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Singal-Minded is a newsletter focused on the intersection of science, social justice activism, and freedom of expression, often highlighting the conflicts between these areas. It critiques media reporting, social media dynamics, psychological interventions in DEI programs, and scientific research integrity, urging for skepticism, transparency, and rigorous evaluation.

Science and Social Justice Media Criticism Freedom of Expression Transparency in Research Online Harassment and Mental Health Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs Youth Gender Medicine Censorship and Book Banning Impact of Social Media on Public Discourse Journalistic Integrity in Science Reporting

Top posts of the year

And their main takeaways

Bret Weinstein Sure Has A Lot Of Theories

1950 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Conspiracy Theories Media influence Public Figures Ethics Health Misinformation
  1. Bret Weinstein has been promoting conspiracy theories and fringe beliefs, misleading his audience and spreading misinformation.
  2. Weinstein irresponsibly suggested a link between Kary Mullis's death, Anthony Fauci criticism, and Covid policies, without evidence.
  3. Weinstein tends to make inflammatory insinuations and vague claims, aiming to appeal to conspiracy-minded individuals and fuel their fears.

Of Course DEI Programming Should Be Seen As Psychological Interventions And Held To The Appropriate Standards

1728 implied HN points • 24 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Diversity Psychology Standards Workplace Interventions
  1. Workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion programs are facing challenges and skepticism.
  2. DEI interventions should be seen as psychological interventions and held to appropriate standards to ensure they do not cause harm.
  3. There is a lack of formal and rigorous evaluation of DEI programs, which hinders the ability to determine their effectiveness.

Why So Many People Told Me To Kill Myself This Weekend

1644 implied HN points • 25 Jul 23
📰 News Online Harassment Journalism Podcasts Social media Ethics
  1. The author received harsh and disturbing responses online, including calls to kill themselves, after tweeting about an issue they disagreed with.
  2. There was a situation where a podcast misinterpreted and misrepresented a doctor's recommendation regarding hormone treatment for a transgender individual, leading to a Twitter controversy.
  3. The author faced escalating online harassment and suicide-baiting from certain individuals and their followers, highlighting the toxic nature of social media interactions.
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Do You Want Alex Joneses? Because That’s How You Get Alex Joneses

1623 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
🏥 Health Politics Youth Gender Medicine Medical Research Misinformation
  1. The American Medical Association and Endocrine Society's statement on youth gender medicine is filled with misinformation and non sequiturs.
  2. There are concerns about the lack of rigorous research supporting the use of puberty blockers in youth gender medicine.
  3. Major medical organizations have been criticized for spreading misinformation on sensitive and politicized topics, leading to questions about their trustworthiness.

If You Can’t See That Adam Rubenstein Was Treated Unfairly, You’re Being A Jerk

1268 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Journalism Opinion Ethics Bias
  1. Adam Rubenstein was treated unfairly in his journalistic career due to misinformation spread by his own colleagues.
  2. The incident involving Rubenstein's sandwich preference was used as a focal point to smear him professionally, showcasing a lack of empathy and journalistic integrity in some of his peers.
  3. The response from certain journalists highlights a lack of reflection and remorse in the industry, pointing to broader issues concerning truth and fair reporting in journalism.

A Critique Of Scientific American’s Recent Article, “What Are Puberty Blockers, and How Do They Work?”

1194 implied HN points • 07 May 23
🏥 Health Politics Gender Dysphoria Puberty Blockers Youth Gender Medicine
  1. Puberty blockers for gender dysphoric youth have controversial side effects and their effects on giving time to think are disputed.
  2. Scientific American's article lacks thorough research, oversimplifies key information, and makes misleading claims.
  3. Claims linking gender-affirming care to decreased suicide rates are based on flawed studies and should be approached with skepticism.

Americans Don’t Mind Hearing And Learning About Racism — They Just Don’t Like The Weird And Religiously Tinged Way Educated Liberals Talk About It

1168 implied HN points • 10 May 23
🎭️ Culture Race Books Twitter Publishing
  1. Americans are open to learning about racism, but dislike the way educated liberals discuss it.
  2. Authors facing censorship challenges can spark public outcry and bring attention to important issues.
  3. Culture wars and book banning in schools raise questions about offensive content and editorial processes.

‘Woke Kindergarten’ Is Capitalism At Work

972 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
💼 Business Education Capitalism
  1. An elementary school in Hayward, CA spent $250,000 on Woke Kindergarten, a for-profit company, to address student achievement issues.
  2. Despite the investment, student achievement at Glassbrook Elementary has fallen, highlighting the vulnerability of the students and the urgency of quality education.
  3. The situation underscores the capitalistic nature of the educational system, even when initiatives claim to be against capitalism.

Andrea Long Chu’s ‘New York’ Cover Story About Trans Kids Is, Above All Else, Lazy

941 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transgender rights Journalism Medicine
  1. The article discussed critiques about a cover story on trans kids, emphasizing that the argument for everyone to have access to sex-changing medical care was poorly defended and seemed more like trolling than meaningful discourse.
  2. There was criticism of the way the coverage of youth gender medicine was framed as a rights versus medical issue, highlighting that minors' decision-making capacities are different from adults and need to be considered.
  3. The piece also highlighted how the author viewed the anti-trans movement, pointing out that, according to them, the biggest opposition surprisingly came from liberals rather than the expected groups.

I'm Writing Another Book

771 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
📚 Literature Books
  1. The author is writing a book about the youth gender medicine debate in the US
  2. The book will include interviews with various stakeholders such as trans activists, detransitioners, clinicians, and parents
  3. Interested individuals can contact the author to share their stories or perspectives on the subject

Temporary Celibacy As Avoidance

708 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
  1. People tend to rush to extremes when faced with complicated situations, particularly when they are young.
  2. Open communication and understanding are crucial in dealing with distress, especially in family dynamics.
  3. Some individuals may resort to avoidance as a coping mechanism in situations where communication and negotiation are needed.

Criminal Justice Reform Is Good, But, Like Everything, It Requires Common Sense And Moderation

576 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Criminal justice reform is important, but it needs to be approached with common sense and moderation to be effective.
  2. Addressing inequality and reducing the impact of luck in determining outcomes is a crucial step in shaping public policy.
  3. There has been bipartisan recognition that the U.S. criminal justice system is flawed and needs reform, particularly in its treatment of nonviolent offenders.

Against Diner–Grilled Cheese Theories Of Donald Trump’s Popularity (Or Anything Else)

507 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Psychology Donald Trump Voters American culture
  1. Restaurants often make food taste better by using more fat which is not always healthy, a useful rule of thumb
  2. Psychological theories don't always give new insights into complex questions like explaining Donald Trump's popularity
  3. Be cautious about relying too heavily on psychology to explain multifaceted societal events

Adam Grant vs. Coleman Hughes, Part 2: Causation Does Not Imply. . . Anything

1 HN point • 31 Jan 24
🔬 Science Psychology Research Replication Social Dynamics
  1. Be cautious of over-extrapolating findings from laboratory experiments to real-world situations
  2. Research in social psychology, especially in politically charged topics like race, may lack replicability and generalizability
  3. Accuracy in summarizing and citing research in public discussions and writings is important for maintaining credibility