Uma Karmarkar
@umakarma.bsky.social
Decision (neuro)scientist. Joint faculty between business and policy at UCSD. Neuroeconomics, psych, marketing, policy, snark, etc.
Pinned
Uma Karmarkar
@umakarma.bsky.social
· Nov 23
Hello #neuroeconomists and decision (neuro)scientists - did I miss you in this starterpack? Just reply to this post or DM if you'd like to be added!
go.bsky.app/1K9Suh
go.bsky.app/1K9Suh
Reposted by Uma Karmarkar
How do we succeed at self-control? In a new paper in @pnas.org with James Wilson, David Kalkstein, and Melissa Ferguson, we use mouse-tracking of ~47,000 decisions of long-term over short-term to show that 'willpower' is too narrow a conception of self-control www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1...
PNAS
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), a peer reviewed journal of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) - an authoritative source of high-impact, original research that broadly spans...
www.pnas.org
November 12, 2025 at 7:32 PM
How do we succeed at self-control? In a new paper in @pnas.org with James Wilson, David Kalkstein, and Melissa Ferguson, we use mouse-tracking of ~47,000 decisions of long-term over short-term to show that 'willpower' is too narrow a conception of self-control www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1...
Caught part of a talk from @dcrockett17.bsky.social , @twbradford.bsky.social about consumer culture theory research.
They gave an analogy that I found helpful- thinking of CCT as a logical argument that draws conclusions from a body of symptoms/evidence, akin to a medical diagnosis
They gave an analogy that I found helpful- thinking of CCT as a logical argument that draws conclusions from a body of symptoms/evidence, akin to a medical diagnosis
November 12, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Caught part of a talk from @dcrockett17.bsky.social , @twbradford.bsky.social about consumer culture theory research.
They gave an analogy that I found helpful- thinking of CCT as a logical argument that draws conclusions from a body of symptoms/evidence, akin to a medical diagnosis
They gave an analogy that I found helpful- thinking of CCT as a logical argument that draws conclusions from a body of symptoms/evidence, akin to a medical diagnosis
Reposted by Uma Karmarkar
Loving today's news that the mysterious "fedora man" outside the Louvre heist was actually a 15-year-old museum visitor who dresses like a 1940s French detective all the time, just because. apnews.com/article/louv...
Fedora man unmasked: Meet the teen behind the Louvre mystery photo
Fifteen-year-old Pedro Elias Garzon Delvaux has become an internet sensation after an Associated Press photo captured him outside the Louvre on the day of a crown jewels heist.
apnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Loving today's news that the mysterious "fedora man" outside the Louvre heist was actually a 15-year-old museum visitor who dresses like a 1940s French detective all the time, just because. apnews.com/article/louv...
Reposted by Uma Karmarkar
And that's important, because she was a working scientist with agency of her own and she collaborated willingly with so much more of that work than is usually mentioned.
Both by Watson AND his critics.
Franklin was a great scientist. Don't sell her short.
Both by Watson AND his critics.
Franklin was a great scientist. Don't sell her short.
November 7, 2025 at 8:42 PM
And that's important, because she was a working scientist with agency of her own and she collaborated willingly with so much more of that work than is usually mentioned.
Both by Watson AND his critics.
Franklin was a great scientist. Don't sell her short.
Both by Watson AND his critics.
Franklin was a great scientist. Don't sell her short.
Reposted by Uma Karmarkar
I LEARNED THE ANSWER TO THIS
Chris's Steakhouse was a New Orleans landmark
Chris Matulich periodically got bored, sold it, waited for the new owner to fail, and bought it back cheap
The sale conditions: Can't move it, can't change the name
He did this six times
Then he sold it to Ruth Fertel
Chris's Steakhouse was a New Orleans landmark
Chris Matulich periodically got bored, sold it, waited for the new owner to fail, and bought it back cheap
The sale conditions: Can't move it, can't change the name
He did this six times
Then he sold it to Ruth Fertel
what did ruth mean when she said her steakhouse was "chris"
November 7, 2025 at 5:33 PM
I LEARNED THE ANSWER TO THIS
Chris's Steakhouse was a New Orleans landmark
Chris Matulich periodically got bored, sold it, waited for the new owner to fail, and bought it back cheap
The sale conditions: Can't move it, can't change the name
He did this six times
Then he sold it to Ruth Fertel
Chris's Steakhouse was a New Orleans landmark
Chris Matulich periodically got bored, sold it, waited for the new owner to fail, and bought it back cheap
The sale conditions: Can't move it, can't change the name
He did this six times
Then he sold it to Ruth Fertel
Great 🧵
Particularly useful advice on personal statements: "This is an EXAMPLE of the KIND of thing I would like to study"
➕ please don't recap other parts of the app in the personal statement. Great to incorporate specific points to support your narrative, but no need to merely repeat info.
Particularly useful advice on personal statements: "This is an EXAMPLE of the KIND of thing I would like to study"
➕ please don't recap other parts of the app in the personal statement. Great to incorporate specific points to support your narrative, but no need to merely repeat info.
It’s grad school application season, and I wanted to give some public advice.
Caveats:
-*-*-*-*
> These are my opinions, based on my experiences, they are not secret tricks or guarantees
> They are general guidelines, not meant to cover a host of idiosyncrasies and special cases
Caveats:
-*-*-*-*
> These are my opinions, based on my experiences, they are not secret tricks or guarantees
> They are general guidelines, not meant to cover a host of idiosyncrasies and special cases
November 7, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Great 🧵
Particularly useful advice on personal statements: "This is an EXAMPLE of the KIND of thing I would like to study"
➕ please don't recap other parts of the app in the personal statement. Great to incorporate specific points to support your narrative, but no need to merely repeat info.
Particularly useful advice on personal statements: "This is an EXAMPLE of the KIND of thing I would like to study"
➕ please don't recap other parts of the app in the personal statement. Great to incorporate specific points to support your narrative, but no need to merely repeat info.
🤭
Friendly reminder that alumni will be back on campus this weekend and will comment on:
🔱 the hammocks at price center
🔱 having a target on campus
🔱 the ocean view residence halls
🔱 so many places to eat
🔱 talking trees are still talking
🔱 when did campus get so tall?
🔱 there’s EIGHT colleges now??
🔱 the hammocks at price center
🔱 having a target on campus
🔱 the ocean view residence halls
🔱 so many places to eat
🔱 talking trees are still talking
🔱 when did campus get so tall?
🔱 there’s EIGHT colleges now??
November 7, 2025 at 6:02 PM
🤭
VISUAL AREAS ARE THE ONES YOU USE FOR VISUALS.
generating examples for my fall undergrad Perception students on why they should not use LLMs as study aides...
November 7, 2025 at 12:17 AM
VISUAL AREAS ARE THE ONES YOU USE FOR VISUALS.
The forks glitch is hilarious and I'm glad someone ran into it today and posted, since I missed it entirely the first time around.
November 7, 2025 at 12:09 AM
The forks glitch is hilarious and I'm glad someone ran into it today and posted, since I missed it entirely the first time around.
This news was surprising until I found out the French are suspending Shein's e-commerce site because its listings include "childlike sex dolls." Other reporting also suggests weapons listings.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
France moves to suspend Shein website as it opens first store in Paris
The economy ministry said proceedings would last until Shein proved all of its content complied with French law.
www.bbc.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:24 PM
This news was surprising until I found out the French are suspending Shein's e-commerce site because its listings include "childlike sex dolls." Other reporting also suggests weapons listings.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Two things can be true:
1. I think it's absurdly hilariously wild that we're in a place where a don't-*don't*-be-evil tech firm has PR for a merch drop. (Facebook-branded Labubu when?)
2. For a hot second, I absolutely coveted the Chrome T-Rex Xmas sweater.
1. I think it's absurdly hilariously wild that we're in a place where a don't-*don't*-be-evil tech firm has PR for a merch drop. (Facebook-branded Labubu when?)
2. For a hot second, I absolutely coveted the Chrome T-Rex Xmas sweater.
Google’s latest merch drop includes a familiar Android plushie and more
Google’s latest merch drop includes a familiar Android plushie and more
Google has released a handful of new merch ahead of the holiday season, with the latest batch including a familiar Android plushie and more.
more…
9to5google.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Two things can be true:
1. I think it's absurdly hilariously wild that we're in a place where a don't-*don't*-be-evil tech firm has PR for a merch drop. (Facebook-branded Labubu when?)
2. For a hot second, I absolutely coveted the Chrome T-Rex Xmas sweater.
1. I think it's absurdly hilariously wild that we're in a place where a don't-*don't*-be-evil tech firm has PR for a merch drop. (Facebook-branded Labubu when?)
2. For a hot second, I absolutely coveted the Chrome T-Rex Xmas sweater.
OMG, a decent "dopamine detox" press article that also uses my preferred (Parkinson's) example for why the term is nonsense.
"That is not how dopamine works...Fully “detoxing” from it would be disastrous. Parkinson’s disease, for example, is caused by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons."
"That is not how dopamine works...Fully “detoxing” from it would be disastrous. Parkinson’s disease, for example, is caused by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons."
I spoke to The Economist @economist.com about dopamine detoxes - thank you @ainsliejstone.bsky.social for the write-up!
www.economist.com/science-and-...
www.economist.com/science-and-...
Can a dopamine detox reset your brain?
Taken literally, the idea makes no sense. But it might still be good for you
www.economist.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:07 PM
OMG, a decent "dopamine detox" press article that also uses my preferred (Parkinson's) example for why the term is nonsense.
"That is not how dopamine works...Fully “detoxing” from it would be disastrous. Parkinson’s disease, for example, is caused by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons."
"That is not how dopamine works...Fully “detoxing” from it would be disastrous. Parkinson’s disease, for example, is caused by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons."
NEUROSCIENCE-BASED FOOTWEAR
"tap into the mind-body connection by activating sensory receptors in the feet"
Technically any shoe does that, I think? Curious if this might be acu-pressure-ish, or massaging?
about.nike.com/en/newsroom/...
"tap into the mind-body connection by activating sensory receptors in the feet"
Technically any shoe does that, I think? Curious if this might be acu-pressure-ish, or massaging?
about.nike.com/en/newsroom/...
Nike Debuts its First Neuroscience-Based Footwear to Help Athletes Feel Calm, Focused and Present — NIKE, Inc.
The Mind 001 and Mind 002 are the first neuroscience-based footwear from Nike that tap into the mind-body connection by activating sensory receptors in the feet.
about.nike.com
October 31, 2025 at 6:50 PM
NEUROSCIENCE-BASED FOOTWEAR
"tap into the mind-body connection by activating sensory receptors in the feet"
Technically any shoe does that, I think? Curious if this might be acu-pressure-ish, or massaging?
about.nike.com/en/newsroom/...
"tap into the mind-body connection by activating sensory receptors in the feet"
Technically any shoe does that, I think? Curious if this might be acu-pressure-ish, or massaging?
about.nike.com/en/newsroom/...
Reposted by Uma Karmarkar
Last chance to turn it off.
On Monday, November 3rd, Microsoft will start using your LinkedIn data for AI training. And remember, you're opted in by default.
To toggle it off 👉 Account - Settings & Privacy > Data privacy > Data for Generative AI Improvement.
On Monday, November 3rd, Microsoft will start using your LinkedIn data for AI training. And remember, you're opted in by default.
To toggle it off 👉 Account - Settings & Privacy > Data privacy > Data for Generative AI Improvement.
October 31, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Last chance to turn it off.
On Monday, November 3rd, Microsoft will start using your LinkedIn data for AI training. And remember, you're opted in by default.
To toggle it off 👉 Account - Settings & Privacy > Data privacy > Data for Generative AI Improvement.
On Monday, November 3rd, Microsoft will start using your LinkedIn data for AI training. And remember, you're opted in by default.
To toggle it off 👉 Account - Settings & Privacy > Data privacy > Data for Generative AI Improvement.
Reposted by Uma Karmarkar
Did not have "The Getty made me do it" on my bingo card.
October 30, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Did not have "The Getty made me do it" on my bingo card.
Reposted by Uma Karmarkar
Just filled out two online forms - an academic submission site and a trade publisher site - asking for the submitter's Twitter account, but no space to share other social media accounts like bsky. Friendly reminder that if you have backend control of these types of forms you can change this!
October 29, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Just filled out two online forms - an academic submission site and a trade publisher site - asking for the submitter's Twitter account, but no space to share other social media accounts like bsky. Friendly reminder that if you have backend control of these types of forms you can change this!
On the plus, side, it turns out that the 5th re-install of Tobii Pro Lab software really is the charm 😅
I'm doing the thing where you procrastinate on the important task by working on useful but less pressing tasks.
Being honest with myself about this has not helped me stop doing it.
Being honest with myself about this has not helped me stop doing it.
October 29, 2025 at 5:34 PM
On the plus, side, it turns out that the 5th re-install of Tobii Pro Lab software really is the charm 😅
I'm doing the thing where you procrastinate on the important task by working on useful but less pressing tasks.
Being honest with myself about this has not helped me stop doing it.
Being honest with myself about this has not helped me stop doing it.
October 29, 2025 at 4:09 PM
I'm doing the thing where you procrastinate on the important task by working on useful but less pressing tasks.
Being honest with myself about this has not helped me stop doing it.
Being honest with myself about this has not helped me stop doing it.
Is this like when people tried freezing their credit cards in ice to make it harder to impulse shop?
www.designdevelopmenttoday.com/industries/c...
www.designdevelopmenttoday.com/industries/c...
The Six-Pound Case That Wants to Change How You Use Your Phone
Matter Neuroscience wants to make your phone a tool again.
www.designdevelopmenttoday.com
October 26, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Is this like when people tried freezing their credit cards in ice to make it harder to impulse shop?
www.designdevelopmenttoday.com/industries/c...
www.designdevelopmenttoday.com/industries/c...
Reposted by Uma Karmarkar
Are working memory and timing two sides of the same coin? Does the duration of WM adapt to the temporal structure of the task? This collaborative project led by Conor Dorian shows that mice learn the WM delay, which in turn shapes the neural signatures of WM.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Hippocampal sequences represent working memory and implicit timing
Working memory (WM) and timing are considered distinct cognitive functions, yet the neural signatures underlying both can be similar. To address the h…
www.sciencedirect.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Are working memory and timing two sides of the same coin? Does the duration of WM adapt to the temporal structure of the task? This collaborative project led by Conor Dorian shows that mice learn the WM delay, which in turn shapes the neural signatures of WM.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
So it turns out BYU didn't get fined, and McGowan announced he's giving the funds estimated for this to the players, and used some of it to pay off student lunch debt in the SLC and Provo school districts.
After Saturday's field storm, the Cougars found out that Crumbl Cookies CEO Jason McGowan would pay for any potential penalty himself.
Crumbl is headquartered in Utah and was founded in the Beehive State in 2017.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
Crumbl is headquartered in Utah and was founded in the Beehive State in 2017.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
October 22, 2025 at 9:00 PM
So it turns out BYU didn't get fined, and McGowan announced he's giving the funds estimated for this to the players, and used some of it to pay off student lunch debt in the SLC and Provo school districts.
This is *so* interesting to me - the United States restaurant chain winner is...
Din Tai Fung.
sherwood.news/business/din...
Din Tai Fung.
sherwood.news/business/din...
Din Tai Fung earns more per restaurant than any other chain in the US
Dumplings, Disneyland, and long lines of diners are a multimillion-dollar recipe for success....
sherwood.news
October 22, 2025 at 6:40 PM
This is *so* interesting to me - the United States restaurant chain winner is...
Din Tai Fung.
sherwood.news/business/din...
Din Tai Fung.
sherwood.news/business/din...
Yes, this. I hate this. Why do all these contracts say "we own your face in perpetuity?"
I have actually fired up the editing function in Acrobat and sent contracts back with "in perpetuity" blacked out.
I have actually fired up the editing function in Acrobat and sent contracts back with "in perpetuity" blacked out.
LEGAL RELEASE FORM: You agree to let us film you
ME: Seems OK
FORM: We own your face forever
ME: Ummm
FORM: We own your face via technologies that haven’t been invented yet
ME:
FORM: in other galaxies
ME: OK hold on
FORM: If we kill you during filming you’re not allowed to scream
ME: Seems OK
FORM: We own your face forever
ME: Ummm
FORM: We own your face via technologies that haven’t been invented yet
ME:
FORM: in other galaxies
ME: OK hold on
FORM: If we kill you during filming you’re not allowed to scream
October 22, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Yes, this. I hate this. Why do all these contracts say "we own your face in perpetuity?"
I have actually fired up the editing function in Acrobat and sent contracts back with "in perpetuity" blacked out.
I have actually fired up the editing function in Acrobat and sent contracts back with "in perpetuity" blacked out.
I'm amused to often be the "bad parent" who doesn't mind video games - the science I've seen seems to suggest that the dose makes the poison, and the effects vary across games.
This post (and original article) appear to agree.
communities.springernature.com/posts/video-...
This post (and original article) appear to agree.
communities.springernature.com/posts/video-...
Video games and brain health in the modern age
Video games are usually associated with adverse health outcomes. However, they can indeed be used as powerful tools for studying and promoting brain health. Far from being just a leisure activity, str...
communities.springernature.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:52 PM
I'm amused to often be the "bad parent" who doesn't mind video games - the science I've seen seems to suggest that the dose makes the poison, and the effects vary across games.
This post (and original article) appear to agree.
communities.springernature.com/posts/video-...
This post (and original article) appear to agree.
communities.springernature.com/posts/video-...