Stephen J Read
@steveread.bsky.social
Professor of Social Psychology, University of Southern California. Interested in Computational modeling of personality, decision-making, social reasoning, and social behavior. Also interested in relating this to Neuroscience
Pinned
Stephen J Read
@steveread.bsky.social
· Nov 16
📌
Reposted by Stephen J Read
Just overheard a Trump cabinet undersecretary bragging over dinner in a restaurant about his nefarious business entanglements. What a town.
November 24, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Just overheard a Trump cabinet undersecretary bragging over dinner in a restaurant about his nefarious business entanglements. What a town.
Reposted by Stephen J Read
I wrote some of my thoughts about CoP in another forum, then discovered I was not alone. The CoP process has achieved great outcomes, but its now hitting brick walls when we most need to hit targets. Do yourself a favour, and have a read of this...
November 24, 2025 at 1:31 AM
I wrote some of my thoughts about CoP in another forum, then discovered I was not alone. The CoP process has achieved great outcomes, but its now hitting brick walls when we most need to hit targets. Do yourself a favour, and have a read of this...
Reposted by Stephen J Read
If I’m understanding this correctly, X is owned by a white nationalist who pays poor people of color in developing countries to pretend to be working class white Americans to scare other white Americans into being afraid poor people of color from developing countries are going to ruin America?
November 23, 2025 at 7:30 PM
If I’m understanding this correctly, X is owned by a white nationalist who pays poor people of color in developing countries to pretend to be working class white Americans to scare other white Americans into being afraid poor people of color from developing countries are going to ruin America?
Reposted by Stephen J Read
Trump is a failure of a president, the Ukraine “negotiation” proves this. But how pathetic is he? A 5 year old boy in the body of an 80 year old trying to still win his dads affection.
November 24, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Trump is a failure of a president, the Ukraine “negotiation” proves this. But how pathetic is he? A 5 year old boy in the body of an 80 year old trying to still win his dads affection.
Reposted by Stephen J Read
Really important to stress that the Crown Jewels of the US higher education system were never the Ivies or elite SLACs (other countries have equivalents of these) but the well-funded, large, cheap, and excellently staffed public state university systems bringing high quality education to the masses.
One of the bragging rights that the US ed system had in the 20th century is that we didn't have education tracks. Essentially, any kid could go to a CC or state school & major in whatever they wanted to (obviously an oversimplification). I fear this aspect of the American dream is dying.
November 23, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Really important to stress that the Crown Jewels of the US higher education system were never the Ivies or elite SLACs (other countries have equivalents of these) but the well-funded, large, cheap, and excellently staffed public state university systems bringing high quality education to the masses.
Reposted by Stephen J Read
Note—every time a Federal judge rules against Trump, Trump claims "the judge is usurping the President's power."
That's a lie.
Judge's don't "usurp" POTUS's power—they enforce Constitutional & Congressional limits on power.
Wannabe kings don't like it, but that's how separation of powers works.
That's a lie.
Judge's don't "usurp" POTUS's power—they enforce Constitutional & Congressional limits on power.
Wannabe kings don't like it, but that's how separation of powers works.
November 24, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Note—every time a Federal judge rules against Trump, Trump claims "the judge is usurping the President's power."
That's a lie.
Judge's don't "usurp" POTUS's power—they enforce Constitutional & Congressional limits on power.
Wannabe kings don't like it, but that's how separation of powers works.
That's a lie.
Judge's don't "usurp" POTUS's power—they enforce Constitutional & Congressional limits on power.
Wannabe kings don't like it, but that's how separation of powers works.
Reposted by Stephen J Read
Impeachment isn’t an option, it’s a necessity. I know firsthand the lengths Trump is willing to go in order to silence dissent.
Impeach, convict, remove. And if our current leaders won’t do it, they need to step aside for people who will: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo54...
Impeach, convict, remove. And if our current leaders won’t do it, they need to step aside for people who will: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo54...
Trump Wrongly Indicted Me, I’ll Rightly Impeach Him | Kat Abughazaleh Speaks at Lincoln Memorial
YouTube video by Kat Abughazaleh
www.youtube.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Impeachment isn’t an option, it’s a necessity. I know firsthand the lengths Trump is willing to go in order to silence dissent.
Impeach, convict, remove. And if our current leaders won’t do it, they need to step aside for people who will: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo54...
Impeach, convict, remove. And if our current leaders won’t do it, they need to step aside for people who will: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo54...
Reposted by Stephen J Read
Russia’s bombardment of Ukrainian cities has been relentless. In one strike, a Russian ballistic missile hit a crowded city bus. A Ukrainian prosecutor tells 60 Minutes the attack is a war crime. 60 Minutes, tonight.
November 23, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Russia’s bombardment of Ukrainian cities has been relentless. In one strike, a Russian ballistic missile hit a crowded city bus. A Ukrainian prosecutor tells 60 Minutes the attack is a war crime. 60 Minutes, tonight.
Reposted by Stephen J Read
"The humanities really are a resource — a confidence for living in our times.” Dean Sara Guyer on the modern utility of humanities degrees
UC Berkeley, where the arts and humanities are thriving. They're hiring like crazy, and classes are full.
ls.berkeley.edu/news/humanit...
UC Berkeley, where the arts and humanities are thriving. They're hiring like crazy, and classes are full.
ls.berkeley.edu/news/humanit...
"The humanities really are a resource — a confidence for living in our times.” Dean Sara Guyer on the modern utility of humanities degrees
This interview originally appeared on the Division of Arts
ls.berkeley.edu
November 23, 2025 at 10:02 PM
"The humanities really are a resource — a confidence for living in our times.” Dean Sara Guyer on the modern utility of humanities degrees
UC Berkeley, where the arts and humanities are thriving. They're hiring like crazy, and classes are full.
ls.berkeley.edu/news/humanit...
UC Berkeley, where the arts and humanities are thriving. They're hiring like crazy, and classes are full.
ls.berkeley.edu/news/humanit...
Reposted by Stephen J Read
At @abctnow.bsky.social, Rutgers’ Ellen Wittler found that undergrads who were more depressed demonstrated a stronger momentary association between tiredness and sadness, suggesting they might be experienced more similarly by those folks 🥱😥
November 23, 2025 at 4:15 PM
At @abctnow.bsky.social, Rutgers’ Ellen Wittler found that undergrads who were more depressed demonstrated a stronger momentary association between tiredness and sadness, suggesting they might be experienced more similarly by those folks 🥱😥
Reposted by Stephen J Read
Twitter pays people based on engagement (views, retweets, comments, etc). It appears that many MAGA accounts are based abroad and they use AI technology to generate low-effort rage bait.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
November 23, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Twitter pays people based on engagement (views, retweets, comments, etc). It appears that many MAGA accounts are based abroad and they use AI technology to generate low-effort rage bait.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
Reposted by Stephen J Read
Hard for me to say how this is different from Fox News's entire business model, except that it's less sophisticated. This is transparently and obviously bad — and Elon should ban these accounts — but the spirit here of trading rage for money is pretty much a lot of right-wing media.
November 23, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Hard for me to say how this is different from Fox News's entire business model, except that it's less sophisticated. This is transparently and obviously bad — and Elon should ban these accounts — but the spirit here of trading rage for money is pretty much a lot of right-wing media.
Reposted by Stephen J Read
Reposted by Stephen J Read
In Monrovia, California, protesters are purchasing 17¢ ICE scrapers from Home Depot and immediately returning them to create long lines and slow down the entire store. Their aim is to disrupt sales and convey a message opposing ICE raids occurring in their neighborhood.
November 23, 2025 at 11:37 AM
In Monrovia, California, protesters are purchasing 17¢ ICE scrapers from Home Depot and immediately returning them to create long lines and slow down the entire store. Their aim is to disrupt sales and convey a message opposing ICE raids occurring in their neighborhood.
Reposted by Stephen J Read
Trump’s 28-point peace plan with Russia “is misnamed,” @anneapplebaum.bsky.social argues. “It is not a peace plan. It is a proposal that weakens Ukraine and divides America from Europe, preparing the way for a larger war in the future.”
The Murky Plan That Ensures a Future War
Who will benefit from the White House’s 28-point proposal for Ukraine?
bit.ly
November 23, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Trump’s 28-point peace plan with Russia “is misnamed,” @anneapplebaum.bsky.social argues. “It is not a peace plan. It is a proposal that weakens Ukraine and divides America from Europe, preparing the way for a larger war in the future.”
Reposted by Stephen J Read
Even Trump’s own FEMA council—handpicked to downsize the agency—said FEMA should be stronger and even elevated to the Cabinet level.
Read more here: www.dailykos.com/stories/2025...
Read more here: www.dailykos.com/stories/2025...
November 23, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Even Trump’s own FEMA council—handpicked to downsize the agency—said FEMA should be stronger and even elevated to the Cabinet level.
Read more here: www.dailykos.com/stories/2025...
Read more here: www.dailykos.com/stories/2025...
Reposted by Stephen J Read
"While other universities report that the humanities are shrinking, at Berkeley, the opposite is true. The music major is the fastest-growing major on campus. We are finding bigger classrooms because film is exploding. English is back to the numbers we saw 15 years ago. We are hiring" bit.ly/4ohKuOe
"The humanities really are a resource — a confidence for living in our times.” Dean Sara Guyer on the modern utility of humanities degrees
This interview originally appeared on the Division of Arts
bit.ly
November 23, 2025 at 3:38 PM
"While other universities report that the humanities are shrinking, at Berkeley, the opposite is true. The music major is the fastest-growing major on campus. We are finding bigger classrooms because film is exploding. English is back to the numbers we saw 15 years ago. We are hiring" bit.ly/4ohKuOe
Reposted by Stephen J Read
"attending an Ivy-Plus college instead of the average flagship public college increases students- chances of reaching the top 1% of the earnings distribution by 50%, nearly doubles their chances of attending an elite graduate school, and almost triples their chances of working at a prestigious firm"
Recently accepted by #QJE, “Diversifying Society’s Leaders? The Determinants and Causal Effects of Admission to Highly Selective Private Colleges,” by Chetty (@Oppinsights), Deming, and Friedman: doi.org/10.1093/qje/...
Diversifying Society’s Leaders? The Determinants and Causal Effects of Admission to Highly Selective Private Colleges*
Abstract. We use anonymized admissions data from several colleges linked to income tax records and SAT and ACT test scores to study the determinants and ca
doi.org
November 23, 2025 at 10:01 PM
"attending an Ivy-Plus college instead of the average flagship public college increases students- chances of reaching the top 1% of the earnings distribution by 50%, nearly doubles their chances of attending an elite graduate school, and almost triples their chances of working at a prestigious firm"
Reposted by Stephen J Read
The Federalist Society and Law & Economics courses ought to be ousted from law schools.
Just saying.
Just saying.
November 23, 2025 at 10:26 PM
The Federalist Society and Law & Economics courses ought to be ousted from law schools.
Just saying.
Just saying.
Reposted by Stephen J Read
The revelations (that we all basically knew) that some of the largest MAGA influencers on social media are paid trolls from other parts of the world is exactly why I don't debate these Internet bros online.
Like Toni Morrison said, the very purpose of racism is distraction. Don't fall for it.
Like Toni Morrison said, the very purpose of racism is distraction. Don't fall for it.
November 23, 2025 at 8:05 PM
The revelations (that we all basically knew) that some of the largest MAGA influencers on social media are paid trolls from other parts of the world is exactly why I don't debate these Internet bros online.
Like Toni Morrison said, the very purpose of racism is distraction. Don't fall for it.
Like Toni Morrison said, the very purpose of racism is distraction. Don't fall for it.
Reposted by Stephen J Read
Bad COP: scientists say #COP30 was an "abject failure," ignoring a key climate threat--fossil fuels--and calling for a change in UN conference rules: "a small number of rogue nations cannot be allowed to block progress for the rest of the world." @Michaelemann.bsky.social michaelmann.net/bad-cop/
Bad COP | Michael E. Mann
The COP30 global climate summit in Brazil may have been the last opportunity for the nations of the world to reach an agreement that limits planetary […]
michaelmann.net
November 23, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Bad COP: scientists say #COP30 was an "abject failure," ignoring a key climate threat--fossil fuels--and calling for a change in UN conference rules: "a small number of rogue nations cannot be allowed to block progress for the rest of the world." @Michaelemann.bsky.social michaelmann.net/bad-cop/
Reposted by Stephen J Read
A detailed run through of literature and claims concerning vaccines and autism. Long story shot: vaccines do not cause autism.
No, Vaccines Don’t Cause Autism—Here’s the Proof Parents Need to See
Countless studies have shown no link between vaccines and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder. But some parents still hold onto that belief.
www.parents.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:59 PM
A detailed run through of literature and claims concerning vaccines and autism. Long story shot: vaccines do not cause autism.
Reposted by Stephen J Read
Altman:“‘for a v small % of users in mentally fragile states there can be serious problems.’
But…OpenAI may be understating the risk. Some of the ppl most vlnrble to the chatbot's unceasing validation…were those prone to delusional thinking, which studies have suggested cld incl 5–15% of the pop”🧪🛟
But…OpenAI may be understating the risk. Some of the ppl most vlnrble to the chatbot's unceasing validation…were those prone to delusional thinking, which studies have suggested cld incl 5–15% of the pop”🧪🛟
November 23, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Altman:“‘for a v small % of users in mentally fragile states there can be serious problems.’
But…OpenAI may be understating the risk. Some of the ppl most vlnrble to the chatbot's unceasing validation…were those prone to delusional thinking, which studies have suggested cld incl 5–15% of the pop”🧪🛟
But…OpenAI may be understating the risk. Some of the ppl most vlnrble to the chatbot's unceasing validation…were those prone to delusional thinking, which studies have suggested cld incl 5–15% of the pop”🧪🛟
Reposted by Stephen J Read
Nice article quoting the right voices on low fertility: "we should be asking questions to certain organisations about why some of them are making it harder to raise children....we shouldn’t be blaming women for not having children and instead focus on what kind of society we want to live in"
The motherhood recession — Artefact
Why some women don't want to have kids in their 20s, or ever.
www.artefactmagazine.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Nice article quoting the right voices on low fertility: "we should be asking questions to certain organisations about why some of them are making it harder to raise children....we shouldn’t be blaming women for not having children and instead focus on what kind of society we want to live in"
Reposted by Stephen J Read
Putin welcomed his own 28 points. Hard to disagree with yourself.
Vladimir Putin welcomed the Trump administration's
"28 point peace proposal," saying it “could form the basis of a final peace settlement.”
Trump says it’s based on input from both Russia and Ukraine. Complete nonsense of course, but it's well known Trump will say whatever his boss tells him to.
"28 point peace proposal," saying it “could form the basis of a final peace settlement.”
Trump says it’s based on input from both Russia and Ukraine. Complete nonsense of course, but it's well known Trump will say whatever his boss tells him to.
November 23, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Putin welcomed his own 28 points. Hard to disagree with yourself.