Kai Kupferschmidt
@kakape.bsky.social
science journalist. author. molecular biologist. curious.
interested in #microbes, #misinformation and all things #blue
contributing correspondent at @science.org
co-host of @pandemia.bsky.social
2024 KSJ fellow at MIT
Signal: kakape.93
interested in #microbes, #misinformation and all things #blue
contributing correspondent at @science.org
co-host of @pandemia.bsky.social
2024 KSJ fellow at MIT
Signal: kakape.93
Pinned
Kai Kupferschmidt
@kakape.bsky.social
· Nov 1
The five biggest challenges facing misinformation researchers
The burgeoning field is still grappling with fundamental problems, from getting access to data to defining 'misinformation' in the first place
www.science.org
So what have I learnt about #misinformation research? I tried to condense it into a list of the 5 biggest challenges the field faces.
Second story in my package of stories about misinformation research is up here (and thread to come):
www.science.org/content/arti...
Second story in my package of stories about misinformation research is up here (and thread to come):
www.science.org/content/arti...
“When it comes to understanding how things spread – and what to do about it – we need good science and careful reasoning, not just great stories.”
Couldn’t agree more. And it’s always worth reading @adamjkucharski.bsky.social because you usually get both…
Couldn’t agree more. And it’s always worth reading @adamjkucharski.bsky.social because you usually get both…
What happened when I dug into some of the key studies and ideas quoted in The Tipping Point and its sequel… kucharski.substack.com/p/the-real-r...
November 9, 2025 at 2:05 PM
“When it comes to understanding how things spread – and what to do about it – we need good science and careful reasoning, not just great stories.”
Couldn’t agree more. And it’s always worth reading @adamjkucharski.bsky.social because you usually get both…
Couldn’t agree more. And it’s always worth reading @adamjkucharski.bsky.social because you usually get both…
Reposted by Kai Kupferschmidt
Six people died from tampered Tylenol and the company pulled 30 million bottles off the market. ChatGPT is accused of urging seven people towards suicide, and OpenAI just assures us they’re still working out the kinks. Billions in investment, zero accountability.
OpenAI faces 7 lawsuits claiming ChatGPT drove people to suicide, delusions
OpenAI is facing seven lawsuits claiming ChatGPT drove people to suicide and harmful delusions even when they had no prior mental health issues.
apnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Six people died from tampered Tylenol and the company pulled 30 million bottles off the market. ChatGPT is accused of urging seven people towards suicide, and OpenAI just assures us they’re still working out the kinks. Billions in investment, zero accountability.
Reposted by Kai Kupferschmidt
Watson's original title for The Double Helix was Honest Jim.
I think it was honest, but only in the sense that it revealed Watson and not reality.
He was an ambitious, arrogant, misogynistic, and opportunistic man who managed to get himself into the right place at the right time.
41/41
I think it was honest, but only in the sense that it revealed Watson and not reality.
He was an ambitious, arrogant, misogynistic, and opportunistic man who managed to get himself into the right place at the right time.
41/41
November 8, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Watson's original title for The Double Helix was Honest Jim.
I think it was honest, but only in the sense that it revealed Watson and not reality.
He was an ambitious, arrogant, misogynistic, and opportunistic man who managed to get himself into the right place at the right time.
41/41
I think it was honest, but only in the sense that it revealed Watson and not reality.
He was an ambitious, arrogant, misogynistic, and opportunistic man who managed to get himself into the right place at the right time.
41/41
Reposted by Kai Kupferschmidt
Bluetorial-Jim Watson
I met Jim Watson a few times but did not know him well. However, I was greatly influenced by his book “The Double Helix”. He was a complicated human being with some very, very bad features, but some good contributions.
What follows is my personal perspective.
1/41
I met Jim Watson a few times but did not know him well. However, I was greatly influenced by his book “The Double Helix”. He was a complicated human being with some very, very bad features, but some good contributions.
What follows is my personal perspective.
1/41
a cartoon says hey everybody an old man 's talking while bart simpson looks on
ALT: a cartoon says hey everybody an old man 's talking while bart simpson looks on
media.tenor.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Bluetorial-Jim Watson
I met Jim Watson a few times but did not know him well. However, I was greatly influenced by his book “The Double Helix”. He was a complicated human being with some very, very bad features, but some good contributions.
What follows is my personal perspective.
1/41
I met Jim Watson a few times but did not know him well. However, I was greatly influenced by his book “The Double Helix”. He was a complicated human being with some very, very bad features, but some good contributions.
What follows is my personal perspective.
1/41
James Watson, Co-Discoverer of the Structure of DNA, Is Dead at 97
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:04 PM
James Watson, Co-Discoverer of the Structure of DNA, Is Dead at 97
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Reposted by Kai Kupferschmidt
"'Der heilige Franziskus hatte Chlamydien' klingt irgendwie komisch, ist aber wahrscheinlich wahr.”
Unsere neue Folge darüber, was passiert, wenn Chlamydien ins Auge gehen. Es geht um Napoleons Ägyptenfeldzug, eine Expedition nach Java und zweckentfremdete Stiefelknöpfer...
Jetzt für alle hier:
Unsere neue Folge darüber, was passiert, wenn Chlamydien ins Auge gehen. Es geht um Napoleons Ägyptenfeldzug, eine Expedition nach Java und zweckentfremdete Stiefelknöpfer...
Jetzt für alle hier:
Chlamydien (2) | Der Feind in deinem Lid
Podcast Episode · Pandemia · 11/03/2025 · 48m
podcasts.apple.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:54 PM
"'Der heilige Franziskus hatte Chlamydien' klingt irgendwie komisch, ist aber wahrscheinlich wahr.”
Unsere neue Folge darüber, was passiert, wenn Chlamydien ins Auge gehen. Es geht um Napoleons Ägyptenfeldzug, eine Expedition nach Java und zweckentfremdete Stiefelknöpfer...
Jetzt für alle hier:
Unsere neue Folge darüber, was passiert, wenn Chlamydien ins Auge gehen. Es geht um Napoleons Ägyptenfeldzug, eine Expedition nach Java und zweckentfremdete Stiefelknöpfer...
Jetzt für alle hier:
Reposted by Kai Kupferschmidt
Für unsere Unterstützer ist die Folge jetzt schon raus und nächste Woche dann für alle.
Wenn ihr uns auch unterstützen wollt, geht das hier:
steady.page/de/pandemia/...
Oder ihr abonniert uns bei Apple Podcasts:
podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/p...
Wenn ihr uns auch unterstützen wollt, geht das hier:
steady.page/de/pandemia/...
Oder ihr abonniert uns bei Apple Podcasts:
podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/p...
Pandemia +
Ein Podcast von Laura Salm-Reifferscheidt und Kai Kupferschmidt.
steady.page
October 31, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Für unsere Unterstützer ist die Folge jetzt schon raus und nächste Woche dann für alle.
Wenn ihr uns auch unterstützen wollt, geht das hier:
steady.page/de/pandemia/...
Oder ihr abonniert uns bei Apple Podcasts:
podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/p...
Wenn ihr uns auch unterstützen wollt, geht das hier:
steady.page/de/pandemia/...
Oder ihr abonniert uns bei Apple Podcasts:
podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/p...
Reposted by Kai Kupferschmidt
Hatte der heilige Franziskus Chlamydien? Warum wurden Napoleons Soldaten in Ägypten blind? Und was hat das alles mit Stiefelknöpfern zu tun?
In unserer zweiten Folge zu den Chlamydien sprechen wir über das Trachom und wie ein winziges Bakterium unsere Wimpern gegen uns wendet.
In unserer zweiten Folge zu den Chlamydien sprechen wir über das Trachom und wie ein winziges Bakterium unsere Wimpern gegen uns wendet.
October 31, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Hatte der heilige Franziskus Chlamydien? Warum wurden Napoleons Soldaten in Ägypten blind? Und was hat das alles mit Stiefelknöpfern zu tun?
In unserer zweiten Folge zu den Chlamydien sprechen wir über das Trachom und wie ein winziges Bakterium unsere Wimpern gegen uns wendet.
In unserer zweiten Folge zu den Chlamydien sprechen wir über das Trachom und wie ein winziges Bakterium unsere Wimpern gegen uns wendet.
“The biggest lesson of the past two decades of Silicon Valley is that Meta, Amazon, and Google—and even the newer AI labs such as OpenAI—have remade our world and have become unfathomably rich for it, all while being mostly oblivious or uninterested in the fallout.”
Worth a read!
Worth a read!
so @matteowong.bsky.social & I wrote on data centers: arguably the most important buildings in the world & are, in a way, holding the economy hostage. Byzantine financial instruments, private equity, depreciating tech, hype, $trillion valuations. it’s all there. an ai crash prob starts here.
Here’s How the AI Crash Happens
The U.S. is becoming an Nvidia-state.
www.theatlantic.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:15 AM
“The biggest lesson of the past two decades of Silicon Valley is that Meta, Amazon, and Google—and even the newer AI labs such as OpenAI—have remade our world and have become unfathomably rich for it, all while being mostly oblivious or uninterested in the fallout.”
Worth a read!
Worth a read!
I was asked by @ksjatmit.bsky.social to share my advice for journalists dealing with misinformation. It’s a really important topic so I was happy to oblige.
It’s also a topic where we are all trying to navigate a constantly changing landscape, so do let me know what you’ve found works or doesn’t…
It’s also a topic where we are all trying to navigate a constantly changing landscape, so do let me know what you’ve found works or doesn’t…
The Lies Have It: Advice for Journalists Approaching Misinformation
Kai Kupferschmidt, KSJ '24, shares actionable tips for journalists seeking to reduce the harm of misinformation.
ksj.mit.edu
October 31, 2025 at 8:49 AM
I was asked by @ksjatmit.bsky.social to share my advice for journalists dealing with misinformation. It’s a really important topic so I was happy to oblige.
It’s also a topic where we are all trying to navigate a constantly changing landscape, so do let me know what you’ve found works or doesn’t…
It’s also a topic where we are all trying to navigate a constantly changing landscape, so do let me know what you’ve found works or doesn’t…
Hier diskutieren wir gleich in den Franckeschen Stiftungen in Halle im Unterhausformat über Medien, Misinformation und Meinungsfreiheit u.a. mit @lorenzspreen.bsky.social und @tobiasrothmund.bsky.social
October 30, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Hier diskutieren wir gleich in den Franckeschen Stiftungen in Halle im Unterhausformat über Medien, Misinformation und Meinungsfreiheit u.a. mit @lorenzspreen.bsky.social und @tobiasrothmund.bsky.social
Reposted by Kai Kupferschmidt
Breaking news: To avoid criminal prosecution for allegations of animal abuse, the second-largest breeder of research dogs in the United States will stop providing animals to research labs around the country, according to a settlement. https://scim.ag/4hT8dCV
Facing claims of animal abuse, a major breeder of research dogs will close its pipeline
Ridglan Farms has agreed to stop selling beagles for scientific studies, leaving just one major U.S. supplier
www.science.org
October 29, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Breaking news: To avoid criminal prosecution for allegations of animal abuse, the second-largest breeder of research dogs in the United States will stop providing animals to research labs around the country, according to a settlement. https://scim.ag/4hT8dCV
"Access to data by researchers is a crucial element of ensuring transparency and democratic accountability,” @lewan.bsky.social says. “The public is entitled to know what platforms and their algorithms are doing to the information landscape.”
I wrote for @science.org about Meta, TikTok and the DSA 🧪
I wrote for @science.org about Meta, TikTok and the DSA 🧪
Meta and TikTok are obstructing researchers’ access to data, European Commission rules
Data are needed to study how social media spreads misinformation and influences elections, scientists say
www.science.org
October 29, 2025 at 7:24 PM
"Access to data by researchers is a crucial element of ensuring transparency and democratic accountability,” @lewan.bsky.social says. “The public is entitled to know what platforms and their algorithms are doing to the information landscape.”
I wrote for @science.org about Meta, TikTok and the DSA 🧪
I wrote for @science.org about Meta, TikTok and the DSA 🧪
"Access to data by researchers is a crucial element of ensuring transparency and democratic accountability,” @lewan.bsky.social says. “The public is entitled to know what platforms and their algorithms are doing to the information landscape.”
I wrote for @science.org about the DSA
I wrote for @science.org about the DSA
Meta and TikTok are obstructing researchers’ access to data, European Commission rules
Data are needed to study how social media spreads misinformation and influences elections, scientists say
www.science.org
October 29, 2025 at 7:21 PM
"Access to data by researchers is a crucial element of ensuring transparency and democratic accountability,” @lewan.bsky.social says. “The public is entitled to know what platforms and their algorithms are doing to the information landscape.”
I wrote for @science.org about the DSA
I wrote for @science.org about the DSA
I’m going to be in Toronto next week for the @astmh.bsky.social annual meeting. So if you have a great story, a session I absolutely need to go to or just a recommendation on where to get the best coffee, feel free to hit me up.
#IDsky 🧪
#IDsky 🧪
October 29, 2025 at 1:56 PM
I’m going to be in Toronto next week for the @astmh.bsky.social annual meeting. So if you have a great story, a session I absolutely need to go to or just a recommendation on where to get the best coffee, feel free to hit me up.
#IDsky 🧪
#IDsky 🧪
Reposted by Kai Kupferschmidt
It's not too late to tune in for the conversation with KSJ associate director @ashleythesmart.bsky.social and KSJ alum @kakape.bsky.social this Thursday. Tickets are still available for virtual access to #SFJ2025
sciencejf.com/slots/truth-...
sciencejf.com/slots/truth-...
Truth Decay: Science Journalism in the Misinformation Age - Science Journalism Forum
Society is awash in misinformation and disinformation about science, with significant implications for policy, personal decision-making, and the future of the global scientific enterprise. In this ses...
sciencejf.com
October 28, 2025 at 11:21 PM
It's not too late to tune in for the conversation with KSJ associate director @ashleythesmart.bsky.social and KSJ alum @kakape.bsky.social this Thursday. Tickets are still available for virtual access to #SFJ2025
sciencejf.com/slots/truth-...
sciencejf.com/slots/truth-...
Reposted by Kai Kupferschmidt
Three times in the past two weeks, editorials at the 'Washington Post' failed to disclose that they focused on matters in which owner Jeff Bezos had a material interest.
'Washington Post' editorials omit a key disclosure: Bezos' financial ties
Three times in the past two weeks, editorials at the 'Washington Post' failed to disclose that they focused on matters in which owner Jeff Bezos had a material interest.
n.pr
October 28, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Three times in the past two weeks, editorials at the 'Washington Post' failed to disclose that they focused on matters in which owner Jeff Bezos had a material interest.
Reposted by Kai Kupferschmidt
1. Binance founder pardon after enriching Trump family
2. DT Jr. enmeshed in firms getting DOD contracts
3. Trump trying to extract $230 million for himself from DOJ
2. DT Jr. enmeshed in firms getting DOD contracts
3. Trump trying to extract $230 million for himself from DOJ
1. Last week, there were 3 Trump corruption scandals in 4 days that would define any other presidency.
Most people are probably not even AWARE of all three scandals.
🧵
Most people are probably not even AWARE of all three scandals.
🧵
3 Scandals in 4 Days That Would Define Any Other Presidency
During the second Trump administration, corruption scandals that would typically define a presidency receive a day or two of coverage.
popular.info
October 27, 2025 at 4:27 PM
1. Binance founder pardon after enriching Trump family
2. DT Jr. enmeshed in firms getting DOD contracts
3. Trump trying to extract $230 million for himself from DOJ
2. DT Jr. enmeshed in firms getting DOD contracts
3. Trump trying to extract $230 million for himself from DOJ
Reposted by Kai Kupferschmidt
It's just one of many things we'll have to do once we expel these people from power but overhauling the Hatch Act into something that actually matters will certainly be on the list.
Either that or every 4-8 years Government websites will turn into extensions of political parties.
Either that or every 4-8 years Government websites will turn into extensions of political parties.
The official USDA site is blaming trans people for SNAP benefits expiring.
October 27, 2025 at 12:36 PM
It's just one of many things we'll have to do once we expel these people from power but overhauling the Hatch Act into something that actually matters will certainly be on the list.
Either that or every 4-8 years Government websites will turn into extensions of political parties.
Either that or every 4-8 years Government websites will turn into extensions of political parties.
Ah yes, the famous combo of German engineering and … humor?! 😅
October 26, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Ah yes, the famous combo of German engineering and … humor?! 😅
If you still need examples of how the current US administration is using official channels to weave partisan propaganda and hate against minorities like trans people into trolling-style communications, just go to this White House link and look at the major events timeline from 1998 onwards…
The White House Building
Every president since John Adams has occupied the White House, and the history of this building extends far beyond the construction of its walls. From the Ground Floor Corridor rooms, transformed from...
www.whitehouse.gov
October 25, 2025 at 12:20 PM
If you still need examples of how the current US administration is using official channels to weave partisan propaganda and hate against minorities like trans people into trolling-style communications, just go to this White House link and look at the major events timeline from 1998 onwards…
Reposted by Kai Kupferschmidt
Die Frageformulierung ist so natürlich schon komplett bodenlos. Aber es dann so verkürzt darzustellen ist schlicht Irreführung. Vollkommen inakzeptabel.
Überraschend, dass das ZDF-Politbarometer diese Umfrage so verzerrt darstellt: Statt nach der Originalaussage von Merz zu fragen, die tagelang diskutiert wurde, wird in der Umfrage seine späte Rechtfertigung ergänzt. In der Grafik wird das aber gar nicht erwähnt. So geht Framing.
October 24, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Die Frageformulierung ist so natürlich schon komplett bodenlos. Aber es dann so verkürzt darzustellen ist schlicht Irreführung. Vollkommen inakzeptabel.
“Today, the European Commission preliminarily found both TikTok and Meta in breach of their obligation to grant researchers adequate access to public data under the Digital Services Act (DSA).”
🧪
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
🧪
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Commission preliminarily finds TikTok and Meta in breach of their transparency obligations under the Digital Services Act
Today, the European Commission preliminarily found both TikTok and Meta in breach of their obligation to grant researchers adequate access to public data under the Digital Services Act (DSA).
ec.europa.eu
October 24, 2025 at 2:57 PM
“Today, the European Commission preliminarily found both TikTok and Meta in breach of their obligation to grant researchers adequate access to public data under the Digital Services Act (DSA).”
🧪
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
🧪
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
In the past 2 weeks several European countries have reported locally acquired cases of #mpox clade Ib.
This is new. There had been patients before but those infections likely happened elsewhere.
Now it looks like mpox Ib is spreading here in the sexual networks of men who have sex with men.
#IDsky
This is new. There had been patients before but those infections likely happened elsewhere.
Now it looks like mpox Ib is spreading here in the sexual networks of men who have sex with men.
#IDsky
October 24, 2025 at 12:21 PM