Stephen Hill
@srhastraea.bsky.social
Cognitive psych interested in distributed cognition, memory, weird and non-weird beliefs, cognitive biases, conspiracy belief, misinformation, scientific vs lay cognition, climate change, open science, metascience, 4eCognition.
From Aotearoa/New Zealand
From Aotearoa/New Zealand
Reposted by Stephen Hill
Gotta respect this from NZ Cricket
November 22, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Gotta respect this from NZ Cricket
Reposted by Stephen Hill
Recruiting a PhD student to join us at Univ Canterbury (Christchurch, NZ) to study how people perceive animal minds & how those perceptions shape moral concern, behaviour, & policy. Scholarship info:
www.canterbury.ac.nz/research/abo...
Rolling review starts Dec 2025 • Flexible Feb–July 2026 start
www.canterbury.ac.nz/research/abo...
Rolling review starts Dec 2025 • Flexible Feb–July 2026 start
November 19, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Recruiting a PhD student to join us at Univ Canterbury (Christchurch, NZ) to study how people perceive animal minds & how those perceptions shape moral concern, behaviour, & policy. Scholarship info:
www.canterbury.ac.nz/research/abo...
Rolling review starts Dec 2025 • Flexible Feb–July 2026 start
www.canterbury.ac.nz/research/abo...
Rolling review starts Dec 2025 • Flexible Feb–July 2026 start
Reposted by Stephen Hill
Relying on ChatGPT to teach you about a topic leaves you with shallower knowledge than Googling and reading about it, according to new research that compared what more than 10,000 people knew after using one method or the other.
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
November 21, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Relying on ChatGPT to teach you about a topic leaves you with shallower knowledge than Googling and reading about it, according to new research that compared what more than 10,000 people knew after using one method or the other.
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
Reposted by Stephen Hill
'[Ethics professor Angela] Ballantyne said she was concerned that the Hawke's Bay trial - which reviewed the experience of eight clinicians using the tools - had not gone into enough depth ahead of being implemented through the country's hospitals.'
AI scribe tool rolled out to emergency departments, promises to slash clinicians' admin
While some clinicians are heralding the technology as "the way of the future", others say more evaluation is needed.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 20, 2025 at 7:22 AM
'[Ethics professor Angela] Ballantyne said she was concerned that the Hawke's Bay trial - which reviewed the experience of eight clinicians using the tools - had not gone into enough depth ahead of being implemented through the country's hospitals.'
Reposted by Stephen Hill
I'll just note this inquiry has noted that with 20/20 hindsight the UK should have acted... pretty much exactly as New Zealand did.
Which a good portion of NZ's media and political class have spent 5 revisionist years trying to paint as an overreaction. Overwhelmingly, it wasn't.
Which a good portion of NZ's media and political class have spent 5 revisionist years trying to paint as an overreaction. Overwhelmingly, it wasn't.
‘Chaotic and indecisive’: key findings of report on UK’s Covid response under Tories
Second pandemic report focuses on decision-making, organisation and messaging by senior politicians including Boris Johnson
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:06 PM
I'll just note this inquiry has noted that with 20/20 hindsight the UK should have acted... pretty much exactly as New Zealand did.
Which a good portion of NZ's media and political class have spent 5 revisionist years trying to paint as an overreaction. Overwhelmingly, it wasn't.
Which a good portion of NZ's media and political class have spent 5 revisionist years trying to paint as an overreaction. Overwhelmingly, it wasn't.
Reposted by Stephen Hill
I'm really happy that The Bad Newsletter has a new home at Emily Writes Weekly, and really unhappy that my first piece is about the ultra-munted weirdness that the Chaos Coalition is doing to the new school curriculum www.emilywrites.co.nz/what-the-hel...
What the HELL is happening with the new school curriculum?
Over and over again, I've had emails and messages from parents asking me about the new curriculum. I tried to get my head around it, but just had more questions than answers. So I teamed up with my fr...
www.emilywrites.co.nz
November 19, 2025 at 4:27 AM
I'm really happy that The Bad Newsletter has a new home at Emily Writes Weekly, and really unhappy that my first piece is about the ultra-munted weirdness that the Chaos Coalition is doing to the new school curriculum www.emilywrites.co.nz/what-the-hel...
Reposted by Stephen Hill
Today marks 15 years since the Pike River mine disaster. Anna and Sonya are meeting with Brooke van Velden today to call for stronger health and safety protections in our country, taking time out of the most precious day of their year to fight for all New Zealanders. #nzpol
November 18, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Today marks 15 years since the Pike River mine disaster. Anna and Sonya are meeting with Brooke van Velden today to call for stronger health and safety protections in our country, taking time out of the most precious day of their year to fight for all New Zealanders. #nzpol
Reposted by Stephen Hill
Just so that we're on the same page: This paper tells us what is *possible* not what is *true*
This is definitely a concern, but (FWIW) I am highly skeptical that typical survey respondents have the technical skills (let alone the inclination) to do all of this.
This is definitely a concern, but (FWIW) I am highly skeptical that typical survey respondents have the technical skills (let alone the inclination) to do all of this.
new paper by Sean Westwood:
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
November 18, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Just so that we're on the same page: This paper tells us what is *possible* not what is *true*
This is definitely a concern, but (FWIW) I am highly skeptical that typical survey respondents have the technical skills (let alone the inclination) to do all of this.
This is definitely a concern, but (FWIW) I am highly skeptical that typical survey respondents have the technical skills (let alone the inclination) to do all of this.
Reposted by Stephen Hill
Peer countries don't do this - they have net-zero targets for all gases (i.e. 100% reduction in 2050 or some even sooner). 2/-
November 17, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Peer countries don't do this - they have net-zero targets for all gases (i.e. 100% reduction in 2050 or some even sooner). 2/-
Reposted by Stephen Hill
Some #COP30 unpacking of New Zealand's domestic 2050 emissions target.
New Zealand's current legislated domestic 2050 "net-zero" target excludes biogenic methane. Including the separate methane target, it adds up to a 62-73% reduction in total net emissions in 2050 (orange in graph). 1/-
New Zealand's current legislated domestic 2050 "net-zero" target excludes biogenic methane. Including the separate methane target, it adds up to a 62-73% reduction in total net emissions in 2050 (orange in graph). 1/-
November 17, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Some #COP30 unpacking of New Zealand's domestic 2050 emissions target.
New Zealand's current legislated domestic 2050 "net-zero" target excludes biogenic methane. Including the separate methane target, it adds up to a 62-73% reduction in total net emissions in 2050 (orange in graph). 1/-
New Zealand's current legislated domestic 2050 "net-zero" target excludes biogenic methane. Including the separate methane target, it adds up to a 62-73% reduction in total net emissions in 2050 (orange in graph). 1/-
Reposted by Stephen Hill
Reposted by Stephen Hill
Bees, blindsight, and consciousness, by Tamietto et al. www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
Bees, blindsight, and consciousness
Blindsight patients lack conscious visual perception yet perform visual tasks effectively,
suggesting many animals may similarly rely on non-conscious vision. Here, we discuss
how to investigate visua...
www.cell.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Bees, blindsight, and consciousness, by Tamietto et al. www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
Reposted by Stephen Hill
Excellent summary of our energy and climate chaos out this morning from Kirsty Johnson. It should be played with the PMs talking point: that the oil and gas exploration ban is the main problem with the electricity market.
That’s what I have to call insanely false.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
That’s what I have to call insanely false.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
The fuel of ‘last resort’: How imported gas became New Zealand’s first choice
It's expensive, vulnerable to price shocks and terrible for the planet. So why are we importing gas?
www.rnz.co.nz
November 17, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Excellent summary of our energy and climate chaos out this morning from Kirsty Johnson. It should be played with the PMs talking point: that the oil and gas exploration ban is the main problem with the electricity market.
That’s what I have to call insanely false.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
That’s what I have to call insanely false.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Reposted by Stephen Hill
New review paper describes how disinformation in public health is often created by powerful industries to protect profits, not people. One simple step to help: create content that names the tactic (“this mixes truth with omission") because once people can spot the tactic, it loses its power.
The Politics and Profit of Disinformation in Public Health
Disinformation is a coordinated or deliberate effort to knowingly circulate misinformation (i.e., false information) to gain money, power, or reputation. While most public health research has focused ...
www.annualreviews.org
November 17, 2025 at 5:38 PM
New review paper describes how disinformation in public health is often created by powerful industries to protect profits, not people. One simple step to help: create content that names the tactic (“this mixes truth with omission") because once people can spot the tactic, it loses its power.
Reposted by Stephen Hill
#NZpol
"We're at a crossroads here. We could have this low-cost renewables future but we're snatching defeat from the jaws of victory," says Fuge.
The fuel of ‘last resort’: How imported gas became New Zealand’s first choice
RNZ story by @kirstyjohnston.bsky.social: www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
"We're at a crossroads here. We could have this low-cost renewables future but we're snatching defeat from the jaws of victory," says Fuge.
The fuel of ‘last resort’: How imported gas became New Zealand’s first choice
RNZ story by @kirstyjohnston.bsky.social: www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
The fuel of ‘last resort’: How imported gas became New Zealand’s first choice
It's expensive, vulnerable to price shocks and terrible for the planet. So why are we importing gas?
www.rnz.co.nz
November 17, 2025 at 6:07 PM
#NZpol
"We're at a crossroads here. We could have this low-cost renewables future but we're snatching defeat from the jaws of victory," says Fuge.
The fuel of ‘last resort’: How imported gas became New Zealand’s first choice
RNZ story by @kirstyjohnston.bsky.social: www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
"We're at a crossroads here. We could have this low-cost renewables future but we're snatching defeat from the jaws of victory," says Fuge.
The fuel of ‘last resort’: How imported gas became New Zealand’s first choice
RNZ story by @kirstyjohnston.bsky.social: www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Reposted by Stephen Hill
Good move to disqualify books with AI generated covers from Ockham Awards. On principle I like to know what books (and covers) are plagiarised so I can avoid them.
That cat with human teeth is also creepy as.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/17/o...
That cat with human teeth is also creepy as.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/17/o...
Ockhams dump AI books from awards
A new ruling on AI means the Ockhams are in the strange position of judging a book by its cover
newsroom.co.nz
November 16, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Good move to disqualify books with AI generated covers from Ockham Awards. On principle I like to know what books (and covers) are plagiarised so I can avoid them.
That cat with human teeth is also creepy as.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/17/o...
That cat with human teeth is also creepy as.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/17/o...
Reposted by Stephen Hill
Good grief #COP30 can’t even agree that the @ipcc.bsky.social provides the best available science! I am a critic of many elements of my county’s current climate stance but I am grateful that #nz was fighting for science on this issue!!
November 16, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Good grief #COP30 can’t even agree that the @ipcc.bsky.social provides the best available science! I am a critic of many elements of my county’s current climate stance but I am grateful that #nz was fighting for science on this issue!!
Reposted by Stephen Hill
In April 2025 I delivered a speech at the ASU+GSV ed-tech conference titled "AI Will Not Revolutionize Education." It touches on human cognition, gen AI, and the nature of scientific and social revolutions. I worked hard at this, I hope you'll watch and share.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0_t...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0_t...
AI Will Not Revolutionize Education
YouTube video by Cognitive Resonance
www.youtube.com
May 9, 2025 at 11:36 AM
In April 2025 I delivered a speech at the ASU+GSV ed-tech conference titled "AI Will Not Revolutionize Education." It touches on human cognition, gen AI, and the nature of scientific and social revolutions. I worked hard at this, I hope you'll watch and share.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0_t...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0_t...
Reposted by Stephen Hill
I spend an increasing amount of my time pondering how the anthropology prong of the cognitive-science hexagon remains far too neglected. (He says when halfway through his reading of The Dawn of Everything.)
just sharing here as I was reminded it's on github, in case people wanna make copies: github.com/oliviaguest/...
the cogsci hexagon: A visual depiction of the connections between the Cognitive Sciences
the cogsci hexagon: A visual depiction of the connections between the Cognitive Sciences
November 16, 2025 at 5:18 PM
I spend an increasing amount of my time pondering how the anthropology prong of the cognitive-science hexagon remains far too neglected. (He says when halfway through his reading of The Dawn of Everything.)
Reposted by Stephen Hill
Reposted by Stephen Hill
(Also, speaking very quietly here, was learning science not originally an offshoot of research on AI in education in the 1980s and therefore open from the start to commercial AI operators? Yes, it was doi.org/10.1080/1743...)
Historical threads, missing links, and future directions in AI in education
Published in Learning, Media and Technology (Vol. 45, No. 3, 2020)
doi.org
November 16, 2025 at 12:08 AM
(Also, speaking very quietly here, was learning science not originally an offshoot of research on AI in education in the 1980s and therefore open from the start to commercial AI operators? Yes, it was doi.org/10.1080/1743...)
Reposted by Stephen Hill
Is "learning science" being appropriated by Big Tech to justify its expansion into education? Absolutely. Here's Microsoft calling the new "Teach" mode of Copilot "learning science" - which means of course an "advanced agent" it will push at schools like it or not.. www.microsoft.com/en-us/educat...
New AI experiences and academic offering for Microsoft 365 Copilot | Microsoft Education Blog
Explore new AI-powered experiences at no additional cost for educators and students—plus an academic offering for Microsoft 365 Copilot.
www.microsoft.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Is "learning science" being appropriated by Big Tech to justify its expansion into education? Absolutely. Here's Microsoft calling the new "Teach" mode of Copilot "learning science" - which means of course an "advanced agent" it will push at schools like it or not.. www.microsoft.com/en-us/educat...
Reposted by Stephen Hill
The International Criminal Court is ditching Microsoft Office, saying it’s too dependent on US tech, in favor of Open Desk, a German open source alternative.
The move comes after Microsoft revoked ICC head Karim Khan’s email access when he was sanctioned by the US for the warrant against Netanyahu.
The move comes after Microsoft revoked ICC head Karim Khan’s email access when he was sanctioned by the US for the warrant against Netanyahu.
International Criminal Court to ditch Microsoft Office for European open source alternative | Euractiv
The court will move its internal work environment to Open Desk, a German-developed open source software
www.euractiv.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:36 PM
The International Criminal Court is ditching Microsoft Office, saying it’s too dependent on US tech, in favor of Open Desk, a German open source alternative.
The move comes after Microsoft revoked ICC head Karim Khan’s email access when he was sanctioned by the US for the warrant against Netanyahu.
The move comes after Microsoft revoked ICC head Karim Khan’s email access when he was sanctioned by the US for the warrant against Netanyahu.
Reposted by Stephen Hill
Journalists face challenges in reporting on climate interventions because the science is complex and the issues are often multifaceted. But the reporting should avoid sensationalism and try to present risks proportionately, help the public understand uncertainty, and avoid oversimplification.
The non-scientist’s guide to reporting on climate repair
Journalist Rebekah White from New Zealand unpacks the challenges for a better climate repair reporting.
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk
November 15, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Journalists face challenges in reporting on climate interventions because the science is complex and the issues are often multifaceted. But the reporting should avoid sensationalism and try to present risks proportionately, help the public understand uncertainty, and avoid oversimplification.
Reposted by Stephen Hill
The irony here is that academics don’t just write the articles for free—we also referee and edit for them for free. Something is deeply broken.
“New Zealand's eight universities spent $30-million a year on journal licences and about half of that sum went to Elsevier.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
“New Zealand's eight universities spent $30-million a year on journal licences and about half of that sum went to Elsevier.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Universities in 'battle of the century' with journal publisher Elsevier
One New Zealand university told its staff all universities in New Zealand and Australia would "lose some degree of access" to the publisher's 1600 titles from the start of next year.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 15, 2025 at 5:50 AM
The irony here is that academics don’t just write the articles for free—we also referee and edit for them for free. Something is deeply broken.
“New Zealand's eight universities spent $30-million a year on journal licences and about half of that sum went to Elsevier.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
“New Zealand's eight universities spent $30-million a year on journal licences and about half of that sum went to Elsevier.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...