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
A thread through the archive
heuristics
Essays tagged “heuristics”. Follow an idea across the archive.
Essays on heuristics
5 essaysACX
What Are We Arguing About When We Argue About Rationality?
Scott Alexander examines various interpretations of rationality, concluding it might be best understood as 'the study of study' - a meta-level examination of truth-seeking methods.
23 min read 3,496 words
ACX
Heuristics That Almost Always Work
Scott Alexander discusses the dangers of relying on 'Heuristics That Almost Always Work' through various examples, highlighting their limitations and potential consequences.
15 min read 2,258 words
SSC
Value Differences As Differently Crystallized Metaphysical Heuristics
Scott proposes that value differences arise from people crystallizing heuristics at different levels, rather than from fundamental, incomprehensible differences in values.
38 min read 5,789 words
SSC
Heuristics Work Until They Don’t
Scott Alexander warns against forming strong heuristics based on limited data, using examples from AI research, elections, and campaign strategies to illustrate the pitfalls of this approach.
7 min read 1,067 words