A replication of a 2023 neuroscience study on brain entrainment and learning found that the original effect likely doesn't exist, revealing how the study obscured key issues through statistical averaging and highlighting how AI tools are democratizing scientific scrutiny. Longer summary

Sasha Putilin received an ACX grant to replicate a 2023 study claiming that flickering lights synchronized to individual brain rhythms could boost learning speed threefold. The $32,000 replication with 12 participants (versus 80 in the original) found no such effect. Upon examining the original data more closely, Putilin discovered the apparent effect was driven entirely by a few participants with large negative learning rates (getting worse over time) who happened to all be in one experimental group. The original study had obscured this pattern by presenting averaged data rather than individual results. Putilin argues this exemplifies 'cargo-cult statistics' where researchers mechanically apply statistical rituals without critically examining underlying data. The post concludes by suggesting AI tools are democratizing meta-science, enabling anyone to audit published research that previously required expert-level effort. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander asks readers to participate in the 2019 Slate Star Codex Survey, which helps him gather data about his audience and conduct informal research for future blog posts. Longer summary

Scott Alexander is requesting readers to take the 2019 Slate Star Codex Survey. The survey is divided into two parts: Part I, which takes about 10 minutes and asks basic questions, and Part II, which takes about 15 minutes and focuses on research topics. The survey helps Scott learn more about his readers, plan community events, and gather informal research data for future blog posts. He explains some limitations of the survey, including America-centric questions and privacy considerations. Scott emphasizes that the survey is open to all readers, regardless of how frequently they visit the blog, and expresses his appreciation for participants' time and effort. Shorter summary

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

Scott Alexander preregisters hypotheses for the 2018 SSC Survey, planning to explore relationships between perception, cognition, personality, and demographics. Longer summary

Scott Alexander preregisters his hypotheses for the 2018 SSC Survey. He plans to investigate various relationships between perception, cognition, personality traits, and demographic factors. Key areas of focus include replicating previous findings on perception and cognition, exploring concepts like 'first sight and second thoughts' and 'ambiguity tolerance', investigating birth order effects, and examining correlations with autism, political views, and sexual harassment. He also plans to follow up on a previous AI risk persuasion experiment. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander asks Slate Star Codex readers to take the 2018 SSC Reader Survey, which is divided into three sections of varying lengths. Longer summary

Scott Alexander is requesting readers of Slate Star Codex to participate in the 2018 SSC Reader Survey. The survey is divided into three sections, each taking about ten minutes to complete. Readers are encouraged to complete as many sections as they have time for, with Section 1 being the most important. Scott provides a link to the survey and mentions that additional information is available within the survey itself. He also allows for discussion in the comments but advises readers to complete the survey before reading the comments. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander requests participants of last month's AI persuasion experiment survey to complete a brief followup survey, providing a link. Longer summary

Scott Alexander is requesting participants who took part in the AI persuasion experiment survey last month to complete a brief followup survey. He provides a link to the survey and assures participants that they don't need to read anything this time. He specifically asks those who didn't participate in the original survey not to take this followup. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander is running an experiment to test the effectiveness of persuasive essays about AI risk, asking readers to participate by reading an essay and answering questions. Longer summary

Scott Alexander is conducting an experiment to measure the effectiveness of persuasive essays about AI risk. He's asking readers to participate by reading an essay on AI risk and answering questions about it. The experiment is split into two versions based on the reader's surname. Scott emphasizes that everyone is welcome to participate, especially those unfamiliar with or skeptical about AI risk. He notes that readers don't have to finish long essays if they lose interest, as this is part of what makes an essay persuasive. Shorter summary