MILESTONE MOMENT! Science + games + community = what the Internet was made for (at least I think so?) If you haven't joined the party yet, let's goooooo www.youtube.com/psychgeist

What movie do you consider "perfect"?

I often get asked for advice from those looking to forge a career path similar to mine. ...so I did what anyone would do in 2025 - I made a YouTube video about it 🤣 Here are some of the most important things I've learned along the way youtu.be/8zMTMmvPMNE?...

I had a wonderful time speaking with @milleridriss.bsky.social and Galen Lamphere-Englund about the role of gendered hate in games. You can listen to it (on your preferred platform) here: linktr.ee/manuppodcast

Can kids really learn from video games? All signs point to → absolutely. link.nurture.is/o8ogE5

NEW PUBLICATION ALERT ✨ The Psychgeist of Pop Culture: The Last of Us is here! As always, free to download but who wouldn't want that beautiful cover on their shelf?! #TLOU www.youtube.com/shorts/pdS0R...

I often hear parents about screen time as something that gets in the way of creativity. But what if it could support it? Whether Minecraft or LEGO, creative play can lives in physical and digital spaces. link.nurture.is/edx3VZ

in this time of stress may you still find your joy in the most unexpected places and spaces 💚

games do not cause violence game culture may contribute to violent mobilization in ways we do not understand these two things can both be true, but we need to actually confront the latter and allow researchers to work on it

Louder for those in the back...

Want to fill your library with the science of games? Here are some books to get your collection started. #gamestudies (Also this video serves as a nice time capsule of how far much my office has changed 🤣 ) www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhE4...

We casually scroll past videos of real world violence in between ads and memes... But video games are the problem? youtube.com/shorts/pHpz9...

SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION. If you are teaching #mediastudies or #medialiteracy or #gamestudies or #gamedev don't forget the wealth of FREE Psychgeist resources available! Books: www.psychgeistofpopculture.com Videos: www.youtube.com/psychgeist

An excellent piece by @cwarzel.bsky.social about the Minneapolis attacker & the murder fandoms & NVE networks that act as a feedback reinforcement loop developing future atackers. Really important reading for everyone trying to make sense of where we’re at today & w/ gift link.

One of my favorite misconceptions to debunk is that all games have value... Yes, even Grand Theft Auto. #videogames youtube.com/shorts/tGYVr...

Today was a good day to record an interview #comingsoon

I am leading some new and very exciting work around community management education and resources! If you are a community manager or community moderator (in games specifically) I would love to hear from you!

HAPPY NEWSLETTER DAY! This month we are talking about: 🦺 Meaningful safety is designed not legislated 💻 AI is not the T&S solution you think it is, your therapist, or a tool to help you develop a new theory of "temporal math" 🎤 K-Pop Demon Hunters. Obvs. rachelkowert.substack.com/p/tldr-augus...

There has been a lot of excitement for The Psychgeist of Pop Culture: World of Warcraft. Get your proposals in! playstorypress.org/2025/07/15/c...

We often think of digital citizenship as something for teens, but the foundation is built much earlier. Let's discuss how kids as young as *four* can start developing the skills and values to become respectful, engaged members of digital communities. link.nurture.is/WKZf1y

If you are curious about the science of play and games, the reality of online harms, how to design spaces to mitigate harm, parenting in the digital era or just want some advice on what games to play with your family because we are living in a dystopian timeline... You've come to the right place.

So what's up with all those clone games on the App Stores and eShops and Robloxes of the world? Just how big of a problem are they? Innersloth's @victoriatran.bsky.social gives us the lowdown in her new regular column, Indie Insight. thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/indi... [PAYWALLED]

ICYMI: The second EXP talk is now available on the Psychgeist YouTube. What is EXP? It's like TED talks, but geekier. This month, Amelia Herbst, PsyD discusses the most human vampire there ever was - Regis, from the world of The Witcher. www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEwl...

Help me with this legendary human a HAPPIEST OF NAME DAYS. @drhayspsyd.bsky.social is one of the kindest humans I've ever met... unless you are playing against her on Mario Party.

Can folks do me a favor? I was on Bluesky early & it was great. Mostly. I hit the eject button in January. I came back, many colleagues are here, but still don’t know I am. I co-created Halt and Catch Fire. I write TV & comics. Here’s two favorite set photos. Repost? I am in the wilderness.

Do you subscribe to the Psychgeist newsletter? it's bringing you monthly insights about what you missed in research and news, in the world of science + games. Also, it's apparently number 41 and rising for science newsletters on Substack! Sign up here: share.google/ki183OSiLxcK...

wrote about productivity timers, Focus Friend, and trying to stop using my one wild and precious life to thumb through my phone www.wired.com/story/this-e...

RAPID FIRE: 50 reasons why games are GOOD for you www.youtube.com/shorts/lHQp2...

As a psychologist and mom, I’ve seen firsthand how much communication in early childhood has evolved. Let's explore how communication and active listening grow between ages 4–7, and how screen time can support these skills (when used thoughtfully and in balance). link.nurture.is/0ElqON

HUSTLING to hit my goal of 5k by the end of 2025! If you aren't a subscriber yet, please consider taking those two clicks for your favorite science + games content creator. www.youtube.com/psychgeist

Excellent piece by David about how Roblox is getting worse and how it serves as a platform for grooming and radicalization. Lots of experts consulted here including @hereticmasked.bsky.social and @drkowert.bsky.social ! Please give it a read; more people need to understand how bad Roblox really is.

Digital literacy is a foundation for life (and it starts earlier than you think). For kids ages 4–7, it’s about recognizing what’s trustworthy, practicing privacy basics, and learning to co-navigate digital spaces with caregivers. link.nurture.is/he7ICD

It comes up a lot in conversations at PDN: how would you create a measure of platform prosociality? It looks like Rachel Kowert has been thinking for a while along the same lines, but in games. A thoughtful read from an expert gaming T&S. rachelkowert.substack.com/p/developing...

Periodic reminder that in addition to all of my games + science work, I have also created a children's book series for kiddos aged 3-7+ All FREE to read (and all avail in audiobooks too!) talesfromcloudcanyon.com

My Serious Play recap! #seriousplay25 youtube.com/shorts/REaru...

+1 Wisdom. I finally finished Mastering Community Management by @victoriatran.bsky.social. This booknot only provides *the science* behind it all but roadmaps the whole process. 10/10 highly recommend. The book itself is FULL of gems but this one in particular stood out to me.

I was THRILLED to host a book signing for The Psychgeist of Pop Culture at #SeriousPlay25 This series is rooted in academic generosity: mentorship, collaboration, and open access. I could not be more grateful for the generosity the #gamestudies community has shown me, and this series, in return.

One last 25 Years of Double Fine developer chat is live for you to enjoy! Break out your mech suits, because @ashleyesqueda.com and Geoff Soulis take a minute to talk about IRON BRIGADE and his recommended survival gear in the event of an alien apocalypse. Full interview ----> youtu.be/dF7UGIKc0eU

What a day, Serious Play Conference. Bonus: I got to play Death Race (it was shockingly difficult to run over the sprites?) and we managed to snap a Psychgeist author/editor meet up on the world's favorite stoop. #seriousplay25

If you happened to miss the signing by @drkowert.bsky.social at #seriousplay25, a few of the authors, including me, signed a bunch of Psychgeist copies. You should grab them before they’re gone. 👀

"All things are changing and we are changing with them" -Michelle King #seriousplay25

Oh my childhood.

New peer-reviewed research from me and @drkowert.bsky.social! We introduce the concept of "performative infighting" to describe the ways that extremists fabricate fragmentation and internal conflict to build collective identity. Here we focus on Steam. 1/ www.frontiersin.org/journals/psy...

🚨 NEW PUBLICATION ALERT 🚨 www.frontiersin.org/journals/psy...

Why are we obsessed with K-pop idols fighting demons? It’s not just cool aesthetics—it’s science. youtube.com/shorts/Tkn_z...

It’s goddamn amazing

For those who missed it, this is me crying on the stage at Games for Change as I recieved the Vanguard Award this year! Don't worry, in addition to tears you'll also get a great story about a grant rejection 🤣 www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOYq...

This is exactly the kind of headline I hate. This is not about "screens being evil", it's about being sedentary. www.ctvnews.ca/health/artic...

A gentle reminder from your friendly neighborhood science content creator. youtube.com/shorts/mS-Oj...

Hi friends! I'm trying to hit the ever elusive 5k on YouTube. If you are into science and into games, and into doing something nice ... subscribing is free! Also I'm doing 2x shorts a week now so I can promise regular doses of tomfoolery www.youtube.com/psychgeist