Paul Smaldino @psmaldino@qoto.org

I got asked to make a list of five books I like that are connected thematically with my own book. I like talking about books, so I did. Here's "The best books about (human) behavior that reward working through the math." https://shepherd.com/best-books/behavior-that-reward-working-through-the-math

Neat documentary about SFI. Around 16:30 you can see a workshop I ran in May sitting in the atrium (I am behind some other people and not visible, though you can see my hat peaking out). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gjZ_dfzaDE&ab_channel=TheWell

New paper out in Phil Trans B with Karolina Safarzynska. Simple model of a group-structured public good with externalities shifting benefits toward more inequality or more equity. Only redistributional externalities increase cooperation. https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.2022.0267

For my (obligatory) lectures on consciousness in my Intro CogSci class, I assign Douglas Hofstadter's "Careenium" essay from 1982. No matter how many times I re-read it, I always find new stuff in there. What a delight.

Solid press release about my book from UC Merced. They did cut a quote I gave them where I said I hoped literally everyone in the world would read it, but I suppose we should err on the side of humility.

https://news.ucmerced.edu/news/2023/cognitive-science-professor%E2%80%99s-first-book-released-princeton-university-press

Andrew Gelman reviewed my book, Modeling Social Behavior.

“The book has social science, it has code, it has graphs—it’s got everything… I hope it’s taught in thousands of classes and sells a zillion copies.”

https://statmodeling.stat.columbia.edu/2023/10/24/modeling-social-behavior-paul-smaldinos-cool-new-textbook-on-agent-based-modeling/

I listened to this and realized that, in reference to disciplinary structure in the human sciences, I yelled “Burn it all down!” not once but twice. I stand by it.

Good times on the BJKS podcast. If for whatever reason you want to listen to me ramble about career trajectories, modeling social behavior, and the state of academic science, have a listen.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1390924/13689768-75-paul-smaldino-modeling-social-behavior-the-value-of-false-models-and-research-beyond-traditional-disciplines

Publication day! The modeling textbook I started five years ago is finally out today. I'm proud of it, and really grateful to everyone who helped make it better.

PUP: https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691224145/modeling-social-behavior

AMZN: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0691224145?tag=it_books_com-20

My book, Modeling Social Behavior, comes out in just 5 days in North America and the EU. Zounds! I think it's very good and you should get it, but you don't have to take my word for it -- the 1st chapter is free on the PUP website.
PUP: https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691224145/modeling-social-behavior
AMZN: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0691224145?tag=it_books_com-20

In four weeks, my book comes out in the US. Insanity. If you're interested, you can pre-order at the usual spots.

PUP: https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691224145/modeling-social-behavior

AMZN: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0691224145?tag=it_books_com-20

I kind of hate the standard Cognitive Science "hexagon." The disciplines feel totally false to the realities of actually understanding human cognition and behavior. When I teach intro to cogsci, here's the version I present, in case it's useful to anyone.

Diggin’ the way my book looks on the old modelin’ shelf.

My Intro to Cognitive Science students get a surprise lesson in parasitology in Week 2 in order to think about the relationship between cognition and environmental predictability. Trying to fill in some gaps here.