Dr. Rachel Kowert
@drkowert.bsky.social
Founder of Psychgeist. Visiting Researcher at University of Cambridge. Chocobo wrangler. All opinions mine.
Getting into the holiday spirit.
November 30, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Getting into the holiday spirit.
Reposted by Dr. Rachel Kowert
Excited to see these studies (finally) published in Scientific Reports! 🚨
S1: More social media users perceived themselves as addicted than met clinical addiction criteria.
S2: Increasing perceived addiction hurt perceived control over use and increased self-blame for overuse.
Thread below... 🧵
S1: More social media users perceived themselves as addicted than met clinical addiction criteria.
S2: Increasing perceived addiction hurt perceived control over use and increased self-blame for overuse.
Thread below... 🧵
November 29, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Excited to see these studies (finally) published in Scientific Reports! 🚨
S1: More social media users perceived themselves as addicted than met clinical addiction criteria.
S2: Increasing perceived addiction hurt perceived control over use and increased self-blame for overuse.
Thread below... 🧵
S1: More social media users perceived themselves as addicted than met clinical addiction criteria.
S2: Increasing perceived addiction hurt perceived control over use and increased self-blame for overuse.
Thread below... 🧵
Digital leadership in games report inadequate institutional support and nearly (96%) independently seek professional development.
I'm proud to say we are building new resources for this community.
...in the meantime, you can learn more here:
share.google/cqAeOvKuwgcw...
I'm proud to say we are building new resources for this community.
...in the meantime, you can learn more here:
share.google/cqAeOvKuwgcw...
Understanding The Needs Of Video Game Digital Communities — Shine A Light Gaming
Gaming communities need leaders who can keep people safe. But most community managers and moderators get zero training before they start. Players expect freedom and protection from harassment and hate...
share.google
November 30, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Digital leadership in games report inadequate institutional support and nearly (96%) independently seek professional development.
I'm proud to say we are building new resources for this community.
...in the meantime, you can learn more here:
share.google/cqAeOvKuwgcw...
I'm proud to say we are building new resources for this community.
...in the meantime, you can learn more here:
share.google/cqAeOvKuwgcw...
Reposted by Dr. Rachel Kowert
I walked away from my last job profoundly jaded that the voluntary commitments by tech companies to address violent extemism on their platforms and to collectively hold the industry to account together were at best cynically held, and every day since has hit a new low.
November 29, 2025 at 2:20 PM
I walked away from my last job profoundly jaded that the voluntary commitments by tech companies to address violent extemism on their platforms and to collectively hold the industry to account together were at best cynically held, and every day since has hit a new low.
Reposted by Dr. Rachel Kowert
Voting closes tonight, last chance to decide the winners of the GAConf accessibility awards!
Voting form and finalists' info here - www.gaconf.com/gaconf-award...
#gamedev #indiedev #accessibility
Voting form and finalists' info here - www.gaconf.com/gaconf-award...
#gamedev #indiedev #accessibility
November 29, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Voting closes tonight, last chance to decide the winners of the GAConf accessibility awards!
Voting form and finalists' info here - www.gaconf.com/gaconf-award...
#gamedev #indiedev #accessibility
Voting form and finalists' info here - www.gaconf.com/gaconf-award...
#gamedev #indiedev #accessibility
Reposted by Dr. Rachel Kowert
Nihilistic violence includes violent acts lacking a unifying ideology or political goal, often driven by misanthropy or a desire for notoriety in online communities.
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November 29, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Nihilistic violence includes violent acts lacking a unifying ideology or political goal, often driven by misanthropy or a desire for notoriety in online communities.
⬇️
⬇️
Have you checked out EXP talks yet?
They are like nerdy TED talks but with more bonus XP brought to you by the editors of the Psychgeist of Pop Culture series.
youtube.com/playlist?lis...
They are like nerdy TED talks but with more bonus XP brought to you by the editors of the Psychgeist of Pop Culture series.
youtube.com/playlist?lis...
EXP Talks: Entertainment • Xperience • Psychology - YouTube
🎮 Let's farm some XP for your brain. EXP talks are TED styles talks that deep diver into the topics discussed in the Psychgeist of Pop Culture book series fr...
youtube.com
November 29, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Have you checked out EXP talks yet?
They are like nerdy TED talks but with more bonus XP brought to you by the editors of the Psychgeist of Pop Culture series.
youtube.com/playlist?lis...
They are like nerdy TED talks but with more bonus XP brought to you by the editors of the Psychgeist of Pop Culture series.
youtube.com/playlist?lis...
How many months is too many months peer review?
Checked in on a submission that's been under review since July and they said they still haven't found a second reviewer 🫠
Checked in on a submission that's been under review since July and they said they still haven't found a second reviewer 🫠
November 29, 2025 at 12:13 AM
How many months is too many months peer review?
Checked in on a submission that's been under review since July and they said they still haven't found a second reviewer 🫠
Checked in on a submission that's been under review since July and they said they still haven't found a second reviewer 🫠
I'm inching closer to my arbitrary but important-to-validate-my-efforts goal of 5k subscribers by the end of the year.
Games! Science! 90s game references!
If you already subscribe (thank you!), consider sharing with another Witcher lover in your life!
www.youtube.com/psychgeist
Games! Science! 90s game references!
If you already subscribe (thank you!), consider sharing with another Witcher lover in your life!
www.youtube.com/psychgeist
Psychgeist
Where science, video games, and pop culture meet.
Hosted by Dr. Rachel Kowert, a psychologist and game researcher, this channel breaks down the science behind your favorite games, shows, and fandom...
www.youtube.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:19 PM
I'm inching closer to my arbitrary but important-to-validate-my-efforts goal of 5k subscribers by the end of the year.
Games! Science! 90s game references!
If you already subscribe (thank you!), consider sharing with another Witcher lover in your life!
www.youtube.com/psychgeist
Games! Science! 90s game references!
If you already subscribe (thank you!), consider sharing with another Witcher lover in your life!
www.youtube.com/psychgeist
t remains so important to show up with scientifically-backed counter narratives to the never-ending-moral-panic about technology and young people.
Here's some fodder for that conversation.
open.substack.com/pub/rachelko...
Here's some fodder for that conversation.
open.substack.com/pub/rachelko...
TL;DR November 2025
A compendium of the comings and goings in research, development, and news about our digital playgrounds from November 2025.
open.substack.com
November 27, 2025 at 11:20 AM
t remains so important to show up with scientifically-backed counter narratives to the never-ending-moral-panic about technology and young people.
Here's some fodder for that conversation.
open.substack.com/pub/rachelko...
Here's some fodder for that conversation.
open.substack.com/pub/rachelko...
❗HAPPY NEWSLETTER DAY❗
You're getting it a few days early because you have to have something to read over the holiday weekend.
This month:
• “We’re Not the Anxious Generation”
• Sweden’s big move on gaming regulation
• New research from Xbox and UCLA
www.linkedin.com/redir/redire...
You're getting it a few days early because you have to have something to read over the holiday weekend.
This month:
• “We’re Not the Anxious Generation”
• Sweden’s big move on gaming regulation
• New research from Xbox and UCLA
www.linkedin.com/redir/redire...
TL;DR November 2025
A compendium of the comings and goings in research, development, and news about our digital playgrounds from November 2025.
www.linkedin.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:07 PM
❗HAPPY NEWSLETTER DAY❗
You're getting it a few days early because you have to have something to read over the holiday weekend.
This month:
• “We’re Not the Anxious Generation”
• Sweden’s big move on gaming regulation
• New research from Xbox and UCLA
www.linkedin.com/redir/redire...
You're getting it a few days early because you have to have something to read over the holiday weekend.
This month:
• “We’re Not the Anxious Generation”
• Sweden’s big move on gaming regulation
• New research from Xbox and UCLA
www.linkedin.com/redir/redire...
Help me in my push to 5k for the end of 2025!
I just need 1400 new friends who also love brains and games 🧠🎮
www.youtube.com/psychgeist
I just need 1400 new friends who also love brains and games 🧠🎮
www.youtube.com/psychgeist
Psychgeist
Where science, video games, and pop culture meet.
Hosted by Dr. Rachel Kowert, a psychologist and game researcher, this channel breaks down the science behind your favorite games, shows, and fandom...
www.youtube.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Help me in my push to 5k for the end of 2025!
I just need 1400 new friends who also love brains and games 🧠🎮
www.youtube.com/psychgeist
I just need 1400 new friends who also love brains and games 🧠🎮
www.youtube.com/psychgeist
Reposted by Dr. Rachel Kowert
“Many believe Future Class’s failure will serve as a cogent reminder that allyship without proper support is simply performative.”
I can’t see why anyone would continue to support TGA when it clearly does not support game devs, just a circle jerk for the wealthy.
I can’t see why anyone would continue to support TGA when it clearly does not support game devs, just a circle jerk for the wealthy.
"We found out later that Keighley had a party in another room with all the influencers and industry people. You know where Future Class met that day? At a Starbucks.”
‘We were effectively props’: young stars of game development feel let down by the ‘gaming Oscars’
Announced in 2020 by the Game Awards as an inclusive programme for the industry’s next generation, the Future Class initiative has now been discontinued. Inductees describe clashes with organisers and...
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:46 PM
“Many believe Future Class’s failure will serve as a cogent reminder that allyship without proper support is simply performative.”
I can’t see why anyone would continue to support TGA when it clearly does not support game devs, just a circle jerk for the wealthy.
I can’t see why anyone would continue to support TGA when it clearly does not support game devs, just a circle jerk for the wealthy.
Reposted by Dr. Rachel Kowert
What makes a cozy game cozy, and why do so many people love playing them? @davetach.bsky.social spoke to @drkowert.bsky.social and a bunch of devs to get the answers.
store.epicgames.com/en-US/news/b...
store.epicgames.com/en-US/news/b...
The Rise of Cozy Games
From Stardew Valley to Animal Crossing and the COVID boom, we spoke with developers, players, and a video game-focused psychologist on the rise of chill games.
store.epicgames.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:28 PM
What makes a cozy game cozy, and why do so many people love playing them? @davetach.bsky.social spoke to @drkowert.bsky.social and a bunch of devs to get the answers.
store.epicgames.com/en-US/news/b...
store.epicgames.com/en-US/news/b...
The Psychgeist publishing imprint is expanding!
Joining the flagship Psychgeist of Pop Culture series will be a new series of academic titles, called "Games And" - with Games and Nostalgia being the first title already in production!
Exciting announcements coming soon - watch this space!
Joining the flagship Psychgeist of Pop Culture series will be a new series of academic titles, called "Games And" - with Games and Nostalgia being the first title already in production!
Exciting announcements coming soon - watch this space!
November 24, 2025 at 1:17 AM
The Psychgeist publishing imprint is expanding!
Joining the flagship Psychgeist of Pop Culture series will be a new series of academic titles, called "Games And" - with Games and Nostalgia being the first title already in production!
Exciting announcements coming soon - watch this space!
Joining the flagship Psychgeist of Pop Culture series will be a new series of academic titles, called "Games And" - with Games and Nostalgia being the first title already in production!
Exciting announcements coming soon - watch this space!
"When leaders establish norms that intervention is a community responsibility rather than a only an individual or platform-level responsibility, they alter the psychological gymnastics put on bystanders to evaluate and intervene."
#sneakpeek @officialgdc.bsky.social
share.google/N30WwUh2c7Bu...
#sneakpeek @officialgdc.bsky.social
share.google/N30WwUh2c7Bu...
The Toxicity Tax: Why the Future of Trust and Safety is Leadership Led | Agenda | GDC Festival of Gaming
TheGDC Festival of Gaming program blends expert insight with interactive formats designed to spark ideas, sharpen skills, and connect communities.
share.google
November 23, 2025 at 7:13 PM
"When leaders establish norms that intervention is a community responsibility rather than a only an individual or platform-level responsibility, they alter the psychological gymnastics put on bystanders to evaluate and intervene."
#sneakpeek @officialgdc.bsky.social
share.google/N30WwUh2c7Bu...
#sneakpeek @officialgdc.bsky.social
share.google/N30WwUh2c7Bu...
Reposted by Dr. Rachel Kowert
My brother in the Old Gods and the New, you're 77 years old. Just write the last two damn books. Jon's been lying there in the snow for almost 15 years now.
George R.R. Martin teases the 'Game of Thrones' universe will finally get to the world after the OG show's divisive finale.
'Game of Thrones' Will Get a Proper Sequel, Eventually
George R.R. Martin teases the 'Game of Thrones' universe will finally get to the world after the OG show's divisive finale.
gizmodo.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:46 PM
My brother in the Old Gods and the New, you're 77 years old. Just write the last two damn books. Jon's been lying there in the snow for almost 15 years now.
Reposted by Dr. Rachel Kowert
society at large is only gonna get weirder as irony-poisoned too-online millennials slide into middle age
Something strangely peaceful about this email I got from my tax preparer
November 22, 2025 at 2:57 PM
society at large is only gonna get weirder as irony-poisoned too-online millennials slide into middle age
Further solidifying my status as a #CavillInfluencer (IYKYK).
This new book by Jon Harrison is such a celebration of wisdom from gamers, creators, and beloved nerds like Henry Cavill, Jack Black, and many more (including me!).
youtube.com/shorts/C21Yp...
This new book by Jon Harrison is such a celebration of wisdom from gamers, creators, and beloved nerds like Henry Cavill, Jack Black, and many more (including me!).
youtube.com/shorts/C21Yp...
What Video Games Taught Us — Featuring Henry Cavill, Jack Black, and ME!
YouTube video by Psychgeist
youtube.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Further solidifying my status as a #CavillInfluencer (IYKYK).
This new book by Jon Harrison is such a celebration of wisdom from gamers, creators, and beloved nerds like Henry Cavill, Jack Black, and many more (including me!).
youtube.com/shorts/C21Yp...
This new book by Jon Harrison is such a celebration of wisdom from gamers, creators, and beloved nerds like Henry Cavill, Jack Black, and many more (including me!).
youtube.com/shorts/C21Yp...
Reposted by Dr. Rachel Kowert
Are you looking for more tools to help leverage your Discord community? Join us next week on Tuesday, November 18th for a webinar with our friends at Dashscored to learn more about how their bot can help community managers in their roles!
RSVP: https://loom.ly/-geh9e8
RSVP: https://loom.ly/-geh9e8
November 18, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Are you looking for more tools to help leverage your Discord community? Join us next week on Tuesday, November 18th for a webinar with our friends at Dashscored to learn more about how their bot can help community managers in their roles!
RSVP: https://loom.ly/-geh9e8
RSVP: https://loom.ly/-geh9e8
Reposted by Dr. Rachel Kowert
Hey #gamedev #indiedev, pretty cool to see all these accessibility awards flying around eh? Would be handy if someone made a list of what and when they all are and when to submit, right?
🫡
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
🫡
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
November 18, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Hey #gamedev #indiedev, pretty cool to see all these accessibility awards flying around eh? Would be handy if someone made a list of what and when they all are and when to submit, right?
🫡
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
🫡
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Call for Papers! The Psychgeist of Pop Culture: Chrono Trigger – Play Story Press
playstorypress.org
November 17, 2025 at 4:08 PM