Julia Wester, PhD
@drjuliawester.bsky.social
Interdisciplinary environmental social scientist, educator, organizer | Field School and UMiami | Unironically loves Florida, even when it hurts me
Reposted by Julia Wester, PhD
If we were really going to "run the government like a business," Costco is the actual model we'd want to follow.
Let's again stipulate that the government is not a business & the whole idea it should run like one is a dumb category error. But if anyone was actually serious about running the government like a business & eliminating waste, the model would be Costco & not a single person/firm from Silicon Valley.
Costco is a really popular subject for business-success case studies but I feel like business guys kinda lose interest when the upshot of the study is like "just operate with scrupulous integrity in all facets and levels of your business for four decades" and not some easy-to-fix gimmick
November 10, 2025 at 6:51 PM
If we were really going to "run the government like a business," Costco is the actual model we'd want to follow.
Reposted by Julia Wester, PhD
Yeah the Hobbits big virtue is that they're indomitable. They aren't wise or clever or strong, but that turns out to be less important than the will to pick up and carry your friend to the end of the world
October 24, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Yeah the Hobbits big virtue is that they're indomitable. They aren't wise or clever or strong, but that turns out to be less important than the will to pick up and carry your friend to the end of the world
I’ve gone through cycles. I mostly enjoy this app & can be normal about it. Then at times I’m clearly stressed/anxious and it goes from being fun/informative to an anxious impulse. I have the freedom app and use that block it for 24 hours when that happens to reset and that has helped.
October 22, 2025 at 8:44 PM
I’ve gone through cycles. I mostly enjoy this app & can be normal about it. Then at times I’m clearly stressed/anxious and it goes from being fun/informative to an anxious impulse. I have the freedom app and use that block it for 24 hours when that happens to reset and that has helped.
Would also love to know what breaking down “organizing” looks like for you in terms of regular achievable tasks on a daily-weekly scale to-do list. I’ve added stuff on the month scale like “attend meetings” and “check off that thing I promised to contribute at the last meeting”
October 16, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Would also love to know what breaking down “organizing” looks like for you in terms of regular achievable tasks on a daily-weekly scale to-do list. I’ve added stuff on the month scale like “attend meetings” and “check off that thing I promised to contribute at the last meeting”
oh is this every trader joe's?? I just assumed it was Miami's fun the little twist on the experience.
October 11, 2025 at 6:10 PM
oh is this every trader joe's?? I just assumed it was Miami's fun the little twist on the experience.
I went to a conference in Portland a couple years ago and got a similar response from FL fox-viewing step sister: (worried, serious) “omg what was it like?” Me (breezy, oblivious) “oh Portland rules, the food was so good. Loved just walking around!” She looked genuinely baffled and disconcerted.
October 5, 2025 at 12:35 PM
I went to a conference in Portland a couple years ago and got a similar response from FL fox-viewing step sister: (worried, serious) “omg what was it like?” Me (breezy, oblivious) “oh Portland rules, the food was so good. Loved just walking around!” She looked genuinely baffled and disconcerted.
I think my favorite part of this is when the toddler gets on the golden retriever like injured Aragorn getting on his horse in that one part of Two Towers
October 1, 2025 at 8:22 PM
I think my favorite part of this is when the toddler gets on the golden retriever like injured Aragorn getting on his horse in that one part of Two Towers