Jonathan F. Kominsky
@jfkominsky.bsky.social
(he/him) Assistant Professor of Cognitive Science at Central European University in Vienna, PI of the CEU Causal Cognition Lab (https://ccl.ceu.edu) #CogSci #PsychSciSky #SciSky
Personal site: https://www.jfkominsky.com
Personal site: https://www.jfkominsky.com
Pinned
Causal Cognition Lab
ccl.ceu.edu
#HiSciSky I study the cognitive science of causality: How we identify cause-and-effect in the world and how we think and reason about it. I'm the PI of the CEU Causal Cognition Lab in Vienna, Austria. (ccl.ceu.edu)
#CogSci #PsySci #DevSci
#CogSci #PsySci #DevSci
I beat the rush, as it were, by moving in 2022, but the headline quote pretty much captures my feelings on the subject. Austria has done a good job of making me feel welcome, and my science has flourished here. It was a good move on a variety of levels.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
‘I saw the writing on the wall’: Austria offers safe haven for US academics as Trump wages war on universities
Other countries benefit from the Trump brain drain as administration wages war on academia and research
www.theguardian.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:56 AM
I beat the rush, as it were, by moving in 2022, but the headline quote pretty much captures my feelings on the subject. Austria has done a good job of making me feel welcome, and my science has flourished here. It was a good move on a variety of levels.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Commentary with 1000-word limit.
Two hours of editing down.
This will be funny in retrospect.
Two hours of editing down.
This will be funny in retrospect.
February 10, 2026 at 6:08 AM
Commentary with 1000-word limit.
Two hours of editing down.
This will be funny in retrospect.
Two hours of editing down.
This will be funny in retrospect.
DeLauro was my rep for the seven years I spent in New Haven and she was normally good. Strong on issues that directly affected her constituents lives. This is a surprising and deeply disappointing failure of moral insight and political will.
“Renee Goodman [sic], Alex Pretti – there are no words,” DeLauro said.
“You said there were no words after the murder of those two individuals,” said Rev. Jack Perkins Davidson. “I think the words are ‘Abolish ICE.’”
www.ctpublic.org/news/2026-02...
“You said there were no words after the murder of those two individuals,” said Rev. Jack Perkins Davidson. “I think the words are ‘Abolish ICE.’”
www.ctpublic.org/news/2026-02...
DeLauro to pressing clergy: 'I will not vote to abolish ICE'
The Connecticut U.S. representative found herself at odds with faith leaders.
www.ctpublic.org
February 7, 2026 at 4:45 AM
DeLauro was my rep for the seven years I spent in New Haven and she was normally good. Strong on issues that directly affected her constituents lives. This is a surprising and deeply disappointing failure of moral insight and political will.
Reposted by Jonathan F. Kominsky
The Visual Learning Lab is hiring TWO lab coordinators!
Both positions are ideal for someone looking for research experience before applying to graduate school. Application deadline is Feb 10th (approaching fast!)—with flexible summer start dates.
Both positions are ideal for someone looking for research experience before applying to graduate school. Application deadline is Feb 10th (approaching fast!)—with flexible summer start dates.
January 30, 2026 at 11:21 PM
The Visual Learning Lab is hiring TWO lab coordinators!
Both positions are ideal for someone looking for research experience before applying to graduate school. Application deadline is Feb 10th (approaching fast!)—with flexible summer start dates.
Both positions are ideal for someone looking for research experience before applying to graduate school. Application deadline is Feb 10th (approaching fast!)—with flexible summer start dates.
Reposted by Jonathan F. Kominsky
If anybody out there is like, “kids so young would never do this without adult prompting!“
1) you really don’t know kids
2) when Reagan met with Gorbachev, I was in 5th grade & still managed to get my class to sign an anti-nuke petition
Don’t underestimate how much the kids are paying attention
1) you really don’t know kids
2) when Reagan met with Gorbachev, I was in 5th grade & still managed to get my class to sign an anti-nuke petition
Don’t underestimate how much the kids are paying attention
Younger kid's whole middle school walked out today in solidarity with Minnesota. Apparently there were 13 year olds getting up and making impromptu speeches. They didn't prep a chant in advance, so they settled on "F*ck ICE"
January 31, 2026 at 1:45 AM
If anybody out there is like, “kids so young would never do this without adult prompting!“
1) you really don’t know kids
2) when Reagan met with Gorbachev, I was in 5th grade & still managed to get my class to sign an anti-nuke petition
Don’t underestimate how much the kids are paying attention
1) you really don’t know kids
2) when Reagan met with Gorbachev, I was in 5th grade & still managed to get my class to sign an anti-nuke petition
Don’t underestimate how much the kids are paying attention
ICE should not exist in the Overton window. The debate should be, at most, about how many former agents should face prosecution after its abolition.
Push the Overton window. Shove it. Don't settle, don't stop bsky.app/profile/char...
Texas Governor Greg Abbott (!!!) is now publicly criticizing ICE. Oh, they're getting scared now. The backlash is being felt, and they don't want any part of this narrative.
www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/2...
www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/2...
January 27, 2026 at 1:20 AM
ICE should not exist in the Overton window. The debate should be, at most, about how many former agents should face prosecution after its abolition.
Reposted by Jonathan F. Kominsky
Our lab is back from #BCCCD26 in Budapest 🧠👶
We really enjoyed the conference (and party!) and had a great time sharing our work, meeting old friends and making new ones! 🌟
We really enjoyed the conference (and party!) and had a great time sharing our work, meeting old friends and making new ones! 🌟
January 26, 2026 at 10:16 AM
Our lab is back from #BCCCD26 in Budapest 🧠👶
We really enjoyed the conference (and party!) and had a great time sharing our work, meeting old friends and making new ones! 🌟
We really enjoyed the conference (and party!) and had a great time sharing our work, meeting old friends and making new ones! 🌟
Reposted by Jonathan F. Kominsky
Excellent analysis! Including e.g. Trump's own crude take, "You got to win the midterms, because if we don’t win the midterms… they’ll find a reason to impeach me."
What should academics be doing right now?
I have been writing up some thoughts on what the research says about effective action, and what universities specifically can do.
davidbau.github.io/poetsandnurs...
It's on GitHub. Suggestions and pull requests welcome.
github.com/davidbau/poe...
I have been writing up some thoughts on what the research says about effective action, and what universities specifically can do.
davidbau.github.io/poetsandnurs...
It's on GitHub. Suggestions and pull requests welcome.
github.com/davidbau/poe...
January 26, 2026 at 5:27 AM
Excellent analysis! Including e.g. Trump's own crude take, "You got to win the midterms, because if we don’t win the midterms… they’ll find a reason to impeach me."
Reposted by Jonathan F. Kominsky
An incredible saga
I just woke up from a nap and somehow while I was asleep, everyone on the bus has figured out we are not going to the right place
January 20, 2026 at 7:40 AM
An incredible saga
Applications still open until February 4!
Important note for US applicants: We do consider applicants with only a bachelor's degree and some research experience! You don't need a masters.
#CogSci #PsychSciSky
Important note for US applicants: We do consider applicants with only a bachelor's degree and some research experience! You don't need a masters.
#CogSci #PsychSciSky
Looking for a funded Ph.D. in #CogSci in an interdisciplinary, research-first program? Apply to CEU!
cognitivescience.ceu.edu/admission
Deadline February 4, 2026. Please share with any interested students!
#PsychSciSky #DevPsych #CogPsych
cognitivescience.ceu.edu/admission
Deadline February 4, 2026. Please share with any interested students!
#PsychSciSky #DevPsych #CogPsych
Applications Are Now Open for Academic Year 2026-2027 | Department of Cognitive Science
cognitivescience.ceu.edu
January 12, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Applications still open until February 4!
Important note for US applicants: We do consider applicants with only a bachelor's degree and some research experience! You don't need a masters.
#CogSci #PsychSciSky
Important note for US applicants: We do consider applicants with only a bachelor's degree and some research experience! You don't need a masters.
#CogSci #PsychSciSky
Reposted by Jonathan F. Kominsky
once again being driven insane by ML conference submissions
January 9, 2026 at 2:07 PM
once again being driven insane by ML conference submissions
Another pointless forever war for oil company profits.
My baby just made a spectacularly messy sound in his diaper that I think fully expresses my opinion on the topic. And gives me something to do, so that's nice.
My baby just made a spectacularly messy sound in his diaper that I think fully expresses my opinion on the topic. And gives me something to do, so that's nice.
January 3, 2026 at 6:50 AM
Another pointless forever war for oil company profits.
My baby just made a spectacularly messy sound in his diaper that I think fully expresses my opinion on the topic. And gives me something to do, so that's nice.
My baby just made a spectacularly messy sound in his diaper that I think fully expresses my opinion on the topic. And gives me something to do, so that's nice.
Happy New year. In 2025 I became a dad and it has been an amazing experience. Also why I am posting this at 4:45 instead of midnight or, you know, an hour when people without small infants would normally be awake.
January 1, 2026 at 3:46 AM
Happy New year. In 2025 I became a dad and it has been an amazing experience. Also why I am posting this at 4:45 instead of midnight or, you know, an hour when people without small infants would normally be awake.
It is testament to how good the academic environment in the US was that it could do well on that market while at best tolerating foreign talent. I moved from the US to Austria and they practically rolled out the red(-white-red🇦🇹) carpet for me immigration-wise. Feeling valued is a draw, it turns out!
I see this on the right - the idea that the existence of foreign academic staff and faculty are evidence of discrimination against natives. It's not discrimination, its selection: academia is a global marketplace, the US is the biggest center of that market. So yes, some foreign talent will win.
Striking nativist editorializing by the federal judge who just upheld the $100,000 tax on high-skill immigrants.
She opines that it’s “troubling” that universities hire talent from abroad at all, instead of only native grads.
Then admits (!) that opinion is irrelevant (So why write it? Venting?)
She opines that it’s “troubling” that universities hire talent from abroad at all, instead of only native grads.
Then admits (!) that opinion is irrelevant (So why write it? Venting?)
December 27, 2025 at 6:03 PM
It is testament to how good the academic environment in the US was that it could do well on that market while at best tolerating foreign talent. I moved from the US to Austria and they practically rolled out the red(-white-red🇦🇹) carpet for me immigration-wise. Feeling valued is a draw, it turns out!
Reposted by Jonathan F. Kominsky
If A Christmas Carol were Jewish, how would it be different? Would it even be possible to adapt?
December 25, 2025 at 4:37 AM
If A Christmas Carol were Jewish, how would it be different? Would it even be possible to adapt?
Tis the season
Merry Christmas! It's the Hater's Guide To The Williams-Sonoma Catalog! defector.com/the-2025-hat...
The 2025 Hater’s Guide To The Williams-Sonoma Catalog | Defector
[Opens front door while holding a toy corgi in one arm] Merry Christmas! Oh my God, you made it! I thought you might be stuck at the airport for weeks! Well, because it’s such madness out there. Piper...
defector.com
December 17, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Tis the season
Reposted by Jonathan F. Kominsky
No. Oh no...
GREAT NEWS! This year’s Williams-Sonoma catalog is powered by AI! defector.com/the-2025-hat...
December 17, 2025 at 4:19 PM
No. Oh no...
Hanukkah is a festival of defiant survival, but two mass shooting in a matter of hours, one that affects my friends and colleagues at Brown, and one targeting the Jewish community of Sydney, does not make for a festive mood.
My heart is with everyone affected.
My heart is with everyone affected.
December 14, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Hanukkah is a festival of defiant survival, but two mass shooting in a matter of hours, one that affects my friends and colleagues at Brown, and one targeting the Jewish community of Sydney, does not make for a festive mood.
My heart is with everyone affected.
My heart is with everyone affected.
Reposted by Jonathan F. Kominsky
🚨Super excited that Dartmouth's Society of Fellows is hiring a postdoc with the Program in Cognitive Science 🚨 Specialization in computational and empirical approaches to artificial and natural intelligence, including perception, representation, and complex planning: apply.interfolio.com/176946
Apply - Interfolio
{{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
apply.interfolio.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:40 PM
🚨Super excited that Dartmouth's Society of Fellows is hiring a postdoc with the Program in Cognitive Science 🚨 Specialization in computational and empirical approaches to artificial and natural intelligence, including perception, representation, and complex planning: apply.interfolio.com/176946
Finally someone actually asked the right question to the right people.
I’ve been running around asking tech execs and academics if language was the same as intelligence for over a year now - and, well, it isn’t. @benjaminjriley.bsky.social explains how the bubble is built on ignoring cutting-edge research into the science of thought www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...
November 25, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Finally someone actually asked the right question to the right people.
Looking for a funded Ph.D. in #CogSci in an interdisciplinary, research-first program? Apply to CEU!
cognitivescience.ceu.edu/admission
Deadline February 4, 2026. Please share with any interested students!
#PsychSciSky #DevPsych #CogPsych
cognitivescience.ceu.edu/admission
Deadline February 4, 2026. Please share with any interested students!
#PsychSciSky #DevPsych #CogPsych
Applications Are Now Open for Academic Year 2026-2027 | Department of Cognitive Science
cognitivescience.ceu.edu
November 24, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Looking for a funded Ph.D. in #CogSci in an interdisciplinary, research-first program? Apply to CEU!
cognitivescience.ceu.edu/admission
Deadline February 4, 2026. Please share with any interested students!
#PsychSciSky #DevPsych #CogPsych
cognitivescience.ceu.edu/admission
Deadline February 4, 2026. Please share with any interested students!
#PsychSciSky #DevPsych #CogPsych
Now that Word has an un-removable copilot button I am contemplating using scrivener for more of my professional writing. Only problem is I'd need to get all my co-authors to use it too...
Unlike most apps these days, Scrivener does not use AI in any way. However, if you’re on a Mac, you may see an AI prompt.
.
Here’s why, and what you can do if you want to remove this: buff.ly/MlAq0rL
.
Here’s why, and what you can do if you want to remove this: buff.ly/MlAq0rL
November 19, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Now that Word has an un-removable copilot button I am contemplating using scrivener for more of my professional writing. Only problem is I'd need to get all my co-authors to use it too...
Reposted by Jonathan F. Kominsky
Fully funded #PhDposition in Comparative Cultural Psychology @mpi-eva-leipzig.bsky.social.
We will use touchscreen experiments & eyetracking to study mental simulations in nonhuman apes & human children across different cultures.
All info here: www.eva.mpg.de/career/posit...
Please share / apply!🙏
We will use touchscreen experiments & eyetracking to study mental simulations in nonhuman apes & human children across different cultures.
All info here: www.eva.mpg.de/career/posit...
Please share / apply!🙏
Positions available - Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
www.eva.mpg.de
November 13, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Fully funded #PhDposition in Comparative Cultural Psychology @mpi-eva-leipzig.bsky.social.
We will use touchscreen experiments & eyetracking to study mental simulations in nonhuman apes & human children across different cultures.
All info here: www.eva.mpg.de/career/posit...
Please share / apply!🙏
We will use touchscreen experiments & eyetracking to study mental simulations in nonhuman apes & human children across different cultures.
All info here: www.eva.mpg.de/career/posit...
Please share / apply!🙏
I got a request in a recent review to insert a large number of wholly irrelevant citations.
I complained to the editor immediately, and that review was simply removed.
Blocking this kind of nonsense is an editor's responsibility, make them do it. (And I'm saying that as an editor myself!)
I complained to the editor immediately, and that review was simply removed.
Blocking this kind of nonsense is an editor's responsibility, make them do it. (And I'm saying that as an editor myself!)
Except that the net result is that the paper is retracted and has to be re-reviewed. At least the publisher notes this is not the fault of authors, but it sucks for them all the same.
November 12, 2025 at 10:29 AM
I got a request in a recent review to insert a large number of wholly irrelevant citations.
I complained to the editor immediately, and that review was simply removed.
Blocking this kind of nonsense is an editor's responsibility, make them do it. (And I'm saying that as an editor myself!)
I complained to the editor immediately, and that review was simply removed.
Blocking this kind of nonsense is an editor's responsibility, make them do it. (And I'm saying that as an editor myself!)