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3 posts found
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Jun 19, 2018
ssc
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23 min 3,565 words 133 comments podcast (24 min)
Scott Alexander writes two satirical sequels to GATTACA, critiquing discrimination based on epigenetics and educational background. Longer summary
This post is a satirical continuation of the movie GATTACA, imagining two sequels that critique different forms of discrimination. In 'GATTACA II: EPI-GATTACA', the focus is on epigenetics, where people are judged based on their ancestors' life experiences. In 'GATTACA III: EDU-GATTACA', the discrimination is based on which college one attended. Both stories follow a similar structure to the original GATTACA, with the protagonist Vincent trying to overcome societal barriers through deception. The stories end with Vincent's brother Anton helping him and Vincent realizing that he wants to change the discriminatory system, not just escape it. Shorter summary
May 25, 2017
ssc
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10 min 1,529 words 150 comments
The post satirically portrays ancient concepts as 'modern pathologies' to criticize aspects of contemporary society. Longer summary
This post satirically critiques various historical and cultural phenomena by framing them as 'modern pathologies'. The author sarcastically describes the Great Pyramid of Cheops, heterosexual procreation, Homer's Odyssey, Aristotelian virtue theory, and Catholicism as if they were recent developments, using them to criticize aspects of modern society such as individualism, capitalism, and standardization. The tone is deeply ironic, using anachronistic comparisons to modern concepts like neoliberalism, Instagram, and corporate culture to highlight perceived flaws in contemporary society. Shorter summary
May 23, 2014
ssc
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41 min 6,240 words 210 comments podcast (36 min)
Scott Alexander gives a satirical graduation speech questioning the value of formal education and proposing an alternative basic income system, emphasizing kindness and epistemic humility. Longer summary
Scott Alexander delivers a satirical and thought-provoking graduation speech that questions the value of formal education. He compares the conventional path of education and career to an alternative where people receive a basic income instead. The speech critiques the current education system, job market, and societal structures while emphasizing the importance of kindness and epistemic humility. Scott uses humor and irony to challenge graduates' assumptions about their future and the world they're entering. Shorter summary
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