Maria Konnikova
@mkonnikova.bsky.social
Mostly I write things. Sometimes I play poker. mariakonnikova.substack.com
"To kill a man is not to defend a doctrine: it is to kill a man." My latest: open.substack.com/pub/mariakon...
February 3, 2026 at 1:13 AM
"To kill a man is not to defend a doctrine: it is to kill a man." My latest: open.substack.com/pub/mariakon...
"It takes far more courage to stare down the barrel of a gun while you’re armed with only a whistle and a phone than it does to point a gun at an unarmed protester." www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Minnesota Proved MAGA Wrong
The pushback against ICE exposed a series of mistaken assumptions.
www.theatlantic.com
January 27, 2026 at 8:22 PM
"It takes far more courage to stare down the barrel of a gun while you’re armed with only a whistle and a phone than it does to point a gun at an unarmed protester." www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Reposted by Maria Konnikova
This is so, so good
My latest, on the importance of sometimes putting aside your keyboard for an actual pen: open.substack.com/pub/mariakon...
January 22, 2026 at 2:39 PM
This is so, so good
My latest, on the importance of sometimes putting aside your keyboard for an actual pen: open.substack.com/pub/mariakon...
January 20, 2026 at 9:51 PM
My latest, on the importance of sometimes putting aside your keyboard for an actual pen: open.substack.com/pub/mariakon...
Than you for listening!! We will keep you posted on any future plans!
January 12, 2026 at 8:05 PM
Than you for listening!! We will keep you posted on any future plans!
Reposted by Maria Konnikova
Copy Editing Matters, from HHS's release on the new childhood vaccine schedule: All the diseases will still be available to anyone who wants them
January 6, 2026 at 1:12 AM
Copy Editing Matters, from HHS's release on the new childhood vaccine schedule: All the diseases will still be available to anyone who wants them
Hence the exhortation to improve the world at large, as well.
December 30, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Hence the exhortation to improve the world at large, as well.
Wishing you all a wonderful 2026, inspired by one of my favorite poets, Seamus Heaney. New piece: open.substack.com/pub/mariakon...
December 29, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Wishing you all a wonderful 2026, inspired by one of my favorite poets, Seamus Heaney. New piece: open.substack.com/pub/mariakon...
(Of course, making up nonexistent abilities or pushing your patients toward your own image is far worse. That’s why I think some of what he did is akin to malpractice. That said I still call him brilliant and great, as you read)
December 17, 2025 at 5:06 PM
(Of course, making up nonexistent abilities or pushing your patients toward your own image is far worse. That’s why I think some of what he did is akin to malpractice. That said I still call him brilliant and great, as you read)
Also, take something like the made-up wall in the Tourette’s case. It does zero to obscure the character. It’s just one of these chef’s kiss details that elevates the prose to a new level. He made it up just to have a better story, with zero medical rationale. That is journalistic sin.
December 17, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Also, take something like the made-up wall in the Tourette’s case. It does zero to obscure the character. It’s just one of these chef’s kiss details that elevates the prose to a new level. He made it up just to have a better story, with zero medical rationale. That is journalistic sin.
Reposted by Maria Konnikova
This speaks for me too. I felt sure there was an element of elaboration in what Oliver wrote, but it went far further than I imagined. I still consider him a friend, but sometimes friends can deeply disappoint you (and doubtless vice versa). What a complicated man.
Oliver Sacks was a hero of mine. I couldn't let @rachelaviv.bsky.social’s brilliant piece pass without comment. My latest, on why Sacks's fictions are so much worse than those of your garden-variety journalist fabulist.
. open.substack.com/pub/mariakon...
. open.substack.com/pub/mariakon...
The man who mistook his imagination for the truth
The disappointing reality of one of my (ex-)heroes, Oliver Sacks
open.substack.com
December 17, 2025 at 11:58 AM
This speaks for me too. I felt sure there was an element of elaboration in what Oliver wrote, but it went far further than I imagined. I still consider him a friend, but sometimes friends can deeply disappoint you (and doubtless vice versa). What a complicated man.
And let’s also remember that the fabrications we know are only the ones he admitted to in his journals. And it’s very clear his journals are quite self-serving. This makes me distrust far more that he’s written.
December 17, 2025 at 4:38 PM
And let’s also remember that the fabrications we know are only the ones he admitted to in his journals. And it’s very clear his journals are quite self-serving. This makes me distrust far more that he’s written.
She does indeed. Also: Saks goes way beyond obscuring characters. He makes up key abilities. He changes what people did or said in ways that show their illness in a different light. He puts others on incorrect paths to confirm phenomena that don’t actually exist.
December 17, 2025 at 4:36 PM
She does indeed. Also: Saks goes way beyond obscuring characters. He makes up key abilities. He changes what people did or said in ways that show their illness in a different light. He puts others on incorrect paths to confirm phenomena that don’t actually exist.
Oliver Sacks was a hero of mine. I couldn't let @rachelaviv.bsky.social’s brilliant piece pass without comment. My latest, on why Sacks's fictions are so much worse than those of your garden-variety journalist fabulist.
. open.substack.com/pub/mariakon...
. open.substack.com/pub/mariakon...
The man who mistook his imagination for the truth
The disappointing reality of one of my (ex-)heroes, Oliver Sacks
open.substack.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:21 AM
Oliver Sacks was a hero of mine. I couldn't let @rachelaviv.bsky.social’s brilliant piece pass without comment. My latest, on why Sacks's fictions are so much worse than those of your garden-variety journalist fabulist.
. open.substack.com/pub/mariakon...
. open.substack.com/pub/mariakon...
When (and how) should AI be used in creative settings — and when is it a betrayal of your audience? My latest: open.substack.com/pub/mariakon...
Is it ever ok to use AI in a creative setting?
A poker-world fiasco with real-world creative implications
open.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:37 PM
When (and how) should AI be used in creative settings — and when is it a betrayal of your audience? My latest: open.substack.com/pub/mariakon...
Save the em-dash! open.substack.com/pub/mariakon...
In defense of the em-dash
I don't use AI in my writing. Ever. But the em-dash? Always.
open.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Save the em-dash! open.substack.com/pub/mariakon...
You, too, can live your best life. And maybe win a Nobel?? My latest: open.substack.com/pub/mariakon...
October 23, 2025 at 6:16 PM
You, too, can live your best life. And maybe win a Nobel?? My latest: open.substack.com/pub/mariakon...
Reposted by Maria Konnikova
OPINION TODAY featured podcast —
Will Eric Adams’s Exit Change the NYC Mayoral Election?
(Risky Business with Nate Silver and @mkonnikova.bsky.social)
opiniontoday.substack.com/i/175001460/...
Will Eric Adams’s Exit Change the NYC Mayoral Election?
(Risky Business with Nate Silver and @mkonnikova.bsky.social)
opiniontoday.substack.com/i/175001460/...
October 1, 2025 at 10:40 PM
OPINION TODAY featured podcast —
Will Eric Adams’s Exit Change the NYC Mayoral Election?
(Risky Business with Nate Silver and @mkonnikova.bsky.social)
opiniontoday.substack.com/i/175001460/...
Will Eric Adams’s Exit Change the NYC Mayoral Election?
(Risky Business with Nate Silver and @mkonnikova.bsky.social)
opiniontoday.substack.com/i/175001460/...
Reposted by Maria Konnikova
The first episode of the solo-host era of LOW ROLLERS is here, featuring a conversation w/ @mkonnikova.bsky.social
about her friendship with Nate Silver, her passion for tournament poker & much more. Also, my analysis of Kalshi offering SGPs, and a tale of player prop pain: rss.com/podcasts/low...
about her friendship with Nate Silver, her passion for tournament poker & much more. Also, my analysis of Kalshi offering SGPs, and a tale of player prop pain: rss.com/podcasts/low...
Low Rollers, Episode 38: Maria Konnikova on poker, podcasting, and making better decisions (like not gambling) | Podcast Episode on RSS.com
It's a new episode of CasinoReports.com's weekly gaming-biz podcast, Low Rollers! Host Eric Raskin analyzes the implications for FanDuel, DraftKings, and other regulated operators of prediction market...
rss.com
October 1, 2025 at 3:28 PM
The first episode of the solo-host era of LOW ROLLERS is here, featuring a conversation w/ @mkonnikova.bsky.social
about her friendship with Nate Silver, her passion for tournament poker & much more. Also, my analysis of Kalshi offering SGPs, and a tale of player prop pain: rss.com/podcasts/low...
about her friendship with Nate Silver, her passion for tournament poker & much more. Also, my analysis of Kalshi offering SGPs, and a tale of player prop pain: rss.com/podcasts/low...
I love @asherperlman.bsky.social’s work. So I decided to ruin the magic by figuring out why. My latest: open.substack.com/pub/mariakon...
September 30, 2025 at 8:03 PM
I love @asherperlman.bsky.social’s work. So I decided to ruin the magic by figuring out why. My latest: open.substack.com/pub/mariakon...
Reposted by Maria Konnikova
Join mkonnikova.bsky.social and Nate Silver on Risky Business, the podcast where journalism meets high-stakes poker. Explore their analytical approach to decisions in politics, poker, and life, blending Maria's psychology insights and Nate's forecasting acumen.
September 12, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Join mkonnikova.bsky.social and Nate Silver on Risky Business, the podcast where journalism meets high-stakes poker. Explore their analytical approach to decisions in politics, poker, and life, blending Maria's psychology insights and Nate's forecasting acumen.
To celebrate the start of the school year, I made you all a fiction reading list (and wrote a bit about it): open.substack.com/pub/mariakon...
Fall is for reading
A fiction reading list, for all seasons
open.substack.com
September 7, 2025 at 9:55 PM
To celebrate the start of the school year, I made you all a fiction reading list (and wrote a bit about it): open.substack.com/pub/mariakon...
Had such a blast talking to the wonderful Boston Rob for the Risky Business pod this week. (He also happened to be my HU opponent for the NBC National HU Championship!) lnk.to/vDRYVk
August 28, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Had such a blast talking to the wonderful Boston Rob for the Risky Business pod this week. (He also happened to be my HU opponent for the NBC National HU Championship!) lnk.to/vDRYVk
Damn should’ve read that pre-taping 😂
August 22, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Damn should’ve read that pre-taping 😂