ACX
The Buying Things From A Store FAQ
Scott Alexander uses a satirical FAQ about stores to illustrate common objections to new institutions, then explains the purpose and offers heuristics for evaluating such criticisms.
9 min read 1,342 words
The independent Scott Alexander archive
Scott Alexander, collected.
Essays, arguments, and unexpected connections. An independent archive of Slate Star Codex, Astral Codex Ten, and LessWrong.
The collection
2,008 essaysACX
Prediction Market FAQ
Scott Alexander presents a comprehensive FAQ on prediction markets, arguing for their accuracy, canonicity, and potential to solve the 'crisis of trust' in society.
84 min read 12,964 words
ACX
2023 Prediction Contest
Scott Alexander announces a formalized 2023 Prediction Contest with 50 questions, multiple modes of play, and cash prizes.
4 min read 535 words
ACX
Perhaps It Is A Bad Thing That The World's Leading AI Companies Cannot Control Their AIs
Scott Alexander analyzes the shortcomings of OpenAI's ChatGPT, highlighting the limitations of current AI alignment techniques and their implications for future AI development.
18 min read 2,695 words
ACX
Highlights From The Comments On Bobos In Paradise
Scott Alexander presents highlights from reader comments on his 'Bobos in Paradise' book review, covering critiques of the book's thesis, discussions on elite education, and debates on social class dynamics.
40 min read 6,150 words
ACX
Know Your GABA-A Receptor Subunits
Scott explores GABA-A receptor subunits, their effects, and how various drugs interact with them, discussing potential for more selective drug development.
8 min read 1,173 words
ACX
Why I'm Less Than Infinitely Hostile To Cryptocurrency
Scott Alexander argues for a nuanced view of cryptocurrency, highlighting its legitimate uses and potential benefits despite common criticisms.
24 min read 3,632 words
ACX
Book Review: First Sixth Of Bobos In Paradise
Scott reviews David Brooks' thesis on how a 1950s change in Ivy League admissions policy reshaped American elite culture and society.
23 min read 3,511 words
ACX
Highlights From The Comments On Semaglutide
Scott Alexander summarizes and responds to comments on his post about semaglutide, covering corrections, additional information, and user experiences with the weight loss drug.
41 min read 6,260 words
ACX
Can This AI Save Teenage Spy Alex Rider From A Terrible Fate?
Scott Alexander examines Redwood Research's attempt to create an AI that avoids generating violent content, using Alex Rider fanfiction as training data.
34 min read 5,221 words
ACX
If The Media Reported On Other Things Like It Does Effective Altruism
Scott Alexander satirizes media coverage of Effective Altruism by applying similar reporting tactics to other causes and movements.
5 min read 627 words
ACX
Semaglutidonomics
Scott Alexander analyzes the economic and societal implications of semaglutide, a new effective weight loss drug, and its potential to reshape obesity treatment.
28 min read 4,293 words
ACX
"Is Wine Fake?" In Asterisk Magazine
Scott Alexander announces the launch of Asterisk Magazine, highlighting various articles from its first issue, including his own piece on wine tasting.
5 min read 655 words
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Mantic Monday: Twitter Chaos Edition
Scott Alexander analyzes prediction markets on Twitter, FTX, effective altruism, and US midterms, discussing their accuracy and exploring the concept of 'scandal markets'.
30 min read 4,529 words
ACX
The Psychopharmacology Of The FTX Crash
Scott Alexander analyzes the potential role of psychopharmacology in the FTX crash, discussing medications used by SBF and others, and their possible effects on decision-making.
48 min read 7,287 words
ACX
Contra Resident Contrarian On Unfalsifiable Internal States
Scott Alexander argues for generally believing reports of unusual mental experiences, countering skepticism about unfalsifiable internal states.
38 min read 5,824 words
ACX
Can People Be Honestly Wrong About Their Own Experiences?
Scott Alexander explores whether people can be honestly mistaken about their own experiences, presenting counterexamples and attempting to reconcile them with the idea that we can't be wrong about our immediate subjective experiences.
13 min read 1,886 words
ACX
Highlights From The Comments On Brain Waves
Scott summarizes interesting comments on his 'Rhythms of the Brain' book review, covering various aspects of brain waves and related topics.
27 min read 4,056 words
ACX
Highlights From The Comments On My California Ballot
Scott Alexander shares reader comments on his California ballot recommendations, updating some of his views and providing additional context on various races and propositions.
21 min read 3,107 words
ACX
ACX Grants: Project Updates
Scott Alexander provides updates on the ACX Grants project, summarizing the progress of grantees and their ongoing needs.
28 min read 4,283 words
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My California Ballot 2022
Scott Alexander reviews and explains his votes on California's 2022 ballot propositions and candidates, providing analysis and commentary on each item.
30 min read 4,502 words
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Moderation Is Different From Censorship
Scott Alexander distinguishes between moderation and censorship in social media, proposing opt-in settings for banned content as a solution to balance user preferences and free speech.
7 min read 970 words
ACX
Highlights From The Comments On Jhanas
Scott Alexander summarizes comments debating the reality and implications of jhanas, a meditative state of extreme bliss.
47 min read 7,250 words
ACX
Book Review: Malleus Maleficarum
Scott Alexander reviews the 'Malleus Maleficarum', a 15th-century witch-hunting manual, analyzing its content and historical context while reflecting on the dangers of limited knowledge.
55 min read 8,468 words
ACX
Nick Cammarata On Jhana
Scott Alexander examines the Buddhist concept of jhana, a blissful meditative state, through Nick Cammarata's experiences, exploring its implications for understanding pleasure and reinforcement.
8 min read 1,177 words
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