Rafael M Batista
@rafmbatista.bsky.social
Behavioral Scientist.
Lately, I've been thinking (and posting) about: AI+Psych, Personal Finance, Consumer Behavior. Civically engaged, so I occasionally post about that too.
Lately, I've been thinking (and posting) about: AI+Psych, Personal Finance, Consumer Behavior. Civically engaged, so I occasionally post about that too.
Make America Make Sense Again
November 29, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Make America Make Sense Again
What does hunger in America look like? Short documentary by @nytimes.com 🍽️
#Thanksgiving www.nytimes.com/video/opinio...
#Thanksgiving www.nytimes.com/video/opinio...
Video: Opinion | America, the Hungry
One in seven people in America lives with hunger. These are their stories.
www.nytimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:08 PM
What does hunger in America look like? Short documentary by @nytimes.com 🍽️
#Thanksgiving www.nytimes.com/video/opinio...
#Thanksgiving www.nytimes.com/video/opinio...
these images were generated with google's latest nana banana pro tool. we have no idea how bad it is about to get.
November 27, 2025 at 12:31 PM
these images were generated with google's latest nana banana pro tool. we have no idea how bad it is about to get.
Reposted by Rafael M Batista
"Runctitiononal features"? "Medical fymblal"? "1 Tol Line storee"? This gets worse the longer you look at it. But it's got to be good, because it was published in Nature Scientific Reports last week: www.nature.com/articles/s41... h/t @asa.tsbalans.se
November 27, 2025 at 9:30 AM
"Runctitiononal features"? "Medical fymblal"? "1 Tol Line storee"? This gets worse the longer you look at it. But it's got to be good, because it was published in Nature Scientific Reports last week: www.nature.com/articles/s41... h/t @asa.tsbalans.se
Reposted by Rafael M Batista
I took inventory. It looked good.
In 2025 We Showed Up: Notes on Resistance to the Regime
Ayoung white woman in yoga clothes berating masked ICE agents in a parking lot this spring. A pope speaking up again and again for immigrants. Furious judges dressing down the Trump administration and...
www.meditationsinanemergency.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:50 PM
I took inventory. It looked good.
"The tune of things" by Christian Wiman. An essay in @harpers.bsky.social
harpers.org/archive/2025...
harpers.org/archive/2025...
The Tune of Things, by Christian Wiman
Is consciousness God?
harpers.org
November 27, 2025 at 12:51 AM
"The tune of things" by Christian Wiman. An essay in @harpers.bsky.social
harpers.org/archive/2025...
harpers.org/archive/2025...
I think academic papers should include FAQs in their online appendix 🧪
This could be a compilation of Qs asked during presentations of the paper or raised by reviewers that didn't warrant entry in the paper
Really, I want to see answers to several "Did you try ___?" and "Isn't this just ___?"
This could be a compilation of Qs asked during presentations of the paper or raised by reviewers that didn't warrant entry in the paper
Really, I want to see answers to several "Did you try ___?" and "Isn't this just ___?"
November 26, 2025 at 8:12 PM
I think academic papers should include FAQs in their online appendix 🧪
This could be a compilation of Qs asked during presentations of the paper or raised by reviewers that didn't warrant entry in the paper
Really, I want to see answers to several "Did you try ___?" and "Isn't this just ___?"
This could be a compilation of Qs asked during presentations of the paper or raised by reviewers that didn't warrant entry in the paper
Really, I want to see answers to several "Did you try ___?" and "Isn't this just ___?"
Reposted by Rafael M Batista
NYTimes “Modern Love“ story has a great take on why Chinese families go to great lengths to fight over the bill at restaurants
archive.ph/KcjZt
archive.ph/KcjZt
November 26, 2025 at 12:58 PM
NYTimes “Modern Love“ story has a great take on why Chinese families go to great lengths to fight over the bill at restaurants
archive.ph/KcjZt
archive.ph/KcjZt
SJDM conference (@sjdm-tweets.bsky.social) this year had four concurrent sessions at a time instead of three.
I think I liked three better. In part because it concentrated the audience.
The conversations afterward centered on ideas we learned of together, so the conversations were better too.
I think I liked three better. In part because it concentrated the audience.
The conversations afterward centered on ideas we learned of together, so the conversations were better too.
November 26, 2025 at 12:55 PM
SJDM conference (@sjdm-tweets.bsky.social) this year had four concurrent sessions at a time instead of three.
I think I liked three better. In part because it concentrated the audience.
The conversations afterward centered on ideas we learned of together, so the conversations were better too.
I think I liked three better. In part because it concentrated the audience.
The conversations afterward centered on ideas we learned of together, so the conversations were better too.
Reposted by Rafael M Batista
Sacks is saying exactly what you’d say to prop up a bubble
November 25, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Sacks is saying exactly what you’d say to prop up a bubble
There's hope! This is an adversarial game, researchers will need to continuously innovate to stay ahead
@kiante.bsky.social @andreaaaaa.bsky.social & @jbogard.bsky.social ran an excellent workshop at #SJDM2025 to help folks get started
Materials here:
kiante-fernandez.github.io/sjdm-data-va...
@kiante.bsky.social @andreaaaaa.bsky.social & @jbogard.bsky.social ran an excellent workshop at #SJDM2025 to help folks get started
Materials here:
kiante-fernandez.github.io/sjdm-data-va...
November 25, 2025 at 11:29 PM
There's hope! This is an adversarial game, researchers will need to continuously innovate to stay ahead
@kiante.bsky.social @andreaaaaa.bsky.social & @jbogard.bsky.social ran an excellent workshop at #SJDM2025 to help folks get started
Materials here:
kiante-fernandez.github.io/sjdm-data-va...
@kiante.bsky.social @andreaaaaa.bsky.social & @jbogard.bsky.social ran an excellent workshop at #SJDM2025 to help folks get started
Materials here:
kiante-fernandez.github.io/sjdm-data-va...
Reposted by Rafael M Batista
Thanks again to the Society for Judgment and Decision Making for helping continue the discussion on creating a system for data validation in the age of accessible bots in online research. Looking forward to continuing the conversation with the community!
@sjdm-tweets.bsky.social
@sjdm-tweets.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Thanks again to the Society for Judgment and Decision Making for helping continue the discussion on creating a system for data validation in the age of accessible bots in online research. Looking forward to continuing the conversation with the community!
@sjdm-tweets.bsky.social
@sjdm-tweets.bsky.social
Reposted by Rafael M Batista
"The high-income admissions advantage at Ivy-Plus colleges is driven by three factors: (1) preferences for children of alumni, (2) weight placed on non-academic credentials, and (3) athletic recruitment...The three factors...are uncorrelated or negatively correlated with post-college outcomes..."
Recently accepted by #QJE, “Diversifying Society’s Leaders? The Determinants and Causal Effects of Admission to Highly Selective Private Colleges,” by Chetty (@Oppinsights), Deming, and Friedman: doi.org/10.1093/qje/...
Diversifying Society’s Leaders? The Determinants and Causal Effects of Admission to Highly Selective Private Colleges*
Abstract. We use anonymized admissions data from several colleges linked to income tax records and SAT and ACT test scores to study the determinants and ca
doi.org
November 23, 2025 at 10:51 PM
"The high-income admissions advantage at Ivy-Plus colleges is driven by three factors: (1) preferences for children of alumni, (2) weight placed on non-academic credentials, and (3) athletic recruitment...The three factors...are uncorrelated or negatively correlated with post-college outcomes..."
Reposted by Rafael M Batista
We have a new paper in Science Advances proposing a simple test for bias:
Is the same person treated differently when their race is perceived differently?
Specifically, we study: is the same driver likelier to be searched by police when they are perceived as Hispanic rather than white?
1/
Is the same person treated differently when their race is perceived differently?
Specifically, we study: is the same driver likelier to be searched by police when they are perceived as Hispanic rather than white?
1/
November 24, 2025 at 6:14 PM
We have a new paper in Science Advances proposing a simple test for bias:
Is the same person treated differently when their race is perceived differently?
Specifically, we study: is the same driver likelier to be searched by police when they are perceived as Hispanic rather than white?
1/
Is the same person treated differently when their race is perceived differently?
Specifically, we study: is the same driver likelier to be searched by police when they are perceived as Hispanic rather than white?
1/
Reposted by Rafael M Batista
When MSM journalists say “the economy” they *always* mean business profits or Wall St.
Not consumer surplus or worker wages, which are obviously part of the economy.
Not consumer surplus or worker wages, which are obviously part of the economy.
www.cnbc.com/2025/11/23/h... "please, buy new phone. the economy is dying" is an incredible gaslight
Americans are holding onto devices longer than ever and it's costing economy
Americans are holding onto devices longer than ever before, and while it may be consumer smart, it comes at a cost to work productivity and the U.S. economy.
www.cnbc.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:26 PM
When MSM journalists say “the economy” they *always* mean business profits or Wall St.
Not consumer surplus or worker wages, which are obviously part of the economy.
Not consumer surplus or worker wages, which are obviously part of the economy.
Reposted by Rafael M Batista
🚨New WP🚨
Dialogues with our AI DebunkBot:
✔️Reduced belief in antisemitic conspiracy theories among believers
✔️Effect durable at 1+ month
✔️Improved attitudes towards Jews among initially negative participants
🟰Debunking works for deeply rooted, identity-linked conspiracies
osf.io/preprints/ps...
Dialogues with our AI DebunkBot:
✔️Reduced belief in antisemitic conspiracy theories among believers
✔️Effect durable at 1+ month
✔️Improved attitudes towards Jews among initially negative participants
🟰Debunking works for deeply rooted, identity-linked conspiracies
osf.io/preprints/ps...
November 22, 2025 at 3:23 PM
🚨New WP🚨
Dialogues with our AI DebunkBot:
✔️Reduced belief in antisemitic conspiracy theories among believers
✔️Effect durable at 1+ month
✔️Improved attitudes towards Jews among initially negative participants
🟰Debunking works for deeply rooted, identity-linked conspiracies
osf.io/preprints/ps...
Dialogues with our AI DebunkBot:
✔️Reduced belief in antisemitic conspiracy theories among believers
✔️Effect durable at 1+ month
✔️Improved attitudes towards Jews among initially negative participants
🟰Debunking works for deeply rooted, identity-linked conspiracies
osf.io/preprints/ps...
Reposted by Rafael M Batista
Wisconsin-Madison CS is recruiting faculty for natural language processing!
jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/assista...
jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/assista...
Assistant Professor of Computer Sciences: Natural Language Processing (RISE-AI) - Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.Job Category:FacultyEmployment Type:Regula...
jobs.wisc.edu
November 21, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Wisconsin-Madison CS is recruiting faculty for natural language processing!
jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/assista...
jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/assista...
Reposted by Rafael M Batista
November 21, 2025 at 6:47 PM
This week I was in Florence, Italy participating in a #BehSci + #AI conference hosted by @unicef.org & Gates Foundation
Really well organized w/ nice mix of academics + practitioners, beh scientists + data scientists
Really well organized w/ nice mix of academics + practitioners, beh scientists + data scientists
November 21, 2025 at 11:00 PM
This week I was in Florence, Italy participating in a #BehSci + #AI conference hosted by @unicef.org & Gates Foundation
Really well organized w/ nice mix of academics + practitioners, beh scientists + data scientists
Really well organized w/ nice mix of academics + practitioners, beh scientists + data scientists
Reposted by Rafael M Batista
Coast Guard Says Swastika and Noose Displays Are No Longer Hate Incidents
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:42 AM
Reposted by Rafael M Batista
I'm surprised I only came across it now, but this review on improving communication in data visualization is excellent.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
The Science of Visual Data Communication: What Works - Steven L. Franconeri, Lace M. Padilla, Priti Shah, Jeffrey M. Zacks, Jessica Hullman, 2021
Effectively designed data visualizations allow viewers to use their powerful visual systems to understand patterns in data across science, education, health, an...
journals.sagepub.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:48 AM
I'm surprised I only came across it now, but this review on improving communication in data visualization is excellent.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Incredible how our attention works
Past two hours- early morning, slow and relaxing. Read a bit, did some yoga, made tea. Where did the time go? 🧘♂️🫖😌
Later today- I will take a train to the airport for int’l flight. Lugging suitcase, security, boarding. Two hours then vs now will be ‼️🚨😳
Past two hours- early morning, slow and relaxing. Read a bit, did some yoga, made tea. Where did the time go? 🧘♂️🫖😌
Later today- I will take a train to the airport for int’l flight. Lugging suitcase, security, boarding. Two hours then vs now will be ‼️🚨😳
November 16, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Incredible how our attention works
Past two hours- early morning, slow and relaxing. Read a bit, did some yoga, made tea. Where did the time go? 🧘♂️🫖😌
Later today- I will take a train to the airport for int’l flight. Lugging suitcase, security, boarding. Two hours then vs now will be ‼️🚨😳
Past two hours- early morning, slow and relaxing. Read a bit, did some yoga, made tea. Where did the time go? 🧘♂️🫖😌
Later today- I will take a train to the airport for int’l flight. Lugging suitcase, security, boarding. Two hours then vs now will be ‼️🚨😳
Reposted by Rafael M Batista
Jesus Christ, Larry. 🙄
The emails have Summers reporting to Epstein about his attempts to date a Harvard economics student & to hit on her during a seminar she was giving.
November 16, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Jesus Christ, Larry. 🙄
Reposted by Rafael M Batista
I am really, really, really heartbroken to learn of @sfdirewolf.bsky.social's passing. She was and forever will be one of the most badass, eloquent, and brilliant people I've ever met.
Gift article of this story here: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/15/u...
Gift article of this story here: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/15/u...
November 15, 2025 at 10:46 PM
I am really, really, really heartbroken to learn of @sfdirewolf.bsky.social's passing. She was and forever will be one of the most badass, eloquent, and brilliant people I've ever met.
Gift article of this story here: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/15/u...
Gift article of this story here: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/15/u...
Reposted by Rafael M Batista
And there have been increasing efforts to create datasets that respect not just copyright but robots.txt files and permissible licenses. Common Corpus is just one example. Whether this is sufficient, and where the line should be drawn, continue to be open questions.
6/n
6/n
Common Corpus: The Largest Collection of Ethical Data for LLM Pre-Training
Large Language Models (LLMs) are pre-trained on large amounts of data from different sources and domains. These data most often contain trillions of tokens with large portions of copyrighted or propri...
arxiv.org
November 14, 2025 at 5:01 PM
And there have been increasing efforts to create datasets that respect not just copyright but robots.txt files and permissible licenses. Common Corpus is just one example. Whether this is sufficient, and where the line should be drawn, continue to be open questions.
6/n
6/n