AryasBFFMar 20, 2023
Carl T. Bergstrom

Steven Pinker selling multiple $50,000 NFTs of a trite four word aphorism “free speech is fundamental” is the funniest shit I’ve seen all day.

https://blockster.com/best-selling-author-harvard-professor-steven-pinker-will-transform-his-ideas-into-nfts

ht @twitskeptic

Best-Selling Author & Harvard Professor Steven Pinker Will Transform His Ideas into NFTs

On March 14th at 7pm ET, thought leader & Harvard professor Steven Pinker will release digital collectibles of his famous idea “Free speech is fundamental“. These collectibles will guarantee recurrent access to intimate group video calls with Pinker.

Mar 19, 2023 at 7:17amWeb
Show threadCarl T. BergstromMar 19, 2023
@twitskeptic I guess elephant-skin boots don’t come cheap.
Show threadTane Piper ⁂Mar 19, 2023
@ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic That really isn't the good reason he thinks it is...
Show threadCarl T. BergstromMar 19, 2023
@tanepiper @twitskeptic to say the least!
Show threadEva ChandaMar 19, 2023
@tanepiper @ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic Ah yes, an animal that gives birth to a single calf after a TWO-YEAR pregnancy really needs its population controlled...
Show threadPeter EllisMar 19, 2023
@ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic to be fair, it's more that he's selling access to these chats he's going to host, with those words just written on the tickets. Still dramatically over priced, but not stir fry crazy.
Show threadCyrille MartraireMar 19, 2023
@peter_ellis @ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic “these collectibles can be traded at any time” he probably hopes they will trade it so he doesn’t have to converse with the same buyer for too long
Show threadNihl L'AmasMar 19, 2023
@peter_ellis @ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic "free speech is fiftythousanddollarsdamental"
Show threadVitor PyMar 19, 2023
@ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic Gosh, what an asshole.
Show threadKate ShawMar 19, 2023
@ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic I don't know who that is but I know everything I need to know about him from those boots. I hope his feet get run over by a bus.
Show threadFrank VerhoevenMar 19, 2023
@ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic Nothing says “I’m a predator” like these.
Show threadHareksuMar 19, 2023
@ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic Elephant skin boots? What a cunt!
Show threadGeorge Liquor, AmericanMar 19, 2023
@ct_bergstrom As if we needed further proof that Pinker is destined to fully disappear up his own ass
Show threadTyrone SlothropMar 19, 2023

@ct_bergstrom Sometimes you wonder how seriously you should take someone.

And then they just go and answer the question all by themselves.

Show threadDr. ExmaahalMar 19, 2023
@ct_bergstrom
This cracked me up:
'As more thought leaders from different backgrounds and ideologies start producing collectibles of their ideas, a new asset class could be born: ideas.'
Who knew you can come up with ideas and make money on them? Amazing!
Show threadDubi is here Mar 19, 2023
@exmaahal @ct_bergstrom wait, if I sell a collectible of my idea, does that mean my idea now belongs to that buyer? What does any of this mean?!
Show threadCJ Stevens - MetaphysiologyMar 19, 2023
@ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic Funny but not surprising from Pinker. Less funny yet more surprising to see Cornel West's name on the list of individuals who plan on doing the same.
Show threadShofsMar 19, 2023
@WorldImagining @ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic I’d say he’s the least surprising name on that list (TBF I don’t know about any of the others besides Pinker). But whatever you think of his work, no denying West is big on self-promotion of a sort that fits right in with this scheme.
Show threadCJ Stevens - MetaphysiologyMar 19, 2023
@shofstader @ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic I meant politically rather than biographically; the entire NFT culture is, in my view, incompatible with the democratic socialist views West purports to espouse. Also, don't confuse my "more surprising" for "shocked" or even "surprised" :)
Show threadShofsMar 19, 2023
@WorldImagining @ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic Based on the linked article about Pinker, I don’t think the particular NTF described sounds much like “NFT culture” either. The thing that seems surpising/silly is that we all figure crypto/NFT is over, an exposed scam. But this might actually be a logical use of the technology, if it works. After all, the max $ Pinker would realize would be less than $60K. Doubt anyone gets rich reselling one of those NFTs.
Show thread¡a!nMar 19, 2023
@ct_bergstrom the NFT concept hawkers have found new marks: the too-smart-to-fall-for-a-scam class. As cryptocurrency sinks lower and becomes more irrelevant, Pinker has thought ‘yup, this is the time for me to get involved’
Show threadMichael ErardMar 19, 2023
@ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic these are bumper stickers
Show threadAlicePaulMar 19, 2023

@ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic

Harvard professor Steven Pinker will release digital collectibles of his famous idea that “Free speech is fundamental“.

Famous idea?

Show threadPablo MartiniMar 19, 2023
@ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic someone tell him all the social media sites are stopping nft! ¢rap as NFT! Is crypto junk!
Show threadDr. Sam WeinMar 19, 2023
@ct_bergstrom
50k to show up to his "intimate chats" with a Vuvuzela would not be the worst use of crowd funding.
@twitskeptic
Show threadJeremy GoochMar 19, 2023
@ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic the words “thought leader” make me cringe every time I happen upon them.
Show threadJosh (he/his)Mar 19, 2023

@ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic Well that led me down the worst rabbit hole ever.

Cornel West is hawking these things too? Oh, then I discovered that West is also starting to join forces with Russell Brand.

Show threadJamesWordsMar 19, 2023
@ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic Dunno, that seems like pretty expensive speech to me
Show threadTony VladusichMar 19, 2023

@ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic

ok then, reality has finally disappeared up its own arsehole

Show threadGM RaphiMar 19, 2023
@ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic Even very smart people can make very stupid decisions.
Show threadllewellyMar 19, 2023
@ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic
$50,000 speech is the better angel of his grifting spirit.
Show threadhesgenMar 19, 2023
@ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic I cordially invite Steven Pinker to get in the sea.
Show threadFardels BearMar 19, 2023

@ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic

Isn't the fallacy of argument from authority embodied in these absurd NFTs? In this case, having just spaffed $50,000 up the wall, it will be even more difficult to doubt the guru.

Show threadMichael GartenbergMar 19, 2023
@ct_bergstrom
I understand that teaching doesn't pay as well as other fields, sad to say we have forced educators to earnjney on this fashion.
@twitskeptic @ianbetteridge
Show threadStephen MMar 19, 2023
@ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic Thank you for sharing!
Show threadla bibliotequetressMar 19, 2023
@ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic Nothing he says is worth much
Show threadMatt FranzMar 19, 2023

@ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic The crypto crash didn't kill NFTs?

Disappointed.

Show threadla bibliotequetressMar 19, 2023
@ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic to prove his point, he should give them away
Show threadJesseMar 19, 2023
@bibliotequetress @ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic Well, you see, he’s just showing how threatened free speech really is.
Show threadla bibliotequetressMar 19, 2023
@misc @ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic Ha!
Show threadDenis RobertMar 19, 2023
@ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic he’s always a year or two behind his IDW buddies. Always the timid one in the back letting others test the waters first and take the hit. I suspect it was the same with his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Show threadShrig 🐌Mar 19, 2023
@ct_bergstrom but isn't that $50,000 speech? 
Show threadDadsForSensibleCurfewsMar 19, 2023
@ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic "These collectibles will guarantee recurrent access to intimate group video calls with Pinker to discuss this topic for the next several years." 😂🔫
Show threadJeremy KahnMar 19, 2023
@ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic It is funny shit but the NFT is a ticket to an event and therefore not quite as ludicrous as it seems on the surface.
Show threadLevMar 19, 2023
@ct_bergstrom Next level grifter. Lot's to learn I guess.
Show threadAlexey MerzMar 19, 2023
@ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic That's some seriously funny shit.
Show threadSteve DodgeMar 19, 2023

@ct_bergstrom @twitskeptic
@MarcAbrahams
He could offer a lock of his luxuriant flowing hair as an early-purchase bonus (unfortunately the gallery is offline for now)

https://improbable.com/hair-club/

The Luxuriant Flowing Hair Club for Scientists

The Luxuriant Flowing Hair Club for Scientists™ (LFHCfS)  For scientists who have, or believe they have, luxuriant flowing hair The Luxuriant Former Hair Club for Scientists™ (LFHCfS)  For scientis…

Improbable Research
Show threadab78702Mar 20, 2023
@ct_bergstrom gotta pay for his fancy shoes somehow now that everyone with a brain cell is no longer buying his tripe books.