ACX
Fake Tradition Is Traditional
Scott Alexander defends the practice of looking to idealized traditions for inspiration, arguing it's a common and useful human approach to creativity and innovation.
10 min read 1,539 words
A thread through the archive
literature
Essays tagged “literature”. Follow an idea across the archive.
Essays on literature
8 essaysACX
Choose Book Review Finalists 2024
Scott Alexander seeks help in selecting finalists for the 2024 Book Review Contest by asking readers to rate entries from a pool of 150 reviews.
6 min read 889 words
ACX
Your Book Review: Man’s Search for Meaning
This review analyzes Viktor Frankl's 'Man's Search for Meaning', using it as a framework to explore other narratives of suffering and the search for meaning in various contexts.
49 min read 7,566 words
ACX
Lewis Carroll Invented Retroactive Public Goods Funding In 1894
Scott Alexander reveals that Lewis Carroll had conceived an idea similar to retroactive public goods funding in 1894, predating modern reinventions of the concept.
6 min read 776 words
ACX
Highlights From The Comments On Great Families
Scott summarizes reader comments on his 'Secrets of the Great Families' post, covering additional examples, statistical discussions, and personal perspectives on family achievement.
40 min read 6,147 words
ACX
Vote In The Book Review Contest!
Scott Alexander opens voting for the book review contest, listing 17 finalists and providing a voting link.
2 min read 259 words
SSC
Links 2/20
Scott Alexander presents a curated list of interesting links and news items on topics ranging from politics and science to technology and culture.
20 min read 3,021 words
SSC
Fifty (More) Swifties
The post presents 50 'Tom Swifties', a form of wordplay involving quotes and related adverbs, demonstrating the author's wit and knowledge across various fields.
5 min read 699 words