*Warning: Side effects of ComSciCon Atlanta include an increase in #SciCom experience and, in rare cases (see: Stella Mayerhoff), an eventual career shift into science communication. Please attend responsibly.

5 points 🤣

Thank you, @ucscmonsters.bsky.social!

I went to a conference about monsters as a science journalist, not even as a scientist, and could think of 20 cognitive studies someone could do based this one talk.

So, scientists, don’t forget to go to a monster conference.

I don’t say this to be self-deprecating. I say this because it’s so easy to forget the value of interdisciplinary work, particularly when considering vastly different areas of study.

I’ve written about transactive memory systems as they relate to my cognitive offloading research, but I never (and I mean never, ever, ever) would’ve considered how they relate to the dehumanization of marginalized groups.

I was already fascinated as he spoke about his research when he started throwing little treats to my cognitive scientist brain, incorporating topics like transactive memory systems and the uncanny valley effect.

I was particularly struck by something he said to describe how this happens.

"If you're battling monsters, anything is allowed."

David Livingstone Smith gave an incredible keynote on the role of monsters in dehumanization. He used history, psychology, philosophy, and art to demonstrate how we commit reprehensible acts against fellow humans when we view them as monsters.