Kian
@kiantd.bsky.social
Cog psych PhD student, professionally nosy about the brain.
Studying the mind, badly playing Chopin.
Generalist by nature, focused by force.
Studying the mind, badly playing Chopin.
Generalist by nature, focused by force.
9/9
I'll end with the words of one of our beloved poets:
"Love's dominion came, and I became an eternal kingdom."
— Rumi
I'll end with the words of one of our beloved poets:
"Love's dominion came, and I became an eternal kingdom."
— Rumi
September 8, 2026 at 9:09 AM
9/9
I'll end with the words of one of our beloved poets:
"Love's dominion came, and I became an eternal kingdom."
— Rumi
I'll end with the words of one of our beloved poets:
"Love's dominion came, and I became an eternal kingdom."
— Rumi
8/9
We are the civilization that inspired parts of the American story — Jefferson studied Cyrus the Great's way of ruling.
We are the people who wrote one of the first charters of human rights in history.
We are the people of love and poetry.
We are the civilization that inspired parts of the American story — Jefferson studied Cyrus the Great's way of ruling.
We are the people who wrote one of the first charters of human rights in history.
We are the people of love and poetry.
September 8, 2026 at 9:09 AM
8/9
We are the civilization that inspired parts of the American story — Jefferson studied Cyrus the Great's way of ruling.
We are the people who wrote one of the first charters of human rights in history.
We are the people of love and poetry.
We are the civilization that inspired parts of the American story — Jefferson studied Cyrus the Great's way of ruling.
We are the people who wrote one of the first charters of human rights in history.
We are the people of love and poetry.
7/9
Iranian people have survived through love and poetry. That is how we became the longest-enduring civilization in the world.
Our first spiritual teacher, Zoroaster, was a poet. Our language itself survived through Ferdowsi poems, after so many attempts to erase it.
Iranian people have survived through love and poetry. That is how we became the longest-enduring civilization in the world.
Our first spiritual teacher, Zoroaster, was a poet. Our language itself survived through Ferdowsi poems, after so many attempts to erase it.
September 8, 2026 at 9:09 AM
7/9
Iranian people have survived through love and poetry. That is how we became the longest-enduring civilization in the world.
Our first spiritual teacher, Zoroaster, was a poet. Our language itself survived through Ferdowsi poems, after so many attempts to erase it.
Iranian people have survived through love and poetry. That is how we became the longest-enduring civilization in the world.
Our first spiritual teacher, Zoroaster, was a poet. Our language itself survived through Ferdowsi poems, after so many attempts to erase it.
6/9
Picture a PhD student working two jobs for pennies, saving up just to translate their documents while keeping up with their research — now hearing "no" because of these policies.
Picture a PhD student working two jobs for pennies, saving up just to translate their documents while keeping up with their research — now hearing "no" because of these policies.
September 8, 2026 at 9:09 AM
6/9
Picture a PhD student working two jobs for pennies, saving up just to translate their documents while keeping up with their research — now hearing "no" because of these policies.
Picture a PhD student working two jobs for pennies, saving up just to translate their documents while keeping up with their research — now hearing "no" because of these policies.
5/9
So many Iranian students who want nothing more than an academic life, an ordinary life, are being turned away by nearly every university.
These are people who worked relentlessly to chase their dreams against obstacles most others couldn't imagine.
So many Iranian students who want nothing more than an academic life, an ordinary life, are being turned away by nearly every university.
These are people who worked relentlessly to chase their dreams against obstacles most others couldn't imagine.
September 8, 2026 at 9:09 AM
5/9
So many Iranian students who want nothing more than an academic life, an ordinary life, are being turned away by nearly every university.
These are people who worked relentlessly to chase their dreams against obstacles most others couldn't imagine.
So many Iranian students who want nothing more than an academic life, an ordinary life, are being turned away by nearly every university.
These are people who worked relentlessly to chase their dreams against obstacles most others couldn't imagine.
4/9
After years of heavy sanctions, the ones suffocating are the very people who just want a normal life.
And how does stripping Iranians of the right to an education — after everything we've already endured — help anyone at all?
After years of heavy sanctions, the ones suffocating are the very people who just want a normal life.
And how does stripping Iranians of the right to an education — after everything we've already endured — help anyone at all?
September 8, 2026 at 9:09 AM
4/9
After years of heavy sanctions, the ones suffocating are the very people who just want a normal life.
And how does stripping Iranians of the right to an education — after everything we've already endured — help anyone at all?
After years of heavy sanctions, the ones suffocating are the very people who just want a normal life.
And how does stripping Iranians of the right to an education — after everything we've already endured — help anyone at all?
3/9
Imagine being censored by your own government and sanctioned by others at the same time.
I won't even get into the ethics of it. In purely practical terms — how does weakening ordinary people serve any goal the US actually claims to have?
Imagine being censored by your own government and sanctioned by others at the same time.
I won't even get into the ethics of it. In purely practical terms — how does weakening ordinary people serve any goal the US actually claims to have?
September 8, 2026 at 9:09 AM
3/9
Imagine being censored by your own government and sanctioned by others at the same time.
I won't even get into the ethics of it. In purely practical terms — how does weakening ordinary people serve any goal the US actually claims to have?
Imagine being censored by your own government and sanctioned by others at the same time.
I won't even get into the ethics of it. In purely practical terms — how does weakening ordinary people serve any goal the US actually claims to have?
2/9
Before the war, Trump kept saying the US stood with Iran's people. Many believed it, hoping the US would help.
I was skeptical then, and now I watch that hope curdle into anger at the US government too.
Even those who oppose our own government ask: how do these policies help anyone?
Before the war, Trump kept saying the US stood with Iran's people. Many believed it, hoping the US would help.
I was skeptical then, and now I watch that hope curdle into anger at the US government too.
Even those who oppose our own government ask: how do these policies help anyone?
September 8, 2026 at 9:09 AM
2/9
Before the war, Trump kept saying the US stood with Iran's people. Many believed it, hoping the US would help.
I was skeptical then, and now I watch that hope curdle into anger at the US government too.
Even those who oppose our own government ask: how do these policies help anyone?
Before the war, Trump kept saying the US stood with Iran's people. Many believed it, hoping the US would help.
I was skeptical then, and now I watch that hope curdle into anger at the US government too.
Even those who oppose our own government ask: how do these policies help anyone?
I cried so hard over this two years ago, and now again. How can the last moments of a child be like this...? I have no words for it, I am just sad for humanity.
August 20, 2026 at 7:25 PM
I cried so hard over this two years ago, and now again. How can the last moments of a child be like this...? I have no words for it, I am just sad for humanity.
Even Christopher Nolan couldn’t have thought of a twist like this
August 18, 2026 at 10:06 PM
Even Christopher Nolan couldn’t have thought of a twist like this