steven t. piantadosi
@spiantado.bsky.social
computational cognitive science he/him
UC Berkeley
ScienceHomecoming
http://colala.berkeley.edu/people/piantadosi/
UC Berkeley
ScienceHomecoming
http://colala.berkeley.edu/people/piantadosi/
Pinned
The end of radical concept nativism
Though humans seem to be remarkable learners, arguments in cognitive science and philosophy of mind have long maintained that learning something fundamentally new is impossible. Specifically, Jerry Fo...
arxiv.org
A paper by Josh Rule from my lab providing some formal tools for how to think about innateness -- and trying to pinpoint exactly why Fodor's claims that everything is innate is nonsense.
arxiv.org/abs/2505.18277
arxiv.org/abs/2505.18277
Reposted by steven t. piantadosi
BREAKING: In AAUP et al v. Trump (wall-to-wall union lawsuit challenging the administration’s unlawful use of TItle VI to reshape the University of California system), the faculty and staff of the UC system WON!!!
We were granted our preliminary injunction! @aaup.org
We were granted our preliminary injunction! @aaup.org
November 14, 2025 at 11:55 PM
BREAKING: In AAUP et al v. Trump (wall-to-wall union lawsuit challenging the administration’s unlawful use of TItle VI to reshape the University of California system), the faculty and staff of the UC system WON!!!
We were granted our preliminary injunction! @aaup.org
We were granted our preliminary injunction! @aaup.org
Reposted by steven t. piantadosi
Quanta contributing writer @maxlevy.bsky.social has received a Kavli Gold Award from @aaas.org and @kavlifoundation.org for “The Hidden World of Electrostatic Ecology,” a detailed account of how small organisms use static electricity to their advantage.
www.quantamagazine.org/quantanews/q...
www.quantamagazine.org/quantanews/q...
Quanta Contributor Max G. Levy Wins AAAS Kavli Gold Award for Science Journalism | Quanta Magazine
Judges from the American Association for the Advancement of Science and The Kavli Foundation recognized Quanta Magazine contributing writer Max G. Levy with a Gold Award in the Magazine category for “...
www.quantamagazine.org
November 13, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Quanta contributing writer @maxlevy.bsky.social has received a Kavli Gold Award from @aaas.org and @kavlifoundation.org for “The Hidden World of Electrostatic Ecology,” a detailed account of how small organisms use static electricity to their advantage.
www.quantamagazine.org/quantanews/q...
www.quantamagazine.org/quantanews/q...
Reposted by steven t. piantadosi
Hearing a rumor that NIH/HHS may now plan to retaliate against other Bethesda Declaration signers.
I am one, but it’s not about me: we have been speaking out because of the ongoing damage to US medical research, cancer and Alzheimer’s research.
As @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social put well: 1/
I am one, but it’s not about me: we have been speaking out because of the ongoing damage to US medical research, cancer and Alzheimer’s research.
As @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social put well: 1/
November 14, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Hearing a rumor that NIH/HHS may now plan to retaliate against other Bethesda Declaration signers.
I am one, but it’s not about me: we have been speaking out because of the ongoing damage to US medical research, cancer and Alzheimer’s research.
As @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social put well: 1/
I am one, but it’s not about me: we have been speaking out because of the ongoing damage to US medical research, cancer and Alzheimer’s research.
As @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social put well: 1/
Reposted by steven t. piantadosi
I really like the cogsci thinking and music in this paper. Happy that it's finally out! Thanks @omriraccah.bsky.social and Michael Seltenreich
for leading this project.
Geometric properties of musical scales constitute a representational primitive in melodic processing
www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
for leading this project.
Geometric properties of musical scales constitute a representational primitive in melodic processing
www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
Geometric properties of musical scales constitute a representational primitive in melodic processing
Music; Cognitive Psychology; Cognitive Science
www.cell.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:34 PM
I really like the cogsci thinking and music in this paper. Happy that it's finally out! Thanks @omriraccah.bsky.social and Michael Seltenreich
for leading this project.
Geometric properties of musical scales constitute a representational primitive in melodic processing
www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
for leading this project.
Geometric properties of musical scales constitute a representational primitive in melodic processing
www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
Reposted by steven t. piantadosi
Nothing to see here, just an infamous sex trafficker planning to blackmail a future president
November 12, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Nothing to see here, just an infamous sex trafficker planning to blackmail a future president
Reposted by steven t. piantadosi
Donald Trump has sued the BBC for one billion dollars. The network should wait 40 days and then pay him the entire amount without a trial.
by John Fetterman, Dick Durbin, and Tim Kaine
by John Fetterman, Dick Durbin, and Tim Kaine
November 11, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Donald Trump has sued the BBC for one billion dollars. The network should wait 40 days and then pay him the entire amount without a trial.
by John Fetterman, Dick Durbin, and Tim Kaine
by John Fetterman, Dick Durbin, and Tim Kaine
Reposted by steven t. piantadosi
We have had enough winning.
by Senate Democrats
by Senate Democrats
November 10, 2025 at 12:47 PM
We have had enough winning.
by Senate Democrats
by Senate Democrats
Reposted by steven t. piantadosi
Please join @spiantado.bsky.social at @caltech.edu today for an in-person ScienceHomecoming event with The Caltech Y
www.caltechy.org/programs/sas...
www.caltechy.org/programs/sas...
Science Homecoming
www.caltechy.org
November 10, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Please join @spiantado.bsky.social at @caltech.edu today for an in-person ScienceHomecoming event with The Caltech Y
www.caltechy.org/programs/sas...
www.caltechy.org/programs/sas...
"Lairmore had testified that the sandwich 'exploded all over' his chest and claimed he could smell mustard and onions. But a photo showed that the sandwich was still in its wrapper on the ground after it hit Lairmore in his bulletproof vest."
BREAKING: JUSTICE DEPARTMENT EATS A LOSS IN 'SANDWICH GUY' CASE AS JURORS FIND DEFENDANT NOT GUILTY www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
Jury acquits D.C. 'sandwich guy' charged with chucking a sub at a federal agent
Sean Dunn faced single misdemeanor offense after federal grand jurors refused to indict him on the felony charge sought by prosecutors.
www.nbcnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:03 PM
"Lairmore had testified that the sandwich 'exploded all over' his chest and claimed he could smell mustard and onions. But a photo showed that the sandwich was still in its wrapper on the ground after it hit Lairmore in his bulletproof vest."
Reposted by steven t. piantadosi
How it started. How it’s going.
November 6, 2025 at 3:35 PM
How it started. How it’s going.
Reposted by steven t. piantadosi
The President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, PPFP, has been a jewel in the crown for faculty development and recruitment at the University of California for years and the results have been an expanded faculty with almost 100% tenure rates — unprecedented success.
November 2, 2025 at 11:01 AM
The President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, PPFP, has been a jewel in the crown for faculty development and recruitment at the University of California for years and the results have been an expanded faculty with almost 100% tenure rates — unprecedented success.
This wins.
New York assemblyman Zohran Mamdani confronts Border Czar Tom Homan today in Albany 👇🏻
November 5, 2025 at 4:59 AM
This wins.
Reposted by steven t. piantadosi
Join this free workshop on Nov 12 with Steven T. Piantadosi of Science Homecoming and learn the how-to's and beneficial impacts of communicating the importance of scientific research to your local community through opinion pieces. Register today. Link in comments.
November 3, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Join this free workshop on Nov 12 with Steven T. Piantadosi of Science Homecoming and learn the how-to's and beneficial impacts of communicating the importance of scientific research to your local community through opinion pieces. Register today. Link in comments.
Reposted by steven t. piantadosi
November 4, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Reposted by steven t. piantadosi
Academics in Assyria in the 7th c BC complain that admin is preventing them from doing research and teaching
November 3, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Academics in Assyria in the 7th c BC complain that admin is preventing them from doing research and teaching
Reposted by steven t. piantadosi
Can't overstate how fucked up it is that unraveling what is arguably the greatest achievement in the history of humanity is now a motivating issue of one of the two dominant parties in the U.S.
FL is moving forward w/ plan to end all childhood vaccine mandates. Starting with hepatitis B, chickenpox, and the bacteria causing meningitis and pneumonia. Then next year GOP FL legislature is expected to revisit 1977 law re: whooping cough, measles, polio, rubella, mumps, diphtheria, and tetanus.
October 31, 2025 at 4:13 AM
Can't overstate how fucked up it is that unraveling what is arguably the greatest achievement in the history of humanity is now a motivating issue of one of the two dominant parties in the U.S.
Reposted by steven t. piantadosi
The Python Software Foundation won a $1.5m grant from the US government National Science Foundation.
Turned it down because required to affirm that we "will not... operate any programs that advance or promote DEI"
simonwillison.net/2025/Oct/27/...
Turned it down because required to affirm that we "will not... operate any programs that advance or promote DEI"
simonwillison.net/2025/Oct/27/...
The PSF has withdrawn a $1.5 million proposal to US government grant program
The Python Software Foundation was recently "recommended for funding" (NSF terminology) for a $1.5m grant from the US government National Science Foundation to help improve the security of the Python ...
simonwillison.net
October 29, 2025 at 7:21 PM
The Python Software Foundation won a $1.5m grant from the US government National Science Foundation.
Turned it down because required to affirm that we "will not... operate any programs that advance or promote DEI"
simonwillison.net/2025/Oct/27/...
Turned it down because required to affirm that we "will not... operate any programs that advance or promote DEI"
simonwillison.net/2025/Oct/27/...
Oh interesting, Abian proved some things about set theory, let's see what else he was into...
October 30, 2025 at 4:48 AM
Oh interesting, Abian proved some things about set theory, let's see what else he was into...
Reposted by steven t. piantadosi
Cost to fund SNAP and keep 42 million people from starving:
$100 billion
Cost of lost revenue due to tax cuts for the richest Americans in the top 1%:
$100 billion
One is decried as "welfare." One is not.
Why?
$100 billion
Cost of lost revenue due to tax cuts for the richest Americans in the top 1%:
$100 billion
One is decried as "welfare." One is not.
Why?
October 29, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Cost to fund SNAP and keep 42 million people from starving:
$100 billion
Cost of lost revenue due to tax cuts for the richest Americans in the top 1%:
$100 billion
One is decried as "welfare." One is not.
Why?
$100 billion
Cost of lost revenue due to tax cuts for the richest Americans in the top 1%:
$100 billion
One is decried as "welfare." One is not.
Why?
Reposted by steven t. piantadosi
To quote my friend @drkatemarvel.bsky.social, climate change won't make humanity extinct but we can do better than "not extinct". Raise your standards people!
October 28, 2025 at 8:46 PM
To quote my friend @drkatemarvel.bsky.social, climate change won't make humanity extinct but we can do better than "not extinct". Raise your standards people!
Reposted by steven t. piantadosi
TIL about this static1.squarespace.com/static/520cf...
October 29, 2025 at 12:36 AM
TIL about this static1.squarespace.com/static/520cf...
Reposted by steven t. piantadosi
It's not about what this country can or can’t afford. It’s about priorities. [Cartoon by Jesse Duquette]
October 27, 2025 at 5:01 PM
It's not about what this country can or can’t afford. It’s about priorities. [Cartoon by Jesse Duquette]
Reposted by steven t. piantadosi
It’s too bad only farmers are people and not librarians or artists or healthcare workers or researchers.
October 27, 2025 at 2:32 PM
It’s too bad only farmers are people and not librarians or artists or healthcare workers or researchers.
Reposted by steven t. piantadosi
A Brief History of Halloween Isn’t Fun Anymore
🧵
🧵
October 26, 2025 at 6:58 PM
A Brief History of Halloween Isn’t Fun Anymore
🧵
🧵
Reposted by steven t. piantadosi
The UC Regents finally released the “settlement agreement” the Trump administration proposed in August. It’s a doozy.
UC alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents, donors—and all citizens of California:
Now is the time to let the UC Regents know you do not want them to sign this bad deal.
UC alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents, donors—and all citizens of California:
Now is the time to let the UC Regents know you do not want them to sign this bad deal.
October 25, 2025 at 6:53 AM
The UC Regents finally released the “settlement agreement” the Trump administration proposed in August. It’s a doozy.
UC alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents, donors—and all citizens of California:
Now is the time to let the UC Regents know you do not want them to sign this bad deal.
UC alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents, donors—and all citizens of California:
Now is the time to let the UC Regents know you do not want them to sign this bad deal.