Marek
@marekmcgann.bsky.social
Cognitive scientist. Teacher. Nerd.
Cognitive science of the enactive, ecological, and (redundantly) embodied sort. Also, some stuff on scientific practice in psychology.
I co-convene these: https://www.ensoseminars.com
(he/him)
Cognitive science of the enactive, ecological, and (redundantly) embodied sort. Also, some stuff on scientific practice in psychology.
I co-convene these: https://www.ensoseminars.com
(he/him)
Reposted by Marek
I've a new 6-week Book Illustration course starting on the 14th of January, from 6.30pm - 8.30 pm at the @irishwriterscentre.bsky.social in Dublin. Want to learn the basics of communicating stories with pictures? Check out the course description.
#SpeirGorm
irishwriterscentre.ie/courses/book...
#SpeirGorm
irishwriterscentre.ie/courses/book...
irishwriterscentre.ie
November 20, 2025 at 2:57 PM
I've a new 6-week Book Illustration course starting on the 14th of January, from 6.30pm - 8.30 pm at the @irishwriterscentre.bsky.social in Dublin. Want to learn the basics of communicating stories with pictures? Check out the course description.
#SpeirGorm
irishwriterscentre.ie/courses/book...
#SpeirGorm
irishwriterscentre.ie/courses/book...
Reposted by Marek
what a great honour to receive the 25th Irish Tatler Women of the Year Award in the category of Innovation. the optimist in me thinks this marks a turn for recognition of the importance of critical work and accountability in AI
www.businesspost.ie/life-luxury/...
www.businesspost.ie/life-luxury/...
November 18, 2025 at 6:13 PM
what a great honour to receive the 25th Irish Tatler Women of the Year Award in the category of Innovation. the optimist in me thinks this marks a turn for recognition of the importance of critical work and accountability in AI
www.businesspost.ie/life-luxury/...
www.businesspost.ie/life-luxury/...
Reposted by Marek
Personality trait psychology has a lot to effing answer for imho
Researchers are now saying that AI can find correlations between facial characteristics and success on the job.
The Economist says that corporations would have a “strong incentive” to deploy this technology when looking at applicants.
The Economist says that corporations would have a “strong incentive” to deploy this technology when looking at applicants.
November 18, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Personality trait psychology has a lot to effing answer for imho
Reposted by Marek
My book "The Brain, in Theory" on the publisher's website (out in April 2026):
press.princeton.edu/books/paperb...
press.princeton.edu/books/paperb...
The Brain, In Theory
Why engineering and computational analogies are poorly suited to the study of biological cognition
press.princeton.edu
November 18, 2025 at 8:25 AM
My book "The Brain, in Theory" on the publisher's website (out in April 2026):
press.princeton.edu/books/paperb...
press.princeton.edu/books/paperb...
Reposted by Marek
"The best social science takes what folks already sense about the world and treats it with the theoretical and empirical seriousness it deserves." INDEED!
And it's also why diversity within the scholarly community is so important. Some of us sense very different things about the world.
And it's also why diversity within the scholarly community is so important. Some of us sense very different things about the world.
So, my pal @jinxungoh.bsky.social sent me a vid earlier abt the quarter-zip trend taking hold among young Black men on TikTok & across Gen Z more generally.
Of course, I have a few quick thoughts (for whatever they're worth).
A brief thread. First, here's the TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@whois.jason...
Of course, I have a few quick thoughts (for whatever they're worth).
A brief thread. First, here's the TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@whois.jason...
@Richdafifth life different when u gotta quarter zip #matcha #quarterzip #performative #niketech
TikTok video by Jason Gyamfi
www.tiktok.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:38 PM
"The best social science takes what folks already sense about the world and treats it with the theoretical and empirical seriousness it deserves." INDEED!
And it's also why diversity within the scholarly community is so important. Some of us sense very different things about the world.
And it's also why diversity within the scholarly community is so important. Some of us sense very different things about the world.
Reposted by Marek
Reposted by Marek
“Hi, nice to meet you.
I’m a stroopologist, from the land of stroopwafels. “
Yes..yes, this could stick
I’m a stroopologist, from the land of stroopwafels. “
Yes..yes, this could stick
November 17, 2025 at 8:17 AM
“Hi, nice to meet you.
I’m a stroopologist, from the land of stroopwafels. “
Yes..yes, this could stick
I’m a stroopologist, from the land of stroopwafels. “
Yes..yes, this could stick
Reposted by Marek
“While the AI industry claims its models can “think,” “reason,” and “learn,” their supposed achievements rest on marketing hype and stolen intellectual labor. In reality, AI erodes academic freedom, weakens critical reading, and subordinates the pursuit of knowledge to corporate interests.”
AI Is Hollowing Out Higher Education
Olivia Guest & Iris van Rooij urge teachers and scholars to reject tools that commodify learning, deskill students, and promote illiteracy.
www.project-syndicate.org
November 16, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Reposted by Marek
Moral: Be careful what you ask for.
November 15, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Moral: Be careful what you ask for.
Reposted by Marek
The economic sense is so extremely in favour of renewables now, Pakistan is even paying Qatar penalties to rather NOT deliver the fossil gas that Pakistan already placed orders for, because their Solar PV and batteries make much more sense.
It saves them money to cancel their gas imports and pay!
It saves them money to cancel their gas imports and pay!
So Pakistan is *paying* Qatar to *not* deliver LNG because even including this penalty payment their solar PV and battery spending is much better value for money and saves them billions.
How fascinating!
How fascinating!
November 16, 2025 at 11:26 AM
The economic sense is so extremely in favour of renewables now, Pakistan is even paying Qatar penalties to rather NOT deliver the fossil gas that Pakistan already placed orders for, because their Solar PV and batteries make much more sense.
It saves them money to cancel their gas imports and pay!
It saves them money to cancel their gas imports and pay!
Reposted by Marek
Yes you’re right. I’ve seen people rank job candidates solely by the IF of the journals they’ve published in. I sometimes wonder if there’s a role for retired academics like me who have nothing to lose now.
That punishes the academics though. Only publishing in open access journals might help a bit, but the ranking system is stacked towards companies like Elsevier. It just seems…impossible?
November 15, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Yes you’re right. I’ve seen people rank job candidates solely by the IF of the journals they’ve published in. I sometimes wonder if there’s a role for retired academics like me who have nothing to lose now.
Reposted by Marek
The production designer of The Expanse walks into the dark, smoke-filled director's office.
'We've a screen full of names to show in this scene. How many should we use for sci-fi Easter Eggs?'
The director, with hollowed-out eyes, cigarette in hand.
'Use them all.'
'But–.'
'I SAID USE THEM ALL!'
'We've a screen full of names to show in this scene. How many should we use for sci-fi Easter Eggs?'
The director, with hollowed-out eyes, cigarette in hand.
'Use them all.'
'But–.'
'I SAID USE THEM ALL!'
November 14, 2025 at 3:34 PM
The production designer of The Expanse walks into the dark, smoke-filled director's office.
'We've a screen full of names to show in this scene. How many should we use for sci-fi Easter Eggs?'
The director, with hollowed-out eyes, cigarette in hand.
'Use them all.'
'But–.'
'I SAID USE THEM ALL!'
'We've a screen full of names to show in this scene. How many should we use for sci-fi Easter Eggs?'
The director, with hollowed-out eyes, cigarette in hand.
'Use them all.'
'But–.'
'I SAID USE THEM ALL!'
Reposted by Marek
A glimpse into what we’ll be exploring on the opening day of our upcoming international conference, hosted with Universitat Pompeu Fabra!
Click here for more info: https://ow.ly/K1fL50XqsMG
Click here for more info: https://ow.ly/K1fL50XqsMG
November 14, 2025 at 2:01 PM
A glimpse into what we’ll be exploring on the opening day of our upcoming international conference, hosted with Universitat Pompeu Fabra!
Click here for more info: https://ow.ly/K1fL50XqsMG
Click here for more info: https://ow.ly/K1fL50XqsMG
Reposted by Marek
Materiality isn’t a backdrop to cognition, but one of its central conditions
The upcoming workshop “Habits, Tools, and Material Environments” examines how cognition is socially distributed, ecologically embedded, and enacted through material engagement
dialecticalsystems.eu/events/works...
The upcoming workshop “Habits, Tools, and Material Environments” examines how cognition is socially distributed, ecologically embedded, and enacted through material engagement
dialecticalsystems.eu/events/works...
November 14, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Materiality isn’t a backdrop to cognition, but one of its central conditions
The upcoming workshop “Habits, Tools, and Material Environments” examines how cognition is socially distributed, ecologically embedded, and enacted through material engagement
dialecticalsystems.eu/events/works...
The upcoming workshop “Habits, Tools, and Material Environments” examines how cognition is socially distributed, ecologically embedded, and enacted through material engagement
dialecticalsystems.eu/events/works...
Reposted by Marek
" 60 per cent of UK university libraries are considering dropping their big deals with the five major academic publisher"
Many call for diamond open access. A new organisation with many partners, @ojcollective.bsky.social , is launching in January.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
Many call for diamond open access. A new organisation with many partners, @ojcollective.bsky.social , is launching in January.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
Chaos is coming for scholarly publishing - Research Professional News
Buckling of commercial models alongside maturing of community-led efforts promises major shifts, says Caroline Edwards
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:42 PM
" 60 per cent of UK university libraries are considering dropping their big deals with the five major academic publisher"
Many call for diamond open access. A new organisation with many partners, @ojcollective.bsky.social , is launching in January.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
Many call for diamond open access. A new organisation with many partners, @ojcollective.bsky.social , is launching in January.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
Reposted by Marek
A quick (1000 words) read to enjoy with your morning coffee or afternoon tea:
"Psychology wants to stay WEIRD, not go WILD"
Why hasn't psychology diversified it samples, methods, theories, etc.? Because it doesn't want to. osf.io/preprints/ps...
"Psychology wants to stay WEIRD, not go WILD"
Why hasn't psychology diversified it samples, methods, theories, etc.? Because it doesn't want to. osf.io/preprints/ps...
November 13, 2025 at 2:59 PM
A quick (1000 words) read to enjoy with your morning coffee or afternoon tea:
"Psychology wants to stay WEIRD, not go WILD"
Why hasn't psychology diversified it samples, methods, theories, etc.? Because it doesn't want to. osf.io/preprints/ps...
"Psychology wants to stay WEIRD, not go WILD"
Why hasn't psychology diversified it samples, methods, theories, etc.? Because it doesn't want to. osf.io/preprints/ps...
Reposted by Marek
Reposted by Marek
In episode 886, I talk with Dr. Randall Beer about autopoiesis, enactivism, dynamical systems, and evo-devo approaches in #Biology. #Science
youtu.be/1YcSgczYqKk
youtu.be/1YcSgczYqKk
#886 Randall Beer: Autopoiesis, Enactivism, Dynamical Systems, and Evo-Devo Approaches in Biology
YouTube video by The Dissenter
youtu.be
November 13, 2025 at 10:12 AM
In episode 886, I talk with Dr. Randall Beer about autopoiesis, enactivism, dynamical systems, and evo-devo approaches in #Biology. #Science
youtu.be/1YcSgczYqKk
youtu.be/1YcSgczYqKk
Reposted by Marek
Get outside into a dark place if you can tonight - no guarantees, but a possible brilliant display of the northern lights.
We have upgraded our geomagnetic forecast today (12 November 2025) to the highest intensity level amid an ongoing solar storm.
Current predictions suggest that the activity will result in potentially the largest solar storm to hit our planet in over two decades.
Current predictions suggest that the activity will result in potentially the largest solar storm to hit our planet in over two decades.
November 12, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Get outside into a dark place if you can tonight - no guarantees, but a possible brilliant display of the northern lights.
The banning of Sarah Kendzior for unknown and then nonsense reasons that might or might not involve an inability to grasp lyrical references suggests to me the use of AI to make mod calls.
Maybe the mod team themselves don't know why the decision was made and are having to try to figure it out?
Maybe the mod team themselves don't know why the decision was made and are having to try to figure it out?
November 12, 2025 at 7:23 PM
The banning of Sarah Kendzior for unknown and then nonsense reasons that might or might not involve an inability to grasp lyrical references suggests to me the use of AI to make mod calls.
Maybe the mod team themselves don't know why the decision was made and are having to try to figure it out?
Maybe the mod team themselves don't know why the decision was made and are having to try to figure it out?
Reposted by Marek
i'm interested in basic research that:
1. shines light on how existing platforms, models, & the industry at large operates
2.uncovers intentionally obscured info/data
3. is adversary to industry but informative to public. verifiable & independent body of knowledge to equip people to demand better
1. shines light on how existing platforms, models, & the industry at large operates
2.uncovers intentionally obscured info/data
3. is adversary to industry but informative to public. verifiable & independent body of knowledge to equip people to demand better
November 12, 2025 at 3:50 PM
i'm interested in basic research that:
1. shines light on how existing platforms, models, & the industry at large operates
2.uncovers intentionally obscured info/data
3. is adversary to industry but informative to public. verifiable & independent body of knowledge to equip people to demand better
1. shines light on how existing platforms, models, & the industry at large operates
2.uncovers intentionally obscured info/data
3. is adversary to industry but informative to public. verifiable & independent body of knowledge to equip people to demand better
Reposted by Marek
Week 1 of term vs Week 10 of term.
Day One for Catherine Connolly and Michael D Higgins’s (endearing) famously messy desk is no more!
November 12, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Week 1 of term vs Week 10 of term.
Reposted by Marek
What is the most profitable industry in the world, this side of the law? Not oil, not IT, not pharma.
It's *scientific publishing*.
We call this the Drain of Scientific Publishing.
Paper: arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820
Background: doi.org/10.1162/qss_...
Thread @markhanson.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy 👇
It's *scientific publishing*.
We call this the Drain of Scientific Publishing.
Paper: arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820
Background: doi.org/10.1162/qss_...
Thread @markhanson.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy 👇
November 12, 2025 at 10:31 AM
What is the most profitable industry in the world, this side of the law? Not oil, not IT, not pharma.
It's *scientific publishing*.
We call this the Drain of Scientific Publishing.
Paper: arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820
Background: doi.org/10.1162/qss_...
Thread @markhanson.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy 👇
It's *scientific publishing*.
We call this the Drain of Scientific Publishing.
Paper: arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820
Background: doi.org/10.1162/qss_...
Thread @markhanson.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy 👇