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DATE: May 14, 2026 at 08:00AM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **
-------------------------------------------------TITLE: Americans systematically overestimate how many social media users contribute to harmful online behavior
A set of three studies in the U.S. revealed that Americans believe that 43% of Reddit users post severely toxic comments, while 47% of Facebook users share false news online. However, in reality, such content is produced by only 3-8.5% of users. The paper was published in PNAS Nexus.
Social media contains many posts sharing misleading or completely untrue content. There are also users who post toxic comments to other people’s posts. These are comments that are insulting, hateful, or aggressive. These two types of behavior—sharing false news and posting toxic comments—are an important issue because they hurt real people, damage reputations, and create fear or anger.
False news can spread very quickly because people often share dramatic information before checking whether it is true. Toxic comments can make online spaces hostile and discourage reasonable discussion. This behavior can also deepen conflicts between groups, because people begin to see others as enemies rather than as human beings.
What is interesting is that studies indicate that both of these types of behaviors are produced by a very small minority of users who are highly active and post prolifically. A recent study found that 1% of conflict-seeking Reddit communities produced 74% of all conflict content across the platform. Similarly, another study found that 60% of hateful speech on Twitter came from a small community of users. These findings reflect what seems to be a broader pattern across social media platforms—the majority of problematic content is produced by a small, but vocal, minority of users.
Study author Angela Y. Lee and her colleagues investigated Americans’ beliefs about how many social media users contribute to harmful content and examined the consequences of such beliefs. They hypothesized that people would overestimate the prevalence of harmful users on social media. In turn, this misperception might foster excessive cynicism about their fellow citizens. These authors suggest that when people believe that many of their fellow Americans are posting harmful content, they may develop more negative views of society and perceive greater moral decline than actually exists.
To explore this further, study authors conducted three surveys of U.S.-American adults via CloudResearch Connect, matched to national quotas on age, gender, race, and ethnicity. The total number of participants across the three surveys was 1,090.
The first study asked participants to read about two research studies that identified how many Reddit accounts had posted toxic content and how many Facebook users had posted false news on the platform. Participants then provided their estimates regarding how many social media users produced such content.
In study 2, participants read about a Google system used to detect toxic language. They also viewed 20 comments from actual Reddit users, half of which were severely toxic, and half were not. They were then asked to identify the comments the Google system would classify as toxic.
Study 3 was an experiment where participants in one condition read a text explaining how scientists found that most people never share toxic content online. This was the misperception correction condition. The other experimental condition was a control condition, where they read about how Reddit was founded. The text the control group read did not mention online toxicity. After this, participants in both conditions completed measures of social media use, cynicism, generalized trust, perceptions of moral decline, and beliefs about the kinds of content that should go viral on social media.
Results showed that, on average, participants believed that 43% of all Reddit users posted severely toxic comments and that 47% of Facebook users shared false news online. In reality, platform-level data shows that most of these forms of harmful content come from 3-8.5% of users—a small, but highly active, group.
The experiment revealed that participants in the misperception correction condition tended to see their fellow U.S. citizens as being in less moral decline compared to participants in the control condition. They also felt more positive and were more likely to understand that others do not desire harmful online content. However, there were no differences between the two groups in cynicism and generalized trust in human nature.
“Our results reveal people do not realize that most harmful content on social media is produced by a small, prolific group of users. Instead, they believe that the amount of harmful content on social media is the result of many users participating in harmful behaviors,” study authors concluded.
The study contributes to the scientific knowledge about Americans’ perceptions of social media and their users. However, it should be noted that the study only involved U.S. participants and focused on only two types of harmful behaviors on two platforms. Because of this, the findings may not fully generalize to other countries, other cultures, and other social media platforms.
The paper, “Americans overestimate how many social media users post harmful content,” was authored by Angela Y. Lee, Eric Neumann, Jamil Zaki, and Jeffrey Hancock.
-------------------------------------------------
DAILY EMAIL DIGEST: Email [email protected] -- no subject or message needed.
Private, vetted email list for mental health professionals: https://www.clinicians-exchange.org
Unofficial Psychology Today Xitter to toot feed at Psych Today Unofficial Bot @PTUnofficialBot
NYU Information for Practice puts out 400-500 good quality health-related research posts per week but its too much for many people, so that bot is limited to just subscribers. You can read it or subscribe at @PsychResearchBot
Since 1991 The National Psychologist has focused on keeping practicing psychologists current with news, information and items of interest. Check them out for more free articles, resources, and subscription information: https://www.nationalpsychologist.com
EMAIL DAILY DIGEST OF RSS FEEDS -- SUBSCRIBE: http://subscribe-article-digests.clinicians-exchange.org
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It's primitive... but it works... mostly...
-------------------------------------------------
#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #AmericansOverestimateSocialMedia #HarmfulContentPerception #ToxicComments #FalseNewsOnline #SmallProlificMinority #SocialMediaMyth #MisperceptionCorrection #CynicismAndTrust #OnlineDiscourse #RedditFacebookInsights
-
DATE: May 14, 2026 at 08:00AM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **
-------------------------------------------------TITLE: Americans systematically overestimate how many social media users contribute to harmful online behavior
A set of three studies in the U.S. revealed that Americans believe that 43% of Reddit users post severely toxic comments, while 47% of Facebook users share false news online. However, in reality, such content is produced by only 3-8.5% of users. The paper was published in PNAS Nexus.
Social media contains many posts sharing misleading or completely untrue content. There are also users who post toxic comments to other people’s posts. These are comments that are insulting, hateful, or aggressive. These two types of behavior—sharing false news and posting toxic comments—are an important issue because they hurt real people, damage reputations, and create fear or anger.
False news can spread very quickly because people often share dramatic information before checking whether it is true. Toxic comments can make online spaces hostile and discourage reasonable discussion. This behavior can also deepen conflicts between groups, because people begin to see others as enemies rather than as human beings.
What is interesting is that studies indicate that both of these types of behaviors are produced by a very small minority of users who are highly active and post prolifically. A recent study found that 1% of conflict-seeking Reddit communities produced 74% of all conflict content across the platform. Similarly, another study found that 60% of hateful speech on Twitter came from a small community of users. These findings reflect what seems to be a broader pattern across social media platforms—the majority of problematic content is produced by a small, but vocal, minority of users.
Study author Angela Y. Lee and her colleagues investigated Americans’ beliefs about how many social media users contribute to harmful content and examined the consequences of such beliefs. They hypothesized that people would overestimate the prevalence of harmful users on social media. In turn, this misperception might foster excessive cynicism about their fellow citizens. These authors suggest that when people believe that many of their fellow Americans are posting harmful content, they may develop more negative views of society and perceive greater moral decline than actually exists.
To explore this further, study authors conducted three surveys of U.S.-American adults via CloudResearch Connect, matched to national quotas on age, gender, race, and ethnicity. The total number of participants across the three surveys was 1,090.
The first study asked participants to read about two research studies that identified how many Reddit accounts had posted toxic content and how many Facebook users had posted false news on the platform. Participants then provided their estimates regarding how many social media users produced such content.
In study 2, participants read about a Google system used to detect toxic language. They also viewed 20 comments from actual Reddit users, half of which were severely toxic, and half were not. They were then asked to identify the comments the Google system would classify as toxic.
Study 3 was an experiment where participants in one condition read a text explaining how scientists found that most people never share toxic content online. This was the misperception correction condition. The other experimental condition was a control condition, where they read about how Reddit was founded. The text the control group read did not mention online toxicity. After this, participants in both conditions completed measures of social media use, cynicism, generalized trust, perceptions of moral decline, and beliefs about the kinds of content that should go viral on social media.
Results showed that, on average, participants believed that 43% of all Reddit users posted severely toxic comments and that 47% of Facebook users shared false news online. In reality, platform-level data shows that most of these forms of harmful content come from 3-8.5% of users—a small, but highly active, group.
The experiment revealed that participants in the misperception correction condition tended to see their fellow U.S. citizens as being in less moral decline compared to participants in the control condition. They also felt more positive and were more likely to understand that others do not desire harmful online content. However, there were no differences between the two groups in cynicism and generalized trust in human nature.
“Our results reveal people do not realize that most harmful content on social media is produced by a small, prolific group of users. Instead, they believe that the amount of harmful content on social media is the result of many users participating in harmful behaviors,” study authors concluded.
The study contributes to the scientific knowledge about Americans’ perceptions of social media and their users. However, it should be noted that the study only involved U.S. participants and focused on only two types of harmful behaviors on two platforms. Because of this, the findings may not fully generalize to other countries, other cultures, and other social media platforms.
The paper, “Americans overestimate how many social media users post harmful content,” was authored by Angela Y. Lee, Eric Neumann, Jamil Zaki, and Jeffrey Hancock.
-------------------------------------------------
DAILY EMAIL DIGEST: Email [email protected] -- no subject or message needed.
Private, vetted email list for mental health professionals: https://www.clinicians-exchange.org
Unofficial Psychology Today Xitter to toot feed at Psych Today Unofficial Bot @PTUnofficialBot
NYU Information for Practice puts out 400-500 good quality health-related research posts per week but its too much for many people, so that bot is limited to just subscribers. You can read it or subscribe at @PsychResearchBot
Since 1991 The National Psychologist has focused on keeping practicing psychologists current with news, information and items of interest. Check them out for more free articles, resources, and subscription information: https://www.nationalpsychologist.com
EMAIL DAILY DIGEST OF RSS FEEDS -- SUBSCRIBE: http://subscribe-article-digests.clinicians-exchange.org
READ ONLINE: http://read-the-rss-mega-archive.clinicians-exchange.org
It's primitive... but it works... mostly...
-------------------------------------------------
#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #AmericansOverestimateSocialMedia #HarmfulContentPerception #ToxicComments #FalseNewsOnline #SmallProlificMinority #SocialMediaMyth #MisperceptionCorrection #CynicismAndTrust #OnlineDiscourse #RedditFacebookInsights
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It will be objected, of course, that propaganda will tend to defeat itself as its mechanism becomes obvious to the public. My opinion is that it will not. The only propaganda which will ever tend to weaken itself as the world becomes more sophisticated and intelligent, is propaganda that is untrue or unsocial. --Edward Bernays, Propaganda (1928) #propaganda #disinformation #misinformation #fakenews #uniparty #EconomicHappinessMachine
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It will be objected, of course, that propaganda will tend to defeat itself as its mechanism becomes obvious to the public. My opinion is that it will not. The only propaganda which will ever tend to weaken itself as the world becomes more sophisticated and intelligent, is propaganda that is untrue or unsocial. --Edward Bernays, Propaganda (1928) #propaganda #disinformation #misinformation #fakenews #uniparty #EconomicHappinessMachine
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Angry Metal Guy 🤘 A Forest of Stars – Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface Review: There’s a common misconception from readers of this fine blog that we writers are well-versed, well-traveled, and have kept abreast of all the happenings and goings-on within the world of our favorite genre of music. I hate to pop your bubble gum, but that’s wildly untrue. We all have lives, careers, and people in our lives that… http://dlvr.it/TSQg8K LinkInBio for More 🤘 #AngryMetalGuy #HeavyMetal #Metal
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A Forest of Stars – Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface Review By GrymmThere’s a common misconception from readers of this fine blog that we writers are well-versed, well-traveled, and have kept abreast of all the happenings and goings-on within the world of our favorite genre of music. I hate to pop your bubble gum, but that’s wildly untrue. We all have lives, careers, and people in our lives that take time away from listening to new music from artists that we have always loved or, in my case here, artists we’ve been wanting to check out, but for some reason haven’t. A Forest of Stars, the British avant-garde septet, are that band for me. Their newest, Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface, their first album in eight years and sixth overall, is here for dissection, and I’m going in almost completely blind, and without a single note heard prior.
I’m already anticipating the hate mail for this, but from what everyone told me of AFoS, it’s a heady mix of British Black Metal,1 doom metal, and spoken word. All good things, in my book! Plus, Katheryne, Queen of the Ghosts helped bring back the violins for My Dying Bride’s 2009 album, For Lies I Sire, which again is a good thing! And despite it being over 73 minutes, Stack Overflow rarely meandered or sat in place for too long, making for an engaging listen throughout. Opener “Ascension of the Clowns” sets a doomed tone, quietly and somberly setting the scene before Mister Curse begins ranting like the proselytizers across the street from where I work. Maniacal and unrelenting, Curse’s caustic delivery and unhinged performances sometimes seem at odds with the framework of the music, but the two sides need each other as much as they want nothing to do with each other.
And that odd dichotomy propels Stack Overflow, especially in the final half-hour-plus one-two punch of both “Sway, Draped in Vague” and “Not Drinking Water.” The former, also awakening a faux dreamy vibe before sending the listener careening through the backstreets of London, with Curse and Katheryne trading off vocal lines while Mr. T.S. Kettleburner and Mr. William Wight-Barrow unleash some incredible riffs and tremolo melodies blanketing Katheryne’s sweeping violins towards the song’s middle, making the song’s 17 minutes feel like a journey. “Not Drinking Water,” in contrast, feels downtrodden in the beginning, containing some of the album’s slowest moments, before hitting what could accurately be called a humdinger of a jam session right at the song’s midpoint, with solos and hooks galore to wrap up both a fantastic closer, as well as a hell of a way to finish out the album.
Of course, there are some issues with Stack Overflow. While most of the material flows seamlessly, there does seem to be some fat to trim, especially in some of the more atmospheric moments. Also, while there isn’t a single weak moment on the album, it really is best experienced in one sitting with most of the lights off, some candles, your favorite beverage, and (if you partake) your smoking implement of choice, and for some, 73 minutes is a big ask for many of us, especially if you’re busy like I am. However, if you can make the time and get in the right headspace, you will be rewarded handsomely.I’m due for some weirdness, especially in the departure of Voices.2 Not only does Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface scratch that itch until it bleeds, but it also turned me on to a band that I went from “I need to check them out sometime” to “Okay, how much is their stuff on Bandcamp?” in record time. A Forest of Stars, in a just world, should be heralded as purveyors of odd, eclectic metal. Here’s hoping that Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface is as much a jumping-on point for many of you as it was for me. Believe me, you can do a hell of a lot worse.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
#2026 #40 #AForestOfStars #AvantgardeMetal #BritishMetal #May26 #MyDyingBride #ProphecyProductions #Review #Reviews #StackOverflowInCorpsePileInterface #Voices
DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Prophecy Productions
Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook
Releases Worldwide: May 8th, 2026 -
A Forest of Stars – Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface Review By GrymmThere’s a common misconception from readers of this fine blog that we writers are well-versed, well-traveled, and have kept abreast of all the happenings and goings-on within the world of our favorite genre of music. I hate to pop your bubble gum, but that’s wildly untrue. We all have lives, careers, and people in our lives that take time away from listening to new music from artists that we have always loved or, in my case here, artists we’ve been wanting to check out, but for some reason haven’t. A Forest of Stars, the British avant-garde septet, are that band for me. Their newest, Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface, their first album in eight years and sixth overall, is here for dissection, and I’m going in almost completely blind, and without a single note heard prior.
I’m already anticipating the hate mail for this, but from what everyone told me of AFoS, it’s a heady mix of British Black Metal,1 doom metal, and spoken word. All good things, in my book! Plus, Katheryne, Queen of the Ghosts helped bring back the violins for My Dying Bride’s 2009 album, For Lies I Sire, which again is a good thing! And despite it being over 73 minutes, Stack Overflow rarely meandered or sat in place for too long, making for an engaging listen throughout. Opener “Ascension of the Clowns” sets a doomed tone, quietly and somberly setting the scene before Mister Curse begins ranting like the proselytizers across the street from where I work. Maniacal and unrelenting, Curse’s caustic delivery and unhinged performances sometimes seem at odds with the framework of the music, but the two sides need each other as much as they want nothing to do with each other.
And that odd dichotomy propels Stack Overflow, especially in the final half-hour-plus one-two punch of both “Sway, Draped in Vague” and “Not Drinking Water.” The former, also awakening a faux dreamy vibe before sending the listener careening through the backstreets of London, with Curse and Katheryne trading off vocal lines while Mr. T.S. Kettleburner and Mr. William Wight-Barrow unleash some incredible riffs and tremolo melodies blanketing Katheryne’s sweeping violins towards the song’s middle, making the song’s 17 minutes feel like a journey. “Not Drinking Water,” in contrast, feels downtrodden in the beginning, containing some of the album’s slowest moments, before hitting what could accurately be called a humdinger of a jam session right at the song’s midpoint, with solos and hooks galore to wrap up both a fantastic closer, as well as a hell of a way to finish out the album.
Of course, there are some issues with Stack Overflow. While most of the material flows seamlessly, there does seem to be some fat to trim, especially in some of the more atmospheric moments. Also, while there isn’t a single weak moment on the album, it really is best experienced in one sitting with most of the lights off, some candles, your favorite beverage, and (if you partake) your smoking implement of choice, and for some, 73 minutes is a big ask for many of us, especially if you’re busy like I am. However, if you can make the time and get in the right headspace, you will be rewarded handsomely.I’m due for some weirdness, especially in the departure of Voices.2 Not only does Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface scratch that itch until it bleeds, but it also turned me on to a band that I went from “I need to check them out sometime” to “Okay, how much is their stuff on Bandcamp?” in record time. A Forest of Stars, in a just world, should be heralded as purveyors of odd, eclectic metal. Here’s hoping that Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface is as much a jumping-on point for many of you as it was for me. Believe me, you can do a hell of a lot worse.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
#2026 #40 #AForestOfStars #AvantgardeMetal #BritishMetal #May26 #MyDyingBride #ProphecyProductions #Review #Reviews #StackOverflowInCorpsePileInterface #Voices
DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Prophecy Productions
Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook
Releases Worldwide: May 8th, 2026 -
A Forest of Stars – Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface Review By GrymmThere’s a common misconception from readers of this fine blog that we writers are well-versed, well-traveled, and have kept abreast of all the happenings and goings-on within the world of our favorite genre of music. I hate to pop your bubble gum, but that’s wildly untrue. We all have lives, careers, and people in our lives that take time away from listening to new music from artists that we have always loved or, in my case here, artists we’ve been wanting to check out, but for some reason haven’t. A Forest of Stars, the British avant-garde septet, are that band for me. Their newest, Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface, their first album in eight years and sixth overall, is here for dissection, and I’m going in almost completely blind, and without a single note heard prior.
I’m already anticipating the hate mail for this, but from what everyone told me of AFoS, it’s a heady mix of British Black Metal,1 doom metal, and spoken word. All good things, in my book! Plus, Katheryne, Queen of the Ghosts helped bring back the violins for My Dying Bride’s 2009 album, For Lies I Sire, which again is a good thing! And despite it being over 73 minutes, Stack Overflow rarely meandered or sat in place for too long, making for an engaging listen throughout. Opener “Ascension of the Clowns” sets a doomed tone, quietly and somberly setting the scene before Mister Curse begins ranting like the proselytizers across the street from where I work. Maniacal and unrelenting, Curse’s caustic delivery and unhinged performances sometimes seem at odds with the framework of the music, but the two sides need each other as much as they want nothing to do with each other.
And that odd dichotomy propels Stack Overflow, especially in the final half-hour-plus one-two punch of both “Sway, Draped in Vague” and “Not Drinking Water.” The former, also awakening a faux dreamy vibe before sending the listener careening through the backstreets of London, with Curse and Katheryne trading off vocal lines while Mr. T.S. Kettleburner and Mr. William Wight-Barrow unleash some incredible riffs and tremolo melodies blanketing Katheryne’s sweeping violins towards the song’s middle, making the song’s 17 minutes feel like a journey. “Not Drinking Water,” in contrast, feels downtrodden in the beginning, containing some of the album’s slowest moments, before hitting what could accurately be called a humdinger of a jam session right at the song’s midpoint, with solos and hooks galore to wrap up both a fantastic closer, as well as a hell of a way to finish out the album.
Of course, there are some issues with Stack Overflow. While most of the material flows seamlessly, there does seem to be some fat to trim, especially in some of the more atmospheric moments. Also, while there isn’t a single weak moment on the album, it really is best experienced in one sitting with most of the lights off, some candles, your favorite beverage, and (if you partake) your smoking implement of choice, and for some, 73 minutes is a big ask for many of us, especially if you’re busy like I am. However, if you can make the time and get in the right headspace, you will be rewarded handsomely.I’m due for some weirdness, especially in the departure of Voices.2 Not only does Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface scratch that itch until it bleeds, but it also turned me on to a band that I went from “I need to check them out sometime” to “Okay, how much is their stuff on Bandcamp?” in record time. A Forest of Stars, in a just world, should be heralded as purveyors of odd, eclectic metal. Here’s hoping that Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface is as much a jumping-on point for many of you as it was for me. Believe me, you can do a hell of a lot worse.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
#2026 #40 #AForestOfStars #AvantgardeMetal #BritishMetal #May26 #MyDyingBride #ProphecyProductions #Review #Reviews #StackOverflowInCorpsePileInterface #Voices
DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Prophecy Productions
Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook
Releases Worldwide: May 8th, 2026 -
A Forest of Stars – Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface Review By GrymmThere’s a common misconception from readers of this fine blog that we writers are well-versed, well-traveled, and have kept abreast of all the happenings and goings-on within the world of our favorite genre of music. I hate to pop your bubble gum, but that’s wildly untrue. We all have lives, careers, and people in our lives that take time away from listening to new music from artists that we have always loved or, in my case here, artists we’ve been wanting to check out, but for some reason haven’t. A Forest of Stars, the British avant-garde septet, are that band for me. Their newest, Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface, their first album in eight years and sixth overall, is here for dissection, and I’m going in almost completely blind, and without a single note heard prior.
I’m already anticipating the hate mail for this, but from what everyone told me of AFoS, it’s a heady mix of British Black Metal,1 doom metal, and spoken word. All good things, in my book! Plus, Katheryne, Queen of the Ghosts helped bring back the violins for My Dying Bride’s 2009 album, For Lies I Sire, which again is a good thing! And despite it being over 73 minutes, Stack Overflow rarely meandered or sat in place for too long, making for an engaging listen throughout. Opener “Ascension of the Clowns” sets a doomed tone, quietly and somberly setting the scene before Mister Curse begins ranting like the proselytizers across the street from where I work. Maniacal and unrelenting, Curse’s caustic delivery and unhinged performances sometimes seem at odds with the framework of the music, but the two sides need each other as much as they want nothing to do with each other.
And that odd dichotomy propels Stack Overflow, especially in the final half-hour-plus one-two punch of both “Sway, Draped in Vague” and “Not Drinking Water.” The former, also awakening a faux dreamy vibe before sending the listener careening through the backstreets of London, with Curse and Katheryne trading off vocal lines while Mr. T.S. Kettleburner and Mr. William Wight-Barrow unleash some incredible riffs and tremolo melodies blanketing Katheryne’s sweeping violins towards the song’s middle, making the song’s 17 minutes feel like a journey. “Not Drinking Water,” in contrast, feels downtrodden in the beginning, containing some of the album’s slowest moments, before hitting what could accurately be called a humdinger of a jam session right at the song’s midpoint, with solos and hooks galore to wrap up both a fantastic closer, as well as a hell of a way to finish out the album.
Of course, there are some issues with Stack Overflow. While most of the material flows seamlessly, there does seem to be some fat to trim, especially in some of the more atmospheric moments. Also, while there isn’t a single weak moment on the album, it really is best experienced in one sitting with most of the lights off, some candles, your favorite beverage, and (if you partake) your smoking implement of choice, and for some, 73 minutes is a big ask for many of us, especially if you’re busy like I am. However, if you can make the time and get in the right headspace, you will be rewarded handsomely.I’m due for some weirdness, especially in the departure of Voices.2 Not only does Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface scratch that itch until it bleeds, but it also turned me on to a band that I went from “I need to check them out sometime” to “Okay, how much is their stuff on Bandcamp?” in record time. A Forest of Stars, in a just world, should be heralded as purveyors of odd, eclectic metal. Here’s hoping that Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface is as much a jumping-on point for many of you as it was for me. Believe me, you can do a hell of a lot worse.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
#2026 #40 #AForestOfStars #AvantgardeMetal #BritishMetal #May26 #MyDyingBride #ProphecyProductions #Review #Reviews #StackOverflowInCorpsePileInterface #Voices
DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Prophecy Productions
Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook
Releases Worldwide: May 8th, 2026 -
A Forest of Stars – Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface Review By GrymmThere’s a common misconception from readers of this fine blog that we writers are well-versed, well-traveled, and have kept abreast of all the happenings and goings-on within the world of our favorite genre of music. I hate to pop your bubble gum, but that’s wildly untrue. We all have lives, careers, and people in our lives that take time away from listening to new music from artists that we have always loved or, in my case here, artists we’ve been wanting to check out, but for some reason haven’t. A Forest of Stars, the British avant-garde septet, are that band for me. Their newest, Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface, their first album in eight years and sixth overall, is here for dissection, and I’m going in almost completely blind, and without a single note heard prior.
I’m already anticipating the hate mail for this, but from what everyone told me of AFoS, it’s a heady mix of British Black Metal,1 doom metal, and spoken word. All good things, in my book! Plus, Katheryne, Queen of the Ghosts helped bring back the violins for My Dying Bride’s 2009 album, For Lies I Sire, which again is a good thing! And despite it being over 73 minutes, Stack Overflow rarely meandered or sat in place for too long, making for an engaging listen throughout. Opener “Ascension of the Clowns” sets a doomed tone, quietly and somberly setting the scene before Mister Curse begins ranting like the proselytizers across the street from where I work. Maniacal and unrelenting, Curse’s caustic delivery and unhinged performances sometimes seem at odds with the framework of the music, but the two sides need each other as much as they want nothing to do with each other.
And that odd dichotomy propels Stack Overflow, especially in the final half-hour-plus one-two punch of both “Sway, Draped in Vague” and “Not Drinking Water.” The former, also awakening a faux dreamy vibe before sending the listener careening through the backstreets of London, with Curse and Katheryne trading off vocal lines while Mr. T.S. Kettleburner and Mr. William Wight-Barrow unleash some incredible riffs and tremolo melodies blanketing Katheryne’s sweeping violins towards the song’s middle, making the song’s 17 minutes feel like a journey. “Not Drinking Water,” in contrast, feels downtrodden in the beginning, containing some of the album’s slowest moments, before hitting what could accurately be called a humdinger of a jam session right at the song’s midpoint, with solos and hooks galore to wrap up both a fantastic closer, as well as a hell of a way to finish out the album.
Of course, there are some issues with Stack Overflow. While most of the material flows seamlessly, there does seem to be some fat to trim, especially in some of the more atmospheric moments. Also, while there isn’t a single weak moment on the album, it really is best experienced in one sitting with most of the lights off, some candles, your favorite beverage, and (if you partake) your smoking implement of choice, and for some, 73 minutes is a big ask for many of us, especially if you’re busy like I am. However, if you can make the time and get in the right headspace, you will be rewarded handsomely.I’m due for some weirdness, especially in the departure of Voices.2 Not only does Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface scratch that itch until it bleeds, but it also turned me on to a band that I went from “I need to check them out sometime” to “Okay, how much is their stuff on Bandcamp?” in record time. A Forest of Stars, in a just world, should be heralded as purveyors of odd, eclectic metal. Here’s hoping that Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface is as much a jumping-on point for many of you as it was for me. Believe me, you can do a hell of a lot worse.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
#2026 #40 #AForestOfStars #AvantgardeMetal #BritishMetal #May26 #MyDyingBride #ProphecyProductions #Review #Reviews #StackOverflowInCorpsePileInterface #Voices
DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Prophecy Productions
Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook
Releases Worldwide: May 8th, 2026 -
J'avais le 45 tours... 🥹 🥰
🎶 If you search for tenderness,
it isn't hard to find
You can have the love you need to live
But if you look for truthfulness,
you might just as well be blind
It always seems to be so hard to give"Honesty" is such a lonely ✨ word ✨
Everyone is so untrue
Honesty is hardly ever heard
And mostly what I need from you... 🎶Billy Joel – Honesty
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4gOIt-M02A -
#MorningAll & #TZAG G’day Squirrel Fans, hope I find you bright eyed & bushy tailed!
For those who don’t have a calandar happy Thursday! For those that do …. Sush!
Stories of my demise are untrue.
He came, he saw , he pinched everyones nuts & vanished again!
Cashew later Peeps, have a fabulously nutty day #Today ! 😊🫶:party_major_squirrel:🖖
-
@jessta I agree, installing accessible tram stops in Sydney Road is necessary and overdue. The ideal time is when designing and building protected cycling lanes, because this leads to an integrated and safe solution.
Looking at the proposed "detour cycling routes" offered as alternatives in 2028 during the temporary shutdown of Upfield bike path, it appears that the government is trying to make the best of a bad situation.
Those "best" solutions are awful for usability, speed, connections, not to mention the amenity of residential streets. I agree with Bicycle Network chief executive, Alison McCormack. I don't foresee a high rate of adoption. And, arguably, that's bad for everyone.
The argument from conservatives that they don't want to remove a few car parks to save the lives of cyclists because "it's bad for business" is untrue. It's been proven by research time and time again in many places around the world. The demand that the government "listen to all stakeholders" fails to recognise that we've been through all this before, and yes they had their opinions heard last time around. It's just a time-wasting distraction, and the longer we wait, the more cyclists are going to get injured or killed by people driving cars dangerously.
The obvious and intelligent option is for the government pulls their finger out and gets to work quickly to build protected bike lanes on Sydney Road
#Melbourne #Cycling #CriticalMass #AusPol #VicPol #SydneyRoad
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Got a flyer in my inbox from a major home improvement place. Awful AI (I'm assuming) ad copy, especially a full newsletter emphasizing the FLAWS of various outdoor tools. Gas tools are noisy, but powerful. Electric tools with cords are dangerous if you aren't careful, but lighter. Battery tools are weak and don't last very long. None of this is really untrue, but it's NOT how you write a sales pitch for ANYTHING. Lead with strengths, use flaws to pivot to possible options.
#AI #AIfails #ads -
Got a flyer in my inbox from a major home improvement place. Awful AI (I'm assuming) ad copy, especially a full newsletter emphasizing the FLAWS of various outdoor tools. Gas tools are noisy, but powerful. Electric tools with cords are dangerous if you aren't careful, but lighter. Battery tools are weak and don't last very long. None of this is really untrue, but it's NOT how you write a sales pitch for ANYTHING. Lead with strengths, use flaws to pivot to possible options.
#AI #AIfails #ads -
Got a flyer in my inbox from a major home improvement place. Awful AI (I'm assuming) ad copy, especially a full newsletter emphasizing the FLAWS of various outdoor tools. Gas tools are noisy, but powerful. Electric tools with cords are dangerous if you aren't careful, but lighter. Battery tools are weak and don't last very long. None of this is really untrue, but it's NOT how you write a sales pitch for ANYTHING. Lead with strengths, use flaws to pivot to possible options.
#AI #AIfails #ads -
Got a flyer in my inbox from a major home improvement place. Awful AI (I'm assuming) ad copy, especially a full newsletter emphasizing the FLAWS of various outdoor tools. Gas tools are noisy, but powerful. Electric tools with cords are dangerous if you aren't careful, but lighter. Battery tools are weak and don't last very long. None of this is really untrue, but it's NOT how you write a sales pitch for ANYTHING. Lead with strengths, use flaws to pivot to possible options.
#AI #AIfails #ads -
Got a flyer in my inbox from a major home improvement place. Awful AI (I'm assuming) ad copy, especially a full newsletter emphasizing the FLAWS of various outdoor tools. Gas tools are noisy, but powerful. Electric tools with cords are dangerous if you aren't careful, but lighter. Battery tools are weak and don't last very long. None of this is really untrue, but it's NOT how you write a sales pitch for ANYTHING. Lead with strengths, use flaws to pivot to possible options.
#AI #AIfails #ads -
I was a teacher's aide my senior year of high school, which was the last year of high school, and I was a teacher's aide for a World War 2 history class.
It was a general education level, which meant any answer these kids put had to be marked correct, because it showed they tried.
Now one girl in the class found out about this loophole and when posed with the essay question of what caused #WorldWar2 to start, she wrote a full essay on "Because the House Fell on the #WickedWitch of the West".
Now, the teacher that I was being a teacher's aide for ended up getting in a huge fight with the principal because he hated marking this correct because it was fundamentally untrue.
But at the end of the day, he was forced to mark this correct and give her credit for this. That's #NoChildLeftBehind, baby. (t y) #Oz #Wicked
-
I was a teacher's aide my senior year of high school, which was the last year of high school, and I was a teacher's aide for a World War 2 history class.
It was a general education level, which meant any answer these kids put had to be marked correct, because it showed they tried.
Now one girl in the class found out about this loophole and when posed with the essay question of what caused #WorldWar2 to start, she wrote a full essay on "Because the House Fell on the #WickedWitch of the West".
Now, the teacher that I was being a teacher's aide for ended up getting in a huge fight with the principal because he hated marking this correct because it was fundamentally untrue.
But at the end of the day, he was forced to mark this correct and give her credit for this. That's #NoChildLeftBehind, baby. (t y) #Oz #Wicked
-
It's a no-brainer that the new 🇨🇦 #NDP leadership team will be working closely with Canada's unions -as always & as it should be: workers are the heart of any community, & social democracy movement too. But any speculation that not electing Ashton as leader is a sign of being soft on unions= untrue! While I 🧡'd #RobAshton for reinjecting "class war" into our lexicon, he clearly didn't have requisite skills (0 French; using AI in his Reddit AMA was a no-no...); nor was eschewing #TonyMcQuail anti-environment, or not electing #TanilleJohnston (yet!) anti-Indigenous or anti-♀️
BUT: it is time for 🇨🇦 unions to face some member issues: the climate change deniers, the Poilievre-bros who voted CPC, the anti-taxers, the "♂️ unions" (trades/transport) letting the "♀️unions" (RNs, teachers & public servants) take the strike risks, etc.
Meantime, I hope @CanadianLabour has already invited @avilewis to address their convention in May (it'll mean he & @wabkinew can hang again, too).https://rabble.ca/labour/labour-looks-to-the-future-with-the-ndp-post-convention/
#NDP #Solidarity -
Small Modular Reactors: Game changer or more of the same?🧐 #PolicyBrief
"SMRs r presented, not only by #nuclear #industry, but also by #media & #government, as established, proven, commercial products.. Te perception tt #SMRs r being built in large numbers is untrue & te claims made for them in terms of, for eg., cost, #safety & waste are at best #unproven & at worst false.. image of them being smaller than existing #reactors is incorrect. IAEA’s size range is arbitrary"🤦♂️
https://policybrief.org/briefs/small-modular-reactors-game-changer-or-more-of-the-same/ -
Small Modular Reactors: Game changer or more of the same?🧐 #PolicyBrief
"SMRs r presented, not only by #nuclear #industry, but also by #media & #government, as established, proven, commercial products.. Te perception tt #SMRs r being built in large numbers is untrue & te claims made for them in terms of, for eg., cost, #safety & waste are at best #unproven & at worst false.. image of them being smaller than existing #reactors is incorrect. IAEA’s size range is arbitrary"🤦♂️
https://policybrief.org/briefs/small-modular-reactors-game-changer-or-more-of-the-same/ -
Small Modular Reactors: Game changer or more of the same?🧐 #PolicyBrief
"SMRs r presented, not only by #nuclear #industry, but also by #media & #government, as established, proven, commercial products.. Te perception tt #SMRs r being built in large numbers is untrue & te claims made for them in terms of, for eg., cost, #safety & waste are at best #unproven & at worst false.. image of them being smaller than existing #reactors is incorrect. IAEA’s size range is arbitrary"🤦♂️
https://policybrief.org/briefs/small-modular-reactors-game-changer-or-more-of-the-same/ -
Small Modular Reactors: Game changer or more of the same?🧐 #PolicyBrief
"SMRs r presented, not only by #nuclear #industry, but also by #media & #government, as established, proven, commercial products.. Te perception tt #SMRs r being built in large numbers is untrue & te claims made for them in terms of, for eg., cost, #safety & waste are at best #unproven & at worst false.. image of them being smaller than existing #reactors is incorrect. IAEA’s size range is arbitrary"🤦♂️
https://policybrief.org/briefs/small-modular-reactors-game-changer-or-more-of-the-same/ -
Small Modular Reactors: Game changer or more of the same?🧐 #PolicyBrief
"SMRs r presented, not only by #nuclear #industry, but also by #media & #government, as established, proven, commercial products.. Te perception tt #SMRs r being built in large numbers is untrue & te claims made for them in terms of, for eg., cost, #safety & waste are at best #unproven & at worst false.. image of them being smaller than existing #reactors is incorrect. IAEA’s size range is arbitrary"🤦♂️
https://policybrief.org/briefs/small-modular-reactors-game-changer-or-more-of-the-same/ -
Yeah. I’m certain of that. Trying my hand at a sarcastic rhetorical question. I doubt he’ll do any better. We have to be wary of all the ‘models’.
Guys like Musk and Trump can have a dangerous cult-like effect on some human minds. It’s probably much more direct with AI.
An irrational fear I hope turns out to be untrue is that the regime is training a Trump AI ‘companion’. #BronzerKing AI Bot.
-
What's the source of Einstein's "citizen of the world" quip?
https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/03/whats-the-source-of-einsteins-citizen-of-the-world-quip/I like digging through old archives and tracing my way through quotes. Here's a particularly good one from Albert Einstein which is often peppered around the Internet without any sources.
If my theory of relativity is proven successful, Germany will claim me as a German and France will declare that I am a citizen of the world. Should my theory prove untrue, France will say that I am a German and Germany will declare that I am a Jew.
Let's see if we can find it!
1929-12-04
The earliest I can find is in the archives of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency who published this snippet:
Is this likely to be true? What other evidence is there that Einstein was there and made those remarks?
1929-11-12
Flicking back a few weeks in the JTA archives is this evidence - "Sorbonne bestows degree on Einstein."
1929-11-09
There are also contemporary photos of the ceremony which are included in various press clippings.
Is there anything previous to 1929?
1922??
Alice Calaprice's Quotable Einstein has the quote but attributes it differently:
From an address to the French Philosophical Society at the Sorbonne, April 6, 1922. See also French press clipping, April 7, 1922, Einstein Archive 36-378; and Berliner Tageblatt, April 8, 1922, Einstein Archive 79-535
I wasn't able to find the French press clipping - but the German paper is available.
My German is rusty and that font is hard but I don't think it says anything similar to the above quote. I think the 1922 date is merely the confusion between two different visits to the Sorbonne - which is the same conclusion as Wikiquote editors came to
Contemporary reports
OK, so what other sources are there for the quote? The JTA says:
The local papers feature a summary of the brief address made by Prof. Albert Einstein […]
So I suppose they were just re-reporting what others had said. Let's take a look in some of those newspapers via Bibliothèque nationale de France who have an excellent archive of newspapers.
There's a rather detailed report from L'Œuvre - but that makes no mention of the anecdote.
Similarly, there are other interviews and contemporary commentary - but this remark goes unnoticed by all of them.
I read through several dozen French papers from November 1929 until early December. I couldn't find anything resembling the remark in any of them.
OK, what about the German press?
Again it is possible to search German newspapers for those specific dates - and there are plenty of contemporary reports.
Nothing about him being a Weltbürger that I could see.
Similarly, British newspapers don't make reference to the joke despite their endless coverage of him.
Google's shitty AI hallucinates the quote as appearing in The Saturday Evening Post.
While that issue does have an extensive interview with Einstein, there's nothing even vaguely similar to the sentiment about being a citizen of the world. Never trust an AI!
Is it likely?
Einstein is endlessly quotable - and had a good ear for a pithy turn of phrase. However, he was accompanied on this trip by the German Ambassador. Would it have been prudent for him to make such a politically charged joke in front of that audience?
Minced Oaths
Perhaps this is a mangled quotation? Einstein said something similar several years before the purported 1929 quote.
In Herman Bernstein's 1924 book "Celebrities of Our Time Interviews", there's the following quote:
That's much less pithy, but carries largely the same sentiment.
The original can be seen in the British Newspaper Archive of 1919
Dr. Einstein's Theory.
We publish to-day a translation of an article written for our readers by ALBERT EINSTEIN
[…] He adds that the different descriptions of him in England and Germany form an amusing example of relativity to the sentiments of the two countries. He is famous just now, and was described in our columns as a Swiss Jew, whereas in Germany he is called a German man of science. He suggests that were he suddenly to become a bête noire, the descriptions would be reversed, and he would be stigmatized here as a German man of science and in Germany as a Swiss Jew. We concede him his little jest.
However, do note that this is described as a translation. In his letter to Paul Ehrenfest on the 4th of December 1919, he says:
By the way, I myself participated in the cackling by writing a short article in the Times, in which I thanked our English colleagues, said a few things to characterize the theory, and at the end produced the following witticism: A simple application of the theory of relativity: today German newspapers are calling me a German man of science, the English, a Swiss Jew. If I come to be represented as a bete noire to the readerships, I should be a Swiss Jew for German newspapers and a German man of science for the English.'
See The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Volume 9 The Berlin Years. I cannot find the original letter, but I assume Princeton's transcribers and translators are accurate.
Either way, that's two reputable sources which have Einstein expressing something similar. Perhaps the joke was repeated and refined by him as the years wore on? Perhaps an eager journalist took a half-remembered quote and gave it new life? Perhaps.
Where next?
Well, dear reader, that's where you come in! I've exhausted all my research prowess. If you can find a transcript of his remarks, or a report older than the JTA's of the 4th of December 1929 where Einstein talks about being a "citizen of the world", please drop a comment in the box!
#politics #quote #yakShaving -
What's the source of Einstein's "citizen of the world" quip?
https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/03/whats-the-source-of-einsteins-citizen-of-the-world-quip/I like digging through old archives and tracing my way through quotes. Here's a particularly good one from Albert Einstein which is often peppered around the Internet without any sources.
If my theory of relativity is proven successful, Germany will claim me as a German and France will declare that I am a citizen of the world. Should my theory prove untrue, France will say that I am a German and Germany will declare that I am a Jew.
Let's see if we can find it!
1929-12-04
The earliest I can find is in the archives of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency who published this snippet:
Is this likely to be true? What other evidence is there that Einstein was there and made those remarks?
1929-11-12
Flicking back a few weeks in the JTA archives is this evidence - "Sorbonne bestows degree on Einstein."
1929-11-09
There are also contemporary photos of the ceremony which are included in various press clippings.
Is there anything previous to 1929?
1922??
Alice Calaprice's Quotable Einstein has the quote but attributes it differently:
From an address to the French Philosophical Society at the Sorbonne, April 6, 1922. See also French press clipping, April 7, 1922, Einstein Archive 36-378; and Berliner Tageblatt, April 8, 1922, Einstein Archive 79-535
I wasn't able to find the French press clipping - but the German paper is available.
My German is rusty and that font is hard but I don't think it says anything similar to the above quote. I think the 1922 date is merely the confusion between two different visits to the Sorbonne - which is the same conclusion as Wikiquote editors came to
Contemporary reports
OK, so what other sources are there for the quote? The JTA says:
The local papers feature a summary of the brief address made by Prof. Albert Einstein […]
So I suppose they were just re-reporting what others had said. Let's take a look in some of those newspapers via Bibliothèque nationale de France who have an excellent archive of newspapers.
There's a rather detailed report from L'Œuvre - but that makes no mention of the anecdote.
Similarly, there are other interviews and contemporary commentary - but this remark goes unnoticed by all of them.
I read through several dozen French papers from November 1929 until early December. I couldn't find anything resembling the remark in any of them.
OK, what about the German press?
Again it is possible to search German newspapers for those specific dates - and there are plenty of contemporary reports.
Nothing about him being a Weltbürger that I could see.
Similarly, British newspapers don't make reference to the joke despite their endless coverage of him.
Google's shitty AI hallucinates the quote as appearing in The Saturday Evening Post.
While that issue does have an extensive interview with Einstein, there's nothing even vaguely similar to the sentiment about being a citizen of the world. Never trust an AI!
Is it likely?
Einstein is endlessly quotable - and had a good ear for a pithy turn of phrase. However, he was accompanied on this trip by the German Ambassador. Would it have been prudent for him to make such a politically charged joke in front of that audience?
Minced Oaths
Perhaps this is a mangled quotation? Einstein said something similar several years before the purported 1929 quote.
In Herman Bernstein's 1924 book "Celebrities of Our Time Interviews", there's the following quote:
That's much less pithy, but carries largely the same sentiment.
The original can be seen in the British Newspaper Archive of 1919
Dr. Einstein's Theory.
We publish to-day a translation of an article written for our readers by ALBERT EINSTEIN
[…] He adds that the different descriptions of him in England and Germany form an amusing example of relativity to the sentiments of the two countries. He is famous just now, and was described in our columns as a Swiss Jew, whereas in Germany he is called a German man of science. He suggests that were he suddenly to become a bête noire, the descriptions would be reversed, and he would be stigmatized here as a German man of science and in Germany as a Swiss Jew. We concede him his little jest.
However, do note that this is described as a translation. In his letter to Paul Ehrenfest on the 4th of December 1919, he says:
By the way, I myself participated in the cackling by writing a short article in the Times, in which I thanked our English colleagues, said a few things to characterize the theory, and at the end produced the following witticism: A simple application of the theory of relativity: today German newspapers are calling me a German man of science, the English, a Swiss Jew. If I come to be represented as a bete noire to the readerships, I should be a Swiss Jew for German newspapers and a German man of science for the English.'
See The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Volume 9 The Berlin Years. I cannot find the original letter, but I assume Princeton's transcribers and translators are accurate.
Either way, that's two reputable sources which have Einstein expressing something similar. Perhaps the joke was repeated and refined by him as the years wore on? Perhaps an eager journalist took a half-remembered quote and gave it new life? Perhaps.
Where next?
Well, dear reader, that's where you come in! I've exhausted all my research prowess. If you can find a transcript of his remarks, or a report older than the JTA's of the 4th of December 1929 where Einstein talks about being a "citizen of the world", please drop a comment in the box!
#politics #quote #yakShaving -
What's the source of Einstein's "citizen of the world" quip?
https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/03/whats-the-source-of-einsteins-citizen-of-the-world-quip/I like digging through old archives and tracing my way through quotes. Here's a particularly good one from Albert Einstein which is often peppered around the Internet without any sources.
If my theory of relativity is proven successful, Germany will claim me as a German and France will declare that I am a citizen of the world. Should my theory prove untrue, France will say that I am a German and Germany will declare that I am a Jew.
Let's see if we can find it!
1929-12-04
The earliest I can find is in the archives of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency who published this snippet:
Is this likely to be true? What other evidence is there that Einstein was there and made those remarks?
1929-11-12
Flicking back a few weeks in the JTA archives is this evidence - "Sorbonne bestows degree on Einstein."
1929-11-09
There are also contemporary photos of the ceremony which are included in various press clippings.
Is there anything previous to 1929?
1922??
Alice Calaprice's Quotable Einstein has the quote but attributes it differently:
From an address to the French Philosophical Society at the Sorbonne, April 6, 1922. See also French press clipping, April 7, 1922, Einstein Archive 36-378; and Berliner Tageblatt, April 8, 1922, Einstein Archive 79-535
I wasn't able to find the French press clipping - but the German paper is available.
My German is rusty and that font is hard but I don't think it says anything similar to the above quote. I think the 1922 date is merely the confusion between two different visits to the Sorbonne - which is the same conclusion as Wikiquote editors came to
Contemporary reports
OK, so what other sources are there for the quote? The JTA says:
The local papers feature a summary of the brief address made by Prof. Albert Einstein […]
So I suppose they were just re-reporting what others had said. Let's take a look in some of those newspapers via Bibliothèque nationale de France who have an excellent archive of newspapers.
There's a rather detailed report from L'Œuvre - but that makes no mention of the anecdote.
Similarly, there are other interviews and contemporary commentary - but this remark goes unnoticed by all of them.
I read through several dozen French papers from November 1929 until early December. I couldn't find anything resembling the remark in any of them.
OK, what about the German press?
Again it is possible to search German newspapers for those specific dates - and there are plenty of contemporary reports.
Nothing about him being a Weltbürger that I could see.
Similarly, British newspapers don't make reference to the joke despite their endless coverage of him.
Google's shitty AI hallucinates the quote as appearing in The Saturday Evening Post.
While that issue does have an extensive interview with Einstein, there's nothing even vaguely similar to the sentiment about being a citizen of the world. Never trust an AI!
Is it likely?
Einstein is endlessly quotable - and had a good ear for a pithy turn of phrase. However, he was accompanied on this trip by the German Ambassador. Would it have been prudent for him to make such a politically charged joke in front of that audience?
Minced Oaths
Perhaps this is a mangled quotation? Einstein said something similar several years before the purported 1929 quote.
In Herman Bernstein's 1924 book "Celebrities of Our Time Interviews", there's the following quote:
That's much less pithy, but carries largely the same sentiment.
The original can be seen in the British Newspaper Archive of 1919
Dr. Einstein's Theory.
We publish to-day a translation of an article written for our readers by ALBERT EINSTEIN
[…] He adds that the different descriptions of him in England and Germany form an amusing example of relativity to the sentiments of the two countries. He is famous just now, and was described in our columns as a Swiss Jew, whereas in Germany he is called a German man of science. He suggests that were he suddenly to become a bête noire, the descriptions would be reversed, and he would be stigmatized here as a German man of science and in Germany as a Swiss Jew. We concede him his little jest.
However, do note that this is described as a translation. In his letter to Paul Ehrenfest on the 4th of December 1919, he says:
By the way, I myself participated in the cackling by writing a short article in the Times, in which I thanked our English colleagues, said a few things to characterize the theory, and at the end produced the following witticism: A simple application of the theory of relativity: today German newspapers are calling me a German man of science, the English, a Swiss Jew. If I come to be represented as a bete noire to the readerships, I should be a Swiss Jew for German newspapers and a German man of science for the English.'
See The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Volume 9 The Berlin Years. I cannot find the original letter, but I assume Princeton's transcribers and translators are accurate.
Either way, that's two reputable sources which have Einstein expressing something similar. Perhaps the joke was repeated and refined by him as the years wore on? Perhaps an eager journalist took a half-remembered quote and gave it new life? Perhaps.
Where next?
Well, dear reader, that's where you come in! I've exhausted all my research prowess. If you can find a transcript of his remarks, or a report older than the JTA's of the 4th of December 1929 where Einstein talks about being a "citizen of the world", please drop a comment in the box!
#politics #quote #yakShaving