Scott Alexander clarifies his intentions behind the APA photo-essay and cautions against overly negative interpretations of psychiatry or any professional field based on selective criticism. Longer summary

Scott Alexander addresses the unexpected negative reactions to his previous APA photo-essay, which was intended as a lighthearted critique rather than a condemnation of psychiatry. He draws parallels between the tech industry and psychiatry, noting how both can be unfairly portrayed through selective reporting of their worst aspects. Scott emphasizes that while there are issues in psychiatry, the field also includes many dedicated professionals doing important work. He encourages readers to be skeptical of overly critical portrayals of any field, including his own writings, invoking the concept of Gell-Mann Amnesia. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander humorously describes his observations at the American Psychiatric Association meeting, highlighting pharmaceutical influence, social justice focus, and historical context of psychiatry. Longer summary

Scott Alexander attends the American Psychiatric Association meeting and shares his observations in a humorous photo-essay. He notes the overwhelming presence of pharmaceutical advertising, the conference's focus on social justice issues, the presence of Scientology protesters and CIA recruiters, and the abundance of new but seemingly unnecessary psychiatric drugs. He reflects on the historical context of psychiatry, including its past political biases and progress over time, while critiquing the current state of the field and its relationship with drug companies and social trends. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander explores the nuanced ways pharmaceutical companies influence doctors, arguing that their tactics are more subtle and ethically complex than simple bribery. Longer summary

Scott Alexander discusses the complexities of pharmaceutical company influence on doctors, using personal anecdotes and hypothetical scenarios. He argues that pharma companies use subtle tactics beyond simple bribery, such as providing free lunches or drug samples, which can be difficult for even ethical doctors to resist. The post also touches on a community dinner sponsored by a pharmaceutical company, which highlighted tensions between different healthcare professionals. Scott emphasizes that pharmaceutical companies are 'sneaky' in their approach to influencing medical practitioners. Shorter summary