Alex Fisher
@alex-fisher.bsky.social
Society for Applied Philosophy Postdoc at @clsrleeds.bsky.social
I research the aesthetics and ethics of video games, virtual reality, and dating apps.
https://alex--fisher.weebly.com/
I research the aesthetics and ethics of video games, virtual reality, and dating apps.
https://alex--fisher.weebly.com/
Pinned
Alex Fisher
@alex-fisher.bsky.social
· Aug 21
Imaginative contagion and moral corruption
Imaginatively adopted attitudes and ways of thinking sometimes persist, bleeding into day-to-day thoughts and interactions. Such imaginative contagion is often reported in the context of theatrical a...
doi.org
Actors, videogame players and VR users often experience *imaginative contagion* - imaginatively adopted attitudes persist into daily life.
My paper explains why this occurs and answers the concern that it may result in our acquiring immoral attitudes.
doi.org/10.1111/phpr.70056
#philsky
Thread:
My paper explains why this occurs and answers the concern that it may result in our acquiring immoral attitudes.
doi.org/10.1111/phpr.70056
#philsky
Thread:
Reposted by Alex Fisher
Abstract deadline tomorrow if anyone is interested in joining us in Exeter in February to talk all things Social AI!
✨CFA✨
I’m hosting a workshop on Social AI at the Uni of Exeter, generously funded by the Society of Applied Philosophy (10&11 Feb). If you fancy joining us to present your work, please submit an abstract!
Confirmed speakers: Rob Clowes, Pii Telakivi, Joel Krueger, Tom Roberts, & me. #philsky
I’m hosting a workshop on Social AI at the Uni of Exeter, generously funded by the Society of Applied Philosophy (10&11 Feb). If you fancy joining us to present your work, please submit an abstract!
Confirmed speakers: Rob Clowes, Pii Telakivi, Joel Krueger, Tom Roberts, & me. #philsky
November 27, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Abstract deadline tomorrow if anyone is interested in joining us in Exeter in February to talk all things Social AI!
Reposted by Alex Fisher
We pour billions into saving an economically tiny steel industry whilst actively destroying one of our largest export industries. (Yes, higher education to overseas students who already massively subsidise UK students, are counted as exports).
i: Reeves to unveil £600m raid on foreign student
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
November 24, 2025 at 7:37 AM
We pour billions into saving an economically tiny steel industry whilst actively destroying one of our largest export industries. (Yes, higher education to overseas students who already massively subsidise UK students, are counted as exports).
Reposted by Alex Fisher
Today is World Philosophy Day!
🧡💛🤍🩵💙
Here is why philosophers should care about the asexual and aromantic spectrum (aspec) 👇
🧡💛🤍🩵💙
Here is why philosophers should care about the asexual and aromantic spectrum (aspec) 👇
November 20, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Today is World Philosophy Day!
🧡💛🤍🩵💙
Here is why philosophers should care about the asexual and aromantic spectrum (aspec) 👇
🧡💛🤍🩵💙
Here is why philosophers should care about the asexual and aromantic spectrum (aspec) 👇
Reposted by Alex Fisher
✨#Philosophy really can change minds. ✨To mark #WorldPhilosophyDay, here's a reminder of what a difference it can make.
As our Chair, @lucyobrien.bsky.social, puts it:
“Philosophy teaches skills integral to cultivating social values and conduct. It changes people's minds.”
As our Chair, @lucyobrien.bsky.social, puts it:
“Philosophy teaches skills integral to cultivating social values and conduct. It changes people's minds.”
November 20, 2025 at 8:00 AM
✨#Philosophy really can change minds. ✨To mark #WorldPhilosophyDay, here's a reminder of what a difference it can make.
As our Chair, @lucyobrien.bsky.social, puts it:
“Philosophy teaches skills integral to cultivating social values and conduct. It changes people's minds.”
As our Chair, @lucyobrien.bsky.social, puts it:
“Philosophy teaches skills integral to cultivating social values and conduct. It changes people's minds.”
Reposted by Alex Fisher
🚨 Call for papers: Close personal relationships and AI technologies.
Great opportunity for global perspectives on the philosophical implications of Close Personal Relationships and AI-driven technologies (from Chatbots to robots). Please share! (Reach out if interested).
#AIethics / #philtech
Great opportunity for global perspectives on the philosophical implications of Close Personal Relationships and AI-driven technologies (from Chatbots to robots). Please share! (Reach out if interested).
#AIethics / #philtech
Global Philosophy: Global Perspectives on Technology and Close Personal Relationships (CPR)
This special issue invites globally diverse perspectives on the moral, cultural, and technological dimensions of close personal relationships. In particular, we invite authors to consider variants on ...
philevents.org
November 18, 2025 at 3:03 AM
A new issue of Philosophy and Phenomenological Research is out, featuring my article on moral concerns about the corruptive effects of imagination in games/VR.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/19331592...
You can read a short summary here:
newworkinphilosophy.substack.com/p/imaginativ...
#philtech
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/19331592...
You can read a short summary here:
newworkinphilosophy.substack.com/p/imaginativ...
#philtech
November 15, 2025 at 1:45 PM
A new issue of Philosophy and Phenomenological Research is out, featuring my article on moral concerns about the corruptive effects of imagination in games/VR.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/19331592...
You can read a short summary here:
newworkinphilosophy.substack.com/p/imaginativ...
#philtech
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/19331592...
You can read a short summary here:
newworkinphilosophy.substack.com/p/imaginativ...
#philtech
Reposted by Alex Fisher
🦷 DIY dentistry should never be anyone’s only option.
Across the country people can’t get an NHS dentist. Children end up in hospital with tooth decay and adults live in pain. NHS dentistry needs urgent funding and reform.
It’s time for the Government to fix this gap for good.
Across the country people can’t get an NHS dentist. Children end up in hospital with tooth decay and adults live in pain. NHS dentistry needs urgent funding and reform.
It’s time for the Government to fix this gap for good.
November 12, 2025 at 1:46 PM
🦷 DIY dentistry should never be anyone’s only option.
Across the country people can’t get an NHS dentist. Children end up in hospital with tooth decay and adults live in pain. NHS dentistry needs urgent funding and reform.
It’s time for the Government to fix this gap for good.
Across the country people can’t get an NHS dentist. Children end up in hospital with tooth decay and adults live in pain. NHS dentistry needs urgent funding and reform.
It’s time for the Government to fix this gap for good.
Reposted by Alex Fisher
I briefly discuss some related issues about the difficulties of obtaining empirical evidence right at the end of the book. There I was happy enough with the line that careful use of fictional and detailed nonfictional examples is enough (on the former, agreeing with @alex-fisher.bsky.social)
This week, Kasper Møller Nielsen, Julie Nordgaard, and Mads Gram Henriksen present their recent publication on a critical perspective of epistemic injustice in healthcare, addressing underlying scientific, conceptual, and theoretical issues.
#philsky #philpsy
imperfectcognitions....
#philsky #philpsy
imperfectcognitions....
November 14, 2025 at 7:45 PM
I briefly discuss some related issues about the difficulties of obtaining empirical evidence right at the end of the book. There I was happy enough with the line that careful use of fictional and detailed nonfictional examples is enough (on the former, agreeing with @alex-fisher.bsky.social)
Reposted by Alex Fisher
Wrote about what the real threat Grokipedia poses is + some suggestions for addressing it! Drawing on @brendannyhan.bsky.social's work on misinformation.
(Lots more to say about erosion of epistemic standards, models of knowledge-production, etc.!)
(Lots more to say about erosion of epistemic standards, models of knowledge-production, etc.!)
What should worry us about Grokipedia is not that masses of people will come to believe right-wing conspiracy theories, but that far-right supporters will find new rationalizations for their views, writes Carolina Flores.
Grokipedia Won't Destroy Knowledge, but it Might Divide Us More | TechPolicy.Press
Grokipedia might well not dethrone Wikipedia, and media outlets should be wary of inflating its importance, Carolina Flores writes.
www.techpolicy.press
November 14, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Wrote about what the real threat Grokipedia poses is + some suggestions for addressing it! Drawing on @brendannyhan.bsky.social's work on misinformation.
(Lots more to say about erosion of epistemic standards, models of knowledge-production, etc.!)
(Lots more to say about erosion of epistemic standards, models of knowledge-production, etc.!)
Philosophy of Football Manager - now we’re talking!
(Warning: addictive substance. I am on a long-term enforced break from FM due to its propensity to take over my life.)
(Warning: addictive substance. I am on a long-term enforced break from FM due to its propensity to take over my life.)
November 14, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Philosophy of Football Manager - now we’re talking!
(Warning: addictive substance. I am on a long-term enforced break from FM due to its propensity to take over my life.)
(Warning: addictive substance. I am on a long-term enforced break from FM due to its propensity to take over my life.)
Reposted by Alex Fisher
Very happy to see the UK government making a commitment to phasing out animal testing
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Animal testing to be phased out faster as UK unveils roadmap for alternative methods
New plan backs researchers to seize on new and developing opportunities to phase out animal tests with specific commitments for the coming years.
www.gov.uk
November 13, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Very happy to see the UK government making a commitment to phasing out animal testing
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Reposted by Alex Fisher
Here's a CFP for this year's Digital Worlds Workshop. It's a great conference for trying out new ideas and a pretty friendly group.
Digitalworldsworkshop.com/virtual-workshop
#philsky #philtech #philosophy #philosophyoftechnology
Digitalworldsworkshop.com/virtual-workshop
#philsky #philtech #philosophy #philosophyoftechnology
Virtual Workshop
If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at [email protected]. You can also sign up here for updates:
Digitalworldsworkshop.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Here's a CFP for this year's Digital Worlds Workshop. It's a great conference for trying out new ideas and a pretty friendly group.
Digitalworldsworkshop.com/virtual-workshop
#philsky #philtech #philosophy #philosophyoftechnology
Digitalworldsworkshop.com/virtual-workshop
#philsky #philtech #philosophy #philosophyoftechnology
Reposted by Alex Fisher
"Following the scandal of the BBC editing a clip of Donald Trump to make it look like he was inciting an insurrection in a more concise way than he actually did..."
November 11, 2025 at 4:53 PM
"Following the scandal of the BBC editing a clip of Donald Trump to make it look like he was inciting an insurrection in a more concise way than he actually did..."
Reposted by Alex Fisher
How many monkeys died for the polio vaccine? One million. Excellent reporting and solid analysis by Ava Kofman. It’s genuinely shocking to learn just how much contemporary scientific research depends on animal suffering on a massive scale
Last November, 43 rhesus macaques escaped from Alpha Genesis, one of the country’s biggest breeders of primates used in scientific experiments. Ava Kofman writes about the fraught circumstances and politics surrounding the monkey jailbreak.
The Runaway Monkeys Upending the Animal-Rights Movement
A troop of macaques escaped one of the largest primate-breeding facilities in America. Now a strange coalition of uncompromising activists and MAGA loyalists is demanding that all lab animals be set f...
www.newyorker.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:54 PM
How many monkeys died for the polio vaccine? One million. Excellent reporting and solid analysis by Ava Kofman. It’s genuinely shocking to learn just how much contemporary scientific research depends on animal suffering on a massive scale
This is a really good interview with Baroness Charlotte Owen, who has been spearheading in the House of Lords new legislation to criminalise creating AI-generated sexual images/videos of people.
As ever, new technologies immediately being put to use to perpetuate misogyny!
youtu.be/woMtATKrLpA?...
As ever, new technologies immediately being put to use to perpetuate misogyny!
youtu.be/woMtATKrLpA?...
November 11, 2025 at 12:36 PM
This is a really good interview with Baroness Charlotte Owen, who has been spearheading in the House of Lords new legislation to criminalise creating AI-generated sexual images/videos of people.
As ever, new technologies immediately being put to use to perpetuate misogyny!
youtu.be/woMtATKrLpA?...
As ever, new technologies immediately being put to use to perpetuate misogyny!
youtu.be/woMtATKrLpA?...
Reposted by Alex Fisher
While we’re at it maybe also treat inheritances as taxable income spread over, say, 10 years.
As many have pointed out absurd that we tax income earned through labour more heavily than other forms of income and acquired wealth.
As many have pointed out absurd that we tax income earned through labour more heavily than other forms of income and acquired wealth.
Laws are bent for the rich.
Wages taxed at marginal rates of 20% – 45% plus national insurance contributions (NIC).
Capital gains taxed at 18% to 32%, no NIC .
Dividends taxed at 8.75% to 39.35%, no NIC.
All income must be taxed at the same rate.
Wages taxed at marginal rates of 20% – 45% plus national insurance contributions (NIC).
Capital gains taxed at 18% to 32%, no NIC .
Dividends taxed at 8.75% to 39.35%, no NIC.
All income must be taxed at the same rate.
Nothing will change until the political system is freed from the clutches of corporations and the super-rich
The law is being used to enforce existing power structures for the benefit of the few
leftfootforward.org
November 11, 2025 at 9:26 AM
While we’re at it maybe also treat inheritances as taxable income spread over, say, 10 years.
As many have pointed out absurd that we tax income earned through labour more heavily than other forms of income and acquired wealth.
As many have pointed out absurd that we tax income earned through labour more heavily than other forms of income and acquired wealth.
Reposted by Alex Fisher
Panera’s moderately caffeinated lemonade was loosely associated with 2 deaths before it was taken off market.
This article alone has 4 examples of ChatGPT encouraging young people to commit suicide, and OpenAI’s own public stats estimate over a million users discuss suicide with ChatGPT each week.
This article alone has 4 examples of ChatGPT encouraging young people to commit suicide, and OpenAI’s own public stats estimate over a million users discuss suicide with ChatGPT each week.
I fully believe in the corporate death penalty and believe we would be a better world if OpenAI lost its corporate charter and was forcibly dissolved.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
ChatGPT encouraged college graduate to commit suicide, family claims in lawsuit against OpenAI | CNN
A 23-year-old man killed himself in Texas after ChatGPT ‘goaded’ him to commit suicide, his family says in a lawsuit.
www.cnn.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Panera’s moderately caffeinated lemonade was loosely associated with 2 deaths before it was taken off market.
This article alone has 4 examples of ChatGPT encouraging young people to commit suicide, and OpenAI’s own public stats estimate over a million users discuss suicide with ChatGPT each week.
This article alone has 4 examples of ChatGPT encouraging young people to commit suicide, and OpenAI’s own public stats estimate over a million users discuss suicide with ChatGPT each week.
Reposted by Alex Fisher
To mark two weeks since the launch of the @aroaceresearch.bsky.social based at CLSR, @isobellogan.bsky.social sat down with the organiser @kristin-kaeuper.bsky.social to hear more about the network, plans for the future, and how you can get involved! 🧡💛💙
⬇️Give it a listen⬇️
⬇️Give it a listen⬇️
November 6, 2025 at 3:11 PM
To mark two weeks since the launch of the @aroaceresearch.bsky.social based at CLSR, @isobellogan.bsky.social sat down with the organiser @kristin-kaeuper.bsky.social to hear more about the network, plans for the future, and how you can get involved! 🧡💛💙
⬇️Give it a listen⬇️
⬇️Give it a listen⬇️
Reposted by Alex Fisher
UK university news just this week: 163 jobs at risk + course closures at Leicester; 300 jobs at risk at Dundee; modern language & music courses being closed at Nottingham. Every week it‘s the same.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
University of Leicester to consult on redundancies
University bosses are also planning to stop a number of courses.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 9:03 PM
UK university news just this week: 163 jobs at risk + course closures at Leicester; 300 jobs at risk at Dundee; modern language & music courses being closed at Nottingham. Every week it‘s the same.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Alex Fisher
Last week I gave a talk to the British Postgraduate Philosophy Association. What advice would you give to philosophy postgraduates in 2025?
November 6, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Last week I gave a talk to the British Postgraduate Philosophy Association. What advice would you give to philosophy postgraduates in 2025?
Reposted by Alex Fisher
Vital piece of investigative reporting from Sky. They've uncovered the X algorithm which feeds users extremist right wing material from the moment they join the site. It is a far-right radicalisation engine, by design.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
news.sky.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Vital piece of investigative reporting from Sky. They've uncovered the X algorithm which feeds users extremist right wing material from the moment they join the site. It is a far-right radicalisation engine, by design.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Reposted by Alex Fisher
For the past decade, I've been slowly cooking a small and humble book.
Part (alternative) history, part analysis, and part social critique, this is a look at what games also are and have always been.
ZEN AND SLOW GAMES
Out 20/1/2026 by MIT Press
mitpress.mit.edu/978026255356...
Part (alternative) history, part analysis, and part social critique, this is a look at what games also are and have always been.
ZEN AND SLOW GAMES
Out 20/1/2026 by MIT Press
mitpress.mit.edu/978026255356...
November 3, 2025 at 4:31 PM
For the past decade, I've been slowly cooking a small and humble book.
Part (alternative) history, part analysis, and part social critique, this is a look at what games also are and have always been.
ZEN AND SLOW GAMES
Out 20/1/2026 by MIT Press
mitpress.mit.edu/978026255356...
Part (alternative) history, part analysis, and part social critique, this is a look at what games also are and have always been.
ZEN AND SLOW GAMES
Out 20/1/2026 by MIT Press
mitpress.mit.edu/978026255356...
Reposted by Alex Fisher
When Elden Ring had been announced but not yet released, its subreddit started collectively pretending the game was already out.
I spent far too many hours reading strategies to defeat the (completely made-up) Glaive Master Hodir. For research.
This is the result: doi.org/10.1093/aest...
I spent far too many hours reading strategies to defeat the (completely made-up) Glaive Master Hodir. For research.
This is the result: doi.org/10.1093/aest...
Fictional Game Spectatorship: On Pretend-Play and Collective Imagination in Gaming Communities
Abstract. Fictional games are games that do not actually exist, but that are presented within works of fiction. They are thus not appreciated through play,
doi.org
November 3, 2025 at 10:42 AM
When Elden Ring had been announced but not yet released, its subreddit started collectively pretending the game was already out.
I spent far too many hours reading strategies to defeat the (completely made-up) Glaive Master Hodir. For research.
This is the result: doi.org/10.1093/aest...
I spent far too many hours reading strategies to defeat the (completely made-up) Glaive Master Hodir. For research.
This is the result: doi.org/10.1093/aest...
Reposted by Alex Fisher
You've probably heard of deathbots, but did you know about break-up bots? It's possible to create a digital duplicates of an ex and chat to them as if they never left in the 1st place. In my forthcoming paper in Phenom & the Cog Sciences, I discuss 3 factors against continuing bonds w ex-bots/1
Pilar Lopez-Cantero, The ethics of break-up chatbots - PhilPapers
This paper offers the first normative analysis of break-up chatbots, which simulate an ex-partner's conversational style. I argue that technologies that have the (potential) aim of fostering continuin...
philpapers.org
November 3, 2025 at 10:05 AM
You've probably heard of deathbots, but did you know about break-up bots? It's possible to create a digital duplicates of an ex and chat to them as if they never left in the 1st place. In my forthcoming paper in Phenom & the Cog Sciences, I discuss 3 factors against continuing bonds w ex-bots/1
"As long as the university system in the UK is so wildly underfunded as it is now, universities will be vulnerable to attacks like this."
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
China intimidated UK university to ditch human rights research, documents show
Sheffield Hallam University apologises to Professor Laura Murphy for restricting her academic freedom.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 12:01 AM
"As long as the university system in the UK is so wildly underfunded as it is now, universities will be vulnerable to attacks like this."
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...