SSC
Testimonials for SSC
Scott Alexander shares a collection of mostly critical and often insulting testimonials about his blog Slate Star Codex, revealing the diverse and polarized reactions to his work.
13 min read 1,919 words
A thread through the archive
rationalist community
Essays tagged “rationalist community”. Follow an idea across the archive.
Essays on rationalist community
47 essaysSSC
Figure/Ground Illusions
Scott Alexander discusses how figure/ground illusions in ideological debates can make balanced representation appear biased, using examples from effective altruism and AI risk.
8 min read 1,155 words
SSC
Contra Hallquist On Scientific Rationality
Scott Alexander defends Less Wrong and Eliezer Yudkowsky against accusations of being anti-scientific, arguing that developing rational thinking skills beyond traditional scientific methods is valuable and necessary.
70 min read 10,781 words
SSC
Effective Altruists: Not As Mentally Ill As You Think
The post analyzes survey data to examine if effective altruism attracts people with mental disorders, finding slightly higher rates of autism but no evidence of unusual self-hate or scrupulosity.
5 min read 711 words
SSC
A Cascade Of Dunbar Numbers
Scott Alexander discusses the challenges of community growth, relating his experiences with micronations and rationalist groups to theories about natural group size limits.
11 min read 1,560 words
SSC
2014 Predictions: Calibration Results
Scott Alexander evaluates his 2014 predictions, finding himself well-calibrated across various confidence levels, and jokingly declares himself trustworthy on all matters.
7 min read 974 words
SSC
More Links For November 2014
Scott shares a diverse collection of links and brief commentaries on scientific studies, political news, cultural phenomena, and personal observations across various fields.
20 min read 3,094 words
SSC
Tumblr on MIRI
The post analyzes a debate about the effectiveness of MIRI, an AI safety organization, focusing on critiques of their academic output and defenses of their outreach efforts.
49 min read 7,446 words
SSC
Mapmaker, Mapmaker, Make Me A Map
Scott Alexander presents an interactive concept map of the rationalist community, inspired by previous community maps and showcasing various websites and adjacent communities.
2 min read 189 words
SSC
Nerds Can Be Bees, Too
Scott Alexander explores the concept of the 'hive switch' in nerds, realizing that they can experience group unity when they find the right in-group.
12 min read 1,784 words
SSC
Right Is The New Left
Scott Alexander examines his sudden shift towards conservatism, proposing it may be part of a broader trend of intellectuals differentiating themselves from mainstream leftism.
31 min read 4,759 words
LW
Rationalists Are Less Credulous But Better At Taking Ideas Seriously
Scott uses Less Wrong survey data to show that experienced rationalists are actually less likely than newcomers to believe cryonics will work, yet more likely to sign up for it, demonstrating that rationalist training teaches people to act on beliefs rather than making them more credulous.
7 min read 977 words
LW
2013 Survey Results
Scott Alexander presents comprehensive results from the 2013 Less Wrong community survey, covering demographics, beliefs, and behavioral patterns of 1636 respondents.
38 min read 5,884 words
SSC
A Response To Apophemi on Triggers
Scott Alexander responds to an essay about trigger warnings in rationalist spaces, arguing that the community's purpose is dispassionate discussion and that everyone, not just marginalized groups, has triggers.
47 min read 7,238 words
SSC
Less Wrong, More Rite (II)
Scott Alexander discusses the Rationalist Solstice Ritual, exploring how 'cringeworthiness' can strengthen communities and the challenges atheists face in community-building.
14 min read 2,093 words
SSC
November Housekeeping Post
Scott Alexander provides updates on the Less Wrong survey, his NYC trip, an upcoming meetup, and asks for lawn care advice.
3 min read 349 words
SSC
Going From California With An Aching In My Heart.
Scott Alexander bids farewell to California's Bay Area, praising its culture and the rationalist community while offering heartfelt tributes to friends who influenced him.
20 min read 2,997 words
LW
2011 Less Wrong Census / Survey
Scott announces a new Less Wrong census and survey to replace the outdated 2009 version, maintaining its structure for comparison while fixing problems and updating questions.
2 min read 260 words
LW
V is for Value Maximizing Agent: London, November 5
Scott announces a London rationality meetup on November 5th (Guy Fawkes Day) at Waterstone's in Piccadilly Circus, humorously noting he's again scheduling it on a holiday despite promising otherwise.
1 min read 118 words
LW
Survey Results
Scott analyzes results from a 166-person Less Wrong survey covering demographics, probability estimates on various topics, and philosophical positions, finding a highly educated, mostly male, atheist, politically libertarian/liberal community with surprisingly accurate collective knowledge but notable gaps between stated beliefs and actions.
15 min read 2,255 words
LW
Excuse me, would you like to take a survey?
Scott proposes a LessWrong community survey to gather demographics and opinions, shares a draft, and asks readers to suggest additional questions and weigh in on privacy concerns about releasing raw data.
3 min read 336 words
LW
How to Not Lose an Argument
Scott argues that to persuade people rather than just demolish them, you should leave them a social line of retreat by being genuinely nice and not treating the discussion as a status contest.
13 min read 1,961 words