New ep of Inner Cosmos out now: Will AI cure loneliness? AI companions can rectify isolation, but might loneliness serve a biological function? Does everyone have the same need for companionship? Join this week with guest Paul Bloom (@paulbloomatyale.bsky.social). eagleman.com/podcast/123

Just found out that I am the 2025 recipient of the Diener Award in Social Psychology from SPSP. I couldn’t have done it without my mentors (official and otherwise), students, and collaborators. I'm proud of this, but mostly just grateful I get to do work I love.

Who says you can't have fun when writing a new course proposal?

I'd die before using this designer.

This New Yorker essay about New Yorker fact-checkers is terrific. www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...

Epstein, AI, and the Xi-Putin Path to Immortality | @robertwrighter.bsky.social and psychologist @paulbloomatyale.bsky.social discuss what the Ghislaine interview really revealed—via Mickey Kaus' analysis. Plus: AI vs indoor plumbing, the Xi-Putin summit, and more.

I’m going a bit outside my comfort zone here, but I'm sure this will be a lot of fun. If you’re in Chicago and decide to attend, come by and say hello! www.eventbrite.com/e/the-digita... cid:f_mf1a5a9u0

Honored to be among a fantastic lineup of moral psychologists!

I'm so honoured to receive the inaugural Stephen P. Stich award, particularly since Steve is a scholar (and person) I very much admire.

The most Canadian headline ever.

I'm teaching a graduate seminar in moral psychology this Fall. I've done this before, but I want to rethink the readings. If you've taught a course like this, I'd be very grateful if you could post or email me your syllabus.

New episode! @paulbloomatyale.bsky.social interviews Yoel about when to give up on a theory, and which of his own findings he no longer believes. But it's not all doom and gloom! We also talk about findings we think are solid, and, of course, Sydney Sweeney. share.fireside.fm/episode/Ah1O...

@anagantman.bsky.social @jowylie.bsky.social and I are starting to study everyday revenge. Have you ever successfully gotten back at someone after being wronged? We would love to hear about it. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... #PsychSciSky #socialpsyc #cognition

@paulbloomatyale.bsky.social @jowylie.bsky.social, and I are starting to study everyday revenge. Have you ever successfully got back at someone after being wronged? We would love to hear about it: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... #PsychSciSky #socialpsyc #cognition

I’m writing a post that explores the value of psychology. One way to frame the question is to ask: If there were no psychologists, what would the rest of the world miss out on? Anyone?

Jeffrey Epstein, MechaHitler, and Other Ills | @robertwrighter.bsky.social and psychologist @paulbloomatyale.bsky.social discuss the Epstein files, Bob’s AI-guided (and misguided?) cancer journey, Grok’s Nazi-pornbot turn, AI companions, and more.

Coming up: Is it weird to want to do things that are bad for us? Josh & Ray unravel our weird wants with @paulbloomatyale.bsky.social from @utoronto.ca, author of "The Sweet Spot" – Sunday 11 am on @kalwradio.bsky.social 91.7 FM in San Francisco & www.kalw.org/show/philoso.... #PhilSky #psychology

New post: smallpotatoes.paulbloom.net/p/hammer-tim...

This is a terrific article by @jenszalai about the use and misuse of arguments against empathy. (And I’m not just saying this because it ends with a quote by me.) www.nytimes.com/2025/07/18/b...

Loneliness isn’t just an affliction to be cured but an experience that can shape us for the better, Paul Bloom writes. If A.I. companions eliminate the feeling, we might lose something essential about being human.

Excellent piece by @jenszalai.bsky.social. She and @paulbloomatyale.bsky.social are right. Empathy unfettered can be a problem. But this is why religions tend to cultivate it, but also put guardrails around it. Empathy is the fire, but principles constrain its focus & limits.🧵

I absolutely loved @paulbloomatyale.bsky.social's article. It starts one way and ends in another. Beautifully written, and as usual with Paul, reveals something interesting and true. Read it!

"When we numb ourselves to loneliness, we give up the hard work of making ourselves understood, of striving for true connection, of forging relationships built on mutual effort," writes @utoronto.ca Prof. @paulbloomatyale.bsky.social in the @newyorker.com.

As someone who has severe bouts of insomnia, I usually avoid reading about sleep--but this article, by the extraordinary @jennifersenior.bsky.social, is REALLY GOOD and I learned a ton from it. www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...

New post: open.substack.com/pub/paulbloo...

New Substack. If you read it and agree, please spread the word. substack.com/home/post/p-...

Elon’s Abject Surrender | @robertwrighter.bsky.social and psychologist @paulbloomatyale.bsky.social discuss the roots of the Trump-Musk blowup, why Elon caved, and whether he can recover from the fallout.

A superb paper that defends a view I disagree with very much!

"Shamanism" by @manvir.bsky.social is now out. www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/730339.... It's a deep, original, and fun book—highly recommended. My blurb:

I'll add that this is put together by a terrific team of editors—‪ @danielgilbert.bsky.social, Susan Fiske, @elijfinkel.bsky.social, and Wendy Mendes

Another greaat post from Paul Bloom to make you sit up and think: How to explain evil open.substack.com/pub/paulbloo...

Inspired by research from @mattiwilks.bsky.social @amormino.bsky.social @shawnrhoadsphd.bsky.social @eranhalperin75.bsky.social and others: www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mora...

New post! open.substack.com/pub/paulbloo...

John Flavell, a giant of developmental psychology, who introduced the study of metacognition, died peacefully at age 96. www.amacad.org/person/john-...

Because the world needs another post about the scene in The White Lotus. substack.com/home/post/p-...

New post: This was written over a year ago, when I had far fewer subscribers. I've written about 100 posts for Small Potatoes, and this is probably my favorite. smallpotatoes.paulbloom.net/p/be-right-b...