Andrew Perfors
@perfors.net
Prof at UniMelb. I'm a computational cognitive scientist studying human inference, learning, information systems, culture, and (mis/dis)info. Nerd & opinionated loudmouth in Oz, originally from America, citizen of both. Parent of two. 🏳️⚧️ perfors.net
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Andrew Perfors
@perfors.net
· Apr 29
Anti-trans attitudes have existed for years, but organised disinformation campaigns are increasingly driving them
Disinformation exists across all parts of the political spectrum, but it goes far beyond simple lying when it comes to the campaign against the transgender community, says a University of Melbourne ex...
pursuit.unimelb.edu.au
I wrote an article about the psychology by which disinformation campaigns work, with examples from anti-trans propaganda. It's not just about individual beliefs, but also the way our institutions and norms are manipulated.
Please read and share!
pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/Ant...?
Please read and share!
pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/Ant...?
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
If this was any other set of medical treatments, the entire medical community would be scrambling to study how they could improve their own treatments.
January 14, 2026 at 8:32 PM
If this was any other set of medical treatments, the entire medical community would be scrambling to study how they could improve their own treatments.
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
A few months ago, ICE hired me
I didn't sign and submit any paperwork. I almost certainly failed the drug test. I'm real outspoken about my opposition to the Trump administration, and I am extremely googlable
And yet, there it was, in plain English. "Welcome to ICE!"
My latest for Slate
I didn't sign and submit any paperwork. I almost certainly failed the drug test. I'm real outspoken about my opposition to the Trump administration, and I am extremely googlable
And yet, there it was, in plain English. "Welcome to ICE!"
My latest for Slate
You’ve Heard About Who ICE Is Recruiting. The Truth Is Far Worse. I’m the Proof.
What happens when you do minimal screening before hiring agents, arming them, and sending them into the streets? We're all finding out.
slate.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:11 PM
A few months ago, ICE hired me
I didn't sign and submit any paperwork. I almost certainly failed the drug test. I'm real outspoken about my opposition to the Trump administration, and I am extremely googlable
And yet, there it was, in plain English. "Welcome to ICE!"
My latest for Slate
I didn't sign and submit any paperwork. I almost certainly failed the drug test. I'm real outspoken about my opposition to the Trump administration, and I am extremely googlable
And yet, there it was, in plain English. "Welcome to ICE!"
My latest for Slate
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
you know what's beautiful, and it can be easy to forget, but the people. the people are beautiful.
Video of federal agents getting run out of Lyn Lake this afternoon. Agents drop a gas can at the end and someone kicks it back at them.
January 13, 2026 at 2:11 AM
you know what's beautiful, and it can be easy to forget, but the people. the people are beautiful.
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
Seems like time to re-up:
There's a reason why sports teams don't chant "I believe that we will lose" before a game, a reason so obvious that I'm pretty sure it needs no explanation in that context. Words have power. They not only describe but shape reality....
There's a reason why sports teams don't chant "I believe that we will lose" before a game, a reason so obvious that I'm pretty sure it needs no explanation in that context. Words have power. They not only describe but shape reality....
January 12, 2026 at 7:42 PM
Seems like time to re-up:
There's a reason why sports teams don't chant "I believe that we will lose" before a game, a reason so obvious that I'm pretty sure it needs no explanation in that context. Words have power. They not only describe but shape reality....
There's a reason why sports teams don't chant "I believe that we will lose" before a game, a reason so obvious that I'm pretty sure it needs no explanation in that context. Words have power. They not only describe but shape reality....
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
The idea that Americans are unusually quiescent is a weirdly load-bearing and ideologically widespread position, one that has survived multiple massive protest waves and visible community organizing in the face of violent state repression with nary a ripple. It's really odd
I see this take around from time to time and totally disagree. ICE just murdered a woman standing up to them. No Kings is among the largest protests in history.
The complacency is coming from elites in media, business, universities, and the Democratic leadership
The complacency is coming from elites in media, business, universities, and the Democratic leadership
January 12, 2026 at 3:35 PM
The idea that Americans are unusually quiescent is a weirdly load-bearing and ideologically widespread position, one that has survived multiple massive protest waves and visible community organizing in the face of violent state repression with nary a ripple. It's really odd
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
The disinformation promulgated by X is so essential for the global polycoup that the US, an already-compromised state, will blackmail any government that threatens to ban or discipline it.
Barely anyone is going to see this, but if you’ve ever asked why X isn’t banned in the UK yet despite creating CSAM, it’s because the US government has enforced a worldwide policy of blackmail protecting the American tech oligarchy. It’s why TikTok can be banned but X cannot.
“Why can’t we have any regulations for US tech in Britain?”
Because the US trade rep has gone to every country including Britain and said if we regulate tech in a way that favours our people, industries and national interests, the US will bury us in tariffs and ruin our economy.
Because the US trade rep has gone to every country including Britain and said if we regulate tech in a way that favours our people, industries and national interests, the US will bury us in tariffs and ruin our economy.
January 12, 2026 at 1:43 PM
The disinformation promulgated by X is so essential for the global polycoup that the US, an already-compromised state, will blackmail any government that threatens to ban or discipline it.
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
Academics’ enthusiastic (and often uncritical) embrace of LLMs and generative artificial intelligence will be a factor in the junkification of research.
You can’t outsource thinking nor the cognitive task of gradually absorbing knowledge. Nor discernment and creativity.
You can’t outsource thinking nor the cognitive task of gradually absorbing knowledge. Nor discernment and creativity.
January 12, 2026 at 11:42 AM
Academics’ enthusiastic (and often uncritical) embrace of LLMs and generative artificial intelligence will be a factor in the junkification of research.
You can’t outsource thinking nor the cognitive task of gradually absorbing knowledge. Nor discernment and creativity.
You can’t outsource thinking nor the cognitive task of gradually absorbing knowledge. Nor discernment and creativity.
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
the only reason "abolish ICE" is seen as radical is that no one will say it but the far left. if every normie Democrat started saying it tomorrow it would move the overton window so far you'd have to squint to find it. my kingdom for leaders who understand they can shape public opinion.
Democrats officially going all in on the mealy mouthed “ICE needs training” narrative.
No. ABOLISH ICE.
No. ABOLISH ICE.
WARNER: It used to take 5 to 6 months to get trained. They've now lowered the training period to 47 days. Why 47 days? Because Donald Trump's the 47th president. Tell me that's a rational approach
KERNEN: I'm not taking that bait
WARNER: Joe! You can't pick your facts
KERNEN: I'm not taking that bait
WARNER: Joe! You can't pick your facts
January 12, 2026 at 1:49 PM
the only reason "abolish ICE" is seen as radical is that no one will say it but the far left. if every normie Democrat started saying it tomorrow it would move the overton window so far you'd have to squint to find it. my kingdom for leaders who understand they can shape public opinion.
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
Do Dems realize that “we should train the killers better!” is not a message that will land with anyone?
January 12, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Do Dems realize that “we should train the killers better!” is not a message that will land with anyone?
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
Its not that the media is not covering what is happening, but it does feel like the military occupation of an American city should be treated as a national crisis.
A video of ICE agents conducting door-to-door searches today in Minneapolis
The homeowner requests a warrant repeatedly, is told they don't require one, then is told they're getting it, then the agents storm in anyway
They also point a taser at her to try and disrupt filming
The homeowner requests a warrant repeatedly, is told they don't require one, then is told they're getting it, then the agents storm in anyway
They also point a taser at her to try and disrupt filming
January 12, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Its not that the media is not covering what is happening, but it does feel like the military occupation of an American city should be treated as a national crisis.
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
Stupid idea that has been plaguing me all weekend
January 12, 2026 at 11:19 AM
Stupid idea that has been plaguing me all weekend
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
This is your regular reminder that authoritarianism is just domestic abuse writ large.
ICE agent screaming a threat: "Did you not learn from what just happened?"
www.reddit.com/r/Minneapoli...
www.reddit.com/r/Minneapoli...
January 12, 2026 at 3:04 AM
This is your regular reminder that authoritarianism is just domestic abuse writ large.
As a cognitive scientist, I'm embarrassed at how long it took me to realise that emotion matters a lot, not just for understanding humans, but for understanding any thinking agent.
Why? Because emotion is an indicator of what that agent values, and values are essential to rationality.
Examples:
Why? Because emotion is an indicator of what that agent values, and values are essential to rationality.
Examples:
There's much talk these days about what's required for "real" intelligence, such as world models and the like. One thing we know about the human evolution of it: it required/requires emotion. That may have been better appreciated in 1938 than today.
archive.org/details/in.e...
archive.org/details/in.e...
January 11, 2026 at 11:09 AM
As a cognitive scientist, I'm embarrassed at how long it took me to realise that emotion matters a lot, not just for understanding humans, but for understanding any thinking agent.
Why? Because emotion is an indicator of what that agent values, and values are essential to rationality.
Examples:
Why? Because emotion is an indicator of what that agent values, and values are essential to rationality.
Examples:
Slightly diminish a game.
Country of Warcraft
Country of Warcraft
Slightly diminish a game.
Menos Effect
Menos Effect
Slightly diminish a game.
Penultimate Fantasy.
Penultimate Fantasy.
January 11, 2026 at 11:03 AM
Slightly diminish a game.
Country of Warcraft
Country of Warcraft
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
It is impossible to overstate the degree to which the entire national political media's coverage of the 2024 presidential campaign, especially once Harris won the nomination, was deeply, fundamentally, shamefully unserious about the stakes & the candidates.
I can still recall all the tut-tutting from the media when Harris made this argument.
Kamala Harris at her closing campaign rally:
"Donald Trump intends to use the United States Military against American citizens who simply disagree with him."
"Donald Trump intends to use the United States Military against American citizens who simply disagree with him."
January 11, 2026 at 5:55 AM
It is impossible to overstate the degree to which the entire national political media's coverage of the 2024 presidential campaign, especially once Harris won the nomination, was deeply, fundamentally, shamefully unserious about the stakes & the candidates.
Just saw my first ever live magic show and man was it fun. No clue how they did any of it, but it was SO entertaining and such a nice vacation from normal life for a few hours.
No grass was touched but I feel like it was anyway. :)
Highly recommend!
No grass was touched but I feel like it was anyway. :)
Highly recommend!
THEATRE OF MAGIC | 215 Little Collins St Melbourne
MELBOURNE'S MOST MAGICAL NIGHT OUT. THE WORLDS BEST MAGICIANS IN A CLOSE UP THEATRE. THE THEATRE OF MAGIC SHOW IS THE #1 EVENT ON TRIP ADVISOR FOR BRISBANE
www.theatreofmagic.com.au
January 10, 2026 at 7:41 AM
Just saw my first ever live magic show and man was it fun. No clue how they did any of it, but it was SO entertaining and such a nice vacation from normal life for a few hours.
No grass was touched but I feel like it was anyway. :)
Highly recommend!
No grass was touched but I feel like it was anyway. :)
Highly recommend!
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
“make big tech afraid” has to be just as much of a priority as “prosecute the criminals of the previous regime” for the next Dem admin
the tech fascists are way too far out over their skis and what remains of global stability will not survive that state of affairs continuing
the tech fascists are way too far out over their skis and what remains of global stability will not survive that state of affairs continuing
January 9, 2026 at 4:46 PM
“make big tech afraid” has to be just as much of a priority as “prosecute the criminals of the previous regime” for the next Dem admin
the tech fascists are way too far out over their skis and what remains of global stability will not survive that state of affairs continuing
the tech fascists are way too far out over their skis and what remains of global stability will not survive that state of affairs continuing
Nothing like a day of 44C temperatures and high winds to remind you that we are all just little apes scrabbling frantically on the crust of a planet hurtling through the void, subject to many whims so much larger than ourselves.
I think this is a very useful perspective to have in times like these.
I think this is a very useful perspective to have in times like these.
January 9, 2026 at 7:50 AM
Nothing like a day of 44C temperatures and high winds to remind you that we are all just little apes scrabbling frantically on the crust of a planet hurtling through the void, subject to many whims so much larger than ourselves.
I think this is a very useful perspective to have in times like these.
I think this is a very useful perspective to have in times like these.
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
banning X is a national security issue for every country, plain and simple
its explicit goal is to amplify and empower the largest Nazi-adjacent party in every country in which it operates
it is also the largest deepfake porn generator in the world
this is not a difficult call to make
its explicit goal is to amplify and empower the largest Nazi-adjacent party in every country in which it operates
it is also the largest deepfake porn generator in the world
this is not a difficult call to make
January 8, 2026 at 5:43 PM
banning X is a national security issue for every country, plain and simple
its explicit goal is to amplify and empower the largest Nazi-adjacent party in every country in which it operates
it is also the largest deepfake porn generator in the world
this is not a difficult call to make
its explicit goal is to amplify and empower the largest Nazi-adjacent party in every country in which it operates
it is also the largest deepfake porn generator in the world
this is not a difficult call to make
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
The shooting in Minnesota is a reminder that while authoritarian governments may justify abuses of power by directing them at scapegoats or vulnerable populations, the goal is ultimately to deploy them against anyone they wish to www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
January 8, 2026 at 6:45 PM
The shooting in Minnesota is a reminder that while authoritarian governments may justify abuses of power by directing them at scapegoats or vulnerable populations, the goal is ultimately to deploy them against anyone they wish to www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
It takes an enormous amount of courage to stand there, keep filming, and scream "What the fuck, you asshole" at someone wearing a badge who just shot and killed one of your neighbors in cold blood.
I need people to wrap their minds around the fact that here in Minneapolis, ICE broke the window of a vehicle yesterday, pepper sprayed the occupants, and arrested them, and shot another observer in the face today, and OBSERVERS ARE STILL GOING OUT TO PROTECT THEIR NEIGHBORS AT MASSIVE PERSONAL RISK
I’m eating lunch, I’m having a panic attack, I’m charging my phone, and then I’m going back out to try and keep my neighborhood safe.
January 7, 2026 at 6:13 PM
It takes an enormous amount of courage to stand there, keep filming, and scream "What the fuck, you asshole" at someone wearing a badge who just shot and killed one of your neighbors in cold blood.
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
I too have watched the video. There's nothing graphic in the visuals, thankfully. But this is straight-up, no defenses, not really questionable murder
I have watched the video. I think you probably do not need to watch the video. it shows what you think it's gonna show in terms of lack of justification.
January 7, 2026 at 6:29 PM
I too have watched the video. There's nothing graphic in the visuals, thankfully. But this is straight-up, no defenses, not really questionable murder
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
Sometimes all you can do is make the world 0.0000000000001% less awful by being a good person and it feels very meaningless but it’s also the only thing that really matters
January 7, 2026 at 7:49 PM
Sometimes all you can do is make the world 0.0000000000001% less awful by being a good person and it feels very meaningless but it’s also the only thing that really matters
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
Too many people are scared to act on principle over some fear they will be accused of being "political". As if this commitment to a social media website demonstrates their centrist, reasonable sensibilities; or their ability to avoid overacting to others' "emotional" responses or "virtue signalling"
Every media figure and politician could do exactly this right now. @garygannon signs off from X, the deepfake child sexual abuse material generation app.
January 7, 2026 at 11:34 AM
Too many people are scared to act on principle over some fear they will be accused of being "political". As if this commitment to a social media website demonstrates their centrist, reasonable sensibilities; or their ability to avoid overacting to others' "emotional" responses or "virtue signalling"