Clayton Littlejohn

Clayton Littlejohn @cmlittlejohn.bsky.social · 2h

It's just me. Saving who I can from trolleys.

Clayton Littlejohn @cmlittlejohn.bsky.social · 3h

How would I know? I'm only capable of solving simple trolley problems.

Clayton Littlejohn @cmlittlejohn.bsky.social · 9h

A lot of my people seem to think trolley problems are impossibly hard but also think they can handle the complexities of human relationships. Friends and colleagues, how?

Clayton Littlejohn @cmlittlejohn.bsky.social · 9h

Comfortable w/ these questions. Uncomfortable with the idea that we need fancy metaphysics for this. We can test similarity of understanding by comparing inferences we'd find compelling. And when people don't find a critical mass of relevant inferences compelling, we conclude lack of understanding

Will Stancil @whstancil.bsky.social · 17h

Now, if you want to distinguish us from computers, you need to delve into more metaphysical questions -- broadly unfalsifiable questions, usually -- about the meaning of "understanding" and the nature of consciousness and what-have-you. This is not comfortable territory for many people.

Clayton Littlejohn @cmlittlejohn.bsky.social · 16h

easy easy. They are people of peace. And sort of our allies.

Will Stancil @whstancil.bsky.social · 17h

Now, if you want to distinguish us from computers, you need to delve into more metaphysical questions -- broadly unfalsifiable questions, usually -- about the meaning of "understanding" and the nature of consciousness and what-have-you. This is not comfortable territory for many people.

Clayton Littlejohn @cmlittlejohn.bsky.social · 17h

This is really helpful. This is a question that might matter more to philosophers than non-philosophers, but it's about the "no evidence" claim in 1. Doesn't this undersell it? Don't we have exceptional evidence that elections here are not rigged, period?

Clayton Littlejohn @cmlittlejohn.bsky.social · 17h

[Resenting that I had to check the Meno for some passing remark for a chapter on epistemic value I'm drafting]

Clayton Littlejohn @cmlittlejohn.bsky.social · 17h

This is good to get out, but (a) 'no evidence' is false--there's a sea of evidence that the election is not rigged and (b) good to remember that this rigged election lie has been a feature of elections for decades. In grad school (90s) it was Dems buying votes with cartons of cigarettes

Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 17h

Rumors about “rigged elections" are now a fixture of U.S. elections, leading to diminished trust in election results & democracy (broadly). These rumors can sometimes be hard to debunk, esp. in their early stages. Our UW team has identified the 6 common ways that election integrity rumors mislead:

Infographic titled "Six Ways 'Rigged Election' Rumors Mislead." A two-column table pairs six labeled categories with descriptions. The first three categories are:

No Evidence: The rumor is entirely unsubstantiated. There's no evidence to support the rumor.

Fake/False Evidence: The rumor is based on fake or synthetic evidence (e.g. AI-generated content), manipulated evidence, or false witness testimony.

Misinterpreted Evidence: This rumor is based upon real evidence that has been misinterpreted or intentionally mischaracterized to create a false impression.

A black banner then introduces the final three categories: "Real Evidence, Real Voting Issue, False Narrative."

Exaggerated Impact: The rumor centers on a real issue with voting but falsely insinuates or exaggerates impact on election results.

Ignored Remedies: The rumor centers on a real issue with voting but ignores and/or obscures the remedies that would address this problem

False Blame: The rumor centers on a real issue with voting but either falsely attributes intent for an accidental issue or places blame on an innocent party.

Source: UW Center for an Informed Public, September 2026.

Clayton Littlejohn @cmlittlejohn.bsky.social · 17h

Meno gets a call from his agent.

"Yeah, we've booked you that dialogue. It's with Socrates. Not the easiest to work with, but a big name."
"Fantastic. So excited. Speaking roles are not easy to come by."
"Well, about that..."

Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 17h

Rumors about “rigged elections" are now a fixture of U.S. elections, leading to diminished trust in election results & democracy (broadly). These rumors can sometimes be hard to debunk, esp. in their early stages. Our UW team has identified the 6 common ways that election integrity rumors mislead:

Clayton Littlejohn @cmlittlejohn.bsky.social · 1d

This is funny, but it's also not a coincidence

Better Things Are Possible @internethippo.bsky.social · 1d

Science is finally catching up

Better Things Are Possible @internethippo.bsky.social · 1d

Science is finally catching up

Only a fool thinks it's a coincidence that the brain has two cheeks just like the ass

Add to Home Screen

News, ranked by scholars

Add to Home Screen

News, ranked by scholars

Sign in to LightNews

Sign up to start reading

Connect Bluesky

Connect with Bluesky