Michael Seto
@mcseto.bsky.social
Scientist, clinical/forensic psychologist, angler: A skeptical optimist.
Research Director & Professor in Psychiatry at the University of Ottawa's Institute of Mental Health Research. Incoming Editor-in-Chief for Archives of Sexual Behavior.
He/him
Research Director & Professor in Psychiatry at the University of Ottawa's Institute of Mental Health Research. Incoming Editor-in-Chief for Archives of Sexual Behavior.
He/him
Pinned
Michael Seto
@mcseto.bsky.social
· May 6
Some self-promotion, APA currently offering a 15% discount and free shipping in the US for my latest book about online sexual offending (see image for details)
Reposted by Michael Seto
A device exploded inside the Goldenson Building in Harvard’s Longwood medical campus early Saturday morning, according to a message from the Harvard University Police Department to University affiliates.
Matan H. Josephy and Laurel M. Shugart report.
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
Matan H. Josephy and Laurel M. Shugart report.
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
Authorities Investigating Explosion on Harvard’s Medical Campus, Believed To Be Intentional | News | The Harvard Crimson
A device exploded inside the Goldenson Building in Harvard’s Longwood medical campus early Saturday morning, according to a message from the Harvard University Police Department to University…
www.thecrimson.com
November 1, 2025 at 6:11 PM
A device exploded inside the Goldenson Building in Harvard’s Longwood medical campus early Saturday morning, according to a message from the Harvard University Police Department to University affiliates.
Matan H. Josephy and Laurel M. Shugart report.
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
Matan H. Josephy and Laurel M. Shugart report.
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
Reposted by Michael Seto
Two professors at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign said they grew suspicious after receiving identical apologies from dozens of students they had accused of academic dishonesty.
Their Professors Caught Them Cheating. They Used A.I. to Apologize.
Two professors at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign said they grew suspicious after receiving identical apologies from dozens of students they had accused of academic dishonesty.
nyti.ms
October 30, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Two professors at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign said they grew suspicious after receiving identical apologies from dozens of students they had accused of academic dishonesty.
Reposted by Michael Seto
References: Comparing companion open access journals to their traditional journal counterparts buff.ly/sErc72g
October 30, 2025 at 3:04 AM
References: Comparing companion open access journals to their traditional journal counterparts buff.ly/sErc72g
Reposted by Michael Seto
A Cornell University researcher has been developing an artificial heart for children for more than 20 years. Now, his research is on hold and his lab is shut down. n.pr/3KIfcSn
This 4-year-old's heart is failing. A federal grant that might help him was canceled
A Cornell University researcher has been developing an artificial heart for children for more than 20 years. Now, his research is on hold and his lab is shut down.
n.pr
October 9, 2025 at 1:02 PM
A Cornell University researcher has been developing an artificial heart for children for more than 20 years. Now, his research is on hold and his lab is shut down. n.pr/3KIfcSn
Reposted by Michael Seto
We will be writing more of these. If you’re a scientist and your science has been disrupted, we want to hear from you: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/c...
Has Your Scientific Work Been Cut? We Want to Hear.
www.nytimes.com
October 9, 2025 at 2:50 PM
We will be writing more of these. If you’re a scientist and your science has been disrupted, we want to hear from you: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/c...
Reposted by Michael Seto
Today my @nytimes.com colleagues and I are launching a new series called Lost Science. We interview US scientists who can no longer discover something new about our world, thanks to this year‘s cuts. Here is my first interview with a scientist who studied bees and fires. Gift link: nyti.ms/3IWXbiE
nyti.ms
October 8, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Today my @nytimes.com colleagues and I are launching a new series called Lost Science. We interview US scientists who can no longer discover something new about our world, thanks to this year‘s cuts. Here is my first interview with a scientist who studied bees and fires. Gift link: nyti.ms/3IWXbiE
Reposted by Michael Seto
Fearful Americans Stockpiling Facts Before Federal Government Comes To Take Them Away https://theonion.com/fearful-americans-stockpiling-facts-before-federal-gove-1819579589/
September 19, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Fearful Americans Stockpiling Facts Before Federal Government Comes To Take Them Away https://theonion.com/fearful-americans-stockpiling-facts-before-federal-gove-1819579589/
Reposted by Michael Seto
Well, that’ll solve the problem
The Department of Justice has removed a study showing that white supremacist and far-right violence “continues to outpace all other types of terrorism and domestic violent extremism” in the United States.
🔗 www.404media.co/doj-deletes-...
🔗 www.404media.co/doj-deletes-...
DOJ Deletes Study Showing Domestic Terrorists Are Most Often Right Wing
Following Charlie Kirk’s assassination and the Trump administration’s promise to go after the “radical left” a study showing most domestic terrosim is far-right was disappeared.
www.404media.co
September 16, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Well, that’ll solve the problem
Reposted by Michael Seto
I’m not the first person to make this observation, but this being the biggest story in the world at present really speaks to how much Twitter still serves as a universal assignments editor for English-language journalists.
September 12, 2025 at 11:47 AM
I’m not the first person to make this observation, but this being the biggest story in the world at present really speaks to how much Twitter still serves as a universal assignments editor for English-language journalists.
Reposted by Michael Seto
Wanna know more about Einstein's anti-racist work, usually in collaboration with the great actor/singer Paul Robeson? I wrote about it for Smithsonian! (don't tell the White House) www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
September 12, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Wanna know more about Einstein's anti-racist work, usually in collaboration with the great actor/singer Paul Robeson? I wrote about it for Smithsonian! (don't tell the White House) www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
Reposted by Michael Seto
Pleased to share my inaugural editorial for Archives of Sexual Behavior, sharing my vision for the journal as the incoming Editor-in-Chief
(open access)
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
(open access)
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
A Vision for Archives of Sexual Behavior - Archives of Sexual Behavior
Archives of Sexual Behavior -
link.springer.com
August 27, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Pleased to share my inaugural editorial for Archives of Sexual Behavior, sharing my vision for the journal as the incoming Editor-in-Chief
(open access)
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
(open access)
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Pleased to share my inaugural editorial for Archives of Sexual Behavior, sharing my vision for the journal as the incoming Editor-in-Chief
(open access)
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
(open access)
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
A Vision for Archives of Sexual Behavior - Archives of Sexual Behavior
Archives of Sexual Behavior -
link.springer.com
August 27, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Pleased to share my inaugural editorial for Archives of Sexual Behavior, sharing my vision for the journal as the incoming Editor-in-Chief
(open access)
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
(open access)
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Michael Seto
If you talk to queer and trans kids about the internet they will tell you that it’s full of issues and causes issues for people in general, not just young people—and that they probably wouldn’t be here today without it. It’s a lifeline. It’s the only LGBTQ resource and community many of them have.
August 20, 2025 at 9:26 PM
If you talk to queer and trans kids about the internet they will tell you that it’s full of issues and causes issues for people in general, not just young people—and that they probably wouldn’t be here today without it. It’s a lifeline. It’s the only LGBTQ resource and community many of them have.
Reposted by Michael Seto
They also investigate dose-dependence -- greater time interacting with the map = greater intervention effectiveness
Based on this research they've created a public website: scienceimpacts.org
Based on this research they've created a public website: scienceimpacts.org
SCIMaP - Impacts of Federal Cuts to Science and Medical Research
Developed by an interdisciplinary research team, this website shows how funding cuts reduce economic activity and employment nationwide
scienceimpacts.org
August 20, 2025 at 9:20 PM
They also investigate dose-dependence -- greater time interacting with the map = greater intervention effectiveness
Based on this research they've created a public website: scienceimpacts.org
Based on this research they've created a public website: scienceimpacts.org
Reposted by Michael Seto
🧪 New study: Learning about economic impact of NIH funding motivates action to oppose funding cuts.
Evidence from two preregistered, randomized experiments with >5,000 U.S. adults.
Similar change for liberals and conservatives. Preprint from @asinclair.bsky.social et al:
osf.io/preprints/ps...
Evidence from two preregistered, randomized experiments with >5,000 U.S. adults.
Similar change for liberals and conservatives. Preprint from @asinclair.bsky.social et al:
osf.io/preprints/ps...
![Study 2 Intervention Materials
Base Intervention Text
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) provide funding for scientific research that
leads to major breakthroughs for cancer, diabetes, dementia, heart disease, infectious
diseases, stroke, mental illness, and more.
NIH funding is also an excellent financial investment. For every dollar NIH invests in
research, an average of $2.56 of economic activity is returned–a gain of over 250%.
The White House recently ordered major changes to NIH funding, which would take
back funds already promised to the states. States have sued to challenge the order,
arguing that the changes are unlawful.
[page break]
There are two major sources of cuts to NIH funding, which will result in current and
future losses.
First, many NIH grants for health research have already been cancelled, interrupting
ongoing studies and clinical trials. These cancelled grants are projected to result in
economic losses of $4.9 Billion and over 21,000 jobs.
Second, another change would greatly reduce NIH funding that covers “indirect
costs” of research. These funds help pay for essential facilities, equipment, skilled staff,
and safety checks needed across many research projects. Medical research would not be
possible without funding to cover indirect costs. In the future, this proposed change to
funding for indirect costs of research would reduce the U.S. economy by about $16
Billion and over 68,000 jobs every year.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:c5xrowexysrnn6rn6piltqjz/bafkreid62fezp32bbl53u4iwhrwttks7rwcdbbfqatklh35wmyxzq6o73i@jpeg)
August 20, 2025 at 8:22 PM
🧪 New study: Learning about economic impact of NIH funding motivates action to oppose funding cuts.
Evidence from two preregistered, randomized experiments with >5,000 U.S. adults.
Similar change for liberals and conservatives. Preprint from @asinclair.bsky.social et al:
osf.io/preprints/ps...
Evidence from two preregistered, randomized experiments with >5,000 U.S. adults.
Similar change for liberals and conservatives. Preprint from @asinclair.bsky.social et al:
osf.io/preprints/ps...
Reposted by Michael Seto
PSA: go apply the urgent security update to your Apple devices. Don’t wait. Do it right now
Update Now: iOS 18.6.2 and macOS Sequoia 15.6.1 Fix Actively Exploited Vulnerability
Apple today released new iOS 18.6.2, iPadOS 18.6.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.6.1 updates, and the software addresses a security vulnerability that is...
www.macrumors.com
August 20, 2025 at 6:28 PM
PSA: go apply the urgent security update to your Apple devices. Don’t wait. Do it right now
Reposted by Michael Seto
The media is completely ignoring that Brown University just agreed to a full bathroom ban and defining trans people out of existence. Even worse, when they mention it, they're describing it as a sports ban. This is not just a sports ban.
The media is hiding what's happening here.
The media is hiding what's happening here.
August 1, 2025 at 2:12 PM
The media is completely ignoring that Brown University just agreed to a full bathroom ban and defining trans people out of existence. Even worse, when they mention it, they're describing it as a sports ban. This is not just a sports ban.
The media is hiding what's happening here.
The media is hiding what's happening here.
Reposted by Michael Seto
www.theatlantic.com/science/arch...
Critical read: As noted by a colleague, from the examples in this article, it is amazing how quickly German physics collapsed (and US exploded) after 1934. #academicsky, #neuroskyence , is there time and a route to prevent the collapse of research in the US?
Critical read: As noted by a colleague, from the examples in this article, it is amazing how quickly German physics collapsed (and US exploded) after 1934. #academicsky, #neuroskyence , is there time and a route to prevent the collapse of research in the US?
Every Scientific Empire Comes to an End
America’s run as the premiere techno-superpower may be over.
www.theatlantic.com
August 1, 2025 at 12:18 AM
www.theatlantic.com/science/arch...
Critical read: As noted by a colleague, from the examples in this article, it is amazing how quickly German physics collapsed (and US exploded) after 1934. #academicsky, #neuroskyence , is there time and a route to prevent the collapse of research in the US?
Critical read: As noted by a colleague, from the examples in this article, it is amazing how quickly German physics collapsed (and US exploded) after 1934. #academicsky, #neuroskyence , is there time and a route to prevent the collapse of research in the US?
Reposted by Michael Seto
This is a historic horror that the United States government allows to get worse every day.
60,000 Gazans have been killed. 18,500 were children. These are their names.
Palestinian children have been killed at a rate of more than one per hour since the war began.
www.washingtonpost.com
July 30, 2025 at 3:11 PM
This is a historic horror that the United States government allows to get worse every day.
Reposted by Michael Seto
From my own academic research, even pre LLMs there was a huge danger of zombie factoids that begin in a respectable publication by mistake and then get reprinted for decades because no one is backtracing to the original source. Once bad info gets into the system it can take years to clear it out.
I've seen numerous examples of this in recent days - we're at a point where some reporters are using LLMs as a source and not even remotely properly factchecking, but also where LLM generated material is making its way into other material and being unknowingly reproduced by others.
WTF? I was quoted in this story but I have never spoken to the reporter nor would I have said those things. Is everything just generated by LLMs these days?
cosmosmagazine.com/earth/oceans...
cosmosmagazine.com/earth/oceans...
July 30, 2025 at 8:16 AM
From my own academic research, even pre LLMs there was a huge danger of zombie factoids that begin in a respectable publication by mistake and then get reprinted for decades because no one is backtracing to the original source. Once bad info gets into the system it can take years to clear it out.
Reposted by Michael Seto
Reposted by Michael Seto
How getting tenure changes researchers’ publication habits — and citations www.nature.com/articles/d41...
How getting tenure changes researchers’ publication habits — and citations
Paper output varies between disciplines, as does the trend after tenure is achieved.
buff.ly
July 29, 2025 at 3:50 AM
How getting tenure changes researchers’ publication habits — and citations www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Michael Seto
The age-gated internet is here reason.com/2025/07/28/t...
Social platforms in the UK — including @bsky.app — have started verifying user ages. Consider it a glimpse into our inevitable surveillance-mad future here in the US
Social platforms in the UK — including @bsky.app — have started verifying user ages. Consider it a glimpse into our inevitable surveillance-mad future here in the US
The age-gated internet is here
Goodbye, online anonymity.
reason.com
July 28, 2025 at 3:15 PM
The age-gated internet is here reason.com/2025/07/28/t...
Social platforms in the UK — including @bsky.app — have started verifying user ages. Consider it a glimpse into our inevitable surveillance-mad future here in the US
Social platforms in the UK — including @bsky.app — have started verifying user ages. Consider it a glimpse into our inevitable surveillance-mad future here in the US
Reposted by Michael Seto
I do not care that you are not “surprised.” Please. You have no idea how tiresome it is when you post that something horrible, fascist, authoritarian is “not surprising.” Nothing is “surprising” anymore. But a lot of it is horrible and frightening. Let’s deal with it together.
July 27, 2025 at 1:49 AM
I do not care that you are not “surprised.” Please. You have no idea how tiresome it is when you post that something horrible, fascist, authoritarian is “not surprising.” Nothing is “surprising” anymore. But a lot of it is horrible and frightening. Let’s deal with it together.
Reposted by Michael Seto
Education does not protect against age-related cognitive decline, brain aging; it is associated with better memory
From >170,000 participants, age 50+, 33 countries
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
From >170,000 participants, age 50+, 33 countries
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reevaluating the role of education on cognitive decline and brain aging in longitudinal cohorts across 33 Western countries - Nature Medicine
In a large cross-national study, education was linked to better memory and larger brain volumes but not to slower cognitive or brain decline with age, suggesting that the association reflects early-li...
www.nature.com
July 28, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Education does not protect against age-related cognitive decline, brain aging; it is associated with better memory
From >170,000 participants, age 50+, 33 countries
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
From >170,000 participants, age 50+, 33 countries
www.nature.com/articles/s41...