Large Language Models Are More Persuasive Than Incentivized Human Persuaders
(arxiv.org)
We directly compare the persuasion capabilities of a frontier large language model (LLM; Claude Sonnet 3.5) against incentivized human persuaders in an interactive, real-time conversational quiz setting.
We directly compare the persuasion capabilities of a frontier large language model (LLM; Claude Sonnet 3.5) against incentivized human persuaders in an interactive, real-time conversational quiz setting.
Eye-tracking study reveals where women and men look when viewing a female butt
(psypost.org)
A recent study published in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery has shed light on the subconscious visual preferences people have regarding the appearance of buttocks.
A recent study published in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery has shed light on the subconscious visual preferences people have regarding the appearance of buttocks.
The People Refusing to Use AI
(bbc.com)
Nothing has convinced Sabine Zetteler of the value of using AI.
Nothing has convinced Sabine Zetteler of the value of using AI.
The People Refusing to Use AI
(bbc.com)
Nothing has convinced Sabine Zetteler of the value of using AI.
Nothing has convinced Sabine Zetteler of the value of using AI.
People who don't ask me questions drive me crazy. Why are they like that?
(theguardian.com)
‘Non-askers’ can come across as selfish – but there might be personal and societal reasons for their lack of curiosity
‘Non-askers’ can come across as selfish – but there might be personal and societal reasons for their lack of curiosity
Women rely partly on smell when choosing friends
(arstechnica.com)
According to a new paper published in the journal Scientific Reports, two heterosexual women meeting for the first time rely partly on scent to judge whether they want to be friends with each other, deciding within minutes—practically at first whiff—whether there is friendship potential.
According to a new paper published in the journal Scientific Reports, two heterosexual women meeting for the first time rely partly on scent to judge whether they want to be friends with each other, deciding within minutes—practically at first whiff—whether there is friendship potential.
The Friendship Recession: The lost art of connecting
(hks.harvard.edu)
The so-called “Friendship Recession” is making its way into the vernacular—a profound shift in how Americans experience and sustain friendships.
The so-called “Friendship Recession” is making its way into the vernacular—a profound shift in how Americans experience and sustain friendships.
Misokinesia, sensitivity to seeing others fidget prevalent in general population
(nature.com)
Misokinesia––or the ‘hatred of movements’––is a psychological phenomenon that is defined by a strong negative affective or emotional response to the sight of someone else’s small and repetitive movements, such as seeing someone fidget with a hand or foot.
Misokinesia––or the ‘hatred of movements’––is a psychological phenomenon that is defined by a strong negative affective or emotional response to the sight of someone else’s small and repetitive movements, such as seeing someone fidget with a hand or foot.
AI isn't what we should be worried about – it's the humans controlling it
(theconversation.com)
In 2014, Stephen Hawking voiced grave warnings about the threats of artificial intelligence.
In 2014, Stephen Hawking voiced grave warnings about the threats of artificial intelligence.
Study: People select feedback to flatter others, except when they dislike them
(phys.org)
People generally try to make other people feel good about themselves, but not when they dislike them. That's the finding of a new study by psychologists at the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) of the University of Pennsylvania investigating the extent to which people promote "positive self-views" for total strangers.
People generally try to make other people feel good about themselves, but not when they dislike them. That's the finding of a new study by psychologists at the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) of the University of Pennsylvania investigating the extent to which people promote "positive self-views" for total strangers.
Mathematicians uncover the logic behind how people walk in crowds
(news.mit.edu)
Next time you cross a crowded plaza, crosswalk, or airport concourse, take note of the pedestrian flow. Are people walking in orderly lanes, single-file, to their respective destinations? Or is it a haphazard tangle of personal trajectories, as people dodge and weave through the crowd?
Next time you cross a crowded plaza, crosswalk, or airport concourse, take note of the pedestrian flow. Are people walking in orderly lanes, single-file, to their respective destinations? Or is it a haphazard tangle of personal trajectories, as people dodge and weave through the crowd?
Excessive Criticism Is a Sign of Internal Conflict
(kupajo.com)
Excessive criticism is a red flag that signals internal conflict.
Excessive criticism is a red flag that signals internal conflict.
People are just as bad as my LLMs
(wilsoniumite.com)
Surprising? Ok, maybe not in retrospect. So what if humans who can’t distinguish two TTS voices have a bias toward the sample presented to them on the right hand side of the screen. Indeed, “preferring stuff on the right hand side” has even been studied [1].
Surprising? Ok, maybe not in retrospect. So what if humans who can’t distinguish two TTS voices have a bias toward the sample presented to them on the right hand side of the screen. Indeed, “preferring stuff on the right hand side” has even been studied [1].
Elon Musk and Spiky Intelligence
(natesilver.net)
Like a lot of successful people, he’s world-class in some dimensions of intelligence but deficient in others.
Like a lot of successful people, he’s world-class in some dimensions of intelligence but deficient in others.
Physical attractiveness outweighs intelligence in partner selection
(psypost.org)
Women and their parents report that intelligence is more important than physical attractiveness in a long-term partner, yet when forced to choose, they both favor a more attractive mate—even when the less attractive option is described as more intelligent.
Women and their parents report that intelligence is more important than physical attractiveness in a long-term partner, yet when forced to choose, they both favor a more attractive mate—even when the less attractive option is described as more intelligent.
Incised artefacts from the Middle Palaeolithic and human behavioural complexity
(springer.com)
In recent years, archaeological research has demonstrated the presence of abstract non-utilitarian behaviour amongst palaeolithic hominins, fuelling discussions concerning the origin and implications of such complex behaviours.
In recent years, archaeological research has demonstrated the presence of abstract non-utilitarian behaviour amongst palaeolithic hominins, fuelling discussions concerning the origin and implications of such complex behaviours.
Emergence of collective oscillations in human crowds
(nature.com)
Dense crowds form some of the most dangerous environments in modern society1. Dangers arise from uncontrolled collective motions, leading to compression against walls, suffocation and fatalities2,3,4.
Dense crowds form some of the most dangerous environments in modern society1. Dangers arise from uncontrolled collective motions, leading to compression against walls, suffocation and fatalities2,3,4.
We're performing for an audience of machines
(christopherireland.substack.com)
We are kept angry, reactive, and sure we’re right. Because that reaction is profitable and mutes our power.
We are kept angry, reactive, and sure we’re right. Because that reaction is profitable and mutes our power.
Knowing less about AI makes people more open to using it
(theconversation.com)
The rapid spread of artificial intelligence has people wondering: who’s most likely to embrace AI in their daily lives? Many assume it’s the tech-savvy – those who understand how AI works – who are most eager to adopt it.
The rapid spread of artificial intelligence has people wondering: who’s most likely to embrace AI in their daily lives? Many assume it’s the tech-savvy – those who understand how AI works – who are most eager to adopt it.
Total Isolation: What Happens to Your Brain After 30 Days Spent Alone (2019)
(inverse.com)
Imagine being confined to a small, dark room, with no social interaction whatsoever for 30 days. Not many people would jump at this opportunity. But, in November 2018, a professional US poker player, Rich Alati, bet $100,000 that he could survive 30 days alone and in total darkness.
Imagine being confined to a small, dark room, with no social interaction whatsoever for 30 days. Not many people would jump at this opportunity. But, in November 2018, a professional US poker player, Rich Alati, bet $100,000 that he could survive 30 days alone and in total darkness.
Scientist discover that AI has developed an uncanny human-like ability
(psypost.org)
Recent research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has found that large language models, such as ChatGPT-4, demonstrate an unexpected capacity to solve tasks typically used to evaluate the human ability known as “theory of mind.”
Recent research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has found that large language models, such as ChatGPT-4, demonstrate an unexpected capacity to solve tasks typically used to evaluate the human ability known as “theory of mind.”
Testosterone eliminates strategic prosocial behavior in healthy males (2023)
(nature.com)
Humans are strategically more prosocial when their actions are being watched by others than when they act alone.
Humans are strategically more prosocial when their actions are being watched by others than when they act alone.
Why Do Some People Look Like Their Dogs?
(nautil.us)
The resemblance isn’t just a comical coincidence.
The resemblance isn’t just a comical coincidence.
The Paradoxical Slowness of Human Behavior
(caltech.edu)
Caltech researchers have quantified the speed of human thought: a rate of 10 bits per second. However, our bodies' sensory systems gather data about our environments at a rate of a billion bits per second, which is 100 million times faster than our thought processes.
Caltech researchers have quantified the speed of human thought: a rate of 10 bits per second. However, our bodies' sensory systems gather data about our environments at a rate of a billion bits per second, which is 100 million times faster than our thought processes.
Human Interaction Is Now a Luxury Good
(nytimes.com)
In part of her new book, “The Last Human Job,” the sociologist Allison Pugh shadowed an apprentice hospital chaplain, Erin Nash, as she went through her day.
In part of her new book, “The Last Human Job,” the sociologist Allison Pugh shadowed an apprentice hospital chaplain, Erin Nash, as she went through her day.