and friends. They are absolutely enamoured with the practical effects - as, I confess, am I.
December 21, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Watching The Neverending Story with the offspring and friends. They are absolutely enamoured with the practical effects - as, I confess, am I.
I feel that storm was unnecessarily apocalyptic.
December 20, 2025 at 9:41 AM
I feel that storm was unnecessarily apocalyptic.
We're at A Midsummer Night's Dream, and the fairies are wandering about during intermission.
Junior offspring: "Don't feed the fairies sugar! It's a bad idea!"
Senior offspring: "Feed the fairies sugar! It's a bad idea!"
Junior offspring: "Don't feed the fairies sugar! It's a bad idea!"
Senior offspring: "Feed the fairies sugar! It's a bad idea!"
December 19, 2025 at 9:48 AM
We're at A Midsummer Night's Dream, and the fairies are wandering about during intermission.
Junior offspring: "Don't feed the fairies sugar! It's a bad idea!"
Senior offspring: "Feed the fairies sugar! It's a bad idea!"
Junior offspring: "Don't feed the fairies sugar! It's a bad idea!"
Senior offspring: "Feed the fairies sugar! It's a bad idea!"
Every one of these is a weird little self-assembled spec-fic story. Only a little magic, but it builds whole worlds.
The map's form: music
It shows: anatomy
Its purpose: to complicate
It shows: anatomy
Its purpose: to complicate
December 18, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Every one of these is a weird little self-assembled spec-fic story. Only a little magic, but it builds whole worlds.
Reposted by Stu Barrow
Merriam-Webster’s human editors have chosen ‘slop’ as the 2025 Word of the Year.
December 15, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Merriam-Webster’s human editors have chosen ‘slop’ as the 2025 Word of the Year.
Reposted by Stu Barrow
Learned today that “Galápagos” comes from a Spanish word for tortoise, meaning that “Galápagos Tortoise” is,
in fact,
a tortology
in fact,
a tortology
December 13, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Learned today that “Galápagos” comes from a Spanish word for tortoise, meaning that “Galápagos Tortoise” is,
in fact,
a tortology
in fact,
a tortology
I wanted to share this one because I know a few trans folks and this seems like a pretty useful frame. Also, possibly terrifying.
So I saw a comment on Reddit and had to write an essay about it
"You can be a girl if you want to" is useless if you don't know what wanting to be a girl looks like.
If lesbians make you sad, read this one
"You can be a girl if you want to" is useless if you don't know what wanting to be a girl looks like.
If lesbians make you sad, read this one
It's Miserable In The Egg | Ela Bambust
Get more from Ela Bambust on Patreon
www.patreon.com
December 9, 2025 at 10:40 AM
I wanted to share this one because I know a few trans folks and this seems like a pretty useful frame. Also, possibly terrifying.
I can vouch for both the protagonist's age and the funniness of this novel.
(I can do more than that: Laura's book sees weird book nerds triumph by using kindness as a superpower. I'm glad I read it and I recommend it.)
(I can do more than that: Laura's book sees weird book nerds triumph by using kindness as a superpower. I'm glad I read it and I recommend it.)
Just sayin', my novel After the Bloodwood Staff has as its protagonist a pudgy 50-year-old man (height unspecified) who doesn't want to do anything. Maybe you know someone who would like to read a book like this over Christmas (I'm told it's very funny). I am shameless. Utterly shameless.
Everyone imitates Tolkien all the time except when it comes to the one way it would really matter: making the protagonist of your novel for children a short, fat, 50-year-old man who doesn't want to do anything.
December 9, 2025 at 4:09 AM
I can vouch for both the protagonist's age and the funniness of this novel.
(I can do more than that: Laura's book sees weird book nerds triumph by using kindness as a superpower. I'm glad I read it and I recommend it.)
(I can do more than that: Laura's book sees weird book nerds triumph by using kindness as a superpower. I'm glad I read it and I recommend it.)
I had my last dog training sessions yesterday, and it was lovely. It was a class full of -oodles, plus Stitch the cattle dog.
I've had a rough time of late. Taking the class lets all of that fall away, and I get to just help people with their dogs. It's only a little magic, but it's a good one.
I've had a rough time of late. Taking the class lets all of that fall away, and I get to just help people with their dogs. It's only a little magic, but it's a good one.
December 8, 2025 at 12:55 AM
I had my last dog training sessions yesterday, and it was lovely. It was a class full of -oodles, plus Stitch the cattle dog.
I've had a rough time of late. Taking the class lets all of that fall away, and I get to just help people with their dogs. It's only a little magic, but it's a good one.
I've had a rough time of late. Taking the class lets all of that fall away, and I get to just help people with their dogs. It's only a little magic, but it's a good one.
Reposted by Stu Barrow
Need a new podcast, TV show or book to devour? Let our Fellows – some of Australia's 'top scientists – guide you in the Academy’s 10th annual reading and listening list. Happy reading, listening, and viewing: www.science.org.au/news-and-eve...
Top scientists share their summer reading picks
Distinguished Professor Lidia Morawska FAA FTSE recommends Air-Borne by Carl Zimmer. Spark your curiosity, make a fresh discovery or immerse yourself in a new world this summer with reading,
www.science.org.au
December 5, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Need a new podcast, TV show or book to devour? Let our Fellows – some of Australia's 'top scientists – guide you in the Academy’s 10th annual reading and listening list. Happy reading, listening, and viewing: www.science.org.au/news-and-eve...
Local RPG people: I usually run a mini-campaign in the end-of-year break. Let me know if you are interested.
Current prospectives are:
Rapscallion (sexy weird ghost pirates)
Under Hollow Hills (a fairy circus bringing growth and change)
Agon (stylised Greek heroes doing stylised Greek hero things)
Current prospectives are:
Rapscallion (sexy weird ghost pirates)
Under Hollow Hills (a fairy circus bringing growth and change)
Agon (stylised Greek heroes doing stylised Greek hero things)
December 4, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Local RPG people: I usually run a mini-campaign in the end-of-year break. Let me know if you are interested.
Current prospectives are:
Rapscallion (sexy weird ghost pirates)
Under Hollow Hills (a fairy circus bringing growth and change)
Agon (stylised Greek heroes doing stylised Greek hero things)
Current prospectives are:
Rapscallion (sexy weird ghost pirates)
Under Hollow Hills (a fairy circus bringing growth and change)
Agon (stylised Greek heroes doing stylised Greek hero things)
These reports come out from time to time and I get the impression the powers-that-be are shocked, not so much at the findings but the public disquiet and disgust: "Wait, is jobs-for-the-boys *wrong*!? Why? How?"
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
‘Corrosive impact on trust’: Labor criticised over failure to adopt recommendations from ‘jobs for mates’ report
Katy Gallagher tells Senate estimates that Labor would not take up key recommendations including to ‘bequest’ appointments immediately before elections
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2025 at 6:03 AM
These reports come out from time to time and I get the impression the powers-that-be are shocked, not so much at the findings but the public disquiet and disgust: "Wait, is jobs-for-the-boys *wrong*!? Why? How?"
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Tell me your tales of victory and glory, of your triumphs for truth and justice.
December 1, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Tell me your tales of victory and glory, of your triumphs for truth and justice.
I think Katie Mack is one of the best science communicators in the world, but to be fair I haven't performed a rigorous analysis.
Regardless, this is a deep and important truth.
Regardless, this is a deep and important truth.
The most precious commodity you have is your attention. You don’t have to waste it on poor-faith debates or arguments with strangers if you don’t think they’ll be productive. You can prioritize the things that matter to you and make your life richer.
November 30, 2025 at 11:55 PM
I think Katie Mack is one of the best science communicators in the world, but to be fair I haven't performed a rigorous analysis.
Regardless, this is a deep and important truth.
Regardless, this is a deep and important truth.
People in senior positions make most of their decisions on relatively shallow information - summaries, precis, briefs, talking points.
They may not know the difference between good advice and words from the word machine, because to them it looks the same.
www.businessinsider.com/executives-a...
They may not know the difference between good advice and words from the word machine, because to them it looks the same.
www.businessinsider.com/executives-a...
Execs are embracing AI more than their employees are, new research suggests
Research from HR software company Dayforce suggests that executives are leaning into AI far more than their employees.
www.businessinsider.com
November 29, 2025 at 10:55 PM
People in senior positions make most of their decisions on relatively shallow information - summaries, precis, briefs, talking points.
They may not know the difference between good advice and words from the word machine, because to them it looks the same.
www.businessinsider.com/executives-a...
They may not know the difference between good advice and words from the word machine, because to them it looks the same.
www.businessinsider.com/executives-a...
There's a note on some APS jobs listings saying "Are you sure you're not qualified? Studies show that men apply for jobs when they meet 60% of criteria; women and people in marginalised groups feel they need to tick every box."
...I'm definitely a tick-every-box kind of guy, FWIW.
...I'm definitely a tick-every-box kind of guy, FWIW.
November 26, 2025 at 11:59 PM
There's a note on some APS jobs listings saying "Are you sure you're not qualified? Studies show that men apply for jobs when they meet 60% of criteria; women and people in marginalised groups feel they need to tick every box."
...I'm definitely a tick-every-box kind of guy, FWIW.
...I'm definitely a tick-every-box kind of guy, FWIW.
There may or may not be better uses of my time, but Tactical Breach Wizards is still one of the best (cleverest, funniest) games I've ever played.
November 26, 2025 at 10:35 PM
There may or may not be better uses of my time, but Tactical Breach Wizards is still one of the best (cleverest, funniest) games I've ever played.
Cannot stress enough the importance of process for learning and understanding.
If you can't explain it (on your own) you don't understand it.
If you can't explain it (on your own) you don't understand it.
Agree. I strongly believe that using AI to summarize information is a strong form of outsourcing your thinking.
Summarization is crystallizing your thoughts, and -- at least for topics you are still trying to learn -- you can't afford to let an LLM do that in your stead.
Summarization is crystallizing your thoughts, and -- at least for topics you are still trying to learn -- you can't afford to let an LLM do that in your stead.
Relying on ChatGPT to teach you about a topic leaves you with shallower knowledge than Googling and reading about it, according to new research that compared what more than 10,000 people knew after using one method or the other.
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
November 22, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Cannot stress enough the importance of process for learning and understanding.
If you can't explain it (on your own) you don't understand it.
If you can't explain it (on your own) you don't understand it.