Scott travels to Medjugorje, Bosnia to investigate reports of sun miracles, witnesses one himself with his wife, and develops a naturalistic explanation involving afterimages and atmospheric conditions that explains both the Medjugorje and Fatima phenomena. Longer summary

Scott Alexander investigates the sun miracle at Medjugorje, Bosnia, where thousands of pilgrims report seeing the sun spin and change colors. He travels there with his wife, interviews locals, and witnesses a small-scale miracle himself. After analyzing the experience and comparing it to the famous Fatima miracle, he proposes a naturalistic explanation involving afterimages, eye damage, and specific cloud conditions. The post explores eyewitness accounts, the history of Marian apparitions at Medjugorje, and the optical physics behind the phenomenon, ultimately concluding that while impressive, the miracle can be explained through unusual but natural atmospheric conditions combined with prolonged sun-gazing. Shorter summary

A wide-ranging collection of 40 news items and interesting facts, covering AI, politics, science, economics, and culture, with the author's commentary. Longer summary

This post is a collection of 40 diverse links and news items covering topics such as AI developments, politics, science, technology, economics, and culture. It includes updates on OpenAI and Google's AI projects, discussions on religious phenomena, analyses of social and economic trends, and various interesting facts and anecdotes. The author provides commentary and context for many of the items, often with a mix of humor and critical analysis. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander shares 57 diverse links on topics including politics, science, technology, and culture, providing brief summaries and commentary on each. Longer summary

This post is a collection of 57 diverse links covering various topics including politics, science, technology, culture, and society. Scott Alexander briefly summarizes each link, often adding his own commentary or thoughts. The links range from scientific studies and political polls to interesting cultural phenomena and technological advancements. Some notable topics include AI development, environmental issues, mental health, and social trends. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander responds to comments on his ivermectin article, discussing criticisms, the worms hypothesis, vaccine skepticism, and journalism quality. Longer summary

This post highlights comments on Scott Alexander's previous article about ivermectin as a potential COVID-19 treatment. Scott responds to criticisms from ivmmeta.com, discusses the worms hypothesis with various commenters, addresses concerns about the TOGETHER trial, and shares perspectives on vaccine skepticism and journalism quality. He also reflects on his own writing process compared to traditional journalism. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander reviews John Gottman's marriage counseling methods, finding them intuitively appealing but scientifically questionable. Longer summary

Scott Alexander reviews John Gottman's book 'The Seven Principles For Making Marriage Work', summarizing Gottman's methods and then critically examining the scientific evidence behind them. The review begins with an overview of Gottman's reputation and claims, then details his approach to marital counseling, which focuses on liking your spouse, communication skills, and dealing with conflicts. Scott then investigates the statistical validity of Gottman's methods, finding significant issues with his claims of predictive accuracy and effectiveness. The review concludes with Scott's personal reflections on the challenges of relationship counseling and the nature of marital problems. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander compares three gabapentinoid drugs (gabapentin, pregabalin, and phenibut), exploring their effects, mechanisms, and the mysteries surrounding their differing efficacies despite chemical similarities. Longer summary

Scott Alexander discusses three gabapentinoid drugs: gabapentin, pregabalin, and phenibut. He compares their effects, mechanisms, and mysteries surrounding their differing efficacies. Gabapentin is described as subtle at low doses and problematic at high doses. Pregabalin is noted for its effectiveness in anxiety treatment but its high cost. Phenibut, while not FDA-approved, is praised for its strong anti-anxiety effects but warned against due to addiction potential. The post explores possible explanations for the differences between these chemically similar drugs, including dosing discrepancies, absorption rates, and receptor interactions. Scott also touches on the broader implications for drug research and the complexities of psychopharmacology. Shorter summary

A collection of interesting links covering topics from ancient Roman demographics to modern AI developments, criminal justice issues, and cultural oddities. Longer summary

This is a links post collecting various interesting news and articles. Topics include ancient Roman life expectancy data, Chinese censorship expanding to group chats, cruise ship pollution, AI developments like AlphaGo Zero, criminal justice issues around drug rehab work camps and police body cameras, and various other scientific, technological and cultural items. The post maintains a light tone while covering both serious topics like Puerto Rico's ongoing crisis and quirky ones like Viking reenactors and Halloween costumes. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander examines a theory linking autism and schizophrenia to human self-domestication, initially dismissing it before reconsidering its merits in light of Williams Syndrome. Longer summary

Scott Alexander discusses a theory suggesting that autism and schizophrenia are anomalies in human self-domestication. He initially dismisses the theory, pointing out inconsistencies and over-reaching comparisons. However, he then considers Williams Syndrome, which appears to fit the 'hyperdomestication' model better. Scott concludes that while autism and schizophrenia may not be exact opposites of domestication, they likely involve a biological system determining trust and sociability, which is linked to embryological development. He suggests that an embryological approach might be more fruitful in studying these conditions. Shorter summary

A collection of interesting links covering various topics from scientific studies and economic policies to cultural oddities, with particular focus on deworming program controversies and workplace discrimination research. Longer summary

This is a link roundup post where Scott shares various interesting articles and studies. The topics covered range from scientific discoveries to economic policies, from social experiments to cultural oddities. He discusses several major studies and their implications, including birth order effects, workplace discrimination in France, and the controversy around deworming programs. The post also includes various curiosities like botanical bioregions, moon naming conventions, and Chinese stock market intervention, all presented with Scott's characteristic mix of insight and humor. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander defends his stance on the 'chemical imbalance' theory of depression, arguing that Mad In America's critique actually supports his view of a more nuanced understanding in psychiatry. Longer summary

Scott Alexander responds to a critique of his previous post about the 'chemical imbalance' theory of depression by Mad In America. He argues that the critique misses his point and actually supports his thesis. Scott analyzes each example provided by Mad In America, showing how they generally present a nuanced view of depression and serotonin's role, rather than promoting a simplistic 'serotonin deficiency' model. He criticizes Mad In America for quoting out of context and misrepresenting the sources. Scott concludes that while the 'chemical imbalance' theory has been simplified in public discourse, the psychiatric community has generally been responsible in presenting the complexities and uncertainties of depression's causes and treatments. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander defends psychiatry's use of 'chemical imbalance' theory, arguing it was meant to emphasize depression's biological basis rather than claiming a simple serotonin deficiency. Longer summary

Scott Alexander responds to criticisms of psychiatry's use of the 'chemical imbalance' theory of depression. He argues that psychiatrists never claimed depression was simply a serotonin deficiency, but rather a complex interaction of brain chemicals. He explains that the term 'chemical imbalance' was used to emphasize depression's biological basis and help people take it seriously, rather than viewing it as a personal failure. Scott provides evidence that serotonin and other neurotransmitters are indeed involved in depression, while acknowledging the full picture is more complicated. He concludes that framing depression in terms of brain chemistry remains useful, even if 'chemical imbalance' is no longer the best terminology. Shorter summary

Scott shares a diverse collection of interesting links and brief commentary on topics including linguistics, science, economics, and social issues. Longer summary

This post is a collection of interesting links and brief commentary on various topics. Scott covers subjects ranging from linguistics and philosophy to scientific discoveries and social issues. He discusses recent research on evolution, cold fusion claims, autism theories, and dark matter detection. The post also touches on economic topics like immigration effects and living costs in major cities. Scott includes some humorous content and critiques of social policies in countries like Saudi Arabia. The tone is informative and slightly humorous, with Scott offering brief personal opinions on some of the topics discussed. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander examines the limitations of empathy training in medical education and shares his experiences learning to express empathy effectively as a doctor. Longer summary

Scott Alexander reflects on the teaching of empathy in medical school and its application in real-world doctor-patient interactions. He describes the awkward role-playing exercises used to teach empathy, which often result in stilted, scripted responses rather than genuine human connection. Scott explains that this approach is driven by the need for standardized, legally defensible assessment methods. He then shares personal experiences as a new doctor, highlighting the challenges of expressing empathy appropriately in emotional situations. The post concludes with insights on how Scott has learned to better navigate these interactions, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the patient's needs rather than demonstrating one's own empathy. Shorter summary

A collection of interesting links covering topics from Mormon facial recognition to migraine treatments to housing policy, with Scott's analysis and commentary on each. Longer summary

This is a links post collecting various interesting stories and articles. It covers diverse topics including a study about Mormons being able to recognize each other, Silicon Valley housing issues, statistics about African immigrants, medical research about migraines and gum chewing, updates on anti-aging drugs, and various cultural and political stories. The post includes both lighthearted items (like puppy pregnancy syndrome in India) and serious policy discussions (like minimum wage debates), while maintaining Scott's characteristic mix of intellectual curiosity and careful analysis. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander uses historical data to refute the Reactionary claim that modern society increases war, showing instead that violence has decreased significantly in progressive eras. Longer summary

Scott Alexander rebuts the Reactionary claim that modern society causes increased war and instability. He presents statistical evidence showing that wars and violence have significantly decreased in modern times, especially since World War II. The post examines historical data on war casualties, finding that the most progressive periods in history are also the most peaceful, while periods favored by Reactionaries (like the 1600s) were among the deadliest. Scott argues that even accounting for technological advances in warfare, the past was generally more violent. He also points out that in recent times, wars are mostly limited to less progressive countries. The post concludes that as the world has become more progressive over the past 70 years, conflicts and deaths from conflict have dropped precipitously. Shorter summary

Scott satirically proposes and 'proves' that morality is a form of gravity, using pseudo-scientific reasoning and calculations. Longer summary

This satirical post humorously proposes that morality is a form of gravity, using pseudo-scientific reasoning to 'prove' this theory. Scott starts by noting how gravitational language is used in moral discourse, then applies an inverse square law to moral obligations based on distance. He 'confirms' this theory by comparing charitable giving to Africa with the theory's predictions, and calculates the exact distance one needs to be from a beggar to avoid feeling guilty. The post uses a mix of real data and absurd logic to parody certain types of scientific and philosophical arguments. Shorter summary

The post details the housing, urban planning, and land use in Raikoth, a fictional country where people live in yurts and cities are designed for cleanliness and tranquility. Longer summary

This post describes the housing and urban planning of Raikoth, a fictional country. Raikolin people primarily live in yurts, which are cheap, mobile, and adaptable. Cities are designed to be clean, quiet, and aesthetically pleasing, with strict rules against littering, noise pollution, and visual clutter. The country also has vast wilderness areas where people can live freely away from civilization. The post outlines the unique features of Raikothin cities, land use policies, and the option for citizens to live in remote, challenging environments. Shorter summary

Scott shares an eclectic collection of interesting links he found online, covering topics like economics, urban planning, science and psychology, with his own commentary added. Longer summary

This is a collection of interesting links and articles Scott found online. The topics range from economics and social systems, through urban planning and science, to education and psychology studies. The post includes studies about gender discrimination, nuclear power safety statistics, and the effects of moderate drinking on health. Scott adds his own commentary and analysis to many of the links, often with a touch of humor or irony. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander argues that generalizing male violence to all men is problematic, drawing parallels with racist generalizations about crime. Longer summary

Scott Alexander critiques arguments that generalize male violence to all men, drawing a parallel with how similar arguments about black people and crime would be considered racist. He analyzes statistics on crime rates by race and gender, showing that while there are disproportions, it's unfair and counterproductive to treat all members of a group as dangerous. The post suggests ways to discuss violence and rape awareness more constructively, without unfairly stigmatizing entire groups. Scott emphasizes the importance of acknowledging that the vast majority of men are not violent, and argues that overgeneralizing can be harmful both to men and to the goal of reducing violence against women. Shorter summary

Scott shares his monthly collection of interesting links spanning science, technology, history, and culture, with commentary on each story's significance or peculiarity. Longer summary

A collection of interesting links from February 2013, covering various topics from scientific discoveries to cultural oddities. The post includes stories about DNA data storage, unusual medical cases, economic statistics, technological advances in AI, historical curiosities like Irish slaves and green children, and various social and political observations. Scott presents these with his characteristic mix of intellectual curiosity and witty commentary, often noting when claims appear exaggerated or deserve skepticism. Shorter summary