Alex Francis
@alexanderfrancis.bsky.social
Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, studying how the demands of hearing loss and noise exposure affect health and well-being across the lifespan. Open science, sci comm, R stats, data viz, epidemiology, dogs, nature, TTRPGs. Etc. he/him.
Reposted by Alex Francis
"Correlation is still not causation," I intone wearily, hoping some people eventually realize what that means...
(Reasonable sample size, validated instrument, dosage dependent trend line: still not evidence of anything causative)
(Reasonable sample size, validated instrument, dosage dependent trend line: still not evidence of anything causative)
Data from a large, ongoing study of adolescents shows a link between increasing social media use and lower cognition and memory in teens. n.pr/42BJyMB
Kids who use social media score lower on reading and memory tests, a study shows
Data from a large, ongoing study of adolescents shows a link between increasing social media use and lower cognition and memory in teens.
n.pr
October 13, 2025 at 3:36 PM
"Correlation is still not causation," I intone wearily, hoping some people eventually realize what that means...
(Reasonable sample size, validated instrument, dosage dependent trend line: still not evidence of anything causative)
(Reasonable sample size, validated instrument, dosage dependent trend line: still not evidence of anything causative)
Reposted by Alex Francis
In the last 70 years, federal jobs fell from 4.5% of all employment to below 2%.
Civil servants aren't what's driving government debt, and firing them won't address it.
Civil servants aren't what's driving government debt, and firing them won't address it.
October 13, 2025 at 2:54 PM
In the last 70 years, federal jobs fell from 4.5% of all employment to below 2%.
Civil servants aren't what's driving government debt, and firing them won't address it.
Civil servants aren't what's driving government debt, and firing them won't address it.
Reposted by Alex Francis
I’m not trying to give @pbs.org ideas for raising money—but I am. I would buy women’s fit T-shirts of all my favorite childhood shows. Reading rainbow, 321 contact, square one, zoobiliee zoo. I feel like two generations will run to donate even more money for shirts with Levar Burton on them…
October 11, 2025 at 9:46 PM
I’m not trying to give @pbs.org ideas for raising money—but I am. I would buy women’s fit T-shirts of all my favorite childhood shows. Reading rainbow, 321 contact, square one, zoobiliee zoo. I feel like two generations will run to donate even more money for shirts with Levar Burton on them…
Reposted by Alex Francis
Bail reform increases safety, pretrial incarceration DECREASES public safety
Good op-ed in @nytimes.com from my friend David Gaspar (and Jeremy Cherson) @bailproject.org
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/o...
Good op-ed in @nytimes.com from my friend David Gaspar (and Jeremy Cherson) @bailproject.org
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/o...
September 2, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Bail reform increases safety, pretrial incarceration DECREASES public safety
Good op-ed in @nytimes.com from my friend David Gaspar (and Jeremy Cherson) @bailproject.org
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/o...
Good op-ed in @nytimes.com from my friend David Gaspar (and Jeremy Cherson) @bailproject.org
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/o...
Reposted by Alex Francis
YOU DON'T SAY
University efficiency drives may have opposite effect, study finds.
The administrative burden in Australian universities is most keenly felt by teaching and research staff, according to a study from the University of Melbourne’s faculty of education.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-aust...
The administrative burden in Australian universities is most keenly felt by teaching and research staff, according to a study from the University of Melbourne’s faculty of education.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-aust...
University efficiency drives may have opposite effect, study finds - Research Professional News
Teaching and research staff say reforms mean more red tape for them, Australian survey reports
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
August 27, 2025 at 5:02 PM
YOU DON'T SAY
This is ... not a good sign.
August 23, 2025 at 4:55 PM
This is ... not a good sign.
Reposted by Alex Francis
MIT’s NANDA initiative found that 95% of generative AI deployments fail after interviewing 150 execs, surveying 350 workers, and analyzing 300 projects. The real “productivity gains” seem to come from layoffs and squeezing more work from fewer people not AI.
MIT report: 95% of generative AI pilots at companies are failing
There’s a stark difference in success rates between companies that purchase AI tools from vendors and those that build them internally.
fortune.com
August 20, 2025 at 4:52 AM
MIT’s NANDA initiative found that 95% of generative AI deployments fail after interviewing 150 execs, surveying 350 workers, and analyzing 300 projects. The real “productivity gains” seem to come from layoffs and squeezing more work from fewer people not AI.
Reposted by Alex Francis
My PhD student Yue Li is looking for L1 speakers of Chinese and Spanish for her online English experiment! Please see below for details!
🎓 Call for Participants – Paid Online English Study
We look for: native speaker of Spanish or Chinese who has an advanced level of English
💸 Compensation provided
✅ Check the flyer for eligibility
📲 Scan the QR code to get in touch.
Feel free to share this news!
#linguistics #paidstudy
We look for: native speaker of Spanish or Chinese who has an advanced level of English
💸 Compensation provided
✅ Check the flyer for eligibility
📲 Scan the QR code to get in touch.
Feel free to share this news!
#linguistics #paidstudy
August 14, 2025 at 3:01 PM
My PhD student Yue Li is looking for L1 speakers of Chinese and Spanish for her online English experiment! Please see below for details!
Reposted by Alex Francis
Kim Davis going from "my religious beliefs demand that I don't facilitate a same-sex marriages" to "my religious beliefs demand that there are NO same-sex marriages anywhere" *should* make Democrats realize there is no "sincere" compromise with bigots on trans issues.
August 12, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Kim Davis going from "my religious beliefs demand that I don't facilitate a same-sex marriages" to "my religious beliefs demand that there are NO same-sex marriages anywhere" *should* make Democrats realize there is no "sincere" compromise with bigots on trans issues.
Reposted by Alex Francis
DC statehood is now an imperative. No more dicking around. Next Dem majority, get it done immediately.
August 11, 2025 at 3:18 PM
DC statehood is now an imperative. No more dicking around. Next Dem majority, get it done immediately.
I’m often frustrated by technical terms with no intrinsic meaning (e.g., Type I vs Type II error) but now that increasing public awareness of the “Big 5” personality traits means more interpretations of “high extraversion” as “is an extrovert” etc., I kinda wish they were just called Traits 1-5.
August 9, 2025 at 10:30 PM
I’m often frustrated by technical terms with no intrinsic meaning (e.g., Type I vs Type II error) but now that increasing public awareness of the “Big 5” personality traits means more interpretations of “high extraversion” as “is an extrovert” etc., I kinda wish they were just called Traits 1-5.
A good thread on the spaciousness of arguments against transwomen competing against ciswomen in sport.
transphobic liberals in 2025: "I just think there are conversations that need to be had about the trans sport issue."
No you do not. You just use the pretense of "there needing to be a conversation" so you can avoid ever actually having one or engaging with the actual science or with trans people.
No you do not. You just use the pretense of "there needing to be a conversation" so you can avoid ever actually having one or engaging with the actual science or with trans people.
The fact people didn’t pick up on trans sports bans being bullshit after the chess one makes me really disappointed in people
July 23, 2025 at 2:04 PM
A good thread on the spaciousness of arguments against transwomen competing against ciswomen in sport.
Luke O‘Neil is one of my favorite writers - as much poet as storyteller, and somehow rich in bleakness. He gets more humanity into characters in a single page than many authors do in an entire novel. I loved his collection „A Creature Wanting Form“ and I’m looking forward to this one.
WE HAD IT COMING And Other Fictions by @lukeoneil47.bsky.social is now available for pre-order.
A blistering, bleakly funny portrait of American collapse, it reads like a barstool confession at the end of the world.
You can have it coming too: orbooks.com/catalog/we-h...
A blistering, bleakly funny portrait of American collapse, it reads like a barstool confession at the end of the world.
You can have it coming too: orbooks.com/catalog/we-h...
June 30, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Luke O‘Neil is one of my favorite writers - as much poet as storyteller, and somehow rich in bleakness. He gets more humanity into characters in a single page than many authors do in an entire novel. I loved his collection „A Creature Wanting Form“ and I’m looking forward to this one.
Reposted by Alex Francis
Back in the day, Twitter used to be really good if I set up a thread to connect freelancers with clients. Let's see if Bluesky can do it.
Clients: if you're looking for freelancers/contractors, get in the comments
Freelancers/contractors: get in comments
Everyone else: boosts appreciated
Clients: if you're looking for freelancers/contractors, get in the comments
Freelancers/contractors: get in comments
Everyone else: boosts appreciated
June 27, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Back in the day, Twitter used to be really good if I set up a thread to connect freelancers with clients. Let's see if Bluesky can do it.
Clients: if you're looking for freelancers/contractors, get in the comments
Freelancers/contractors: get in comments
Everyone else: boosts appreciated
Clients: if you're looking for freelancers/contractors, get in the comments
Freelancers/contractors: get in comments
Everyone else: boosts appreciated
Reposted by Alex Francis
Decided it was go big or go home so starting at 7pm tonight all my original hand painted art will be 60% off the listed price!!
You read that right SIXTY PERCENT! This is my biggest discount ever! Don't miss out!! KateAveryArt.com to shop!!
You read that right SIXTY PERCENT! This is my biggest discount ever! Don't miss out!! KateAveryArt.com to shop!!
June 26, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Decided it was go big or go home so starting at 7pm tonight all my original hand painted art will be 60% off the listed price!!
You read that right SIXTY PERCENT! This is my biggest discount ever! Don't miss out!! KateAveryArt.com to shop!!
You read that right SIXTY PERCENT! This is my biggest discount ever! Don't miss out!! KateAveryArt.com to shop!!
There was a time when I thought I might grow up to be an entomologist. Now I’m just trying to learn how to photograph them.
June 26, 2025 at 7:10 PM
There was a time when I thought I might grow up to be an entomologist. Now I’m just trying to learn how to photograph them.
Reposted by Alex Francis
Take my course at the LSA summer institute this summer! (I actually have no idea how many people are going to register.)
June 21, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Take my course at the LSA summer institute this summer! (I actually have no idea how many people are going to register.)
Reposted by Alex Francis
That's not what we should be hearing. There is virtually no low-quality research that gets discussed at funding panels, or gets anywhere near being funded. The problem is that not enough high-quality research is funded.
Two senior @ukri.org figures this week have suggested unis could reduce how much research they do
“Concentrating on unique and high contributions & concentrating on less research, has the potential to bring the amount of activity into balance with research funding,” Steven Hill told #ARMA25
(1/2)
“Concentrating on unique and high contributions & concentrating on less research, has the potential to bring the amount of activity into balance with research funding,” Steven Hill told #ARMA25
(1/2)
Research England official: universities could do ‘less’ R&D - Research Professional News
Arma 2025: Director of research asks whether system should provide “disincentives for lower-quality research”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
June 20, 2025 at 10:49 AM
That's not what we should be hearing. There is virtually no low-quality research that gets discussed at funding panels, or gets anywhere near being funded. The problem is that not enough high-quality research is funded.
Reposted by Alex Francis
Not an original point but worth saying again - there is not a single element in this picture that identifies any of these folks as law enforcement agents. No badges, no uniforms, no vests. Out of context it just looks like a bunch of random guys are kidnapping a mayoral candidate.
Breaking News: Brad Lander, the New York City comptroller who is running for mayor, was detained by ICE agents at an immigration court as he tried to escort a migrant out of the courthouse to prevent his arrest. nyti.ms/4jWkANE
June 17, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Not an original point but worth saying again - there is not a single element in this picture that identifies any of these folks as law enforcement agents. No badges, no uniforms, no vests. Out of context it just looks like a bunch of random guys are kidnapping a mayoral candidate.
Reposted by Alex Francis
#USA: RSF condemns the wave of violence – at least 27 separate attacks – that swept across journalists covering protests in Los Angeles this weekend. Violence against journalists trying to do their jobs is unacceptable. #JournalismIsNotACrime rsf.org/en/usa-rsf-c...
USA: RSF condemns wave of violence against journalists covering Los Angeles protests
At least 27 attacks on journalists covering protests in Los Angeles took place between June 6 and June 8. The assaults have been carried out by both law enforcement and protesters. Violence against jo...
rsf.org
June 9, 2025 at 4:29 PM
#USA: RSF condemns the wave of violence – at least 27 separate attacks – that swept across journalists covering protests in Los Angeles this weekend. Violence against journalists trying to do their jobs is unacceptable. #JournalismIsNotACrime rsf.org/en/usa-rsf-c...
Reposted by Alex Francis
What a day! We've entered a bizarre new chapter in politics & power, where billionaires, turned digital oligarchs, now trade threats on social media platforms they own. It’s not backroom deals anymore, it’s power games played out in the public feed for the masses. #OligarchWars
#BillionaireBeef
#BillionaireBeef
June 5, 2025 at 11:47 PM
What a day! We've entered a bizarre new chapter in politics & power, where billionaires, turned digital oligarchs, now trade threats on social media platforms they own. It’s not backroom deals anymore, it’s power games played out in the public feed for the masses. #OligarchWars
#BillionaireBeef
#BillionaireBeef
Reposted by Alex Francis
I’m never understand people who claim humans are the pinnacle of evolution when I have to sign in to Microsoft Team while he spends his morning like this.
June 4, 2025 at 12:13 PM
I’m never understand people who claim humans are the pinnacle of evolution when I have to sign in to Microsoft Team while he spends his morning like this.
Our government is short-sightedly destroying our ability to train future scientists.
This program means a lot to me. We selected students that largely didn’t have research experience & they are presenting, publishing & going on to postbac/grad/prof programs. This was what made me realize where I wanted my efforts to be. In supporting & developing programs to train future scientists
May 27, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Our government is short-sightedly destroying our ability to train future scientists.
Reposted by Alex Francis
This is a great explainer on the historical development of the scam that has fooled people for 45 years.
www.milwaukeeindependent.com/thom-hartman...
www.milwaukeeindependent.com/thom-hartman...
The Two Santas Strategy: How the GOP has used an economic scam to manipulate Americans for 40 years | Milwaukee Independent
www.milwaukeeindependent.com
May 25, 2025 at 5:56 PM
This is a great explainer on the historical development of the scam that has fooled people for 45 years.
www.milwaukeeindependent.com/thom-hartman...
www.milwaukeeindependent.com/thom-hartman...