Paul Bloom

Empty threats How to be taken seriously

smallpotatoes.paulbloom.net/p/empty-thre...

Keynotes: @paulbloomatyale.bsky.social & Abigail Marsh

Invited talks: @peez.bsky.social, Amrisha Vaish, @joshcjackson.bsky.social, @joodykeem.bsky.social, @sydneylevine.bsky.social, @nourkteily.bsky.social, Jessica Salerno, @mattlindauer.bsky.social

Organizers: yours truly & @jowylie.bsky.social

New ep of Inner Cosmos out now: Will AI cure loneliness? AI companions can rectify isolation, but might loneliness serve a biological function? Does everyone have the same need for companionship? Join this week with guest Paul Bloom (@paulbloomatyale.bsky.social).
eagleman.com/podcast/123

Some non-obvious advice for psych graduate students Dorsa Amir has an excellent post titled Modest Advice For New Students. If you are going to read one thing about doing well in graduate school, click on the link and read that instead—it’s exhaustive ...

smallpotatoes.paulbloom.net/p/some-non-o...

Just found out that I am the 2025 recipient of the Diener Award in Social Psychology from SPSP. I couldn’t have done it without my mentors (official and otherwise), students, and collaborators. I'm proud of this, but mostly just grateful I get to do work I love.

Why are so few professors troublemakers? [This is a mildly edited version of a post that was initially sent out to paid subscribers only.]

smallpotatoes.paulbloom.net/p/why-are-so...

Who says you can't have fun when writing a new course proposal?

I'd die before using this designer.

The only interdisciplinary conversations worth having (This is a niche post of interest to a relatively narrow community of scholars.

smallpotatoes.paulbloom.net/p/the-only-i...

This New Yorker essay about New Yorker fact-checkers is terrific.
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...

YouTube video by Nonzero Epstein, AI, and the Xi-Putin Path to Immortality | Robert Wright & Paul Bloom

Epstein, AI, and the Xi-Putin Path to Immortality | @robertwrighter.bsky.social and psychologist @paulbloomatyale.bsky.social discuss what the Ghislaine interview really revealed—via Mickey Kaus' analysis. Plus: AI vs indoor plumbing, the Xi-Putin summit, and more.

I’m going a bit outside my comfort zone here, but I'm sure this will be a lot of fun. If you’re in Chicago and decide to attend, come by and say hello!
www.eventbrite.com/e/the-digita...
cid:f_mf1a5a9u0

Honored to be among a fantastic lineup of moral psychologists!

I'm so honoured to receive the inaugural Stephen P. Stich award, particularly since Steve is a scholar (and person) I very much admire.

No, it's the hockey reference.

The most Canadian headline ever.

I'm teaching a graduate seminar in moral psychology this Fall. I've done this before, but I want to rethink the readings. If you've taught a course like this, I'd be very grateful if you could post or email me your syllabus.

Psychology is ok A response to Adam Mastroianni

smallpotatoes.paulbloom.net/p/psychology...

You MUST read this post Two surprising discoveries about obedience

smallpotatoes.paulbloom.net/p/you-must-r...

I don't even know what you're referring to, and I agree.

Two Psychologists Four Beers Episode 122: When to Quit (with Paul Bloom) Paul Bloom takes over the show to interview Yoel about loss of faith: when to give up on a theory, and which of his own findings he no longer believes.

New episode!
@paulbloomatyale.bsky.social
interviews Yoel about when to give up on a theory, and which of his own findings he no longer believes. But it's not all doom and gloom! We also talk about findings we think are solid, and, of course, Sydney Sweeney. share.fireside.fm/episode/Ah1O...

Everyday Revenge We are interested in stories of everyday revenge—cases where you successfully got back at someone after being wronged. Please think up an experience of when you took revenge and tell us about it. Pl...

@anagantman.bsky.social @jowylie.bsky.social and I are starting to study everyday revenge. Have you ever successfully gotten back at someone after being wronged? We would love to hear about it.

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

#PsychSciSky #socialpsyc #cognition

Everyday Revenge We are interested in stories of everyday revenge—cases where you successfully got back at someone after being wronged. Please think up an experience of when you took revenge and tell us about it. Pl...

@paulbloomatyale.bsky.social @jowylie.bsky.social, and I are starting to study everyday revenge. Have you ever successfully got back at someone after being wronged? We would love to hear about it:

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

#PsychSciSky #socialpsyc #cognition

With Friends Like These A reaction to some fellow critics of empathy

open.substack.com/pub/paulbloo...

I’m writing a post that explores the value of psychology. One way to frame the question is to ask: If there were no psychologists, what would the rest of the world miss out on? Anyone?

Sorry, I have no idea what you're talking about or what it has to do with me. Maybe you meant to send this to someone else?

Sorry, what?

YouTube video by Nonzero Jeffrey Epstein, MechaHitler, and Other Ills | Robert Wright & Paul Bloom

Jeffrey Epstein, MechaHitler, and Other Ills | @robertwrighter.bsky.social and psychologist
@paulbloomatyale.bsky.social discuss the Epstein files, Bob’s AI-guided (and misguided?) cancer journey, Grok’s Nazi-pornbot turn, AI companions, and more.

Coming up: Is it weird to want to do things that are bad for us? Josh & Ray unravel our weird wants with @paulbloomatyale.bsky.social from @utoronto.ca, author of "The Sweet Spot" – Sunday 11 am on @kalwradio.bsky.social 91.7 FM in San Francisco & www.kalw.org/show/philoso....

#PhilSky #psychology

Hammer Timing My weakness for good beginnings

New post: smallpotatoes.paulbloom.net/p/hammer-tim...