Niki Seth-Smith
@nikisethsmith.bsky.social
Editor of @newhumanist.bsky.social, journalist and fiction writer 🍐
Just realised we’re spreading a thought experiment that panicked so many people it was banned… go on, read and doom yourselves! newhumanist.org.uk/articles/649...
Joe Biden is a robot (and other cyber myths)
The digital world is a playground for the tinfoil hat brigade. But now they are turning on the internet itself
newhumanist.org.uk
January 12, 2026 at 7:11 PM
Just realised we’re spreading a thought experiment that panicked so many people it was banned… go on, read and doom yourselves! newhumanist.org.uk/articles/649...
The beginning of Jan has been brutal, but here’s your reminder, from @naomialderman.bsky.social, not to burn anyone at the stake today. I interviewed her on how we can draw on the lessons of history to get some perspective. It’s an unexpectedly heartening read! newhumanist.org.uk/articles/649...
Surviving the Third Information Crisis
Writer Naomi Alderman gives us tips and tricks on how to stay sane in a maddening world
newhumanist.org.uk
January 10, 2026 at 11:01 AM
The beginning of Jan has been brutal, but here’s your reminder, from @naomialderman.bsky.social, not to burn anyone at the stake today. I interviewed her on how we can draw on the lessons of history to get some perspective. It’s an unexpectedly heartening read! newhumanist.org.uk/articles/649...
“Atheists, bohemians and the children of stray Russian intellectuals.” Yes, this was my school (as a day child with a small music scholarship). Now I need to start a band named Children of the Louche
January 2, 2026 at 11:09 PM
“Atheists, bohemians and the children of stray Russian intellectuals.” Yes, this was my school (as a day child with a small music scholarship). Now I need to start a band named Children of the Louche
My most loyal of friends nearly died this year.. Pericles the dog heroically survived cancer and was zooming along the beaches with me today to see off 2025! 🐾🙏
December 31, 2025 at 3:15 PM
My most loyal of friends nearly died this year.. Pericles the dog heroically survived cancer and was zooming along the beaches with me today to see off 2025! 🐾🙏
This is a wonderful gift, beautifully designed and full of thought-provoking articles, and a steal at £21. Give a gift that lasts all year!
Looking for ethical gifts this Christmas?
New Humanist magazine is the perfect present for curious minds - and every subscription supports independent, non-profit journalism.
This month only, get a year's print + digital subscription for just £21 with code FESTIVE:
New Humanist magazine is the perfect present for curious minds - and every subscription supports independent, non-profit journalism.
This month only, get a year's print + digital subscription for just £21 with code FESTIVE:
Subscribe to New Humanist
A beautiful, thought-provoking magazine delivered to your door every quarter.
newhumanist.org.uk
December 17, 2025 at 12:55 PM
This is a wonderful gift, beautifully designed and full of thought-provoking articles, and a steal at £21. Give a gift that lasts all year!
I endorse performative reading. Please feel free to read New Humanist as shamelessly and publicly as you like, particularly this latest issue: newhumanist.org.uk/articles/647...
December 3, 2025 at 8:53 AM
I endorse performative reading. Please feel free to read New Humanist as shamelessly and publicly as you like, particularly this latest issue: newhumanist.org.uk/articles/647...
Finally, the two child benefit cap is scrapped. A good time to revisit James Ball’s reflections on why the policy has proved so central to the fight over the soul of the Labour Party
newhumanist.org.uk/articles/639...
newhumanist.org.uk/articles/639...
What’s the point of politics?
Labour’s feud over child benefits points to a deeper question: how to balance strategy with doing the right thing
newhumanist.org.uk
November 26, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Finally, the two child benefit cap is scrapped. A good time to revisit James Ball’s reflections on why the policy has proved so central to the fight over the soul of the Labour Party
newhumanist.org.uk/articles/639...
newhumanist.org.uk/articles/639...
I often pass Lindisfarne island, on my way from London to my mum’s in Scotland. This charming piece is a guide to walking there (you can!) and an exploration of what it means to be an “atheist pilgrim”.
Read more and buy the issue at newhumanist.org.uk
Read more and buy the issue at newhumanist.org.uk
November 25, 2025 at 4:41 PM
I often pass Lindisfarne island, on my way from London to my mum’s in Scotland. This charming piece is a guide to walking there (you can!) and an exploration of what it means to be an “atheist pilgrim”.
Read more and buy the issue at newhumanist.org.uk
Read more and buy the issue at newhumanist.org.uk
Give me your ideas, which people make you feel inspired - or at least keep you sane?
Give us your nominations: We want to interview the *freethinkers of today*, people cutting through the swamp of propaganda and standing for truth and integrity. We've recently spoken to @naomialderman.bsky.social and @petertatchellfdn.bsky.social and @stephenfry.bsky.social ... who next?
November 24, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Give me your ideas, which people make you feel inspired - or at least keep you sane?
We have to now make a choice to “work the muscle” of our brains, just like we hit the gym where once we laboured in the fields. Beat the brainrot! Start by buying this issue on our website or at the shops 🧠
Stay smart in a changing world! New Humanist's Winter 2025 edition is out now
From the rise of AI to attacks on universities, are we all getting dumber? Or is society transforming and discovering new ways to be smart?
newhumanist.org.uk
November 20, 2025 at 12:50 PM
We have to now make a choice to “work the muscle” of our brains, just like we hit the gym where once we laboured in the fields. Beat the brainrot! Start by buying this issue on our website or at the shops 🧠
The word of the year is “Parasocial”. Perhaps not unrelated to last year’s “Brainrot”? 🧐
Look out for the *How to Stay Smart* issue of @newhumanist.bsky.social, OUT TOMORROW
Look out for the *How to Stay Smart* issue of @newhumanist.bsky.social, OUT TOMORROW
November 19, 2025 at 11:38 AM
The word of the year is “Parasocial”. Perhaps not unrelated to last year’s “Brainrot”? 🧐
Look out for the *How to Stay Smart* issue of @newhumanist.bsky.social, OUT TOMORROW
Look out for the *How to Stay Smart* issue of @newhumanist.bsky.social, OUT TOMORROW
It’s your last chance to buy our “Battle over Space” issue, in your local shop or on our website. Here’s one of my faves, on NASA’s sexist history and how to talk to aliens
Sexism in space
How should we represent humankind to aliens? With Pioneer 10 and 11, Nasa fell short. Next time, we must do better
newhumanist.org.uk
November 19, 2025 at 10:19 AM
It’s your last chance to buy our “Battle over Space” issue, in your local shop or on our website. Here’s one of my faves, on NASA’s sexist history and how to talk to aliens
It’s flu and Covid season again, and many of us are guiltily avoiding each other. Read this about how normal it is to have health anxiety, it will make you feel (paradoxically?) better 🤧 newhumanist.org.uk/articles/647...
Inside the world of health anxiety
It's Covid season again. Two books have lessons on how to navigate health anxiety
newhumanist.org.uk
October 28, 2025 at 8:36 PM
It’s flu and Covid season again, and many of us are guiltily avoiding each other. Read this about how normal it is to have health anxiety, it will make you feel (paradoxically?) better 🤧 newhumanist.org.uk/articles/647...
@siobhan.bsky.social Hi Siobhan, I’d like to contact you re a potential opportunity with New Humanist, could you email [email protected] if interested, thanks
October 2, 2025 at 4:09 PM
@siobhan.bsky.social Hi Siobhan, I’d like to contact you re a potential opportunity with New Humanist, could you email [email protected] if interested, thanks
I interviewed an expert on space warfare. We need more public awareness he says, “it’s a democratic issue”
Security expert Mark Hilborne talks to us about the rise of space warfare - and how it could be the deciding factor in the Russia-Ukraine conflict
'Most nations are starting to talk about space as a domain of warfare'
Security expert Mark Hilborne talks to us about space warfare - and how it could be the deciding factor in the Russia-Ukraine conflict
newhumanist.org.uk
September 26, 2025 at 2:28 PM
I interviewed an expert on space warfare. We need more public awareness he says, “it’s a democratic issue”
A fascinating piece of reportage from Japan on the nuclear choices all countries must make
✨ New online:
@dominicmhinde.bsky.social travels to Japan to uncover what its experience of two very different nuclear disasters can teach us in an age of conflict and climate change
@dominicmhinde.bsky.social travels to Japan to uncover what its experience of two very different nuclear disasters can teach us in an age of conflict and climate change
Nuclear choices
In an age of conflict and climate change, we must listen to the people of Fukushima and Hiroshima
newhumanist.org.uk
September 26, 2025 at 2:23 PM
A fascinating piece of reportage from Japan on the nuclear choices all countries must make
A last late summer trek along the river Ouse… farewell cerulean skies
September 9, 2025 at 8:10 PM
A last late summer trek along the river Ouse… farewell cerulean skies
A lot of people telling me they’re bored of contemporary fiction. Check out the small indie Fly On The Wall Press. These novels are brave and tender, and definitely bucked the tendency towards flat, anhedonic prose
September 9, 2025 at 6:29 PM
A lot of people telling me they’re bored of contemporary fiction. Check out the small indie Fly On The Wall Press. These novels are brave and tender, and definitely bucked the tendency towards flat, anhedonic prose
Any science feature writers? We pay £350-450, send your pitches today or tomorrow!
We're looking for long science features for our next issue! At 2,500 words, it's a great opportunity to dig deep into a science topic with political or social relevance today. Please send ideas to [email protected] by Aug 29
September 1, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Any science feature writers? We pay £350-450, send your pitches today or tomorrow!
This is out! A much-needed shot in the arm and antidote to space pessimism. With contributions on the African Space Agency, indigenous “Sky grief” and my interview with Mark Hilborne on the need for regulation in our age of space warfare
Look up! New Humanist's Autumn 2025 issue on the battle for space is out now
How the battle over space affects all of us
newhumanist.org.uk
August 21, 2025 at 10:51 AM
This is out! A much-needed shot in the arm and antidote to space pessimism. With contributions on the African Space Agency, indigenous “Sky grief” and my interview with Mark Hilborne on the need for regulation in our age of space warfare
"Existential psychotherapy rises to the challenge of finding something to live for." Author and clinical psychologist Frank Tallis writes clearly and powerfully on why therapists should take the quest for meaning more seriously:
Minds in search of meaning
Therapists need to do more to help the many people today who feel their lives lack purpose
newhumanist.org.uk
July 18, 2025 at 10:42 AM
"Existential psychotherapy rises to the challenge of finding something to live for." Author and clinical psychologist Frank Tallis writes clearly and powerfully on why therapists should take the quest for meaning more seriously:
How concerned should we be about our inability to consistently replicate studies? It’s an issue that cuts to the heart of our ideas about truth and science, as I discovered hosting this eye-opening debate:
Unmasking the mind
“Psychology should be based on empirical evidence and scientific methods,” claimed the founder of its modern form, cognitive psychology. Yet critics argue it's unknown whether psychology really has m...
iai.tv
July 14, 2025 at 1:10 PM
How concerned should we be about our inability to consistently replicate studies? It’s an issue that cuts to the heart of our ideas about truth and science, as I discovered hosting this eye-opening debate:
Fantastic energy at #Humanists2025 in Sheffield, on a weekend otherwise marked by dark news. A reminder of the many inspiring freethinkers who might just help get us out of this mess
June 15, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Fantastic energy at #Humanists2025 in Sheffield, on a weekend otherwise marked by dark news. A reminder of the many inspiring freethinkers who might just help get us out of this mess
I spoke to @nickfish.me, president of @atheists.org, about the ordinary Americans coming together to fight white Christian nationalism
How atheists, humanists and democrats are coming together to resist the influence of white Christian nationalism under Trump
The volunteer atheist army standing up to Trump
As white Christian nationalists seek to reshape the United States, we hear from the frontlines of the resistance
newhumanist.org.uk
May 29, 2025 at 11:58 AM
I spoke to @nickfish.me, president of @atheists.org, about the ordinary Americans coming together to fight white Christian nationalism
Very pleased to welcome @iandunt.bsky.social to our new editorial board. As Editor of New Humanist, I’m looking forward to some stimulating input from Ian and the board
Ian Dunt to chair ‘New Humanist’ Editorial Board
Acclaimed political journalist and author Ian Dunt has been appointed as the Chair of the newly established Editorial Board for New Humanist magazine, following its merger with Humanists UK earlier th...
humanists.uk
May 27, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Very pleased to welcome @iandunt.bsky.social to our new editorial board. As Editor of New Humanist, I’m looking forward to some stimulating input from Ian and the board