A compilation of 30 diverse links on various topics including science, history, technology, and culture, with brief commentaries by Scott Alexander. Longer summary

This post is a collection of 30 diverse links and brief discussions on various topics. It covers a wide range of subjects including scientific findings, historical anecdotes, technological developments, cultural phenomena, and current events. The post touches on topics such as oil spills, architecture, IQ research, chronic pain therapy, alcohol consumption, AI safety, and more. Scott Alexander provides short commentaries or explanations for each link, often adding his own insights or connecting the information to broader themes. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander presents survey results on people's satisfaction with mental health care, showing varied preferences across different types of therapy and conditions. Longer summary

Scott Alexander analyzes the results of the SSC survey regarding people's experiences with mental health care. The post presents various graphs showing satisfaction ratings for different types of therapy, medication, and mental health issues. Key findings include an average rating of 5.7/10 for both psychotherapy and medication, higher satisfaction with therapy from books compared to in-person or online therapy, and varying preferences for medication vs. therapy depending on the mental health condition. The author emphasizes that the results are exploratory and subject to biases. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander hypothesizes a link between transgender identity, optical illusions, and NMDA receptor function, based on survey data and existing research on schizophrenia and autism. Longer summary

Scott Alexander explores a potential link between transgender identity, optical illusions, and NMDA receptor function in the brain. He presents survey data suggesting that transgender individuals, like those with schizophrenia and autism, are less susceptible to certain optical illusions. He hypothesizes that this might be related to NMDA receptor hypofunction, which is also associated with dissociation, a common experience among transgender people. The post explores how estrogen, which enhances NMDA function, alleviates dissociation in trans women. Scott connects these findings to broader research on NMDA receptors in schizophrenia and autism, noting the higher prevalence of these conditions in transgender populations. The post concludes with several caveats and suggestions for future research to validate these speculative connections. Shorter summary

A links post collecting interesting stories from around the web, including scientific studies, historical oddities, media criticism, and current events, with Scott's commentary and analysis. Longer summary

This is a links post collecting various interesting stories and studies from around the web. It covers topics from historical oddities (like Maoist China's mango obsession), scientific studies (on autism genetics, weight loss, and practice effects), media criticism (of Salon and coverage of Venezuela's collapse), and current events. The post points out interesting patterns and connections between the stories while maintaining a somewhat skeptical tone about extraordinary claims. Scott maintains his characteristic style of finding fascinating angles on seemingly mundane topics while questioning conventional narratives. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander critiques the autism rights movement's opposition to curing autism, arguing that severe cases cause immense suffering that justifies continued research into cures. Longer summary

Scott Alexander discusses the autism rights movement and their opposition to curing autism. While supporting most of their work, he disagrees with the stance against cures. He argues that severe autism causes immense suffering that cannot be alleviated solely through better treatment, and that research into cures should continue. He acknowledges the benefits autism can bring, but believes the costs outweigh them for many individuals. The post examines outcomes for autistic adults, issues with institutionalization, and ethical considerations around curing or preventing autism. Shorter summary