Nastaran Arfaei
@n-arfaei.bsky.social
Brain and behavior. PhD candidate at NYU.
Here I post mostly at the intersection of science and science fiction.
Images are made by myself unless otherwise specified.
Here I post mostly at the intersection of science and science fiction.
Images are made by myself unless otherwise specified.
Pinned
Nastaran Arfaei
@n-arfaei.bsky.social
· Oct 8
BUGONIA just melted my brain.
Beats lock in, twists pay off, dialogue cuts, music nails the moments, and the performances wrap it all together.
Feels wonderful to come out of the theater and gush with no reservations!
#Bugonia #FilmSky #NowWatching #writingcommunity #review
Beats lock in, twists pay off, dialogue cuts, music nails the moments, and the performances wrap it all together.
Feels wonderful to come out of the theater and gush with no reservations!
#Bugonia #FilmSky #NowWatching #writingcommunity #review
October 30, 2025 at 2:47 AM
BUGONIA just melted my brain.
Beats lock in, twists pay off, dialogue cuts, music nails the moments, and the performances wrap it all together.
Feels wonderful to come out of the theater and gush with no reservations!
#Bugonia #FilmSky #NowWatching #writingcommunity #review
Beats lock in, twists pay off, dialogue cuts, music nails the moments, and the performances wrap it all together.
Feels wonderful to come out of the theater and gush with no reservations!
#Bugonia #FilmSky #NowWatching #writingcommunity #review
Reposted by Nastaran Arfaei
They are giving away 50 copies of my debut, The Poet Empress, on goodreads! I hope you'll enter 🥰
#booksky #ThePoetEmpress
#booksky #ThePoetEmpress
October 20, 2025 at 10:36 PM
They are giving away 50 copies of my debut, The Poet Empress, on goodreads! I hope you'll enter 🥰
#booksky #ThePoetEmpress
#booksky #ThePoetEmpress
Reading this wonderful paper on inverse planning, with their motivation rooted in literary theory. 💙📚🪐
The fiction writer is an inverse planner, choosing every action, word and event for the objective of inducing emotions in the reader. 🧠🤖🧪
#writingcommunity #books #readersky #literary #science
The fiction writer is an inverse planner, choosing every action, word and event for the objective of inducing emotions in the reader. 🧠🤖🧪
#writingcommunity #books #readersky #literary #science
Acting as Inverse Inverse Planning
Great storytellers know how to take us on a journey. They direct characters to act—not necessarily in the most rational way—but rather in a way that leads to interesting situations, and ultimately creates an impactful experience for audience members looking on.
dl.acm.org
October 14, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Reading this wonderful paper on inverse planning, with their motivation rooted in literary theory. 💙📚🪐
The fiction writer is an inverse planner, choosing every action, word and event for the objective of inducing emotions in the reader. 🧠🤖🧪
#writingcommunity #books #readersky #literary #science
The fiction writer is an inverse planner, choosing every action, word and event for the objective of inducing emotions in the reader. 🧠🤖🧪
#writingcommunity #books #readersky #literary #science
A neuroscientist suspects an anti-technology cult murdered her friend.
When pursuing them gets her in deep trouble, a powerful tech company steps in to offer her protection, if she takes a critical job:
She must find and “quench” emergent sentience in supercomputers.
#DVpit #SF #LF #A #IMM #OWN
When pursuing them gets her in deep trouble, a powerful tech company steps in to offer her protection, if she takes a critical job:
She must find and “quench” emergent sentience in supercomputers.
#DVpit #SF #LF #A #IMM #OWN
October 8, 2025 at 10:52 PM
A neuroscientist must either "quench" a nascent consciousness in a supercomputer, or save it and betray her powerful employers.
As pressure mounts, she wonders if she, herself is that different from the machine; or just another expendable cog.
Severance X Ishiguro
#DVpit #SF #LF #A #IMM #OWN
As pressure mounts, she wonders if she, herself is that different from the machine; or just another expendable cog.
Severance X Ishiguro
#DVpit #SF #LF #A #IMM #OWN
October 8, 2025 at 4:11 PM
An anti-technology cult. Missing memories. A corporate offer she can’t refuse.
A neuroscientist tries to untangle her friend’s murder while leading a team that “quenches” emergent sentience in supercomputers.
Severance X A Memory Called Empire X Ishiguro
#DVpit #SF #LF #A #IMM #OWN 💙📚🪐
A neuroscientist tries to untangle her friend’s murder while leading a team that “quenches” emergent sentience in supercomputers.
Severance X A Memory Called Empire X Ishiguro
#DVpit #SF #LF #A #IMM #OWN 💙📚🪐
October 8, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Natalie was dead.
Her absence still lingered in the lab, in the intentional arrangement of objects on her bench, the unwashed pipettes, the unfinished notes.
I remembered the Tuesday morning vividly; seared into my memory like the afterimage of a lightning against the night sky.
#DVparty #SF 💙📚🪐
Her absence still lingered in the lab, in the intentional arrangement of objects on her bench, the unwashed pipettes, the unfinished notes.
I remembered the Tuesday morning vividly; seared into my memory like the afterimage of a lightning against the night sky.
#DVparty #SF 💙📚🪐
October 4, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Elvin Institute ID Badge
Name: Vista Aetrilla
Affiliation: Fellow Date of birth: 05/23/2206
City of Origin: Irem City of Residence: Avedis
Area of research: Consciousness
Protected under Intercity Alliance Talent Trade Treaty
#DVparty #SF 💙📚🪐
Name: Vista Aetrilla
Affiliation: Fellow Date of birth: 05/23/2206
City of Origin: Irem City of Residence: Avedis
Area of research: Consciousness
Protected under Intercity Alliance Talent Trade Treaty
#DVparty #SF 💙📚🪐
DAY 2 of #DVParty, a community event to celebrate work of Diverse Creators leading up to our pitch event, #DVPit on Oct. 8th, 2025! All diverse writer/artist can participate!
Today's Prompt: Introduce your main character!
#booksky #writersky #artistsky
For more #DVPit info go to dvpit.carrd.co
Today's Prompt: Introduce your main character!
#booksky #writersky #artistsky
For more #DVPit info go to dvpit.carrd.co
October 3, 2025 at 3:43 PM
“Beyond the molten air, shadows of harvest poles stretched long in the afternoon sun.
Drops of sweat fell off my forehead. The pores in my suit pulsated, letting fresh gulps of air in and pushing the moisture away from my skin.
It was still not enough.”
#DVparty #SF #A #POC
#sff #writersky 💙📚🪐✍️
Drops of sweat fell off my forehead. The pores in my suit pulsated, letting fresh gulps of air in and pushing the moisture away from my skin.
It was still not enough.”
#DVparty #SF #A #POC
#sff #writersky 💙📚🪐✍️
October 2, 2025 at 12:01 PM
An anti-tech cult. Missing memories. A corporate offer she can’t refuse.
A neuroscientist tries to untangle her friend’s murder while leading a team that “quenches” emergent sentience in supercomputers.
Severance X Martian X Ishiguro
#preDV #A #SF #SP #POC
#writingcommunity #sff 💙📚🪐✍️
A neuroscientist tries to untangle her friend’s murder while leading a team that “quenches” emergent sentience in supercomputers.
Severance X Martian X Ishiguro
#preDV #A #SF #SP #POC
#writingcommunity #sff 💙📚🪐✍️
September 29, 2025 at 9:12 PM
In a future of chaotic climate and isolated nation cities, a neuroscientist must decide whether to “quench” a nascent consciousness found in a supercomputer, or try save it and betray her powerful employers, and potentially the entire human race.
Severance X Ishiguro
#preDV #A #SF #SP #POC
💙📚🪐✍️
Severance X Ishiguro
#preDV #A #SF #SP #POC
💙📚🪐✍️
September 29, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Vista, an immigrant neuroscientist, gets recruited to lead a team to find and “kill” consciousness if it emerges in supercomputers.
A technical challenge that quickly spirals into a deep ethical conflict.
Severance X Martian X Ishiguro
#preDV #A #SF #SP #POC #OWN
#writingcommunity #sff 💙📚🪐✍️
A technical challenge that quickly spirals into a deep ethical conflict.
Severance X Martian X Ishiguro
#preDV #A #SF #SP #POC #OWN
#writingcommunity #sff 💙📚🪐✍️
September 29, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Academic institutes have long been under way stricter regulations from independent ethical committees. We need the same for corporations.🧠🤖🧪
Neural data protection may sound like science fiction, but we are at the beginning of a neurotechnology era. We need better regulations. 💙📚🪐
#tech
Neural data protection may sound like science fiction, but we are at the beginning of a neurotechnology era. We need better regulations. 💙📚🪐
#tech
States move to protect neural data as tech advances
Several states have passed or are considering laws that either amend or add to the state’s current consumer privacy laws.
www.newsnationnow.com
July 29, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Academic institutes have long been under way stricter regulations from independent ethical committees. We need the same for corporations.🧠🤖🧪
Neural data protection may sound like science fiction, but we are at the beginning of a neurotechnology era. We need better regulations. 💙📚🪐
#tech
Neural data protection may sound like science fiction, but we are at the beginning of a neurotechnology era. We need better regulations. 💙📚🪐
#tech
Reposted by Nastaran Arfaei
I'm thrilled that my lab at NYU is now supported by an NIH MIRA grant! I'm looking to hire 1-2 senior lab members (outstanding postdoc candidates or experienced staff scientists) with expertise in computational or statistical methods in human genetics or genomics. Please share!
July 25, 2025 at 8:29 PM
I'm thrilled that my lab at NYU is now supported by an NIH MIRA grant! I'm looking to hire 1-2 senior lab members (outstanding postdoc candidates or experienced staff scientists) with expertise in computational or statistical methods in human genetics or genomics. Please share!
July 25, 2025 at 1:32 PM
#Literature only! ✈️
Well played United…. Well played….
Now can someone explain what “counts” as literature these days? 💙📚✍️
#writersky #writingcommunity #readerSky #books #reading #sff #travel #mood #photography
Well played United…. Well played….
Now can someone explain what “counts” as literature these days? 💙📚✍️
#writersky #writingcommunity #readerSky #books #reading #sff #travel #mood #photography
July 24, 2025 at 10:18 PM
#Literature only! ✈️
Well played United…. Well played….
Now can someone explain what “counts” as literature these days? 💙📚✍️
#writersky #writingcommunity #readerSky #books #reading #sff #travel #mood #photography
Well played United…. Well played….
Now can someone explain what “counts” as literature these days? 💙📚✍️
#writersky #writingcommunity #readerSky #books #reading #sff #travel #mood #photography
There was a time people couldn’t get enough blue light! (And had way cooler sense of fashion)
Tinted, double-hinged spectacles, c.1790. Many opticians believed green or blue glass was easier on the eyes and would reduce glare; while clear glass was too soft and would distort images. This example is from the Wellcome Collection in London.
July 21, 2025 at 12:41 PM
There was a time people couldn’t get enough blue light! (And had way cooler sense of fashion)
Reposted by Nastaran Arfaei
A brief musical note: I’m very excited to share that my brilliant wife, a pianist and composer, has just released her debut album featuring works by Iranian women composers, including one of her own. Here is the link in case you’d like to take a listen: www.navonarecords.com/catalog/nv67...
Nahoft – Navona Records
Drawing its name from a melodic motif found in Iranian music, NAHOFT is the culmination of pianist Ava Nazar’s collaboration with the Iranian Female Composers Association, showcasing six woman compose...
www.navonarecords.com
July 21, 2025 at 2:55 AM
A brief musical note: I’m very excited to share that my brilliant wife, a pianist and composer, has just released her debut album featuring works by Iranian women composers, including one of her own. Here is the link in case you’d like to take a listen: www.navonarecords.com/catalog/nv67...
✏️Book recommendation hack:
1. Find a #LiteraryAgent representing books you like
2. Go to their wishlist and see what other books they have praised
3. Make a list out of those and get reading 📝
Sure way to find highly selected books to your taste 💙📚✍️
#writingcommunity #reading #books #readersky
1. Find a #LiteraryAgent representing books you like
2. Go to their wishlist and see what other books they have praised
3. Make a list out of those and get reading 📝
Sure way to find highly selected books to your taste 💙📚✍️
#writingcommunity #reading #books #readersky
July 19, 2025 at 2:49 PM
✏️Book recommendation hack:
1. Find a #LiteraryAgent representing books you like
2. Go to their wishlist and see what other books they have praised
3. Make a list out of those and get reading 📝
Sure way to find highly selected books to your taste 💙📚✍️
#writingcommunity #reading #books #readersky
1. Find a #LiteraryAgent representing books you like
2. Go to their wishlist and see what other books they have praised
3. Make a list out of those and get reading 📝
Sure way to find highly selected books to your taste 💙📚✍️
#writingcommunity #reading #books #readersky
Would you get an EEG tattoo if it meant you could type with your mind?🧠🤖
Temporary EEG tattoo printed on the scalp sounds sci-fi right? Better quality EEG with less prep time, can mean, scalable, noninvasive Brain Computer Interfaces. But…would you get one?💙📚🪐🧪
#writingcommunity #neuroscifi #STS
Temporary EEG tattoo printed on the scalp sounds sci-fi right? Better quality EEG with less prep time, can mean, scalable, noninvasive Brain Computer Interfaces. But…would you get one?💙📚🪐🧪
#writingcommunity #neuroscifi #STS
These Temporary Electronic Tattoos Can Measure Your Brain Activity
Non-invasive brain imaging is usually handled with electrodes, sticky gels, and wires: it's an ugly, uncomfortable, and time-consuming setup.
www.sciencealert.com
July 17, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Would you get an EEG tattoo if it meant you could type with your mind?🧠🤖
Temporary EEG tattoo printed on the scalp sounds sci-fi right? Better quality EEG with less prep time, can mean, scalable, noninvasive Brain Computer Interfaces. But…would you get one?💙📚🪐🧪
#writingcommunity #neuroscifi #STS
Temporary EEG tattoo printed on the scalp sounds sci-fi right? Better quality EEG with less prep time, can mean, scalable, noninvasive Brain Computer Interfaces. But…would you get one?💙📚🪐🧪
#writingcommunity #neuroscifi #STS
#Bluepit was a blast! Thanks everyone! 💙
As I promised by the end of it, I’m starting a series of posts on the space between the brain, tech and ethics.
Here is the first:
As I promised by the end of it, I’m starting a series of posts on the space between the brain, tech and ethics.
Here is the first:
Who owns a machine after it merges with one’s mind?
A woman got an implant for epilepsy in clinical trial, then was forced to have it explanted when the company recalled it.
But after 6 years, wasn’t the implant part of her self?
Not scifi. Really happened.🧠🤖📚
#FutureTech #BCI #SciFiNow #Booksky
A woman got an implant for epilepsy in clinical trial, then was forced to have it explanted when the company recalled it.
But after 6 years, wasn’t the implant part of her self?
Not scifi. Really happened.🧠🤖📚
#FutureTech #BCI #SciFiNow #Booksky
July 15, 2025 at 2:02 PM
#Bluepit was a blast! Thanks everyone! 💙
As I promised by the end of it, I’m starting a series of posts on the space between the brain, tech and ethics.
Here is the first:
As I promised by the end of it, I’m starting a series of posts on the space between the brain, tech and ethics.
Here is the first:
Who owns a machine after it merges with one’s mind?
A woman got an implant for epilepsy in clinical trial, then was forced to have it explanted when the company recalled it.
But after 6 years, wasn’t the implant part of her self?
Not scifi. Really happened.🧠🤖📚
#FutureTech #BCI #SciFiNow #Booksky
A woman got an implant for epilepsy in clinical trial, then was forced to have it explanted when the company recalled it.
But after 6 years, wasn’t the implant part of her self?
Not scifi. Really happened.🧠🤖📚
#FutureTech #BCI #SciFiNow #Booksky
July 15, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Who owns a machine after it merges with one’s mind?
A woman got an implant for epilepsy in clinical trial, then was forced to have it explanted when the company recalled it.
But after 6 years, wasn’t the implant part of her self?
Not scifi. Really happened.🧠🤖📚
#FutureTech #BCI #SciFiNow #Booksky
A woman got an implant for epilepsy in clinical trial, then was forced to have it explanted when the company recalled it.
But after 6 years, wasn’t the implant part of her self?
Not scifi. Really happened.🧠🤖📚
#FutureTech #BCI #SciFiNow #Booksky