Scott examines why fantasy universes share common elements, arguing they're designed to let ordinary people imagine becoming heroes without exceptional skills. Longer summary

Scott Alexander analyzes the psychology behind fantasy universes, arguing that their common elements are optimized to allow ordinary people to imagine themselves as world-saving heroes. He explores how various tropes, such as hidden heirs to the throne, magical abilities tied to bloodlines, and ancient civilizations, serve to empower average protagonists without requiring exceptional skills or agency. The post critiques the lack of originality in many fantasy settings and suggests that the genre's conventions are designed to fulfill specific psychological needs rather than simply being derivative of Tolkien. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander examines and critiques the claim that good-vs-evil narratives in popular culture are a recent, nationalism-driven phenomenon, offering alternative explanations for their prevalence. Longer summary

Scott Alexander discusses the theory that good-vs-evil narratives in popular culture are a relatively recent invention, emerging after 1700 and possibly tied to nationalism. He critiques this idea, pointing out examples of good-vs-evil stories in older myths and religious texts. Scott proposes alternative explanations for the rise of these narratives, including democratization, expanding moral circles, and the memetic superiority of well-crafted good-vs-evil stories. He draws parallels between the spread of Christianity and the popularity of good-vs-evil narratives, suggesting that both offer a more appealing worldview than their predecessors. The post ends by speculating on the future evolution of such narratives. Shorter summary