Rebecca Spiess
@rebeccaspiess.bsky.social
Opinions desk @bostonglobe.com | Pulitzer finalist :) | stops at @post-gazette.com, Fulbright Germany and the Arizona Republic
Reposted by Rebecca Spiess
The DEA said it arrested 171 ‘high ranking’ Sinaloa Cartel members. A Spotlight investigation found that’s not true.
from @globespotlight.bsky.social
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/29/m...
from @globespotlight.bsky.social
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/29/m...
The DEA said it arrested 171 ‘high ranking’ Sinaloa Cartel members. A Spotlight investigation found that’s not true. - The Boston Globe
A Globe investigation found that the federal agency misrepresented the stature of its targets, claiming cartel ties at a time when the Trump administration is taking lethal military action against suc...
www.bostonglobe.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:14 PM
The DEA said it arrested 171 ‘high ranking’ Sinaloa Cartel members. A Spotlight investigation found that’s not true.
from @globespotlight.bsky.social
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/29/m...
from @globespotlight.bsky.social
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/29/m...
Reposted by Rebecca Spiess
I wrote about how bereaved parents are using AI to resurrect their kids lost to fentanyl.
Many say it's helped them heal. Others say it's "kind of like an addiction."
More here: www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
Many say it's helped them heal. Others say it's "kind of like an addiction."
More here: www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
Digital footprints: Employing AI, parents are resurrecting children lost to fentanyl
The Facebook video depicted a girl with dyed blonde hair, lounging on a plush outside patio in gray sweatpants. Her legs were crossed, and she faced the...
www.post-gazette.com
October 27, 2025 at 5:25 PM
I wrote about how bereaved parents are using AI to resurrect their kids lost to fentanyl.
Many say it's helped them heal. Others say it's "kind of like an addiction."
More here: www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
Many say it's helped them heal. Others say it's "kind of like an addiction."
More here: www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
Reposted by Rebecca Spiess
🧵 Nearly 250 patients have filed civil lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by Dr. Derrick Todd, a renowned doctor at top Boston hospitals. He also faces two criminal charges of rape.
A @globespotlight.bsky.social report found he could have been stopped earlier.
A @globespotlight.bsky.social report found he could have been stopped earlier.
Dr. Derrick Todd has been accused of abusing patients. He could have been stopped sooner.
Hundreds of women allege Dr. Derrick Todd sexually abused them over a decade. A Globe Spotlight investigation found the state’s medical establishment missed key warning signs.
apps.bostonglobe.com
October 2, 2025 at 1:18 PM
🧵 Nearly 250 patients have filed civil lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by Dr. Derrick Todd, a renowned doctor at top Boston hospitals. He also faces two criminal charges of rape.
A @globespotlight.bsky.social report found he could have been stopped earlier.
A @globespotlight.bsky.social report found he could have been stopped earlier.
Reposted by Rebecca Spiess
🚨 New preprint 🚨
Across 3 experiments (n = 3,285), we found that interacting with sycophantic (or overly agreeable) AI chatbots entrenched attitudes and led to inflated self-perceptions.
Yet, people preferred sycophantic chatbots and viewed them as unbiased!
osf.io/preprints/ps...
Thread 🧵
Across 3 experiments (n = 3,285), we found that interacting with sycophantic (or overly agreeable) AI chatbots entrenched attitudes and led to inflated self-perceptions.
Yet, people preferred sycophantic chatbots and viewed them as unbiased!
osf.io/preprints/ps...
Thread 🧵
October 1, 2025 at 3:16 PM
🚨 New preprint 🚨
Across 3 experiments (n = 3,285), we found that interacting with sycophantic (or overly agreeable) AI chatbots entrenched attitudes and led to inflated self-perceptions.
Yet, people preferred sycophantic chatbots and viewed them as unbiased!
osf.io/preprints/ps...
Thread 🧵
Across 3 experiments (n = 3,285), we found that interacting with sycophantic (or overly agreeable) AI chatbots entrenched attitudes and led to inflated self-perceptions.
Yet, people preferred sycophantic chatbots and viewed them as unbiased!
osf.io/preprints/ps...
Thread 🧵
Reposted by Rebecca Spiess
Reposted by Rebecca Spiess
Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky has become Trump’s main Republican antagonist in Congress over the Jeffrey Epstein case. And as I learned reporting today’s @bostonglobe.com Starting Point, Massie got his professional start in Massachusetts www.bostonglobe.com/2025/09/15/n...
This Kentucky Republican is bucking Trump over Epstein. He got his start in Massachusetts. - The Boston Globe
Thomas Massie went to MIT and founded a company here, displaying some of the qualities that have since made him a thorn in Trump’s side.
www.bostonglobe.com
September 15, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky has become Trump’s main Republican antagonist in Congress over the Jeffrey Epstein case. And as I learned reporting today’s @bostonglobe.com Starting Point, Massie got his professional start in Massachusetts www.bostonglobe.com/2025/09/15/n...
Reposted by Rebecca Spiess
Confused about how the US economy is doing right now? Today's Starting Point walks through numbers that help tell the story.
The US economy is weakening. These 5 numbers tell the story. - The Boston Globe
From falling job numbers to rising unemployment, the signs of a slowdown are mounting, even as the stock market keeps going up.
trib.al
September 10, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Confused about how the US economy is doing right now? Today's Starting Point walks through numbers that help tell the story.
Reposted by Rebecca Spiess
In which I spent $425 to hear a couple guys say "retarded" www.theargumentmag.com/p/a-tale-of-...
A tale of two ballrooms
Last week’s National Conservatism and Abundance gatherings in Washington laid out two clashing visions of America’s future.
www.theargumentmag.com
September 9, 2025 at 1:59 PM
In which I spent $425 to hear a couple guys say "retarded" www.theargumentmag.com/p/a-tale-of-...
Reposted by Rebecca Spiess
The Boston mayoral campaign will narrow to two contenders tomorrow. But as today’s @bostonglobe.com Starting Point explains, the two losing candidates could continue to shape the race’s dynamics going forward www.bostonglobe.com/2025/09/08/n...
Two candidates will be eliminated from the Boston mayoral race. But their ideas may not. - The Boston Globe
Even policies on the political margins sometimes gain popularity with voters.
www.bostonglobe.com
September 8, 2025 at 3:14 PM
The Boston mayoral campaign will narrow to two contenders tomorrow. But as today’s @bostonglobe.com Starting Point explains, the two losing candidates could continue to shape the race’s dynamics going forward www.bostonglobe.com/2025/09/08/n...
Reposted by Rebecca Spiess
As Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies to Congress, today’s @bostonglobe.com Starting Point explains the 5 major ways he’s dismantling public health as America has known it for decades, including by ousting experts and spouting misinformation www.bostonglobe.com/2025/09/04/n...
5 ways Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is dismantling public health as we know it - The Boston Globe
From changing vaccine rules to spouting misinformation, Trump’s health secretary is undermining the country’s capacity to combat disease, experts warn
www.bostonglobe.com
September 4, 2025 at 3:06 PM
As Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies to Congress, today’s @bostonglobe.com Starting Point explains the 5 major ways he’s dismantling public health as America has known it for decades, including by ousting experts and spouting misinformation www.bostonglobe.com/2025/09/04/n...
Reposted by Rebecca Spiess
The CDC is in chaos. If you’re a current employee and would like to share information anonymously, please reach out via Signal: emullin.06
www.wired.com/story/center...
www.wired.com/story/center...
Top CDC Officials Resign After Director Is Pushed Out
The exodus has set off alarms among CDC staff: “My main concern is they will be replaced with puppets."
www.wired.com
August 28, 2025 at 1:17 AM
The CDC is in chaos. If you’re a current employee and would like to share information anonymously, please reach out via Signal: emullin.06
www.wired.com/story/center...
www.wired.com/story/center...
Reposted by Rebecca Spiess
The Trump Administration has aggressively altered countless American institutions and norms, @rebeccaspiess.bsky.social writes. This includes official government communications.
Can you tell the difference between messages from the government and posts from trolling X users?
Can you tell the difference between messages from the government and posts from trolling X users?
Trivia: Can you tell which meme was posted by a government official? - The Boston Globe
Is there any difference between official messages from our federal government and the posts of a trolling X user? See if you can tell them apart with this eight-question quiz.
www.bostonglobe.com
August 27, 2025 at 3:01 PM
The Trump Administration has aggressively altered countless American institutions and norms, @rebeccaspiess.bsky.social writes. This includes official government communications.
Can you tell the difference between messages from the government and posts from trolling X users?
Can you tell the difference between messages from the government and posts from trolling X users?
Reposted by Rebecca Spiess
BREAKING: Conservative network Newsmax agreed to pay $67 million in the defamation case over bogus 2020 election claims.
Conservative network Newsmax agrees to pay $67M in defamation case over 2020 election claims
The conservative network Newsmax has agreed to pay $67 million to settle a lawsuit accusing it of defaming a voting equipment company by spreading lies about President Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss.
bit.ly
August 18, 2025 at 3:57 PM
BREAKING: Conservative network Newsmax agreed to pay $67 million in the defamation case over bogus 2020 election claims.
My latest for Globe Opinion:
“I’d argue it’s time to create a new term for social media, one that better describes the current digital landscape,” @rebeccaspiess.bsky.social writes. “After all, no one is calling cars ‘horseless carriages,’ and no one thinks that a porn bot on Twitter is helping you build a friend group.”
Social media has become an antisocial monster. It’s time to call it something else. - The Boston Globe
The early aughts brought us the innovation meant to foster connection. It’s consumed us, instead.
www.bostonglobe.com
August 12, 2025 at 7:58 PM
My latest for Globe Opinion:
Reposted by Rebecca Spiess
“I’d argue it’s time to create a new term for social media, one that better describes the current digital landscape,” @rebeccaspiess.bsky.social writes. “After all, no one is calling cars ‘horseless carriages,’ and no one thinks that a porn bot on Twitter is helping you build a friend group.”
Social media has become an antisocial monster. It’s time to call it something else. - The Boston Globe
The early aughts brought us the innovation meant to foster connection. It’s consumed us, instead.
www.bostonglobe.com
August 12, 2025 at 2:50 PM
“I’d argue it’s time to create a new term for social media, one that better describes the current digital landscape,” @rebeccaspiess.bsky.social writes. “After all, no one is calling cars ‘horseless carriages,’ and no one thinks that a porn bot on Twitter is helping you build a friend group.”
Reposted by Rebecca Spiess
I wrote about the burning Waymos and gentle singularity and ragebait and how everything is coalescing into a giant contradiction kyla.substack.com/p/everything...
Everything Feels Like It Doesn't Make Sense
Immigration, incentives, and the contradiction of Gentle Singularity
kyla.substack.com
June 11, 2025 at 4:08 PM
I wrote about the burning Waymos and gentle singularity and ragebait and how everything is coalescing into a giant contradiction kyla.substack.com/p/everything...
Reposted by Rebecca Spiess
Is Market Basket really the cheapest grocery store in the Boston area? The Boston Globe compared prices at four other stores to find out.
Do Market Basket prices really still offer ‘more for your dollar’? We put it to the test. - The Boston Globe
A Globe reporter and video producer went to five local grocery stores, including Market Basket, to check the prices of a 10-item shopping list. Here’s what they found.
trib.al
July 21, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Is Market Basket really the cheapest grocery store in the Boston area? The Boston Globe compared prices at four other stores to find out.
Reposted by Rebecca Spiess
Dozens of Palestinians were killed across Gaza on Sunday as they tried to get food aid, according to local health authorities, one of the deadliest days in recent months for those seeking assistance.
By Joe Hernandez, @danielestrin.bsky.social and Anas Baba
By Joe Hernandez, @danielestrin.bsky.social and Anas Baba
Nearly 100 people killed seeking aid in Gaza on Sunday, Palestinian officials say
Dozens of Palestinians were killed across Gaza on Sunday as they tried to get food aid, according to local health authorities, one of the deadliest days in recent months for those seeking assistance.
n.pr
July 20, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Dozens of Palestinians were killed across Gaza on Sunday as they tried to get food aid, according to local health authorities, one of the deadliest days in recent months for those seeking assistance.
By Joe Hernandez, @danielestrin.bsky.social and Anas Baba
By Joe Hernandez, @danielestrin.bsky.social and Anas Baba
I love how everybody is talking about Astronomer as if we all knew the company existed before 48 hrs ago
July 19, 2025 at 2:13 PM
I love how everybody is talking about Astronomer as if we all knew the company existed before 48 hrs ago
Reposted by Rebecca Spiess
For the first time, the median price for a single-family house in Greater Boston has cracked $1 million.
https://trib.al/S4urWmQ
https://trib.al/S4urWmQ
July 18, 2025 at 6:10 PM
For the first time, the median price for a single-family house in Greater Boston has cracked $1 million.
https://trib.al/S4urWmQ
https://trib.al/S4urWmQ
Reposted by Rebecca Spiess
“An Armenian woman I considered an aunt asked me every time I saw her, ‘Rümeysa, please write about us. Please let the world hear our story.’ I am keeping my promise, Auntie.” www.tuftsdaily.com/article/2025...
Op-ed: ‘Even God cannot hear us here’: What I witnessed inside an ICE women’s prison - The Tufts Daily
On a Tuesday in March, I had spent most of my day working on my dissertation proposal and started to feel exhausted and hungry. It was the holy month of Ramadan, and I was fasting. Once finished, I qu...
www.tuftsdaily.com
July 18, 2025 at 1:55 AM
“An Armenian woman I considered an aunt asked me every time I saw her, ‘Rümeysa, please write about us. Please let the world hear our story.’ I am keeping my promise, Auntie.” www.tuftsdaily.com/article/2025...
Reposted by Rebecca Spiess
More than 450 subway passengers were led out of a tunnel beneath Boston Harbor after a Blue Line train became stuck due to a power outage Tuesday afternoon, officials said. https://trib.al/P9giBSj
July 15, 2025 at 10:37 PM
More than 450 subway passengers were led out of a tunnel beneath Boston Harbor after a Blue Line train became stuck due to a power outage Tuesday afternoon, officials said. https://trib.al/P9giBSj
Essential anaylsis from @kimberlyeatkins.bsky.social: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/06/25/o...
The courts will not save us from tyranny - The Boston Globe
The Supreme Court just washed its hands of its role in upholding the rule of law, the foundational principle that laws are meant to be followed by everyone, the government included, if we are to have ...
www.bostonglobe.com
June 25, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Essential anaylsis from @kimberlyeatkins.bsky.social: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/06/25/o...
Reposted by Rebecca Spiess
Really important story - army officials asked soldiers to identify themselves if they don't agree with Trump's politics that way he'd get only supportive soldiers in uniform during his political rally on base. Heavier soldiers were also barred from participating.
Bragg Soldiers Who Cheered Trump's Political Attacks While in Uniform Were Checked for Allegiance, Appearance
As Trump viciously attacked his perceived political foes, he whipped up boos from the gathered troops directed at California leaders, including Gov. Gavin Newsom.
www.military.com
June 11, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Really important story - army officials asked soldiers to identify themselves if they don't agree with Trump's politics that way he'd get only supportive soldiers in uniform during his political rally on base. Heavier soldiers were also barred from participating.