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Feb 05, 2026
acx
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Links For February 2026

48 min • 7,419 words • 660 comments • 255 likes • podcast (49 min)
A monthly collection of diverse links covering AI developments and regulation, COVID origins debates, healthcare policy, cultural phenomena, scientific research, and internet curiosities, maintaining Scott's characteristic blend of serious analysis and entertaining observations. Longer summary
Scott Alexander's February 2026 links collection covers a wide range of topics including AI developments, politics, science, culture, and internet phenomena. Major themes include updates on AI capabilities and regulation (with discussions of OpenAI, Anthropic, and various political machinations around AI policy), the ongoing COVID lab leak debate and related prediction markets, healthcare and drug development issues, cultural observations from around the world, and various scientific and academic findings. The post maintains Scott's characteristic style of jumping between serious policy discussions, academic research, internet curiosities, and cultural commentary, with particular attention to AI safety concerns, rationalist community topics, and interesting historical or linguistic oddities. Shorter summary
Dec 04, 2025
acx
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Vibecession: Much More Than You Wanted To Know

39 min • 6,025 words • 980 comments • 871 likes • podcast (43 min)
Scott examines why young people feel economically hopeless despite economists saying things are fine, testing various explanations like housing costs and wages, and concluding the truth involves both real factors (harder competition, expensive cities, recent mortgage spikes) and media-driven negativity. Longer summary
Scott Alexander investigates the 'vibecession' - the paradox where economic indicators show improvement but consumer sentiment is terrible, particularly among young people who feel permanently locked out of opportunity. He systematically examines various proposed explanations including declining wages, housing costs, inflation miscalculation, inequality, and debt, finding that none fully explain the phenomenon. His analysis suggests the crisis may be partly real (increased effort required for same outcomes, concentration of jobs in expensive cities, recent mortgage increases) but also partly driven by increasingly negative media coverage and changing consumption patterns toward more conspiratorial sources. Shorter summary
Jul 01, 2025
acx
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Links For July 2025

28 min • 4,200 words • 581 comments • 210 likes • podcast (32 min)
Scott shares his monthly collection of 56 interesting links and developments from July 2025, covering AI, politics, science, and culture, with brief commentary on each. Longer summary
This is a collection of 56 interesting links and news items from July 2025, covering topics from AI development to politics to scientific research. The post includes updates on OpenAI's status, developments in AI regulation, new medical treatments, cultural trends, and various scientific findings. Scott maintains his usual style of presenting these with brief commentary and occasional humor, while being careful to note that he hasn't independently verified all links. Some notable items include Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill", new AI safety developments, trends in social media usage, and various medical breakthroughs. Shorter summary
Feb 07, 2025
acx
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1DaySooner's Trump II Health Policy Proposals

13 min • 1,950 words • 269 comments • 234 likes • podcast (12 min)
Scott Alexander and 1DaySooner outline potential positive health policy initiatives that could emerge under three key Trump administration health appointees: Jim O'Neill, Marty Makary, and Jay Bhattacharya. Longer summary
This post discusses potential health policy proposals under a hypothetical second Trump administration, focusing on three key appointees and their possible initiatives. The piece examines Jim O'Neill as Deputy Secretary of HHS, highlighting his potential work on organ donation compensation and longevity research; Marty Makary as FDA Commissioner, discussing FDA transparency and regulatory improvements; and Jay Bhattacharya as NIH Director, exploring research funding reforms and challenge trials. Written in collaboration with 1DaySooner, the post specifically focuses on optimistic scenarios that could emerge from these appointments. Shorter summary
Dec 09, 2021
acx
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Does Georgism Work? Part 1: Is Land Really A Big Deal?

94 min • 14,489 words • 998 comments • 153 likes • podcast (110 min)
Lars Doucet presents evidence that land is still a major economic factor in modern times, contrary to some economists' claims. Longer summary
This post, written by Lars Doucet, is the first in a series examining the empirical basis for Georgism. It focuses on whether land is still a significant economic factor in modern times, as some economists argue it isn't. Doucet presents evidence that land is indeed a major economic factor, showing that it represents a large portion of urban real estate value, bank loans, personal assets, and government revenue potential. He also demonstrates that land ownership is highly concentrated among the wealthy, contributing to economic inequality. The post concludes that land is a 'really big deal' in modern economies, contrary to some economists' claims. Shorter summary
Aug 30, 2021
acx
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On Hreha On Behavioral Economics

47 min • 7,248 words • 361 comments • 116 likes • podcast (46 min)
Scott Alexander argues that despite some replication failures, the core of behavioral economics remains valid and valuable, with the field continuing to evolve and refine its understanding of human decision-making. Longer summary
Scott Alexander responds to Jason Hreha's article claiming the 'death of behavioral economics'. He argues that while some studies have failed to replicate, the core insights of behavioral economics remain valid. Scott examines the historical origins of loss aversion, discusses recent debates about its existence, and argues that even small effect sizes can be valuable at scale. He concludes that behavioral economics as a field is generally healthy, continuing to investigate and refine our understanding of human decision-making, though specific paradigms may evolve over time. Shorter summary
Aug 18, 2021
acx
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Links For August

21 min • 3,111 words • 516 comments • 50 likes • podcast (24 min)
Scott Alexander shares a diverse collection of links and commentary on topics ranging from housing policy and employment discrimination to conspiracy theories and vaccine hesitancy, with a mix of analysis, skepticism, and humor. Longer summary
This post is a collection of interesting links and commentary on various topics. Scott Alexander covers a wide range of subjects including housing policy, creativity tests, Chinese tech regulation, employment discrimination studies, conspiracy theories, vaccine hesitancy among PhDs, and public health policies. He also shares intriguing images, discusses scientific controversies, and provides commentary on current events and social issues. The post maintains a mix of seriousness and humor throughout, often with a skeptical or analytical perspective on the topics presented. Shorter summary
Aug 09, 2021
acx
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Eight Hundred Slightly Poisoned Word Games

8 min • 1,161 words • 232 comments • 98 likes • podcast (8 min)
Scott Alexander conducts an experiment playing a word game 800 times under varying CO2 levels, finding no correlation between indoor carbon dioxide and cognitive performance. Longer summary
Scott Alexander describes his experiment to test the effect of indoor carbon dioxide levels on cognitive performance. He played a word game called WordTwist 800 times over three months, recording his scores and the CO2 levels in his room. The CO2 levels ranged from 445 ppm to 3208 ppm. Scott found no correlation between CO2 levels and his game performance (r = 0.001, p = 0.97). He discusses potential confounding factors but argues that his results strongly suggest that CO2 levels don't affect his cognitive performance on this specific task. Scott encourages others to conduct similar experiments with different cognitive tasks and offers to provide CO2 monitors to interested researchers. Shorter summary
Dec 22, 2019
ssc
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A Maximally Lazy Guide To Giving To Charity In 2019

8 min • 1,213 words • 181 comments • podcast (9 min)
Scott Alexander offers a guide for lazy people to donate to effective charities, ranging from easy options like EA Funds to more specific recommendations in various cause areas. Longer summary
Scott Alexander provides a guide for people who want to donate to effective charities but are very lazy. He suggests donating to EA Funds as the easiest option, which allows experts to allocate funds to the best charities. For those with slightly more energy, he recommends checking charity-evaluating organizations like GiveWell, Animal Charity Evaluators, and others. He also mentions specific charities in areas like AI safety, climate change, and election science. For the truly skeptical, he suggests GiveDirectly, which gives money directly to poor people in Africa. Shorter summary
Aug 23, 2018
ssc
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Carbon Dioxide: An Open Door Policy

11 min • 1,591 words • 213 comments • podcast (13 min)
Scott Alexander explores research on how high indoor CO2 levels may impair cognition and sleep, suggesting simple solutions like better ventilation. Longer summary
Scott Alexander discusses recent research on the effects of high indoor carbon dioxide (CO2) levels on cognitive function and sleep quality. He describes how his housemates discovered high CO2 levels in their home and improved their symptoms by increasing ventilation. The post explores studies showing cognitive impairment at high CO2 levels and the potential impact on sleep quality. Scott suggests that nighttime CO2 levels in bedrooms can be particularly high and may affect sleep. He recommends simple solutions like opening windows or using certain plants to reduce CO2 levels. The post ends with a call for readers to participate in an informal experiment on nighttime air quality. Shorter summary
Apr 25, 2018
ssc
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Mental Health On A Budget

15 min • 2,286 words • 105 comments • podcast (17 min)
Scott Alexander offers various strategies for obtaining affordable mental health care and medication in the US, including discount programs, therapy alternatives, and supplement options. Longer summary
This post provides detailed advice on how to access mental health care and medication on a budget in the US. Scott outlines various strategies for obtaining prescription medications at lower costs, including using discount websites, pill splitting, and patient assistance programs. He also discusses affordable therapy options and supplement alternatives to prescription drugs. The post is aimed at those who don't qualify for government assistance and includes both legal and potentially legal methods. Scott emphasizes that this is not medical advice and should be used at one's own risk. Shorter summary
Aug 16, 2017
ssc
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Fear And Loathing At Effective Altruism Global 2017

27 min • 4,123 words • 514 comments • podcast (33 min)
Scott Alexander attends the Effective Altruism Global 2017 conference, describing both the practical charity work and bizarre philosophical speculations of the movement, ultimately admiring their genuine commitment to doing good. Longer summary
Scott Alexander describes his experience at the Effective Altruism Global 2017 conference in San Francisco. He details the impressive scale of charitable work being done by various EA organizations, but also highlights the more unusual and philosophical aspects of the movement. These range from concerns about wild animal suffering to speculations about consciousness and fundamental physics. Scott reflects on how the EA movement combines practical, data-driven charity work with deeply weird philosophical explorations. He concludes by expressing admiration for the genuine goodness and dedication of the EA community, seeing them as a bright spot in a troubled world. Shorter summary
Jun 14, 2017
ssc
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Links 6/17: Silinks Is Golden

18 min • 2,776 words • 6 comments
A collection of interesting links covering a wide range of topics, from scientific studies and historical facts to current events and amusing anecdotes. Longer summary
This is one of Scott's regular link posts, collecting various interesting articles, studies, and facts that caught his attention. The topics range widely from scientific research (like PTSD in Roman soldiers and genetic studies) to historical curiosities (like Byzantine titles and the history of cell phones). He also comments on current events like Silicon Valley critiques and political developments. Some links are serious academic studies, while others are more lighthearted like the rules around shooting Bigfoot. Throughout the post, Scott adds brief commentary and context to help readers understand the significance of each link. Shorter summary
Feb 22, 2017
ssc
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[REPOST] The Non-Libertarian FAQ

198 min • 30,585 words • 124 comments
Scott Alexander reposts his 'Non-Libertarian FAQ' critiquing libertarian philosophy and arguments, noting it no longer fully reflects his current views. Longer summary
This post is a reposting of Scott Alexander's 'Non-Libertarian FAQ' (aka 'Why I Hate Your Freedom'), which he wrote about 5 years prior. The FAQ aims to provide a comprehensive critique of libertarian philosophy and arguments. It covers economic issues like externalities and market failures, social issues like social mobility and taxation, political issues like government competence and specific policy areas, and moral issues around rights and consequentialism. The author notes that this version no longer fully reflects his current views and is being reposted by popular request and for historical interest. Shorter summary
Nov 27, 2016
ssc
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SSC Journal Club: Expert Prediction Of Experiments

12 min • 1,729 words • 154 comments
A study on expert prediction of behavioral economics experiments finds that experts have only a slight advantage over non-experts, suggesting that a separate 'rationality' skill may be more important than specific expertise. Longer summary
This post discusses a study by DellaVigna & Pope on expert prediction of behavioral economics experiments. The study found that knowledgeable academics had only a slight advantage over random individuals in predicting experimental results. Prestigious academics did not outperform less prestigious ones, and field of expertise did not matter. The expert advantage was small and easily overwhelmed by wisdom of crowds effects. The author suggests that these results indicate that experts' expertise may not be helping them much in this context, and proposes that a separate 'rationality' skill, somewhat predicted by high IQ and scientific training but not identical to either, might explain the results. The post also discusses the implications of these findings for real-world issues like election predictions, noting important caveats about the nature of the predictive task in the study. Shorter summary
Oct 04, 2016
ssc
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Links 10/16: New URLeans

13 min • 1,888 words • 221 comments
Scott shares various interesting news items and studies spanning history, science, politics, and technology, with commentary on each item's significance or irony. Longer summary
A diverse collection of interesting links and news items covering various topics. The post includes historical curiosities (like Merv being the world's largest city), scientific research (including studies about genetic risk for sugar consumption and school effects), political developments (like Steve Bannon's profile and Trump's microphone issues), technology news (AI partnership between tech giants), and social issues (discrimination studies and immigration effects). The post maintains a light, sometimes humorous tone while discussing serious subjects, often adding ironic observations about how things work. Shorter summary
Sep 15, 2016
ssc
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Links 9/16: URL Of The Chaldees

10 min • 1,531 words • 854 comments
A links post featuring stories about AI research, scientific studies, historical oddities, and current events, ranging from antibacterials in soap to disco riots at baseball games. Longer summary
This is a links post collecting various interesting stories and studies. It covers topics ranging from AI research (including MIRI's new paper on Logical Induction and UC Berkeley's new AI safety center), scientific findings (about school entry age and journal quality), historical oddities (like Disco Demolition Night and pay toilets), and current events (like the kratom ban and Seattle's microhousing). The post demonstrates Scott's typical mix of academic research, policy analysis, and interesting historical anecdotes, all tied together with his characteristic dry humor. Shorter summary
May 19, 2016
ssc
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Teachers: Much More Than You Wanted To Know

49 min • 7,545 words • 625 comments
Scott Alexander reviews research on teacher effectiveness, examining Value-Added Modeling (VAM) and its criticisms, while expressing uncertainty about claimed long-term impacts on adult earnings. Longer summary
Scott Alexander reviews research on teacher effectiveness, focusing on Value-Added Modeling (VAM) and its criticisms. He explores studies showing teachers account for about 10% of variance in student test scores, with effects decaying quickly over time. However, some controversial studies claim long-term impacts on adult earnings. Scott examines methodological issues, potential biases, and alternative explanations, ultimately expressing uncertainty about the validity of these long-term effects. He suggests non-cognitive factors like behavior might explain persistent impacts if they exist, but remains skeptical given the contrast with research showing minimal parental influence on outcomes. Shorter summary
Nov 11, 2015
ssc
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Links 11/15: Alinkxander Hamilton

14 min • 2,120 words • 800 comments
A collection of interesting links spanning topics from CRISPR technology to economic studies, with Scott's commentary on each item. Longer summary
This is a links post collecting various interesting articles and studies across multiple domains. Scott shares updates on CRISPR technology, corporate governance issues, demographic claims about Bernie Sanders supporters, studies about gender bias, and various economic research. The post includes both lighter observations (like different views of the White House) and serious academic papers about genetics, intelligence, and economic development. The format is typical of SSC links posts, with brief commentary on each link and occasional humorous asides. Shorter summary
Sep 28, 2015
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Links 9/15: Linkua Franca

14 min • 2,071 words • 151 comments
Scott Alexander presents a diverse collection of interesting links covering politics, science, history, and culture, with brief commentary on each item. Longer summary
A curated collection of interesting links spanning various topics, compiled by Scott Alexander. The post covers a wide range of subjects including political events, scientific studies, historical anecdotes, and cultural phenomena. Among the notable items are stories about medieval fighting myths, a massive Chinese ghost mall, Japanese parliament members' nationalism, and various statistical studies. The post maintains a light, often humorous tone while presenting these diverse pieces of information, occasionally adding brief commentary or connections between different items. Shorter summary
Aug 16, 2015
ssc
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Links 8/15: Linkety-Split

13 min • 1,976 words • 416 comments
Scott shares and comments on various news articles and studies, covering topics from police tactics and Trump's campaign to behavioral genetics and dietary research. Longer summary
A diverse collection of links covering various topics, with Scott Alexander's commentary on each. The post includes news about politics, scientific studies, and cultural phenomena. Highlights include a discussion of police tactics against drug dealers, updates on Trump's campaign, studies about bombing in Vietnam, diet research, and behavioral genetics. The post maintains a light and sometimes humorous tone while discussing serious topics, with Scott adding his characteristic analytical perspective and occasional wit to each link. Shorter summary
May 22, 2015
ssc
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AI Researchers On AI Risk

36 min • 5,524 words • 517 comments
Scott Alexander provides evidence that many prominent AI researchers are concerned about AI risk, contrary to claims in some popular articles. Longer summary
Scott Alexander responds to articles claiming that AI researchers are not concerned about AI risk by providing a list of prominent AI researchers who have expressed concerns about the potential risks of advanced AI. He argues that there isn't a clear divide between 'skeptics' and 'believers', but rather a general consensus that some preliminary work on AI safety is needed. The post highlights that the main differences lie in the timeline for AI development and when preparations should begin, not whether the risks are real. Shorter summary
Dec 12, 2014
ssc
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Beware The Man Of One Study

19 min • 2,880 words • 270 comments • podcast (22 min)
Scott Alexander cautions against basing opinions on limited research, using examples from medicine and economics to show how cherry-picking studies can lead to opposing conclusions. Longer summary
Scott Alexander warns against relying on a single study or a limited selection of studies to form opinions on complex issues. He illustrates this with examples from medical research and the minimum wage debate, showing how cherry-picking studies can lead to opposing conclusions. The post emphasizes the importance of considering the full body of evidence, including meta-analyses and expert opinions, while also being aware of potential biases in research and reporting. Scott concludes by advocating for skepticism and thorough investigation when evaluating claims backed by scientific studies. Shorter summary
Oct 07, 2014
ssc
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Tumblr on MIRI

49 min • 7,446 words • 344 comments
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. Longer summary
This post discusses a debate on Tumblr about the effectiveness of the Machine Intelligence Research Institute (MIRI), an organization focused on AI safety. It covers critiques of MIRI's lack of academic publications and citations, as well as defenses of their outreach and strategic research efforts. The post examines arguments about MIRI's team qualifications, research output, and impact on the AI research community. Shorter summary
Apr 28, 2014
ssc
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The Control Group Is Out Of Control

33 min • 4,998 words • 197 comments • podcast (38 min)
Scott Alexander critiques a meta-analysis supporting psychic phenomena to illustrate flaws in scientific methodology and meta-analysis. Longer summary
Scott Alexander examines a meta-analysis by Daryl Bem that claims to provide strong evidence for psychic phenomena (psi). While Bem's analysis follows many best practices for scientific rigor, Alexander argues it likely suffers from experimenter effects and other biases that can produce false positive results. He uses this to illustrate broader issues with the scientific method and meta-analysis, concluding that even seemingly rigorous studies and meta-analyses can produce incorrect conclusions. This challenges the idea that scientific consensus and meta-analysis are the highest forms of evidence. Shorter summary
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