Stephen J. Gotts
@sjgotts.bsky.social
Cognitive neuroscientist interested in vision, conceptual processing, learning and memory. Views and opinions my own.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Stephen-Gotts
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Stephen-Gotts
Reposted by Stephen J. Gotts
Scoop: Top FDA official Vinay Prasad overruled the agency’s reviewers when he refused to accept Moderna’s application for a new influenza vaccine, STAT has learned.
www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
Prasad overruled FDA staff to reject Moderna's flu vaccine application
The rejection is the latest instance of Vinay Prasad overruling career FDA scientists to place vaccines under harsher scrutiny.
www.statnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Scoop: Top FDA official Vinay Prasad overruled the agency’s reviewers when he refused to accept Moderna’s application for a new influenza vaccine, STAT has learned.
www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
Reposted by Stephen J. Gotts
neuroAI comparisons of ANNs to brains do have a range of problems. Even more than I had realized. And I was worried before: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org
February 9, 2026 at 2:13 PM
neuroAI comparisons of ANNs to brains do have a range of problems. Even more than I had realized. And I was worried before: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Stephen J. Gotts
Navarro has repeatedly (and falsely) claimed that "illegals" were taking the jobs of Americans, including in this very interview.
If that's the case, then why is he now warning that job growth will slow amidst mass deportations? Shouldn't this be boom times for native-born workers?
If that's the case, then why is he now warning that job growth will slow amidst mass deportations? Shouldn't this be boom times for native-born workers?
Peter Navarro: "The jobs report comes out tomorrow. We have to revise our expectations down significantly for what a monthly job number should look like ... Wall Street has to adjust for the fact that we're deporting millions of illegals out of the job market."
February 10, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Navarro has repeatedly (and falsely) claimed that "illegals" were taking the jobs of Americans, including in this very interview.
If that's the case, then why is he now warning that job growth will slow amidst mass deportations? Shouldn't this be boom times for native-born workers?
If that's the case, then why is he now warning that job growth will slow amidst mass deportations? Shouldn't this be boom times for native-born workers?
Reposted by Stephen J. Gotts
Before The Washington Post layoffs came down, a group of wealthy D.C. locals approached CEO Will Lewis with a proposal.
@passantino.bsky.social has the details in his Saturday @status.news column: www.status.news/p/washington...
@passantino.bsky.social has the details in his Saturday @status.news column: www.status.news/p/washington...
February 7, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Before The Washington Post layoffs came down, a group of wealthy D.C. locals approached CEO Will Lewis with a proposal.
@passantino.bsky.social has the details in his Saturday @status.news column: www.status.news/p/washington...
@passantino.bsky.social has the details in his Saturday @status.news column: www.status.news/p/washington...
Reposted by Stephen J. Gotts
Devastating decision from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals last night endorsing the Trump Bureau of Immigration Appeals 2025 ruling that undocumented immigrants “apprehended anywhere in the United States are ineligible for release on bond, regardless of how long they have resided in the U.S.”
February 7, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Devastating decision from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals last night endorsing the Trump Bureau of Immigration Appeals 2025 ruling that undocumented immigrants “apprehended anywhere in the United States are ineligible for release on bond, regardless of how long they have resided in the U.S.”
Reposted by Stephen J. Gotts
Spoke with a PI whose postdoc is trapped abroad because of social media vetting. It appears the postdoc missed disclosing one account and it's unclear if they can come back… ever.
This is the country we live in now.
This is the country we live in now.
February 7, 2026 at 2:07 PM
Spoke with a PI whose postdoc is trapped abroad because of social media vetting. It appears the postdoc missed disclosing one account and it's unclear if they can come back… ever.
This is the country we live in now.
This is the country we live in now.
Reposted by Stephen J. Gotts
MAGA-aligned military commanders are pressuring enlisted service members to go to the Melania movie and bring their families. Troops at 8 different bases have complained. www.businessinsider.com/us-military-...
February 7, 2026 at 12:12 PM
MAGA-aligned military commanders are pressuring enlisted service members to go to the Melania movie and bring their families. Troops at 8 different bases have complained. www.businessinsider.com/us-military-...
Reposted by Stephen J. Gotts
While Donald Trump and RFK Jr. push conspiracy theories over science, my administration is forging a path that puts our people first.
Illinois will adopt the American Academy of Pediatrics' vaccine schedule to keep families safe.
Illinois will adopt the American Academy of Pediatrics' vaccine schedule to keep families safe.
Illinois adopts American Academy of Pediatrics vaccine schedule, shunning federal recommendations
Illinois’ adoption of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ childhood vaccine schedule is the latest example of Illinois breaking with the federal government over health care policies.
www.chicagotribune.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:17 PM
While Donald Trump and RFK Jr. push conspiracy theories over science, my administration is forging a path that puts our people first.
Illinois will adopt the American Academy of Pediatrics' vaccine schedule to keep families safe.
Illinois will adopt the American Academy of Pediatrics' vaccine schedule to keep families safe.
Reposted by Stephen J. Gotts
The Department of Homeland Security is using administrative subpoenas, a secretive tool issued without a judge's signature, to go after people lawfully reporting ICE activity or criticizing DHS policies.
This is a direct attack on our First Amendment rights and we're fighting back.
This is a direct attack on our First Amendment rights and we're fighting back.
Homeland Security is trying to force tech companies to hand over data about Trump critics | TechCrunch
The use of administrative subpoenas, which are not subject to judicial oversight, are used to demand a wealth of information from tech companies, including the owners of anonymous online accounts documenting ICE operations.
techcrunch.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:33 PM
The Department of Homeland Security is using administrative subpoenas, a secretive tool issued without a judge's signature, to go after people lawfully reporting ICE activity or criticizing DHS policies.
This is a direct attack on our First Amendment rights and we're fighting back.
This is a direct attack on our First Amendment rights and we're fighting back.
Reposted by Stephen J. Gotts
in a democratic republic (and really in all times and places) the slavish hunger to be in the thrall of a strongman or a king is the ultimate moral degeneracy.
February 5, 2026 at 7:34 PM
in a democratic republic (and really in all times and places) the slavish hunger to be in the thrall of a strongman or a king is the ultimate moral degeneracy.
Reposted by Stephen J. Gotts
Hakeem Jeffries went from “no masks” to “no masks in an arbitrary and capricious fashion.” Schumer has adopted a similar position. At some point, you have to take a stand on something. Not allowing armed men in masks to roam our streets seems like an easy one. Apparently not.
February 5, 2026 at 1:42 PM
Hakeem Jeffries went from “no masks” to “no masks in an arbitrary and capricious fashion.” Schumer has adopted a similar position. At some point, you have to take a stand on something. Not allowing armed men in masks to roam our streets seems like an easy one. Apparently not.
Reposted by Stephen J. Gotts
It feels like it's been impossible to get people outside of higher ed to understand that eliminating staff/programs/majors is primarily an ideological project, whatever claims are made about finances.
What's happened at the Post is what's been happening in higher ed for ages.
What's happened at the Post is what's been happening in higher ed for ages.
February 5, 2026 at 1:19 PM
It feels like it's been impossible to get people outside of higher ed to understand that eliminating staff/programs/majors is primarily an ideological project, whatever claims are made about finances.
What's happened at the Post is what's been happening in higher ed for ages.
What's happened at the Post is what's been happening in higher ed for ages.
Reposted by Stephen J. Gotts
These are the curves for new and competitive renewal grants.
The number of new awards is increasing slightly, but only slightly.
17 out of 25 institutes and centers with funding authority have now made awards.
3/4
The number of new awards is increasing slightly, but only slightly.
17 out of 25 institutes and centers with funding authority have now made awards.
3/4
February 4, 2026 at 3:35 PM
These are the curves for new and competitive renewal grants.
The number of new awards is increasing slightly, but only slightly.
17 out of 25 institutes and centers with funding authority have now made awards.
3/4
The number of new awards is increasing slightly, but only slightly.
17 out of 25 institutes and centers with funding authority have now made awards.
3/4
Reposted by Stephen J. Gotts
I grew up with the Washington Post, wrote editorials for the Washington Post and published a column there for more than 15 years. To watch its owners destroy it, seemingly deliberately, in just a year and a half is devastating.
February 5, 2026 at 2:38 PM
I grew up with the Washington Post, wrote editorials for the Washington Post and published a column there for more than 15 years. To watch its owners destroy it, seemingly deliberately, in just a year and a half is devastating.
Reposted by Stephen J. Gotts
New Epstein files say that Steven Pinker was paid $10,000 to help Epstein’s defense (even though Pinker previously said he wasn't paid).
February 4, 2026 at 1:37 PM
New Epstein files say that Steven Pinker was paid $10,000 to help Epstein’s defense (even though Pinker previously said he wasn't paid).
Reposted by Stephen J. Gotts
We are hiring a research specialist, to start this summer! This position would be a great fit for individuals looking to get more experience in computational and cognitive neuroscience research before applying to graduate school. #neurojobs Apply here: research-princeton.icims.com/jobs/21503/r...
Careers | Human Resources
research-princeton.icims.com
February 4, 2026 at 1:12 PM
We are hiring a research specialist, to start this summer! This position would be a great fit for individuals looking to get more experience in computational and cognitive neuroscience research before applying to graduate school. #neurojobs Apply here: research-princeton.icims.com/jobs/21503/r...
Reposted by Stephen J. Gotts
Next witness to testify is Marimar Martinez, a U.S. citizen and Chicago resident who was shot five times by CBP agents in October and was later charged with assaulting the agents who shot her. The U.S. Attorney's Office dropped those charges six weeks later.
February 3, 2026 at 8:44 PM
Next witness to testify is Marimar Martinez, a U.S. citizen and Chicago resident who was shot five times by CBP agents in October and was later charged with assaulting the agents who shot her. The U.S. Attorney's Office dropped those charges six weeks later.
Reposted by Stephen J. Gotts
Reposted by Stephen J. Gotts
6/7 Our results further highlight the first year of life as a time of intricate brain function. Infants possess the foundations of visual cognition to group the world from very early on. Read more in Nature Neuroscience! 📖🔗 www.nature.com/articles/s41....
Infants have rich visual categories in ventrotemporal cortex at 2 months of age - Nature Neuroscience
Using infant fMRI, the authors show that, by 2 months of age, representations in high-level visual cortex encode visual categories that align with deep neural networks, and lateral object-selective re...
www.nature.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:00 PM
6/7 Our results further highlight the first year of life as a time of intricate brain function. Infants possess the foundations of visual cognition to group the world from very early on. Read more in Nature Neuroscience! 📖🔗 www.nature.com/articles/s41....
Reposted by Stephen J. Gotts
SCOOP: An outspoken critic of Trump who organized the "Bethesda Declaration" is seeking whistleblower protection. NIH program director @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social says the administration retaliated against her by putting her on paid leave. She wants her job back.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/u...
N.I.H. Worker Who Criticized Trump Seeks Whistle-Blower Protection
www.nytimes.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:59 PM
SCOOP: An outspoken critic of Trump who organized the "Bethesda Declaration" is seeking whistleblower protection. NIH program director @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social says the administration retaliated against her by putting her on paid leave. She wants her job back.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/u...
Reposted by Stephen J. Gotts
Since a lot of the coverage is omitting this detail: The Kennedy Center HAD a $250 million renovation and expansion just a few years ago, in 2019.
February 2, 2026 at 12:38 PM
Since a lot of the coverage is omitting this detail: The Kennedy Center HAD a $250 million renovation and expansion just a few years ago, in 2019.
Reposted by Stephen J. Gotts
New: Tesla 4th quarter profit plunges 61% year-over-year; annual profit down 46%
the brand damage:
-1 million lost vehicle sales, per study
-Declining revenue, profits, deliveries in 1st half of '25
-Lower total production/deliveries than '24
-Lost crown as world's leading EV seller
wapo.st/3LYTef1
the brand damage:
-1 million lost vehicle sales, per study
-Declining revenue, profits, deliveries in 1st half of '25
-Lower total production/deliveries than '24
-Lost crown as world's leading EV seller
wapo.st/3LYTef1
Tesla bet big on Elon Musk. His politics continue to haunt it.
Tesla struggles to regain its footing in the electric vehicle market, hindered by Elon Musk’s political activity, impacting its stock price and performance.
wapo.st
January 28, 2026 at 9:26 PM
New: Tesla 4th quarter profit plunges 61% year-over-year; annual profit down 46%
the brand damage:
-1 million lost vehicle sales, per study
-Declining revenue, profits, deliveries in 1st half of '25
-Lower total production/deliveries than '24
-Lost crown as world's leading EV seller
wapo.st/3LYTef1
the brand damage:
-1 million lost vehicle sales, per study
-Declining revenue, profits, deliveries in 1st half of '25
-Lower total production/deliveries than '24
-Lost crown as world's leading EV seller
wapo.st/3LYTef1
Reposted by Stephen J. Gotts
“Abolish” or “defund” aren't within grasp in 2026. But where are:
- End qualified immunity
- Rewrite use-of-force so this crap isn't ruled “within policy”
- Overturn July 8 mandatory detention memo
- Reinstate TPS
- Open up detention centers, enforce humane conditions
He doesn’t even *ask* for it.
- End qualified immunity
- Rewrite use-of-force so this crap isn't ruled “within policy”
- Overturn July 8 mandatory detention memo
- Reinstate TPS
- Open up detention centers, enforce humane conditions
He doesn’t even *ask* for it.
Chuck Schumer just announced demands on DHS to avoid shutdown:
1. End roving patrols, tighten rules on warrants
2. Enforce accountability & unified code of conduct for agents
3. No more masks & require bodycams
There are *already* standards on much of this.
The issue is DHS isn't following them!
1. End roving patrols, tighten rules on warrants
2. Enforce accountability & unified code of conduct for agents
3. No more masks & require bodycams
There are *already* standards on much of this.
The issue is DHS isn't following them!
January 28, 2026 at 10:09 PM
“Abolish” or “defund” aren't within grasp in 2026. But where are:
- End qualified immunity
- Rewrite use-of-force so this crap isn't ruled “within policy”
- Overturn July 8 mandatory detention memo
- Reinstate TPS
- Open up detention centers, enforce humane conditions
He doesn’t even *ask* for it.
- End qualified immunity
- Rewrite use-of-force so this crap isn't ruled “within policy”
- Overturn July 8 mandatory detention memo
- Reinstate TPS
- Open up detention centers, enforce humane conditions
He doesn’t even *ask* for it.
Reposted by Stephen J. Gotts
i have just gotten off a productive call with sauron where i laid out our requests
- nazgul bodycams
- morgul knife must remain sheathed unless suspect is determined to be carrying the one ring
- shelob will be the new point of contact
- nazgul bodycams
- morgul knife must remain sheathed unless suspect is determined to be carrying the one ring
- shelob will be the new point of contact
January 27, 2026 at 3:15 PM
i have just gotten off a productive call with sauron where i laid out our requests
- nazgul bodycams
- morgul knife must remain sheathed unless suspect is determined to be carrying the one ring
- shelob will be the new point of contact
- nazgul bodycams
- morgul knife must remain sheathed unless suspect is determined to be carrying the one ring
- shelob will be the new point of contact
Reposted by Stephen J. Gotts
Powerful call to action from @cdelawalla.bsky.social founder of @standupforscience.bsky.social
timmermanreport.com/2026/01/scie...
timmermanreport.com/2026/01/scie...
Science and Industry Need to Push Back Hard - TimmermanReport.com
The days of strongly worded letters, statements to the press, white papers, and op-eds are over. The people dismantling science are coming at all we care about with a pliers and a blowtorch. If I have...
timmermanreport.com
January 26, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Powerful call to action from @cdelawalla.bsky.social founder of @standupforscience.bsky.social
timmermanreport.com/2026/01/scie...
timmermanreport.com/2026/01/scie...