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Matt Crespi

@mattcrespi.bsky.social
863 followers 500 following 3.8K posts

Social scientist. Researcher of networks, policy, and innovation. Enthusiast of maps, graphs and sandwiches. Former top 25 duck chess player.

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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Good note! I'll add that it's also a good day to check your registration and/or register to vote even if you don't live in one of these three states. Do it now while you're thinking about it!
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Seeing a ton of ads for Domino's new pizza for one, and it's kind of hard to get excited when Pizza Hut has had the same technology for 43 years. Is there any other industry where two leading companies can stay competitive when one is four decades behind the other?
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Happy Gritty's Birthday to all who celebrate. (I will be celebrating in the traditional way of eating a sheet cake hurled at my face.)
static.klipy.com
Gritty's Explosive Confetti Cake Entrance
Alt: Gritty hurling a sheet cake at the camera
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Proof of concept (top text probably won't be necessary once everyone gets the hang of the format).
Sarah insistently pointing at you, the reader.

Text at the top: "Scientist says"

Text at the bottom: "Plant Native Plants"
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
I know this isn't the point of the post, but that's an awesome photo, and I could totally see it turning into a "Scientist Says" meme format.
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Apropos of nothing, a fun and inspiring story from this decade is that Uzbekistan has become a chess powerhouse, and I don't think that news has spread much beyond chess circles. Also inspirationally crushing it in the chess world: Ukrainian women and Indian teenagers.
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Doomscrolling DoorDash
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
My mother's valiant efforts saved the deli's reputation, and they were able to stay open for almost twenty more years before eventually closing a decade ago. Now they're back! Welcome back!
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Feels like a good time for a childhood vacation story. While in NYC, one of my brothers got sick and wound up vomiting on the sidewalk right in front of the Carnegie Deli as my panicking mother personally explained to every single person walking by "HE DIDN'T EAT HERE!" abc7ny.com/post/nyc-ico...
abc7ny.com
New York City icon Carnegie Deli reopening in Midtown 10 years after closing
It's official -- the Carnegie Deli is coming back to life 10 years after it closed.
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Everyone is sharing their results, but I can't move on from the completely bonkers synonyms for sunshower that I'm supposed to believe are real.
Quiz question asking what it's called when rain falls while the sun is shining. Options include sunshower, the wolf is giving birth, the Devil is beating his wife, monkey's wedding, fox's wedding, pineapple rain, liquid sun, and other.
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I am seriously thrilled for everyone involved here. I am old enough to remember when you were out here posting stuff like, "Does anyone know how to make movies? Movies are cool." Yes they are.
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Thank you and thank you!
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
I hadn't seen this, thank you! Philosophically, I think I'm solid from a utilitarian perspective. It should save resources on balance. It just feels a little weird to actively and intensely use AI for a bit in order to reduce the perpetual trickle of passive AI in my life.
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Downgrade a movie: The Budapest Hotel
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Reposted by Matt Crespi
Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Alright everybody, time to text the teachers in your life. The fall semester is open at SkypeAScientist and we are ready to match classrooms, scout troops, library groups, and more with scientists! Tell the educators in your life, and send them to SkypeAScientist.com
A frog uses its comically long tongue to catch a fleeing fly and the words say “send this to a teacher” pointing right. Then under the tongue it says “Skype a scientist matches classrooms with scientists for free Q&As” and there’s a little pond scene with lily pads and spatterdock flowers and a rock with a snail on it and a salamander with the words get a match at Skype scientist.com
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
I think bribing myself with food and/or consciously becoming more spiteful is going to lead to backwards progress in my efforts to become a better and healthier person in non-AI situations, but it *would* probably get the job done here!
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
That's my current strategy, but I forget or typo 80% of the time.
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Honestly: (1) because Google is still one of the best, (2) in the interest of being aware of my biases and bubbles, I just understand PageRank better than most algorithms, and (3) I use Chrome and it's very default and almost automatic for me.
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Thank you! 🫡
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
(CC: @kevinzollman.com because there's like a 15% chance you're already working on a paper to answer this)
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
All right, #PhilSky (and anyone else), help me out here. What are the ethics around using AI to write a browser plugin to add " -ai" to the end of all my Google searches? (Appending that removes the Gemini results.) I'm not good enough at this kind of coding to do it without help.
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Wow, I had no idea! ✍️ Fascinating.
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Pretty sure the answer is "yes," but just to confirm: I make the rawr noises for them, right?
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
I'm 41 years old. I have been hiding a secret my whole life: I've never had a dino nugget. But thanks to a sale at Costco, an Instacart credit, and some impulsive behavior this morning, I am now the proud owner of FIVE POUNDS of dino nuggets. Send me your best tips & ideas for eating dino nuggets.
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
A lot of things are getting worse in the world today, but the last few years have seen a number of remarkably good results from cancer researchers. Reminder that there are still lots of people out there not only trying to make the world better, but succeeding.
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
MOM's Organic Market is banning employees from wearing masks: baltimorefishbowl.com/stories/new-... I used to love them, but time to boycott. Saying that "I have an immunocompromised family member I don't want to kill because a customer coughed on me" isn't a good enough reason is pretty evil.
baltimorefishbowl.com
New mask ban at MOM's Organic Market sparks backlash
A new policy at MOM's Organic Market for employees is causing serious backlash and controversy among workers, management, and customers.
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
#StarTrek question: Why do all Enterprises, but no other Starfleet ships, require all their captains to be good at horses?
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Woo...were...wuss... Wore-chester-shire 🎯 Nailed it.
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
That's...a really good question...
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Apparently it's #4 for me.
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Everyone knows Bluesky, at its finest in a functioning state of the world, is a platform for millennials to discuss Star Trek, share fun animal facts, and argue about which city has better pizza, public transit, architecture, etc.
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Rude.
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
(NB: I got said friend's approval before posting that, and she signed off on every word.)
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
@thewheatgerm.bsky.social A friend of mine is grieving the recent loss of a loved one and told me one of her only sources of joy is "Ben's pants choices on Jet Lag," and I just thought you'd like to know the positive impact you're having on the world as a professional athlete and fashion icon.
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Yeah, let's talk about how he went to college in the Philly area instead. It's about time we had a pope who can appreciate a 2am Wawa run.
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
No. 😞 The chime only lasted two seconds. Hopefully when I die and the mysteries of the universe are unveiled to me, I'll finally get an answer to "what was that chime?" right after I find out "where did the missing peanut butter cracker go?"
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Computers desperately need a "go to whichever software or browser tab just made that noise or is currently making a noise" button. Because what the HECK did I just hear? I've never heard that chime in my life. Did some alert get a makeover? Am I on a website that's trying to get my attention? HELP!
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
I hate it too 😭
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
The existence of the market also makes it way more likely the government will come out and say aliens exist. Because we know that people in this government insider trade contracts about what the government will do. "Oh look, I could make a million dollars with a press release" might be compelling.
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
I've been making this exact argument against the Area 51 conspiracy people since 2017, but I also wouldn't put it past him to announce aliens are real to distract us from a scandal despite not having any proof.
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
There's currently $33 million in a Kalshi market for betting on when the US will confirm that aliens exist. I don't really know what the implications of this are, but it can't be good for society, right?
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
I use olive oil instead of salad dressing too! Some people look at me like I'm crazy! Thank you for this. I feel validated.
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
It was me. My official explanation is here: bsky.app/profile/matt... but honestly, the resulting "wait, is that Gritty?" seems to genuinely drive a little extra engagement and fundraising, while also making the whole thing more fun.
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
I'm pulling for Switzerland over Argentina, because (a) historically Switzerland is the underdog among those two, and (b) it's fun when the famously neutral Swiss go all out in an international competition. I think those fans deserve as many wins as they can get.
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
I dream of a future in which this isn't an evergreen comment.
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Founded & run by a scientist I admire a lot, @sarahmackattack.bsky.social, Skype a Scientist makes a direct impact. They inspire students, spread curiosity, and make kids think "Maybe I too can question and understand the world around me." (Also, if you ask nicely, you can put a Gritty on the map.)
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
One of my favorite nonprofits is doing their annual fundraiser. Skype a Scientist supports science education all over the country by video conferencing working scientists directly into classrooms to interact with students who might not otherwise get the chance to meet a professional scientist. (1/2)
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
(Step 1 was last year, when I put Gritties in Philadelphia.)
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Putting Gritties in Wyoming is Step 2 in a multi-year plan that will end one of two ways: (1) United States: Oops! All Gritties (2) A competing icon (probably the Phanatic or a Costco hot dog) gains enough support to compete for territory, driving a fundraising frenzy as we battle for America.
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Matt Crespi @mattcrespi.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
To quote a true American hero: it me. Add your own Gritties! Gritty Takes America! (And funds science education in the process.)
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