Lars Christian Smith
@larssmith.bsky.social
Evolutionary and historical anthropology
Pinned
The Way We Live Now
Official Selection Royal Anthropological Institute Film Festival 2017. Nominated for the Wiley Blackwell Student Film Prize at the RAI Film Festival 2017. Official…
vimeo.com
The Way We Live Now is a portrait of the daily routines of the Hadza; modern-day hunter-gatherers living in the acacia-baobab woodlands surrounding Lake Eyasi in North-Central Tanzania.
vimeo.com/184935918
vimeo.com/184935918
The evidence quite likely doesn't support the conclusion that deliberate burials took place.
Small-brained Homo naledi buried its dead in a South African cave 300,000 years ago, new research suggests. This discovery challenges the link between brain size and ritual. #Paleoanthropology #Archaeology #HumanEvolution #RisingStarCave @johnhawks.net
A Riddle in the Dark: Was This Small-Brained Hominin the First to Bury Its Dead?
Deep within a South African cave, a pile of ancient bones challenges everything we thought we knew about the origins of ritual and grief.
www.anthropology.net
September 7, 2025 at 3:23 PM
The evidence quite likely doesn't support the conclusion that deliberate burials took place.
Reposted by Lars Christian Smith
hoping that when they say the LLM talks like a Ph.D.-level expert, they mean "holds indecipherable decades-long academic grudges expressed largely in the form of questions that are actually more of a comment"
August 7, 2025 at 8:43 PM
hoping that when they say the LLM talks like a Ph.D.-level expert, they mean "holds indecipherable decades-long academic grudges expressed largely in the form of questions that are actually more of a comment"
Reposted by Lars Christian Smith
Some very exciting news: I have joined @eurcorrespond.bsky.social as defence editor.
Our aim is to reach every corner of Europe and I’m looking forward to working with a team of correspondents all over our continent !
Sign up for our newsletter here:
Our aim is to reach every corner of Europe and I’m looking forward to working with a team of correspondents all over our continent !
Sign up for our newsletter here:
The European Correspondent
www.europeancorrespondent.com
August 1, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Some very exciting news: I have joined @eurcorrespond.bsky.social as defence editor.
Our aim is to reach every corner of Europe and I’m looking forward to working with a team of correspondents all over our continent !
Sign up for our newsletter here:
Our aim is to reach every corner of Europe and I’m looking forward to working with a team of correspondents all over our continent !
Sign up for our newsletter here:
Reposted by Lars Christian Smith
I've been working on a new tool, Refine, to make scholars more productive. If you're interested in being among the very first to try the beta, please read on.
Refine leverages the best current AI models to draw your attention to potential errors and clarity issues in research paper drafts.
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Refine leverages the best current AI models to draw your attention to potential errors and clarity issues in research paper drafts.
1/
July 24, 2025 at 3:24 AM
I've been working on a new tool, Refine, to make scholars more productive. If you're interested in being among the very first to try the beta, please read on.
Refine leverages the best current AI models to draw your attention to potential errors and clarity issues in research paper drafts.
1/
Refine leverages the best current AI models to draw your attention to potential errors and clarity issues in research paper drafts.
1/
Reposted by Lars Christian Smith
Well spotted by @alanderminna.bsky.social
The new Europe, dominated by security and defense issues, is moving ahead. The price we pay for it: it is totally intergovernmental
The new Europe, dominated by security and defense issues, is moving ahead. The price we pay for it: it is totally intergovernmental
Today was the day when Europe announced that it is moving on:
The Franco-British agreement to establish a nuclear supervision group, and a permanent headquarters for the Ukraine coalition of the willing can become contours of a new European security architecture - this time without the US.
The Franco-British agreement to establish a nuclear supervision group, and a permanent headquarters for the Ukraine coalition of the willing can become contours of a new European security architecture - this time without the US.
Contours of European Strategic Autonomy
Europe is moving on without the US, and the US does not seem to like it after all.
open.substack.com
July 11, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Well spotted by @alanderminna.bsky.social
The new Europe, dominated by security and defense issues, is moving ahead. The price we pay for it: it is totally intergovernmental
The new Europe, dominated by security and defense issues, is moving ahead. The price we pay for it: it is totally intergovernmental
Reposted by Lars Christian Smith
All important points here, especially around the danger of hoping that Trump might change his mind about helping Ukraine after expressing frustration with Russia. Watch to the end.
If Donald Trump wanted to give Russia a helping hand with their summer offensive, it would look exactly like what we are seeing. That is my point in this video, where I also discuss the air war and give a status on the frontline situation. #Ukraine
War update – Is Trump helping Russia now?
YouTube video by Anders Puck Nielsen
www.youtube.com
July 7, 2025 at 12:06 PM
All important points here, especially around the danger of hoping that Trump might change his mind about helping Ukraine after expressing frustration with Russia. Watch to the end.
Reposted by Lars Christian Smith
It's common to compare Trump to 1930s' fascists. I discuss a huge study by 3 German economists that places him amidst broader spectrum of populists since 1900. How do populists perform in power? Do they get reelected? What's their economic impact? And do they leave willingly? @FT on.ft.com/4dZCX2M
The strongman’s MO
[FREE TO READ] A study of political movements worldwide assesses the populists’ playbook — and how Donald Trump fits in
on.ft.com
June 12, 2025 at 1:46 PM
It's common to compare Trump to 1930s' fascists. I discuss a huge study by 3 German economists that places him amidst broader spectrum of populists since 1900. How do populists perform in power? Do they get reelected? What's their economic impact? And do they leave willingly? @FT on.ft.com/4dZCX2M
Reposted by Lars Christian Smith
This statement from the NSF is insane.
Science is, in essence, designed to separate the true from the false.
Understanding how falsehoods spread is key to the scientific endeavor. It is not a violation of free speech to be proven wrong.
Science is, in essence, designed to separate the true from the false.
Understanding how falsehoods spread is key to the scientific endeavor. It is not a violation of free speech to be proven wrong.
April 18, 2025 at 8:51 PM
This statement from the NSF is insane.
Science is, in essence, designed to separate the true from the false.
Understanding how falsehoods spread is key to the scientific endeavor. It is not a violation of free speech to be proven wrong.
Science is, in essence, designed to separate the true from the false.
Understanding how falsehoods spread is key to the scientific endeavor. It is not a violation of free speech to be proven wrong.
Reposted by Lars Christian Smith
Caselli and Morelli is a classic paper along these lines: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Bad politicians
We present a simple theory of the quality (competence and honesty) of elected officials. Our theory offers three main insights. Low-quality citizens h…
www.sciencedirect.com
April 8, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Caselli and Morelli is a classic paper along these lines: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Lars Christian Smith
I'll be teaching some students about the Lotka-Volterra food web model tomorrow, and this historical aside feels particularly relevant.
Pretty stark that, in 1931, only 1% of Italian professors refused to sign a loyalty oath to the fascists.
Pretty stark that, in 1931, only 1% of Italian professors refused to sign a loyalty oath to the fascists.
April 15, 2025 at 5:13 AM
I'll be teaching some students about the Lotka-Volterra food web model tomorrow, and this historical aside feels particularly relevant.
Pretty stark that, in 1931, only 1% of Italian professors refused to sign a loyalty oath to the fascists.
Pretty stark that, in 1931, only 1% of Italian professors refused to sign a loyalty oath to the fascists.
Reposted by Lars Christian Smith
This paper is now published. www.nature.com/articles/s44...
April 17, 2025 at 6:25 PM
This paper is now published. www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Reposted by Lars Christian Smith
Moscow seems pleased. One Russian paper today: “Soviet leaders’ dream of driving a wedge between the European part of Nato & the US has come true.” Another: “Trump is destroying the world created by US liberals…the changes in the global system serve [Russia’s] interests.” #ReadingRussia
Steve's Reading Russia - Russian Press Review (16 April 2025)
YouTube video by Steve Rosenberg
youtu.be
April 16, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Moscow seems pleased. One Russian paper today: “Soviet leaders’ dream of driving a wedge between the European part of Nato & the US has come true.” Another: “Trump is destroying the world created by US liberals…the changes in the global system serve [Russia’s] interests.” #ReadingRussia
Reposted by Lars Christian Smith
Nice from the EU to call Trump's bluff, but will not get anywhere since Trump (mistakenly) treats VAT as a trade barrier targeting US firms. www.politico.eu/article/eu-o...
EU offers Trump removal of all industrial tariffs
“Europe is always ready for a good deal,” says Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
www.politico.eu
April 7, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Nice from the EU to call Trump's bluff, but will not get anywhere since Trump (mistakenly) treats VAT as a trade barrier targeting US firms. www.politico.eu/article/eu-o...
Reposted by Lars Christian Smith
The lesson from 2021-22 is that when a leader with contempt for rules & law tells you plainly and repeatedly that they do not believe that another country is sovereign & that they intend to seize it, it is a good idea to take the threat seriously.
bsky.app/profile/shas...
bsky.app/profile/shas...
More deranged, dangerous threats. "We need Greenland for national security & international security...we'll go as far as we have to go. We need Greenland. And the world needs us to have Greenland, including Denmark. Denmark has to have us have Greenland" abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Trump says US will 'go as far as we have to' to get control of Greenland
President Donald Trump said the U.S. will "go as far as we have to go" to get control of Greenland, ahead of a planned visit to the Arctic island by the vice president.
abcnews.go.com
March 28, 2025 at 2:52 PM
The lesson from 2021-22 is that when a leader with contempt for rules & law tells you plainly and repeatedly that they do not believe that another country is sovereign & that they intend to seize it, it is a good idea to take the threat seriously.
bsky.app/profile/shas...
bsky.app/profile/shas...
Reposted by Lars Christian Smith
Right-wing YouTuber Tim Pool has made it to the White House pool — someone from his “Timcast” channel will be part of today’s pool duty covering the president.
Last year, DOJ revealed Pool was receiving millions of dollars from the Russian gov. Pool says he didn’t know where it was coming from.
Last year, DOJ revealed Pool was receiving millions of dollars from the Russian gov. Pool says he didn’t know where it was coming from.
March 28, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Right-wing YouTuber Tim Pool has made it to the White House pool — someone from his “Timcast” channel will be part of today’s pool duty covering the president.
Last year, DOJ revealed Pool was receiving millions of dollars from the Russian gov. Pool says he didn’t know where it was coming from.
Last year, DOJ revealed Pool was receiving millions of dollars from the Russian gov. Pool says he didn’t know where it was coming from.
Reposted by Lars Christian Smith
NEW: Elon Musk’s X has suspended accounts of Turkish opposition groups, suppressing footage of anti-government protests.
So, best we share all the footage we can here!
This was last night’s massive demo against Erdogan’s government, which follows the arrest of his rival Ekrem İmamoğlu.
🇹🇷 #Turkey
So, best we share all the footage we can here!
This was last night’s massive demo against Erdogan’s government, which follows the arrest of his rival Ekrem İmamoğlu.
🇹🇷 #Turkey
March 22, 2025 at 5:48 PM
NEW: Elon Musk’s X has suspended accounts of Turkish opposition groups, suppressing footage of anti-government protests.
So, best we share all the footage we can here!
This was last night’s massive demo against Erdogan’s government, which follows the arrest of his rival Ekrem İmamoğlu.
🇹🇷 #Turkey
So, best we share all the footage we can here!
This was last night’s massive demo against Erdogan’s government, which follows the arrest of his rival Ekrem İmamoğlu.
🇹🇷 #Turkey
Belief in absurd ideas as costly signalling.
"It's a huge problem for all of us when the most powerful country in the world turns toward authoritarianism."
I talked with @paulrosenberg.bsky.social about my government work on democratic robustness; Trump/Musk's weaponization of misinfo; and their global effects: www.salon.com/2025/03/22/a...
I talked with @paulrosenberg.bsky.social about my government work on democratic robustness; Trump/Musk's weaponization of misinfo; and their global effects: www.salon.com/2025/03/22/a...
"A tragedy for the world": How the Trump-Musk takeover is sowing global chaos
Social scientist Michael Bang Petersen: Trump's demolition project will create "massive" global problems
www.salon.com
March 22, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Belief in absurd ideas as costly signalling.
A speech that will go over in history, up there with Churchill or La Pasionaria.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWjx...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWjx...
Europe’s Response to America’s Crisis
YouTube video by EVERYONE IS GOING CONSCIOUS
www.youtube.com
March 9, 2025 at 12:44 PM
A speech that will go over in history, up there with Churchill or La Pasionaria.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWjx...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWjx...
Reposted by Lars Christian Smith
Hi All, I released the first part of my weekend update early (it’s all free) because what we are seeing is so extreme it needs to be said now. The USA is now openly admitting to helping Russia kill Ukrainians. Indeed, Trump seems to be enjoying it. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Weekend Update #123: The Week The USA Started Killing Ukrainians
Part 1: The Trump Plan to Damage Ukraine and Help Russia
open.substack.com
March 8, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Hi All, I released the first part of my weekend update early (it’s all free) because what we are seeing is so extreme it needs to be said now. The USA is now openly admitting to helping Russia kill Ukrainians. Indeed, Trump seems to be enjoying it. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Trump switching sides isn't a catastrophe, it is the end of an illusion.
‘Of course, Trump is a vandal. But in tearing down the status quo he does no more than confirm the obvious - that the elite coalition that favoured US global leadership has lost its political grip.’ Did one for the @ft.com.web.brid.gy with a @vanjackson.bsky.social vibe.
www.ft.com/content/4d59...
www.ft.com/content/4d59...
US global leadership has never been plain sailing
Trump is the heir to a national-populist strain that runs deep in American politics
www.ft.com
March 8, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Trump switching sides isn't a catastrophe, it is the end of an illusion.
Reposted by Lars Christian Smith
Trump: “I think Russia has been acting very well.”
Russia:
Russia:
March 7, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Trump: “I think Russia has been acting very well.”
Russia:
Russia:
Reposted by Lars Christian Smith
Wonderful speech - clear, correct and inspiring
If you haven’t see this yet, watch and circulate widely. An uncompromisingly clear and truthful explanation of the historical moment the world faces and what Europe needs to do.
youtu.be/wmDVrV7QRrU?...
youtu.be/wmDVrV7QRrU?...
Claude Malhuret, Senator of the French Republic, speaks the truth about what is happening in the US
YouTube video by Gregory Mullins
youtu.be
March 7, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Wonderful speech - clear, correct and inspiring
Reposted by Lars Christian Smith
Sent out this piece yesterday (all free). Its about the failure in strategic leadership over the last months--and why that failure has been less of a catastrophe because the Ukrainians were fighting more effectively than was being reported.
Hi All, Just sent out a piece about a great failure of strategic leadership. European leaders failed to see Trump for what he is, but instead tried to make him what they wanted him to be. Thankfully, Ukrainian resistance has given them valuable time to make this up open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
We Have Witnessed A Historic Failure of Leadership
But Ukrainian Resistance Provides A Chance To Make Things Right
open.substack.com
March 7, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Sent out this piece yesterday (all free). Its about the failure in strategic leadership over the last months--and why that failure has been less of a catastrophe because the Ukrainians were fighting more effectively than was being reported.
Welcome to the era of the League of the Three Emperors!
The original League (German: Dreikaiserbund) was an alliance between the German, Russian and Austria-Hungarian empires.
Reality now, Trump, Putin and Xi are carving up spheres of influence and riding roughshod over smaller countries.
The original League (German: Dreikaiserbund) was an alliance between the German, Russian and Austria-Hungarian empires.
Reality now, Trump, Putin and Xi are carving up spheres of influence and riding roughshod over smaller countries.
March 6, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Welcome to the era of the League of the Three Emperors!
The original League (German: Dreikaiserbund) was an alliance between the German, Russian and Austria-Hungarian empires.
Reality now, Trump, Putin and Xi are carving up spheres of influence and riding roughshod over smaller countries.
The original League (German: Dreikaiserbund) was an alliance between the German, Russian and Austria-Hungarian empires.
Reality now, Trump, Putin and Xi are carving up spheres of influence and riding roughshod over smaller countries.