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.
Bring back Xena's kiwi/celtic aesthetic, I say.
December 1, 2025 at 4:31 AM
Bring back Xena's kiwi/celtic aesthetic, I say.
("Victory!" makes me think of an Oglaf comic which I shan't share right now as it is inappropriate to the topic at hand.)
December 1, 2025 at 1:11 AM
("Victory!" makes me think of an Oglaf comic which I shan't share right now as it is inappropriate to the topic at hand.)
Yeah, that makes sense.
November 30, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Yeah, that makes sense.
Of course, those stories are written by advisors - poets, historians, storytellers, etc.
And I have just lost a job as an advisor to an ill-advised restructure.
So, you know, check your sources.
But this is something to watch out for.
And I have just lost a job as an advisor to an ill-advised restructure.
So, you know, check your sources.
But this is something to watch out for.
November 29, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Of course, those stories are written by advisors - poets, historians, storytellers, etc.
And I have just lost a job as an advisor to an ill-advised restructure.
So, you know, check your sources.
But this is something to watch out for.
And I have just lost a job as an advisor to an ill-advised restructure.
So, you know, check your sources.
But this is something to watch out for.
"Kings and bad advice" is a Known Problem in governance, and has been for millennia. It's in the Iliad, the Shahnameh. There's a famous fairy tale, for heaven's sake.
November 29, 2025 at 10:55 PM
"Kings and bad advice" is a Known Problem in governance, and has been for millennia. It's in the Iliad, the Shahnameh. There's a famous fairy tale, for heaven's sake.
But a human advisor has things the word machine doesn't: judgement, context, discretion, nuance. The word machine doesn't.
Are these qualities important? Sure, but you probably can't tell until everything has fallen down, the castle's on fire and you've lost your hat.
Are these qualities important? Sure, but you probably can't tell until everything has fallen down, the castle's on fire and you've lost your hat.
November 29, 2025 at 10:55 PM
But a human advisor has things the word machine doesn't: judgement, context, discretion, nuance. The word machine doesn't.
Are these qualities important? Sure, but you probably can't tell until everything has fallen down, the castle's on fire and you've lost your hat.
Are these qualities important? Sure, but you probably can't tell until everything has fallen down, the castle's on fire and you've lost your hat.
The words from the word machine look right, after all.
November 29, 2025 at 10:55 PM
The words from the word machine look right, after all.
This should mean a smart leader, a good leader, is concerned with the quality of their advice - and their advisors.
But if you are at the top of the hierarchy, there's a good chance you think your own decisions are the most important, and that your advisors are ancillary at best, useless at worst.
But if you are at the top of the hierarchy, there's a good chance you think your own decisions are the most important, and that your advisors are ancillary at best, useless at worst.
November 29, 2025 at 10:55 PM
This should mean a smart leader, a good leader, is concerned with the quality of their advice - and their advisors.
But if you are at the top of the hierarchy, there's a good chance you think your own decisions are the most important, and that your advisors are ancillary at best, useless at worst.
But if you are at the top of the hierarchy, there's a good chance you think your own decisions are the most important, and that your advisors are ancillary at best, useless at worst.
Being able to make decisions on shallow information, being able to talk convincingly on dot points, being able to see the whole from fragments - these are vital leadership skills. You can't rely on perfect information.
November 29, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Being able to make decisions on shallow information, being able to talk convincingly on dot points, being able to see the whole from fragments - these are vital leadership skills. You can't rely on perfect information.
That's what I thought! You're one of the damn minifigs!
November 28, 2025 at 5:37 AM
That's what I thought! You're one of the damn minifigs!
I mean, I'm looking for a fulfilling job. But I'll take one that puts food on the table.
November 28, 2025 at 5:35 AM
I mean, I'm looking for a fulfilling job. But I'll take one that puts food on the table.
I think you're right. A job's a job.
November 28, 2025 at 4:38 AM
I think you're right. A job's a job.
Fine introduction. No notes.
November 28, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Fine introduction. No notes.
But it's a little bit mine, and I am proud.
November 27, 2025 at 11:24 PM
But it's a little bit mine, and I am proud.
The real heavy lifting on the Brumby Bill was done by an environmental group: the Invasive Species Council. This is their victory more than anyone's.
November 27, 2025 at 11:24 PM
The real heavy lifting on the Brumby Bill was done by an environmental group: the Invasive Species Council. This is their victory more than anyone's.
I organised a symposium on the issue! Through this I met Graeme Worboys of the ANU Fenner School. Graeme has since passed, but he showed me the kindest, gentlest, most powerful leadership style I'd ever seen. I've used it to model my own.
November 27, 2025 at 11:24 PM
I organised a symposium on the issue! Through this I met Graeme Worboys of the ANU Fenner School. Graeme has since passed, but he showed me the kindest, gentlest, most powerful leadership style I'd ever seen. I've used it to model my own.
The Wild Horse Heritage Act (2018) was one of the most egregiously stupid bits of legislation I saw as a policy analyst. It literally took science advice out of management decisions in the Kosciuszko National Park. It wasn't even politics - it was just foolish, horrifying.
November 27, 2025 at 11:24 PM
The Wild Horse Heritage Act (2018) was one of the most egregiously stupid bits of legislation I saw as a policy analyst. It literally took science advice out of management decisions in the Kosciuszko National Park. It wasn't even politics - it was just foolish, horrifying.