Steven Watson
@nostawnevets.bsky.social
Assistant professor in Psychology at the University of Twente researching investigative interviews, deception, and whatever else seems fun
I hate them too. Half as effective as a rake, and 300 times louder. Every weekend here is a cacophony of sound as they take turns blowing leaves, then head off to buy fertilizer for their gardens...
I leave them in place and surprise surprise, my garden is a haven of birds, hedgehogs and squirrels.
I leave them in place and surprise surprise, my garden is a haven of birds, hedgehogs and squirrels.
November 19, 2025 at 7:20 AM
I hate them too. Half as effective as a rake, and 300 times louder. Every weekend here is a cacophony of sound as they take turns blowing leaves, then head off to buy fertilizer for their gardens...
I leave them in place and surprise surprise, my garden is a haven of birds, hedgehogs and squirrels.
I leave them in place and surprise surprise, my garden is a haven of birds, hedgehogs and squirrels.
*Made by a person with a diagnosis for dyspraxia too, if we want to throw abelism into the mix. But these errors are so small I don't think that is even relevant because ANYONE could make them.
November 12, 2025 at 7:51 AM
*Made by a person with a diagnosis for dyspraxia too, if we want to throw abelism into the mix. But these errors are so small I don't think that is even relevant because ANYONE could make them.
Basically three typos made under time pressure*, and not even partial credit given.
I have a feeling a human grader might *just* have been able to recognise that these errors did not mean I should score 0...
I have a feeling a human grader might *just* have been able to recognise that these errors did not mean I should score 0...
November 12, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Basically three typos made under time pressure*, and not even partial credit given.
I have a feeling a human grader might *just* have been able to recognise that these errors did not mean I should score 0...
I have a feeling a human grader might *just* have been able to recognise that these errors did not mean I should score 0...
She was posing magnificently yesterday and we were so busy being interesting I forgot to compliment her.
Also, happy to join in on fireworks hate. The obsession with them here in NL is actually a big reason why I would consider leaving the country.
Also, happy to join in on fireworks hate. The obsession with them here in NL is actually a big reason why I would consider leaving the country.
November 6, 2025 at 7:50 AM
She was posing magnificently yesterday and we were so busy being interesting I forgot to compliment her.
Also, happy to join in on fireworks hate. The obsession with them here in NL is actually a big reason why I would consider leaving the country.
Also, happy to join in on fireworks hate. The obsession with them here in NL is actually a big reason why I would consider leaving the country.
The problem with research very often is that it's humans doing it!
November 3, 2025 at 2:53 PM
The problem with research very often is that it's humans doing it!
My Psych brain immediately thinks of category accentuation and how it'll absolutely warp attention and perception. Once something is put into a box people will never see the thing being classified quite the same way again. Which presumably makes it really hard to see when you need a new box.
November 3, 2025 at 8:43 AM
My Psych brain immediately thinks of category accentuation and how it'll absolutely warp attention and perception. Once something is put into a box people will never see the thing being classified quite the same way again. Which presumably makes it really hard to see when you need a new box.
I once genuinely considered flying to Norway for reindeer stew from a specific pub before remembering the concepts of time and money.
November 3, 2025 at 7:32 AM
I once genuinely considered flying to Norway for reindeer stew from a specific pub before remembering the concepts of time and money.
I'm sorry this happened to you, but delighted this happened for humanity.
October 30, 2025 at 7:03 AM
I'm sorry this happened to you, but delighted this happened for humanity.
My partner has a sticker on her laptop that says "Once I hyperfocus on this it's over for you bitches", so maybe you can 😉
October 21, 2025 at 8:16 AM
My partner has a sticker on her laptop that says "Once I hyperfocus on this it's over for you bitches", so maybe you can 😉
Xavier continued. “Another one of our employees can drain you of your life force if you touch her. Why settle for a workplace that champions autism over one that encourages you to weaponise it?”
I'll be laughing all day.
I'll be laughing all day.
October 21, 2025 at 6:33 AM
Xavier continued. “Another one of our employees can drain you of your life force if you touch her. Why settle for a workplace that champions autism over one that encourages you to weaponise it?”
I'll be laughing all day.
I'll be laughing all day.
I'd recommend it, we have dogs and everything. Drop me a message when you contract ends and that'll force us to do something before our ND brains sabotage us :)
October 20, 2025 at 1:13 PM
I'd recommend it, we have dogs and everything. Drop me a message when you contract ends and that'll force us to do something before our ND brains sabotage us :)
DB almost makes me nostalgic for the UK trains. Almost.
October 20, 2025 at 7:48 AM
DB almost makes me nostalgic for the UK trains. Almost.
Sounds wonderful to me!
October 15, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Sounds wonderful to me!
Still working on the fatigue part myself, and setting boundaries for myself and others. Still, it's nice to have now learned the difference between overstimulation, anxiety and anger, which has been helpful!
October 15, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Still working on the fatigue part myself, and setting boundaries for myself and others. Still, it's nice to have now learned the difference between overstimulation, anxiety and anger, which has been helpful!
But hanging out with other ND folk is the secret to a good life. Worst advice I ever got was from the guy that diagnosed my dyspraxia "You'll want to hang out with other dyspraxics, but don't because you'll start to think that behavior is normal". It was another time... (about 2011...)
October 15, 2025 at 8:56 AM
But hanging out with other ND folk is the secret to a good life. Worst advice I ever got was from the guy that diagnosed my dyspraxia "You'll want to hang out with other dyspraxics, but don't because you'll start to think that behavior is normal". It was another time... (about 2011...)
Yes, in hindsight I've realised basically all my best friends and partners have been autistic, adhd or both! I was lucky to have such a gang from when i was quite young - tougher over here in NL though. Tried communicating in a second language while autistic? Not easy...
October 15, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Yes, in hindsight I've realised basically all my best friends and partners have been autistic, adhd or both! I was lucky to have such a gang from when i was quite young - tougher over here in NL though. Tried communicating in a second language while autistic? Not easy...
You were part of my inspiration - quite a few people I identified as "being a bit dyspraxic like me" who got themselves assessed were getting autism diagnoses so I figured I should get that checked out 😅 About 3-4 years ago now I think? I'm also team ADHD, so that's always a fun balancing act.
October 15, 2025 at 8:32 AM
You were part of my inspiration - quite a few people I identified as "being a bit dyspraxic like me" who got themselves assessed were getting autism diagnoses so I figured I should get that checked out 😅 About 3-4 years ago now I think? I'm also team ADHD, so that's always a fun balancing act.
Similar over here - "great news, our faculty isn't in deficit after all!" Mint - I'll tell all the people you made redundant and all the people that had to fight to stay. They'll be delighted!
October 15, 2025 at 6:32 AM
Similar over here - "great news, our faculty isn't in deficit after all!" Mint - I'll tell all the people you made redundant and all the people that had to fight to stay. They'll be delighted!
I've often said it's weird how academics are expected to give a 2 hour high-level performance and then go and do a bunch of additional demanding tasks in the same day. As a fellow autistic I'm totally with you though - I LOVE teaching, but the overstimulation afterwards is exhausting.
October 15, 2025 at 6:30 AM
I've often said it's weird how academics are expected to give a 2 hour high-level performance and then go and do a bunch of additional demanding tasks in the same day. As a fellow autistic I'm totally with you though - I LOVE teaching, but the overstimulation afterwards is exhausting.
This is a stone cold fact. When I was at school one class had to read The Mayor of Casterbridge, and my class got to read Lord of the Flies. My teacher knew how to pick a book teenagers might actually want to read.
October 14, 2025 at 6:15 AM
This is a stone cold fact. When I was at school one class had to read The Mayor of Casterbridge, and my class got to read Lord of the Flies. My teacher knew how to pick a book teenagers might actually want to read.
You basically have to treat him like a second language speaker on this one. For those of us that talk proper (Geordies) it's dinner and tea. Lunch is something that happens down south and probably doesn't even include a stottie.
October 6, 2025 at 6:33 AM
You basically have to treat him like a second language speaker on this one. For those of us that talk proper (Geordies) it's dinner and tea. Lunch is something that happens down south and probably doesn't even include a stottie.