Alex Danvers
@drdanvers.bsky.social
Social Psychologist, Data Scientist, Baseball Fan, Dog Dad, Improviser
The penny is going away! I had no idea. I remember reading about this years ago and thinking it was weird we still spent more on materials than the value of the coin. But the issues raised are interesting--how do you do fair rounding?
#Penny
www.cnn.com/2025/11/12/b...
#Penny
www.cnn.com/2025/11/12/b...
The last-ever penny was minted today in Philadelphia | CNN Business
The American penny passed away today after a prolonged illness. It was 238 years old.
www.cnn.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:02 PM
The penny is going away! I had no idea. I remember reading about this years ago and thinking it was weird we still spent more on materials than the value of the coin. But the issues raised are interesting--how do you do fair rounding?
#Penny
www.cnn.com/2025/11/12/b...
#Penny
www.cnn.com/2025/11/12/b...
Reposted by Alex Danvers
My reviewing style has changed over time. Rather than litigate every little thing, and pushing my own ideas, I focus only on 2 things:
(1) Are the claims interesting/important?
(2) Does the evidence support the claims?
Most of my reviews these days are short and focused.
(1) Are the claims interesting/important?
(2) Does the evidence support the claims?
Most of my reviews these days are short and focused.
November 8, 2025 at 11:22 AM
My reviewing style has changed over time. Rather than litigate every little thing, and pushing my own ideas, I focus only on 2 things:
(1) Are the claims interesting/important?
(2) Does the evidence support the claims?
Most of my reviews these days are short and focused.
(1) Are the claims interesting/important?
(2) Does the evidence support the claims?
Most of my reviews these days are short and focused.
Reposted by Alex Danvers
sometimes an Oxford comma can make all the difference
November 8, 2025 at 12:36 PM
sometimes an Oxford comma can make all the difference
Reposted by Alex Danvers
This. Especially because I believe that writing is thinking (for me). I don’t want to lose that.
What people do not do, they often lose the ability to do. Which is sometimes fine! In my own life, I don’t have any great need to know how to do some of the math I once learned. But I don’t want to forget how to write.
November 8, 2025 at 12:47 PM
This. Especially because I believe that writing is thinking (for me). I don’t want to lose that.
Reposted by Alex Danvers
Here’s a little explainer: anthropology.stanford.edu/publications...
How God Becomes Real: Kindling the Presence of Invisible Others. [The Lewis Henry Morgan lectures]. | Department of Anthropology
How do gods and spirits come to feel vividly real to people—as if they were standing right next to them? Humans tend to see supernatural agents everywhere, as the cognitive science of religion has sho...
anthropology.stanford.edu
November 7, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Here’s a little explainer: anthropology.stanford.edu/publications...
Reposted by Alex Danvers
Imagine if someone recursively trained LLMs to write, review, and edit papers. What would scientific papers look like after ~1000 epochs? How bad would the model collapse be? How much new input would be needed to avoid it?
November 7, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Imagine if someone recursively trained LLMs to write, review, and edit papers. What would scientific papers look like after ~1000 epochs? How bad would the model collapse be? How much new input would be needed to avoid it?
Reposted by Alex Danvers
Research Assistant Professor position at @unm.edu - join a dynamic team working with @cassie-boness.bsky.social. This position is to work on an NIH grant evaluating personalized medicine approaches for the treatment of alcohol use disorder. Submit via UNMJobs by Nov 26: unm.csod.com/ux/ats/caree...
Research Assistant Professor in Personalized Medicine for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder
Seeking applicants for a Research Assistant Professor faculty position at the University of New Mexico on an NIH funded grant evaluating personalized ...
unm.csod.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Research Assistant Professor position at @unm.edu - join a dynamic team working with @cassie-boness.bsky.social. This position is to work on an NIH grant evaluating personalized medicine approaches for the treatment of alcohol use disorder. Submit via UNMJobs by Nov 26: unm.csod.com/ux/ats/caree...
Reposted by Alex Danvers
The incredible shrinking attack on U.S. universities continues.
Cornell has signed an agreement—but unlike the UVA agreement, instead of pledging to follow the gov't's highly questionable July "guidance" on discrimination, Cornell simply agrees to hand it out to faculty as a "training resource"!
Cornell has signed an agreement—but unlike the UVA agreement, instead of pledging to follow the gov't's highly questionable July "guidance" on discrimination, Cornell simply agrees to hand it out to faculty as a "training resource"!
November 7, 2025 at 5:32 PM
The incredible shrinking attack on U.S. universities continues.
Cornell has signed an agreement—but unlike the UVA agreement, instead of pledging to follow the gov't's highly questionable July "guidance" on discrimination, Cornell simply agrees to hand it out to faculty as a "training resource"!
Cornell has signed an agreement—but unlike the UVA agreement, instead of pledging to follow the gov't's highly questionable July "guidance" on discrimination, Cornell simply agrees to hand it out to faculty as a "training resource"!
Reposted by Alex Danvers
But I am really struck by the rapidity and scale of the government's retreat from its much more extensive and destructive list of demands that it tried to impose on schools at the start of this mess.
It would be far better if Cornell and other schools simply said "no."
But still, a notable shift.
It would be far better if Cornell and other schools simply said "no."
But still, a notable shift.
November 7, 2025 at 5:39 PM
But I am really struck by the rapidity and scale of the government's retreat from its much more extensive and destructive list of demands that it tried to impose on schools at the start of this mess.
It would be far better if Cornell and other schools simply said "no."
But still, a notable shift.
It would be far better if Cornell and other schools simply said "no."
But still, a notable shift.
Reposted by Alex Danvers
This agreement maintains that Cornell has full autonomy. Cornell also maintains that it has not done anything wrong.
So, essentially, Trump used the power of his office (e.g. by not paying ongoing grants) to force a $30 million payout.
I understand why Cornell did this, but it doesn't feel good.
So, essentially, Trump used the power of his office (e.g. by not paying ongoing grants) to force a $30 million payout.
I understand why Cornell did this, but it doesn't feel good.
Breaking News: Cornell University reached an agreement with the Trump administration that would restore hundreds of millions in funding to the university. It's expected to pay a $30 million fine to the government and to invest $30 million in agriculture and farming programs.
Cornell Reaches Deal with Trump Administration to Restore Research Funds
The Ivy League university had warned of layoffs after the Trump administration stripped it of funds this year. The cuts were among the deepest in higher education.
nyti.ms
November 7, 2025 at 5:39 PM
This agreement maintains that Cornell has full autonomy. Cornell also maintains that it has not done anything wrong.
So, essentially, Trump used the power of his office (e.g. by not paying ongoing grants) to force a $30 million payout.
I understand why Cornell did this, but it doesn't feel good.
So, essentially, Trump used the power of his office (e.g. by not paying ongoing grants) to force a $30 million payout.
I understand why Cornell did this, but it doesn't feel good.
Reposted by Alex Danvers
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 6, 2025 at 2:55 PM
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
Reposted by Alex Danvers
This November, like every November, I am teaching basic research proposal writing to the new phd cohort at my institute. Here is the 2 page template we start with and adapt. Link to LaTeX github.com/rmcelreath/P...
![\title[PhD Plan for CANDIDATE]{Department of \mbox{Full Luxury Galactic Metascience}\\PhD Plan for CANDIDATE}
% list committee members
\author[]{Committee:\\
Prof.~MEMBER1\\
Dr.~MEMBER2\\
Dr.~MEMBER3}
\date{\today}
\begin{document}
\maketitle% this prints the handout title, author, and date
\begin{marginfigure}[-5.2cm]
\includegraphics[width=3.5cm]{Minerva.pdf}
\end{marginfigure}
\section{Phenomenon}
The subject matter to be addressed. What is the question? Citation for background are useful, but don't do a full lit review (yet).\cite{HenrichMcElreath:2003} Additional references can be included at the end bibliography by using \verb|\nocite|. \nocite{NBGA2005}
\section{Theoretical Perspective}
The framework for explaining the phenomenon. What are the implications of theory? If more than one theory is relevant, how do the implications differ? What are the current holes in the theory or theories?
\section{Approach}
Modeling and empirical research approach to address the theory/ies nominated above. Important thing is to \emph{justify} the approach in terms of theory.
\section{Specifics of Approach}
Outline any special skills, equipment, or techniques that will be required. This includes, in the case of field research, a paragraph on the background of the field location. Data analysis approach needs a sketch. Can use citation\cite{Merowetal2014} for further detail.
\section{Expected Products}
A list of the (usually 3) articles expected for completion of the PhD. Think of each as a fantasy abstract.
\begin{enumerate}
\item \emph{The Evolution of Human Uniqueness.} There is wide agreement that humans are unique. But it is rarely asked: Have they always been unique? In this paper, we derive a general uniqueness theorem that states that any unique species must have been less unique at some point in the past. This theorem has implications for the achievement of world peace.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ta2whs6wjtpljvpqgs5leu36/bafkreihnoflhyf2lajrvcsovawt3xr47qlm76jfhzet5lqumkabtzufvoe@jpeg)
November 3, 2025 at 7:45 AM
This November, like every November, I am teaching basic research proposal writing to the new phd cohort at my institute. Here is the 2 page template we start with and adapt. Link to LaTeX github.com/rmcelreath/P...
Reposted by Alex Danvers
Neuroscientists of the bluest sky:
I'm trying to identify seminal papers that have reshaped our understanding of brain-body connections (could be in any system).
Which papers come to mind?
#neuroskyence
I'm trying to identify seminal papers that have reshaped our understanding of brain-body connections (could be in any system).
Which papers come to mind?
#neuroskyence
November 6, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Neuroscientists of the bluest sky:
I'm trying to identify seminal papers that have reshaped our understanding of brain-body connections (could be in any system).
Which papers come to mind?
#neuroskyence
I'm trying to identify seminal papers that have reshaped our understanding of brain-body connections (could be in any system).
Which papers come to mind?
#neuroskyence
Reposted by Alex Danvers
A tad late (announcements coming) but very happy to share the latest developments in my previous preprint!
Previously, we show that neural representations for control of movement are largely distinct following supervised or reinforcement learning. The latter most closely matches NHP recordings.
Previously, we show that neural representations for control of movement are largely distinct following supervised or reinforcement learning. The latter most closely matches NHP recordings.
Here’s our latest work at @glajoie.bsky.social and @mattperich.bsky.social ‘s labs! Excited to see this out.
We used a combination of neural recordings & modelling to show that RL yields neural dynamics closer to biology, with useful continual learning properties.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We used a combination of neural recordings & modelling to show that RL yields neural dynamics closer to biology, with useful continual learning properties.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Brain-like neural dynamics for behavioral control develop through reinforcement learning
During development, neural circuits are shaped continuously as we learn to control our bodies. The ultimate goal of this process is to produce neural dynamics that enable the rich repertoire of behavi...
www.biorxiv.org
November 6, 2025 at 2:10 AM
A tad late (announcements coming) but very happy to share the latest developments in my previous preprint!
Previously, we show that neural representations for control of movement are largely distinct following supervised or reinforcement learning. The latter most closely matches NHP recordings.
Previously, we show that neural representations for control of movement are largely distinct following supervised or reinforcement learning. The latter most closely matches NHP recordings.
Reposted by Alex Danvers
Our paper on the influence of cultural context on neural (EEG) and self-reported measures of affective touch is finally out!
We report differences in how touch is evaluated across cultural contexts, and in cortical activation during touch processing 🧠👋
academic.oup.com/scan/article...
We report differences in how touch is evaluated across cultural contexts, and in cortical activation during touch processing 🧠👋
academic.oup.com/scan/article...
Is cultural context the crucial touch? Neurophysiological and self-reported responses to affective touch in women in South Africa and the United Kingdom
Abstract. Affective touch, involving touch-sensitive C-tactile (CT) afferent nerve fibres, is integral to human development and well-being. Despite presume
academic.oup.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Our paper on the influence of cultural context on neural (EEG) and self-reported measures of affective touch is finally out!
We report differences in how touch is evaluated across cultural contexts, and in cortical activation during touch processing 🧠👋
academic.oup.com/scan/article...
We report differences in how touch is evaluated across cultural contexts, and in cortical activation during touch processing 🧠👋
academic.oup.com/scan/article...
Reposted by Alex Danvers
New paper in Imaging Neuroscience by C. Sainz Martinez, J. Jorge, et al:
An optimized framework for simultaneous EEG-fMRI at 7T enabling safe, high-quality human brain imaging with millisecond temporal resolution and sub-millimeter spatial resolution
doi.org/10.1162/IMAG...
An optimized framework for simultaneous EEG-fMRI at 7T enabling safe, high-quality human brain imaging with millisecond temporal resolution and sub-millimeter spatial resolution
doi.org/10.1162/IMAG...
November 6, 2025 at 3:55 PM
New paper in Imaging Neuroscience by C. Sainz Martinez, J. Jorge, et al:
An optimized framework for simultaneous EEG-fMRI at 7T enabling safe, high-quality human brain imaging with millisecond temporal resolution and sub-millimeter spatial resolution
doi.org/10.1162/IMAG...
An optimized framework for simultaneous EEG-fMRI at 7T enabling safe, high-quality human brain imaging with millisecond temporal resolution and sub-millimeter spatial resolution
doi.org/10.1162/IMAG...
Reposted by Alex Danvers
👂🧠NCC in an auditory no-report fMRI study 🧠👂
now out in @currentbiology.bsky.social @cellpress.bsky.social !
www.cell.com/current-biol...
Using inattentional deafness, we show that awareness of task-irrelevant sounds mainly activates stimulus-specific sensory brain areas.
now out in @currentbiology.bsky.social @cellpress.bsky.social !
www.cell.com/current-biol...
Using inattentional deafness, we show that awareness of task-irrelevant sounds mainly activates stimulus-specific sensory brain areas.
Neural correlates of consciousness in an auditory no-report fMRI study
Dellert et al. use functional magnetic resonance imaging and inattentional deafness
to identify the neural basis of conscious auditory perception in humans. Their results
reveal a dominant role of sti...
www.cell.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:21 PM
👂🧠NCC in an auditory no-report fMRI study 🧠👂
now out in @currentbiology.bsky.social @cellpress.bsky.social !
www.cell.com/current-biol...
Using inattentional deafness, we show that awareness of task-irrelevant sounds mainly activates stimulus-specific sensory brain areas.
now out in @currentbiology.bsky.social @cellpress.bsky.social !
www.cell.com/current-biol...
Using inattentional deafness, we show that awareness of task-irrelevant sounds mainly activates stimulus-specific sensory brain areas.
Reposted by Alex Danvers
Reposted by Alex Danvers
For each additional moral–emotional word in a social media post, the number of shares increases 13%
Our new meta-analysis finds robust evidence of moral contagion (N=4,821,006)
The moral contagion effect is even stronger in larger, pre-registered studies (17%).
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
Our new meta-analysis finds robust evidence of moral contagion (N=4,821,006)
The moral contagion effect is even stronger in larger, pre-registered studies (17%).
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
November 5, 2025 at 4:58 PM
For each additional moral–emotional word in a social media post, the number of shares increases 13%
Our new meta-analysis finds robust evidence of moral contagion (N=4,821,006)
The moral contagion effect is even stronger in larger, pre-registered studies (17%).
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
Our new meta-analysis finds robust evidence of moral contagion (N=4,821,006)
The moral contagion effect is even stronger in larger, pre-registered studies (17%).
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
Reposted by Alex Danvers
More powerful tools for understanding the brain. 🧠🔍
Today, comprehensive, cross-species developing brain cell atlases were released to help advance health and disease research. 🧵
#studyBRAIN #BICAN
Today, comprehensive, cross-species developing brain cell atlases were released to help advance health and disease research. 🧵
#studyBRAIN #BICAN
November 5, 2025 at 5:45 PM
More powerful tools for understanding the brain. 🧠🔍
Today, comprehensive, cross-species developing brain cell atlases were released to help advance health and disease research. 🧵
#studyBRAIN #BICAN
Today, comprehensive, cross-species developing brain cell atlases were released to help advance health and disease research. 🧵
#studyBRAIN #BICAN
Reposted by Alex Danvers
560 000 ChatGPT users are showing signs of psychosis or mania per week. About twice as many are showing signs of heightened emotional attachment.
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
openai.com/index/streng...
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
openai.com/index/streng...
ChatGPT: More than a million users show signs of mental health distress and mania each week, internal data suggest
Hundreds of thousands of ChatGPT users exhibit signs of psychosis, mania, or suicidal intent every week, a company audit indicates.1
The finding, released as part of an update to the AI technology to...
www.bmj.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:54 PM
560 000 ChatGPT users are showing signs of psychosis or mania per week. About twice as many are showing signs of heightened emotional attachment.
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
openai.com/index/streng...
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
openai.com/index/streng...
Reposted by Alex Danvers
Is anyone following me an expert on love? I find the possible link between infatuation and psychosis compelling:
"Professionals working with patients who have experienced psychosis know that love often triggers the first psychotic episode (and in some cases also subsequent ones)." shorturl.at/R2H9D
"Professionals working with patients who have experienced psychosis know that love often triggers the first psychotic episode (and in some cases also subsequent ones)." shorturl.at/R2H9D
shorturl.at
November 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Is anyone following me an expert on love? I find the possible link between infatuation and psychosis compelling:
"Professionals working with patients who have experienced psychosis know that love often triggers the first psychotic episode (and in some cases also subsequent ones)." shorturl.at/R2H9D
"Professionals working with patients who have experienced psychosis know that love often triggers the first psychotic episode (and in some cases also subsequent ones)." shorturl.at/R2H9D
Interesting short video on AI slop in writing… that veers into technology for police reports in a dystopian way.
Bad incentives all the way around.
#AI #AIwriting #AmazonAI
youtu.be/ew7QYoMRW6I?...
Bad incentives all the way around.
#AI #AIwriting #AmazonAI
youtu.be/ew7QYoMRW6I?...
AI Writing is Taking Over
YouTube video by Jared Henderson
youtu.be
November 5, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Interesting short video on AI slop in writing… that veers into technology for police reports in a dystopian way.
Bad incentives all the way around.
#AI #AIwriting #AmazonAI
youtu.be/ew7QYoMRW6I?...
Bad incentives all the way around.
#AI #AIwriting #AmazonAI
youtu.be/ew7QYoMRW6I?...
Reposted by Alex Danvers
ICYMI @ohbmofficial.bsky.social 2025 keynotes are now online! Here's mine: "Towards a universal taxonomy of functional brain networks" 🧠 www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZW9J...
OHBM 2025 | Keynote | Lucina Uddin | Towards a universal taxonomy of functional brain networks
YouTube video by Organization for Human Brain Mapping
www.youtube.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:21 PM
ICYMI @ohbmofficial.bsky.social 2025 keynotes are now online! Here's mine: "Towards a universal taxonomy of functional brain networks" 🧠 www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZW9J...
Reposted by Alex Danvers
maybe the most brutal strikeout in baseball history
November 5, 2025 at 12:28 AM
maybe the most brutal strikeout in baseball history