Caro Flores
@floresophize.bsky.social
Philosopher @ U Lisboa. Interested in belief, evidence-resistance, social identities, ideology, ignorance, delusions. || Languages: EN, PT, ES || https://carolinaflores.org for papers
Pinned
Caro Flores
@floresophize.bsky.social
· Oct 6
The Left Can’t Abandon Nostalgia to the Right
The global right today excels at leveraging nostalgia for reactionary ends. Yet memories of periods of revolutionary hope and collective victories can provide the materials for a form of nostalgia tha...
jacobin.com
Super stoked to have a piece out in Jacobin! It's a personal essay about nostalgia for the Portuguese Carnation Revolution and a reclamation of the power of nostalgia for the left. 1/
PSA: Stop reading hot takes by pundits on the current political moment and go read chapters 10 and 11 of The Origins of Totalitarianism. It is uncanny how much of the current moment Arendt's analysis captures.
January 7, 2026 at 10:53 AM
PSA: Stop reading hot takes by pundits on the current political moment and go read chapters 10 and 11 of The Origins of Totalitarianism. It is uncanny how much of the current moment Arendt's analysis captures.
Reposted by Caro Flores
A Washington Post article suggests that, beyond a certain threshold, larger homes don't make people happier. Instead, well-being is correlated with affordable housing in walkable neighborhoods where they feel socially connected.
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
![Excerpt reads: "Prioritize your neighborhood
Neighborhoods drive our happiness (or unhappiness) more than we think.
When Lina Martinez, director of POLIS, the Center for Wellbeing Studies at Universidad Icesi in Colombia, studied the happiness of households in the city of Cali, she couldn’t find much difference between poorer and richer areas. “Their happiness is pretty much the same,” she said. But that changed when she isolated neighborhood conditions, such as access to transit, health care and parks. “The conditions of the neighborhood affect happiness,” she said. “I can’t link that to the space where [people] live.”
That aligns with findings from a 2023 study of the Vancouver metro area: Researchers found no significant differences in well-being between people living in single detached homes, duplexes, townhouses, laneway houses and apartment buildings (basement units smaller than 300 square feet were the only negative exception). What did people say they missed most in their neighborhood? Affordability, proximity to family and friends, and a sense of community. Home design was eighth on the list."](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ks3gpa6ftoyaq7hmf6c4qx4c/bafkreicapfknasylzk2lqzaxxeb5mchgnru75obggn45dusda6j5zogvuu@jpeg)
January 7, 2026 at 4:29 AM
A Washington Post article suggests that, beyond a certain threshold, larger homes don't make people happier. Instead, well-being is correlated with affordable housing in walkable neighborhoods where they feel socially connected.
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
US cities: a 20-minute walk takes you to a 7-Eleven. Also there are no sidewalks or streetlights.
European cities: in 20 minutes you can get groceries at a market, visit an independent bookstore, pick between a dozen nice restaurants, hang out at a non-profit cultural space, and run into friends.
European cities: in 20 minutes you can get groceries at a market, visit an independent bookstore, pick between a dozen nice restaurants, hang out at a non-profit cultural space, and run into friends.
January 6, 2026 at 11:07 AM
US cities: a 20-minute walk takes you to a 7-Eleven. Also there are no sidewalks or streetlights.
European cities: in 20 minutes you can get groceries at a market, visit an independent bookstore, pick between a dozen nice restaurants, hang out at a non-profit cultural space, and run into friends.
European cities: in 20 minutes you can get groceries at a market, visit an independent bookstore, pick between a dozen nice restaurants, hang out at a non-profit cultural space, and run into friends.
One thing many other countries could steal from the US is the useful term "reactionary centrist" (and then avoid arguing with them, a pointless distraction)
What is a reactionary centrist, and does the UK have them?
A term favoured by US progressives can help us understand Britain’s drift to the right
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
January 5, 2026 at 11:18 AM
One thing many other countries could steal from the US is the useful term "reactionary centrist" (and then avoid arguing with them, a pointless distraction)
This will be *the* year I start each weekday morning by writing uninterrupted, I say, for the n-th year in a row
(Any advice for how to make this stick that doesn't involve blackmailing myself is welcome, also)
(Any advice for how to make this stick that doesn't involve blackmailing myself is welcome, also)
January 5, 2026 at 11:13 AM
This will be *the* year I start each weekday morning by writing uninterrupted, I say, for the n-th year in a row
(Any advice for how to make this stick that doesn't involve blackmailing myself is welcome, also)
(Any advice for how to make this stick that doesn't involve blackmailing myself is welcome, also)
From last month, an extremely prescient podcast about the "But the People of country X are happy the US removed their dictator" trap.
Because, yes, we are living through extremely precedented times.
Because, yes, we are living through extremely precedented times.
Citations Needed: Ep 232: US Meddling, the Limits of 'Agency' Discourse and How Media Chooses Which 'Voices' To Center
In this episode, we discuss the uses and misuses of liberal standpoint theory to promote US meddling, sanctions, and bombing. With guest Vincent Bevins.
citationsneeded.libsyn.com
January 4, 2026 at 7:15 PM
From last month, an extremely prescient podcast about the "But the People of country X are happy the US removed their dictator" trap.
Because, yes, we are living through extremely precedented times.
Because, yes, we are living through extremely precedented times.
Job market folks: apply for a post-doc at the University of Lisbon! It's a 2-stage process; if interested contact my colleague David Yates (at david.yates@edu.ulisboa.pt), with a brief description of your intended research and current CV by January 7. #philsky
Individual Call to Scientific Employment Stimulus - 8th Edition - FCT
National, foreign and stateless PhD holders in any scientific area who wish to carry out scientific research or technological development activities in Portugal may apply.
www.fct.pt
December 31, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Job market folks: apply for a post-doc at the University of Lisbon! It's a 2-stage process; if interested contact my colleague David Yates (at david.yates@edu.ulisboa.pt), with a brief description of your intended research and current CV by January 7. #philsky
Reposted by Caro Flores
i have long refused to believe in the existence of Hunters Point
MTA Admits To Fabricating Large Parts Of Subway Map https://theonion.com/mta-admits-to-fabricating-large-parts-of-subway-map/
December 31, 2025 at 12:00 AM
i have long refused to believe in the existence of Hunters Point
My psychologically healthy New Year's Resolution is for everyone to like me all the time
December 31, 2025 at 5:06 PM
My psychologically healthy New Year's Resolution is for everyone to like me all the time
Reposted by Caro Flores
i may write about this but i feel like the 19th century concept of "social equality" explains quite a bit about reactionary politics today, they're offended by a society that does not recognize their higher status, which is how we get turd coinages like "heritage american" bsky.app/profile/last...
I actually find this reassuring given how low that is, it's less than would have thought tbh. That said the strange group of people given this who are like "nothing personal bruv but you gotta go" to the ethnic-minority good-British-citizens is pretty funny to me.
"More than a third (37%) of Reform UK voters said they would be prouder of Britain if there were fewer people from minority ethnic backgrounds in a decade’s time, and 10% [compared to 3% overall] said it was important to have white skin to be a good British citizen."
December 30, 2025 at 10:48 AM
i may write about this but i feel like the 19th century concept of "social equality" explains quite a bit about reactionary politics today, they're offended by a society that does not recognize their higher status, which is how we get turd coinages like "heritage american" bsky.app/profile/last...
Two suggestions for New Year's resolutions:
1. uninstall Instagram (etc.) from your phone, check only in browser (still connect with friends, waste less time)
2. designate your bedroom a no-phone zone (and instead read books, watch stuff, cuddle, get more sleep, etc.)
1. uninstall Instagram (etc.) from your phone, check only in browser (still connect with friends, waste less time)
2. designate your bedroom a no-phone zone (and instead read books, watch stuff, cuddle, get more sleep, etc.)
December 30, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Two suggestions for New Year's resolutions:
1. uninstall Instagram (etc.) from your phone, check only in browser (still connect with friends, waste less time)
2. designate your bedroom a no-phone zone (and instead read books, watch stuff, cuddle, get more sleep, etc.)
1. uninstall Instagram (etc.) from your phone, check only in browser (still connect with friends, waste less time)
2. designate your bedroom a no-phone zone (and instead read books, watch stuff, cuddle, get more sleep, etc.)
Live long enough and you'll see yourself become reviewer #2
December 29, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Live long enough and you'll see yourself become reviewer #2
Reposted by Caro Flores
🚨 New Paper Alert 🚨 "Understanding & Predicting Cultural Change" is accepted at Advances in Experimental Social Psychology!
Varnum & I argue that Psychology cannot afford to be blind to time. We need to move from cross-sectional snapshots to dynamic time-series movies. 🧵👇
Varnum & I argue that Psychology cannot afford to be blind to time. We need to move from cross-sectional snapshots to dynamic time-series movies. 🧵👇
December 29, 2025 at 4:21 PM
🚨 New Paper Alert 🚨 "Understanding & Predicting Cultural Change" is accepted at Advances in Experimental Social Psychology!
Varnum & I argue that Psychology cannot afford to be blind to time. We need to move from cross-sectional snapshots to dynamic time-series movies. 🧵👇
Varnum & I argue that Psychology cannot afford to be blind to time. We need to move from cross-sectional snapshots to dynamic time-series movies. 🧵👇
Reposted by Caro Flores
Historians: Quibbling Over Exact Definition Of Concentration Camp Sign Of Healthy Society https://theonion.com/historians-quibbling-over-exact-definition-of-concentration-camp-sign-of-healthy-society/
December 28, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Historians: Quibbling Over Exact Definition Of Concentration Camp Sign Of Healthy Society https://theonion.com/historians-quibbling-over-exact-definition-of-concentration-camp-sign-of-healthy-society/
Check out this fantastic interview with @alexgphilosophy.bsky.social in Jacobin on the elite capture of democracy and lottocracy as a potential solution! jacobin.com/2025/12/lott...
A Lottocratic Political System Would Empower Ordinary People
American democracy seems to be falling into an ever greater crisis. A lottocratic system, in which citizens are randomly selected to serve as legislators, could empower ordinary people and stem politi...
jacobin.com
December 29, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Check out this fantastic interview with @alexgphilosophy.bsky.social in Jacobin on the elite capture of democracy and lottocracy as a potential solution! jacobin.com/2025/12/lott...
Reposted by Caro Flores
…are not due primarily to lack of cleverness but to ordinary human causes such as greed, bias, folly, meanness, ignorance, ill-temper, lack of common-sense, lack of interest, lack of public feeling, lack of teamwork, lack of experience, lack of conscience, perhaps most of all to… 2/3
December 27, 2025 at 10:35 AM
…are not due primarily to lack of cleverness but to ordinary human causes such as greed, bias, folly, meanness, ignorance, ill-temper, lack of common-sense, lack of interest, lack of public feeling, lack of teamwork, lack of experience, lack of conscience, perhaps most of all to… 2/3
Reposted by Caro Flores
Something I like is Midgley’s (2018) critique of artificial intelligence - a couple of years before gen AI started to blow up.
Here’s a good passage:
“Why […] should anyone expect these extra calculative powers to make the difference that is needed? The confusions that now afflict human life… 1/3
Here’s a good passage:
“Why […] should anyone expect these extra calculative powers to make the difference that is needed? The confusions that now afflict human life… 1/3
Finally got round to reading this excellent book.
Definitely recommend it to - well, anyone!
#philsky #philosophy
Definitely recommend it to - well, anyone!
#philsky #philosophy
December 27, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Something I like is Midgley’s (2018) critique of artificial intelligence - a couple of years before gen AI started to blow up.
Here’s a good passage:
“Why […] should anyone expect these extra calculative powers to make the difference that is needed? The confusions that now afflict human life… 1/3
Here’s a good passage:
“Why […] should anyone expect these extra calculative powers to make the difference that is needed? The confusions that now afflict human life… 1/3
Eu e a @MaribelMSobreira estamos a organizar um ciclo de leitura de As Origens do Totalitarianismo de Arendt em #Lisboa na maravilhosa livraria feminista Greta. Junta-te a nós! Mais detalhes e formulário de interesse aqui: cryptpad.fr/form/#/2/for...
December 27, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Eu e a @MaribelMSobreira estamos a organizar um ciclo de leitura de As Origens do Totalitarianismo de Arendt em #Lisboa na maravilhosa livraria feminista Greta. Junta-te a nós! Mais detalhes e formulário de interesse aqui: cryptpad.fr/form/#/2/for...
Ah, Christmas eve, peak season for sitting by the fireplace and for abolishing the family
December 24, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Ah, Christmas eve, peak season for sitting by the fireplace and for abolishing the family
Made a new website! In addition to links to my writing, I added a bunch of course syllabi and teaching and mentoring materials that I hope are useful to others. carolinaflores.org
carolina flores
carolinaflores.org
December 19, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Made a new website! In addition to links to my writing, I added a bunch of course syllabi and teaching and mentoring materials that I hope are useful to others. carolinaflores.org
Periodic reminder to send us your coolest papers to this Special Issue on feminist philosophy of mind that I'm co-editing at Hypatia! Deadline is now February 9.
Call-for-papers: Hypatia Special Issue on Feminist Philosophy of Mind - hypatia
Guest Editors: Gloria Andrada and Carolina Flores This special issue focuses on feminist philosophy of mind and cognitive science. It will offer novel perspectives on long-standing questions such as t...
hypatiaphilosophy.org
December 18, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Periodic reminder to send us your coolest papers to this Special Issue on feminist philosophy of mind that I'm co-editing at Hypatia! Deadline is now February 9.
Love it when students write cool papers, Fall 2025 edition! (From my grad seminar on the attention crisis) 1/2
- Social anxiety is not just about beliefs but about deep-seated attention habits
- Why is being mentally bored and physically engaged good for creative mind-wandering?
- Social anxiety is not just about beliefs but about deep-seated attention habits
- Why is being mentally bored and physically engaged good for creative mind-wandering?
December 17, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Love it when students write cool papers, Fall 2025 edition! (From my grad seminar on the attention crisis) 1/2
- Social anxiety is not just about beliefs but about deep-seated attention habits
- Why is being mentally bored and physically engaged good for creative mind-wandering?
- Social anxiety is not just about beliefs but about deep-seated attention habits
- Why is being mentally bored and physically engaged good for creative mind-wandering?
What is freedom?
One common answer: it's the ability to choose according to your preferences.
This book traces the history of this idea, with a focus on the objects and practices that got us used to that idea, from voting booths to 19th century dance halls to supermarkets. I enjoyed it!
One common answer: it's the ability to choose according to your preferences.
This book traces the history of this idea, with a focus on the objects and practices that got us used to that idea, from voting booths to 19th century dance halls to supermarkets. I enjoyed it!
My Freedom, My Choice | David A. Bell
A new book illuminates how freedom became associated with choice and questions whether that has been a good thing—for women in particular.
www.nybooks.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:16 AM
What is freedom?
One common answer: it's the ability to choose according to your preferences.
This book traces the history of this idea, with a focus on the objects and practices that got us used to that idea, from voting booths to 19th century dance halls to supermarkets. I enjoyed it!
One common answer: it's the ability to choose according to your preferences.
This book traces the history of this idea, with a focus on the objects and practices that got us used to that idea, from voting booths to 19th century dance halls to supermarkets. I enjoyed it!
This is so good it's not even a satire of US universities.
My Name Is Gregor Samsa, and This Time I Woke Up as a Grad Student at Cal State San Bernardino
You’ve probably heard about the first time this happened to me. You know: guy goes to sleep, wakes up as a giant bug, freaks out his family, worrie...
www.mcsweeneys.net
December 15, 2025 at 6:37 PM
This is so good it's not even a satire of US universities.