Andrew Perfors
@perfors.net
Prof at UniMelb. I'm a computational cognitive scientist studying human inference, learning, information systems, culture, and (mis/dis)info. Nerd & opinionated loudmouth in Oz, originally from America, citizen of both. Parent of two. 🏳️⚧️ perfors.net
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Andrew Perfors
@perfors.net
· Apr 29
Anti-trans attitudes have existed for years, but organised disinformation campaigns are increasingly driving them
Disinformation exists across all parts of the political spectrum, but it goes far beyond simple lying when it comes to the campaign against the transgender community, says a University of Melbourne ex...
pursuit.unimelb.edu.au
I wrote an article about the psychology by which disinformation campaigns work, with examples from anti-trans propaganda. It's not just about individual beliefs, but also the way our institutions and norms are manipulated.
Please read and share!
pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/Ant...?
Please read and share!
pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/Ant...?
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
It doesn’t fix things, but it really does bring me comfort to know how miserable some of the worst people are. Donald Trump tweeting over 200 times on Christmas. Billionaires fighting with strangers online during the holidays. Everything about Elon Musk
December 26, 2025 at 5:25 AM
It doesn’t fix things, but it really does bring me comfort to know how miserable some of the worst people are. Donald Trump tweeting over 200 times on Christmas. Billionaires fighting with strangers online during the holidays. Everything about Elon Musk
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
You can tell that LotR was written by an academic because Gandalf disappears for like 20 years doing research to answer a single question.
December 26, 2025 at 12:40 AM
You can tell that LotR was written by an academic because Gandalf disappears for like 20 years doing research to answer a single question.
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
December 25, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
This is a really good point that I had not run into before: these "creators" have no further insight into their alleged creation than the average audience member and that is why it cannot be called art (besides all the other obvious reasons).
December 25, 2025 at 9:05 PM
This is a really good point that I had not run into before: these "creators" have no further insight into their alleged creation than the average audience member and that is why it cannot be called art (besides all the other obvious reasons).
This is a really good article about disinformation and propaganda and how it works and takes root -- specifically anti-trans propaganda, but many of the points are general. A nice complement to an article I wrote earlier this year, which some of you saw then.
I wrote about the ways propaganda takes root, how attacks against trans people in the US and UK reflect different mythologies of protection, and why combating disinformation at the local level might be a more effective way to dismantle these frameworks than abstract online arguments with strangers.
You're soaking in it
Propaganda, transphobia, and an end to manufacturing hate.
degenerateart.beehiiv.com
December 24, 2025 at 3:10 AM
This is a really good article about disinformation and propaganda and how it works and takes root -- specifically anti-trans propaganda, but many of the points are general. A nice complement to an article I wrote earlier this year, which some of you saw then.
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
I feel certain that bluesky could immediately compile a syllabus. Feel free to reply with it now in fact
It's at least partially the hard cider talking but now I really want to explore a degree in hater studies.
It's absolutely a foundational text in the field of hater studies
December 24, 2025 at 2:13 AM
I feel certain that bluesky could immediately compile a syllabus. Feel free to reply with it now in fact
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
In the grand tradition of American journalism, both sides must always be expressed. On the one side, there might be the moral courage of CECOT survivors who told us their story. On the other side, there might might be my service to oligarchical fascism in killing their story.
by Bari Weiss
by Bari Weiss
December 24, 2025 at 2:20 AM
In the grand tradition of American journalism, both sides must always be expressed. On the one side, there might be the moral courage of CECOT survivors who told us their story. On the other side, there might might be my service to oligarchical fascism in killing their story.
by Bari Weiss
by Bari Weiss
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
On DOGE’s watch, federal spending did not go down at all. It went up. But is still led to cuts that closed offices, canceled programs and deprived people of food, medicine and other aid.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/u...
How Did DOGE Disrupt So Much While Saving So Little?
www.nytimes.com
December 23, 2025 at 4:29 PM
On DOGE’s watch, federal spending did not go down at all. It went up. But is still led to cuts that closed offices, canceled programs and deprived people of food, medicine and other aid.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/u...
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
look at how little effort it takes for someone on the conservative grievance circuit to destroy a life
millions of college kids have half assed an assignment at the last minute, you eat the F and move on
but the effort to push trans people out of public life will use whatever it can get
millions of college kids have half assed an assignment at the last minute, you eat the F and move on
but the effort to push trans people out of public life will use whatever it can get
Worth noting that the student admits that she just threw the thing together in 30 minutes without reading the paper she was supposed to be responding to.
December 23, 2025 at 5:53 PM
look at how little effort it takes for someone on the conservative grievance circuit to destroy a life
millions of college kids have half assed an assignment at the last minute, you eat the F and move on
but the effort to push trans people out of public life will use whatever it can get
millions of college kids have half assed an assignment at the last minute, you eat the F and move on
but the effort to push trans people out of public life will use whatever it can get
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
The people who profited most from the cancel culture/free speech panic were less interested in actual freedom of speech than establishing their own control over public discourse. You don't even have to take my word for it. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
December 23, 2025 at 6:17 PM
The people who profited most from the cancel culture/free speech panic were less interested in actual freedom of speech than establishing their own control over public discourse. You don't even have to take my word for it. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
I suppose my clothes DO locally resemble real n-dimensional Euclidean spaces 🤔
December 21, 2025 at 4:50 AM
I suppose my clothes DO locally resemble real n-dimensional Euclidean spaces 🤔
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
So reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) can't fly, but they are VERY MAGICAL.
For example, their EYES CHANGE COLOR during the year & they're one of the few large mammals that can see UV. Golden brown in summer, deep blue in winter.
Let's talk about the unique visual adaptations of Rudolph and company.
For example, their EYES CHANGE COLOR during the year & they're one of the few large mammals that can see UV. Golden brown in summer, deep blue in winter.
Let's talk about the unique visual adaptations of Rudolph and company.
December 20, 2025 at 11:36 PM
So reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) can't fly, but they are VERY MAGICAL.
For example, their EYES CHANGE COLOR during the year & they're one of the few large mammals that can see UV. Golden brown in summer, deep blue in winter.
Let's talk about the unique visual adaptations of Rudolph and company.
For example, their EYES CHANGE COLOR during the year & they're one of the few large mammals that can see UV. Golden brown in summer, deep blue in winter.
Let's talk about the unique visual adaptations of Rudolph and company.
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
The Abundance movement often points to environmental groups as the obstacles to building. But who actually files the lawsuits blocking projects? It’s not environmental groups. It’s been lawyered-up HOAs protecting property values all along. Regulation by litigation is the problem.
December 20, 2025 at 7:57 PM
The Abundance movement often points to environmental groups as the obstacles to building. But who actually files the lawsuits blocking projects? It’s not environmental groups. It’s been lawyered-up HOAs protecting property values all along. Regulation by litigation is the problem.
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
I really do not care if the guy who has raped kids is from my political party. My moral philosophy is that you don't rape kids, and there is nothing you can do that earns you a get-out-of-raping-kids-free card.
December 20, 2025 at 5:02 AM
I really do not care if the guy who has raped kids is from my political party. My moral philosophy is that you don't rape kids, and there is nothing you can do that earns you a get-out-of-raping-kids-free card.
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
DOJ broke the law today by refusing to produce all the Epstein files. It also broke the law by redacting information other than to protect victims. Yet, the corporate media is acting that DOJ did us a huge favor.
Now, more than ever, help build independent, pro-democracy media. hubs.ly/Q03CbHTt0
Now, more than ever, help build independent, pro-democracy media. hubs.ly/Q03CbHTt0
December 20, 2025 at 1:00 AM
DOJ broke the law today by refusing to produce all the Epstein files. It also broke the law by redacting information other than to protect victims. Yet, the corporate media is acting that DOJ did us a huge favor.
Now, more than ever, help build independent, pro-democracy media. hubs.ly/Q03CbHTt0
Now, more than ever, help build independent, pro-democracy media. hubs.ly/Q03CbHTt0
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
Which so many trans people said was exactly what was going to happen
You know a thing that is very bad about this? This is the anti-trans playbook being played against women. Start with 'has the x movement failed the people it's supposed to help', then infantilize them, then make the case they can't be responsible for their own choices, then take their rights away
"Has feminism failed women brought to you by bank of america" is my MKULTRA sleeper agent activation phrase
December 19, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Which so many trans people said was exactly what was going to happen
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
All research is exploratory if you’re confused enough
December 19, 2025 at 8:01 AM
All research is exploratory if you’re confused enough
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
Have you got a PhD in Statistics (or related field) and experience in Statistical Consulting? A continuing position at the Australian National University is now open 🇦🇺🦘🐨.
Would love to get an #rstats person if possible ☺️
Apply by 18 Jan 👉 jobs.anu.edu.au/jobs/course-... #statssky #statsky
Would love to get an #rstats person if possible ☺️
Apply by 18 Jan 👉 jobs.anu.edu.au/jobs/course-... #statssky #statsky
Course Coordinator - Canberra / ACT, ACT, Australia
Classification: Academic Level BSalary package: $121,598 – 137,870 per annum plus 17% superannuation Terms: Full-time, Continuing (flexible arrangements, job share, or part time hours will be consider...
jobs.anu.edu.au
December 19, 2025 at 4:08 AM
Have you got a PhD in Statistics (or related field) and experience in Statistical Consulting? A continuing position at the Australian National University is now open 🇦🇺🦘🐨.
Would love to get an #rstats person if possible ☺️
Apply by 18 Jan 👉 jobs.anu.edu.au/jobs/course-... #statssky #statsky
Would love to get an #rstats person if possible ☺️
Apply by 18 Jan 👉 jobs.anu.edu.au/jobs/course-... #statssky #statsky
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
Funny animal videos no longer being trustworthy just fucking sucks all around. I love the wonder of animal behavior and what it says about the experience of being alive. It's because it happened in reality that it's so fun. It's not fun if it was just made up. There's no wonder there.
December 19, 2025 at 2:26 AM
Funny animal videos no longer being trustworthy just fucking sucks all around. I love the wonder of animal behavior and what it says about the experience of being alive. It's because it happened in reality that it's so fun. It's not fun if it was just made up. There's no wonder there.
This is so true, and works both up and down -- it's taken me decades to get over my natural reticence, but I've realised that it's almost never a mistake to give honest compliments and tell someone when you notice something great about them. It's a cheat code for building good relationships.
I cannot stress enough how much PIs appreciate hand written notes from graduating mentees. I cherish each one, & many are hanging in my office.
Related, if you left a while ago & have good news, we love to get emails from former mentees! Let us celebrate with you!
Today I was lucky to get both 💜
Related, if you left a while ago & have good news, we love to get emails from former mentees! Let us celebrate with you!
Today I was lucky to get both 💜
December 19, 2025 at 12:24 AM
This is so true, and works both up and down -- it's taken me decades to get over my natural reticence, but I've realised that it's almost never a mistake to give honest compliments and tell someone when you notice something great about them. It's a cheat code for building good relationships.
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
This year's Reith lectures are a balm and a call to action. Highly recommended. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/a...
BBC Radio 4 - The Reith Lectures - BBC Reith Lectures 2025 – Moral Revolution
Historian and author Rutger Bregman announced as BBC Radio 4's Reith lecturer for 2025.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 19, 2025 at 12:02 AM
This year's Reith lectures are a balm and a call to action. Highly recommended. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/a...
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
Very excited to share the first empirical paper from LEVANTE: we describe the LEVANTE core tasks, a set of nine open source tasks for measuring learning and development in kids ages 5-12 years.
osf.io/preprints/ps...
🧵
osf.io/preprints/ps...
🧵
December 18, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Very excited to share the first empirical paper from LEVANTE: we describe the LEVANTE core tasks, a set of nine open source tasks for measuring learning and development in kids ages 5-12 years.
osf.io/preprints/ps...
🧵
osf.io/preprints/ps...
🧵
Reposted by Andrew Perfors
The name "Popular Science" doesn't mean we shift our coverage depending on public opinion. It means we cover relevant subjects that are rigorously researched, reliable, and grounded in reality.
And trans lives are grounded in reality.
We see y'all. No matter what.
www.popsci.com/science/tran...
And trans lives are grounded in reality.
We see y'all. No matter what.
www.popsci.com/science/tran...
First-of-a-kind study shows encouraging data for trans kids who socially transition
Ninety-four percent of participants in a new study stood firm in their trans identity after five years, and "detransitioning" is rare.
www.popsci.com
December 18, 2025 at 5:16 PM
The name "Popular Science" doesn't mean we shift our coverage depending on public opinion. It means we cover relevant subjects that are rigorously researched, reliable, and grounded in reality.
And trans lives are grounded in reality.
We see y'all. No matter what.
www.popsci.com/science/tran...
And trans lives are grounded in reality.
We see y'all. No matter what.
www.popsci.com/science/tran...
So much solidarity here. 😢 I think she's exactly right about what to do, though. Every time you see something morally injurious, do something morally healing. It actually helps.
The amount of bad shit going on is doing constant psychic damage to anyone w/a shred of morals. Idk what to do other than try to focus on actions that will improve literally anything, whether that's getting people connected, fed, refueled for the marathon, or ecosystem action. Idk what else to do.
December 18, 2025 at 9:44 PM
So much solidarity here. 😢 I think she's exactly right about what to do, though. Every time you see something morally injurious, do something morally healing. It actually helps.
This is a good wrapped version! @mehr.nz apparently I annoy you the most of everyone, good to know
www.madebyolof.com/bluesky-wrap...
www.madebyolof.com/bluesky-wrap...
perfors.net's Bluesky Wrapped 2025
Check out perfors.net's year on Bluesky!
www.madebyolof.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:39 PM
This is a good wrapped version! @mehr.nz apparently I annoy you the most of everyone, good to know
www.madebyolof.com/bluesky-wrap...
www.madebyolof.com/bluesky-wrap...