Joel Abrams
@joelabrams.com
Spreading fact-based journalism from
@us.theconversation.com. Fueled by tea.
@us.theconversation.com. Fueled by tea.
This comment on a Facebook post I wrote made my day. I am human and unpredictable, whereas ChatGPT is entirely based on the probability of what word comes next www.facebook.com/theconversat...
November 21, 2025 at 5:08 PM
This comment on a Facebook post I wrote made my day. I am human and unpredictable, whereas ChatGPT is entirely based on the probability of what word comes next www.facebook.com/theconversat...
Reposted by Joel Abrams
"The chemtrail theory is ultimately prideful. It’s a way for theorists to feel powerful + smart when they face things beyond their comprehension and control."
People cling to ridiculous theories to meet their emotional needs - great explanation by @dratropos.bsky.social for @theconversation.com
People cling to ridiculous theories to meet their emotional needs - great explanation by @dratropos.bsky.social for @theconversation.com
Why the chemtrail conspiracy theory lingers and grows – and why Tucker Carlson is talking about it
A communications researcher lays out the dynamics of conspiracy theory belief and why they gain traction in times of anxiety and uncertainty.
theconversation.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:30 PM
"The chemtrail theory is ultimately prideful. It’s a way for theorists to feel powerful + smart when they face things beyond their comprehension and control."
People cling to ridiculous theories to meet their emotional needs - great explanation by @dratropos.bsky.social for @theconversation.com
People cling to ridiculous theories to meet their emotional needs - great explanation by @dratropos.bsky.social for @theconversation.com
Reposted by Joel Abrams
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 21, 2025 at 11:48 AM
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
Reposted by Joel Abrams
Florida’s laws allow open carry, permitless carry and “stand your ground” are a potentially deadly combination.
A historian points to a 31.6% increase in firearm homicides after the ‘stand your ground’ law passed in 2005.
buff.ly/7LPIFNn
A historian points to a 31.6% increase in firearm homicides after the ‘stand your ground’ law passed in 2005.
buff.ly/7LPIFNn
Florida’s new open carry ruling combines with ‘stand your ground’ to create new freedoms – and new dangers
Evidence shows that 20 years on, Florida’s stand your ground law hasn’t made communities in the state any safer.
buff.ly
November 19, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Florida’s laws allow open carry, permitless carry and “stand your ground” are a potentially deadly combination.
A historian points to a 31.6% increase in firearm homicides after the ‘stand your ground’ law passed in 2005.
buff.ly/7LPIFNn
A historian points to a 31.6% increase in firearm homicides after the ‘stand your ground’ law passed in 2005.
buff.ly/7LPIFNn
My favorite sentence of the day, about the restart of the "Crane Clean Energy Center in Pennsylvania", by @walthickey.bsky.social www.numlock.com/p/numlock-ne...
November 19, 2025 at 7:31 PM
My favorite sentence of the day, about the restart of the "Crane Clean Energy Center in Pennsylvania", by @walthickey.bsky.social www.numlock.com/p/numlock-ne...
Reposted by Joel Abrams
No wonder I'm especially down this week: according to @us.theconversation.com , I've been paying close attention to the news. ✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅
theconversation.com/the-conversa...
theconversation.com/the-conversa...
The Conversation U.S. weekly news quiz
Test your knowledge with a weekly quiz drawn from some of our favorite stories.
theconversation.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:48 PM
No wonder I'm especially down this week: according to @us.theconversation.com , I've been paying close attention to the news. ✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅
theconversation.com/the-conversa...
theconversation.com/the-conversa...
Reposted by Joel Abrams
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:
November 14, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:
So I'm not too worried about ICE monitoring Google+, but the rest of this is scary #privacy theconversation.com/always-watch...
Always watching: How ICE’s plan to monitor social media 24/7 threatens privacy and civic participation
ICE’s dragnet is expanding across social media, putting everyone’s digital lives into the realm of border and immigration enforcement.
theconversation.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:04 PM
So I'm not too worried about ICE monitoring Google+, but the rest of this is scary #privacy theconversation.com/always-watch...
Reposted by Joel Abrams
Everything you need to know to understand that joke, in 1:25 🧪
October 31, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Everything you need to know to understand that joke, in 1:25 🧪
Reposted by Joel Abrams
Don’t get tricked by misinformation 🎃 We share serious and spooky stuff all year long with articles written by people who really know their stuff, because they’ve been studying their topic for years or even decades.
Some of favorite #Halloween stories include: 🧵
Some of favorite #Halloween stories include: 🧵
October 31, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Don’t get tricked by misinformation 🎃 We share serious and spooky stuff all year long with articles written by people who really know their stuff, because they’ve been studying their topic for years or even decades.
Some of favorite #Halloween stories include: 🧵
Some of favorite #Halloween stories include: 🧵
Reposted by Joel Abrams
Trump’s military strikes on boats near Venezuela have killed 43 people the administration claims were drug smugglers. A former Pentagon analyst questions whether there’s any real strategy behind the largest Caribbean deployment since the Cuban Missile Crisis.
buff.ly/GCxSia2
buff.ly/GCxSia2
Trump’s anti-Venezuela actions lack strategy, justifiable targets and legal authorization
President Trump OK’d a naval buildup in the Caribbean, strikes on boats in international waters and covert operations in Venezuela. A military analyst can’t see a coherent strategy or objective.
theconversation.com
October 30, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Trump’s military strikes on boats near Venezuela have killed 43 people the administration claims were drug smugglers. A former Pentagon analyst questions whether there’s any real strategy behind the largest Caribbean deployment since the Cuban Missile Crisis.
buff.ly/GCxSia2
buff.ly/GCxSia2
On the day that the NY Daily News headlined "Ford to City: Drop Dead" the @nytimes.com headline was “Ford, Castigating City, Asserts He’d Veto Federal Bailout; Offers Bankruptcy Bill”
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/n...
50 Years Ago, My Father Wrote the Headline That Refuses to Die
www.nytimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 3:51 PM
On the day that the NY Daily News headlined "Ford to City: Drop Dead" the @nytimes.com headline was “Ford, Castigating City, Asserts He’d Veto Federal Bailout; Offers Bankruptcy Bill”
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/n...
Last time there was a government shutdown and EPA regulators were furloughed, coal plants nationwide turned off pollutions controls. Pollution went right back doen afterwards 😡 theconversation.com/coal-plants-...
Coal plants emitted more pollution during the last government shutdown, while regulators were furloughed
As soon as the 2018-2019 shutdown began, coal-fired power plants started emitting more particulate matter pollution. And when the inspections resumed, the levels dropped back to normal.
theconversation.com
October 23, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Last time there was a government shutdown and EPA regulators were furloughed, coal plants nationwide turned off pollutions controls. Pollution went right back doen afterwards 😡 theconversation.com/coal-plants-...
I love this little bit of history - so glad that @katrinaaman.bsky.social thought to recirculate it today
#OTD 54 years ago, "Computer Space", the first commercial video game, launched.
It failed miserably.
It wasn’t until its makers left the company, founded Atari and released Pong the next year that the #gaming industry launched.
It failed miserably.
It wasn’t until its makers left the company, founded Atari and released Pong the next year that the #gaming industry launched.
“Computer Space” launched the video game industry — then fell into a black hole
The game that launched today’s massive video game industry was not a roaring success when it debuted 52 years ago. The oft-told story of why turns out to be off the mark.
buff.ly
October 15, 2025 at 8:08 PM
I love this little bit of history - so glad that @katrinaaman.bsky.social thought to recirculate it today
Google News seems to need a remedial course in "Physics"
October 9, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Google News seems to need a remedial course in "Physics"
Reposted by Joel Abrams
“Are there partnerships to be had between newsrooms and creators? Yes, there are partnerships to be had. Can the creator class replace the profession? I say no, it cannot, and should not. But there’s an ideal mix between the two that has yet to be found.”
I joined up with News Creator Corps by putting two and two together… Allow me to explain. - News Creator Corps
The consumers of news and information, the people formerly known as the audience, have gone into the production side.
newscreatorcorps.org
October 9, 2025 at 12:47 PM
“Are there partnerships to be had between newsrooms and creators? Yes, there are partnerships to be had. Can the creator class replace the profession? I say no, it cannot, and should not. But there’s an ideal mix between the two that has yet to be found.”
I was off for a day-and-a-half this week and did not edit this week's @us.theconversation.com news quiz, but @fritzholz.bsky.social couldn't fool me!
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theconversation.com/the-conversa...
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theconversation.com/the-conversa...
The Conversation U.S. weekly news quiz
Test your knowledge with a weekly quiz drawn from some of our favorite stories.
theconversation.com
October 3, 2025 at 2:37 PM
I was off for a day-and-a-half this week and did not edit this week's @us.theconversation.com news quiz, but @fritzholz.bsky.social couldn't fool me!
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theconversation.com/the-conversa...
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theconversation.com/the-conversa...
A @bostonglobe.com farewell to the legendary @bostonteresa.bsky.social, a pioneer of online journalism, retiring after 40 years at the Globe.
Her speech reminded us of how lucky we are to be journalists, and how important the work we do is.
Her speech reminded us of how lucky we are to be journalists, and how important the work we do is.
October 1, 2025 at 8:50 PM
A @bostonglobe.com farewell to the legendary @bostonteresa.bsky.social, a pioneer of online journalism, retiring after 40 years at the Globe.
Her speech reminded us of how lucky we are to be journalists, and how important the work we do is.
Her speech reminded us of how lucky we are to be journalists, and how important the work we do is.
Reposted by Joel Abrams
RIP Jane Goodall, who has died at 91.
She was a gentle disrupter who reshaped how we understand our place in nature. Her research with chimpanzees revolutionized science, and her boundless optimism touched the world.
buff.ly/5Hwx3Z7 🌎🩺
She was a gentle disrupter who reshaped how we understand our place in nature. Her research with chimpanzees revolutionized science, and her boundless optimism touched the world.
buff.ly/5Hwx3Z7 🌎🩺
October 1, 2025 at 7:37 PM
RIP Jane Goodall, who has died at 91.
She was a gentle disrupter who reshaped how we understand our place in nature. Her research with chimpanzees revolutionized science, and her boundless optimism touched the world.
buff.ly/5Hwx3Z7 🌎🩺
She was a gentle disrupter who reshaped how we understand our place in nature. Her research with chimpanzees revolutionized science, and her boundless optimism touched the world.
buff.ly/5Hwx3Z7 🌎🩺
Reposted by Joel Abrams
Good news! Environmental engineers are making progress in a new method to clean up PCBs, a dangerous ‘forever chemical’ that lingers in the water, using bacteria attached to biochar made from corn kernels.
buff.ly/Du92X1e
buff.ly/Du92X1e
September 27, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Good news! Environmental engineers are making progress in a new method to clean up PCBs, a dangerous ‘forever chemical’ that lingers in the water, using bacteria attached to biochar made from corn kernels.
buff.ly/Du92X1e
buff.ly/Du92X1e
#Lexington #LexPorchfest The neighborhood is jamming
September 27, 2025 at 8:13 PM
#Lexington #LexPorchfest The neighborhood is jamming
Reposted by Joel Abrams
exactly what a coworker whose jokes bombed earlier this week would write TBH
Research says trying to be funny at work usually backfires. Except for you, of course. You’re hilarious.
Why you seriously need to stop trying to be funny at work
Cracking jokes at the office is more likely to backfire than boost your career.
buff.ly
September 26, 2025 at 2:32 AM
exactly what a coworker whose jokes bombed earlier this week would write TBH
Reposted by Joel Abrams
Are you with us in the fight against misinformation?
If so, please consider donating to our fall fundraising campaign.
As a thank-you, you’ll receive a downloadable e-book from our series on bold ideas for tackling the housing crisis.
donate.theconversation.com/us?utm_campa...
If so, please consider donating to our fall fundraising campaign.
As a thank-you, you’ll receive a downloadable e-book from our series on bold ideas for tackling the housing crisis.
donate.theconversation.com/us?utm_campa...
September 25, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Are you with us in the fight against misinformation?
If so, please consider donating to our fall fundraising campaign.
As a thank-you, you’ll receive a downloadable e-book from our series on bold ideas for tackling the housing crisis.
donate.theconversation.com/us?utm_campa...
If so, please consider donating to our fall fundraising campaign.
As a thank-you, you’ll receive a downloadable e-book from our series on bold ideas for tackling the housing crisis.
donate.theconversation.com/us?utm_campa...
Reposted by Joel Abrams
We rely on followers like you to support our work, not on billionaires or advertisers. If you can, please donate to our fall fundraising campaign. As a thank-you gift, we’ll give you a downloadable e-book of our recent series with ideas for addressing the housing crisis. Thank you! buff.ly/qXSztc6
Support The Conversation US
An independent source of news, views and ideas, sourced from the academic and research community and delivered direct to readers. Our work is fueled by the generous contributions of people like you.
donate.theconversation.com
September 23, 2025 at 12:07 AM
We rely on followers like you to support our work, not on billionaires or advertisers. If you can, please donate to our fall fundraising campaign. As a thank-you gift, we’ll give you a downloadable e-book of our recent series with ideas for addressing the housing crisis. Thank you! buff.ly/qXSztc6
Reposted by Joel Abrams
Are you with us in the battle against misinformation? If so, we’d appreciate your support.
Just this week, we’ve explained the importance and safety of vaccines… 🧵
buff.ly/cRsOxNT
🩺 🧪 #VaccinesWork
Just this week, we’ve explained the importance and safety of vaccines… 🧵
buff.ly/cRsOxNT
🩺 🧪 #VaccinesWork
Hepatitis B shot for newborns has nearly eliminated childhood infections with this virus in the US
Before universal vaccination for hepatitis B began in 1991, 18,000 children contracted the virus by age 10 each year, and most of them developed chronic illness and liver damage. Vaccination reduced…
theconversation.com
September 23, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Are you with us in the battle against misinformation? If so, we’d appreciate your support.
Just this week, we’ve explained the importance and safety of vaccines… 🧵
buff.ly/cRsOxNT
🩺 🧪 #VaccinesWork
Just this week, we’ve explained the importance and safety of vaccines… 🧵
buff.ly/cRsOxNT
🩺 🧪 #VaccinesWork