A links roundup covering topics from ISIS dating sites to space exploration, scientific studies, and cultural observations, featuring Scott's commentary and analysis on each item. Longer summary

This is a links post presenting various news and studies. It covers diverse topics including a dating site run by ISIS, space exploration news about Orion and SpaceX, studies about omega-3 fats and psychosis, Chinese censorship of puns, controversies around doxxing in Ferguson, research on glial cells and intelligence, poker tournament winners linked to effective altruism, and various other scientific studies and cultural observations. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander explains how to interpret 23andMe genetic data using SNPedia, listing various SNPs and their alleged effects while emphasizing the unreliability of such interpretations. Longer summary

Scott Alexander humorously explores how to use 23andMe genetic testing data 'irresponsibly' by looking up various SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) and their purported effects. He provides instructions on how to access raw genetic data from 23andMe and interpret it using SNPedia. The post then lists several interesting SNPs associated with traits like violence, empathy, anxiety, divorce risk, and longevity. Scott repeatedly emphasizes that these associations are often unreliable, exaggerated, or misinterpreted, and should be taken as entertainment rather than medical advice. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander examines how issues become politicized along tribal lines, preventing rational discussion and leading to counterproductive behaviors. Longer summary

Scott Alexander discusses how various issues become politicized and tied to tribal narratives, using examples like the Ebola quarantine debate, the Rotherham scandal, and climate change. He argues that when issues become referendums on tribal identity, it prevents rational discussion and leads to counterproductive behaviors. He suggests that framing issues in ways that respect out-group narratives could help, but notes this rarely happens due to media incentives. Shorter summary

Scott shares a diverse collection of interesting links and news items from September 2014, covering topics from music genres to scientific research. Longer summary

This post is a collection of interesting links and news items from September 2014. Scott covers a wide range of topics, including music genres, ISIS, historical recordings, effective altruism, climate change, psychology research, government systems, media criticism, North Korea, Google Maps oddities, and various scientific and cultural curiosities. The tone is informative and sometimes humorous, providing brief commentary on each item. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander shares a diverse collection of links and brief commentary on topics ranging from climate change to social science research, with both serious analysis and humorous observations. Longer summary

This post is a collection of interesting links and brief commentary on various topics. Scott Alexander covers a wide range of subjects, including climate change, economics, social science research, technology, and current events. He shares studies, news articles, and personal observations, often with a skeptical or analytical perspective. The post includes both serious topics and more lighthearted content, reflecting Scott's diverse interests and tendency to explore unconventional ideas. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander presents a diverse collection of interesting links on topics ranging from meditation to global poverty, offering brief summaries and personal commentary. Longer summary

This post is a collection of links to interesting articles and studies on various topics. It covers a wide range of subjects including meditation, Olympic medal psychology, religious beliefs, education systems, diet trends, scientific reproducibility, historical events, and global poverty solutions. Scott Alexander briefly summarizes each link, often adding his own commentary or skepticism. The tone is informative and slightly humorous, with Scott occasionally expressing personal opinions or anecdotes related to the topics. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander presents a diverse collection of recent news items, studies, and interesting facts, covering topics from public health to economics to quirky trivia. Longer summary

This post is a collection of diverse news items, studies, and interesting facts curated by Scott Alexander. It covers a wide range of topics including public health policies, economics, scientific discoveries, social issues, and quirky facts. Scott provides brief commentary on many of the items, often with a touch of humor or irony. The post doesn't have a central theme but rather serves as a roundup of interesting information Scott has come across recently. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander examines the mixed effectiveness of public awareness campaigns, presenting examples of both failures and successes, and analyzing possible explanations for their varying outcomes. Longer summary

Scott Alexander explores the effectiveness of public awareness campaigns, presenting examples of both failures and successes. He analyzes various theories about why some campaigns work while others don't, but ultimately concludes that it's difficult to predict the success of future campaigns. The post discusses failures like DARE, Scared Straight, and diversity training, as well as successes like anti-smoking campaigns and seatbelt promotion. Scott suggests that campaigns inflicted on captive audiences may be more likely to be counterproductive, but acknowledges that this theory doesn't fully explain all outcomes. He ends by expressing skepticism about public awareness campaigns, partly due to the implications for society if they were consistently effective. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander examines a study showing no significant difference between CBT and psychodynamic therapy, challenging the idea that CBT is superior and exploring the possibility that most psychotherapies work through non-specific factors. Longer summary

Scott Alexander discusses a recent study in the American Journal of Psychiatry comparing the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy for depression. The study found no significant difference between the two therapies, challenging the common belief that CBT is superior. Scott reflects on how this contradicts the 'foundation myth' of psychiatry, which claims that evidence-based therapies like CBT replaced less scientific approaches like Freudian psychoanalysis. He explores the possibility that most psychotherapies work through non-specific factors rather than their specific theories or techniques, a concept known as the Dodo Bird Verdict. Scott suggests that CBT's reputation as evidence-based may be due to its proponents conducting more studies, rather than superior efficacy. He concludes by stating his belief that only very basic, targeted therapies have specific effects, while more complex theories of the mind likely rely on non-specific factors. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander contrasts two studies with opposite conclusions about stress, highlighting the inconsistency in how we interpret adversity's effects. Longer summary

Scott Alexander discusses two contradictory studies: one showing fat-shaming leads to weight gain, and another suggesting Holocaust survivors have greater life expectancy. He points out the potential flaws in both studies and the ease with which psychology can explain opposite outcomes. The post highlights how we often switch between contradictory narratives about stress and adversity, using them selectively to support various arguments. Scott emphasizes the importance of critical thinking when interpreting such studies and their implications. Shorter summary