Scott Alexander reflects on turning 33 and questions whether the changes in his thinking represent true wisdom or are the result of socialization, trauma, or neurological changes. Longer summary

In this post, Scott Alexander reflects on turning 33 and questions whether age truly brings wisdom. He lists several changes in his thinking that seem like wisdom, such as becoming more cynical, mellow, and believing things are complicated. However, he then questions whether these changes are actually wisdom or just better socialization, trauma-induced pessimism, or even neurological changes. He notes that his current views align more with elite opinion and wonders if this is due to genuine wisdom or social pressure. Scott also discusses how he's changed his stance on some issues, like religion, and questions whether this is true wisdom or just following intellectual trends. He concludes by acknowledging the difficulty in distinguishing true wisdom from other cognitive changes that come with age. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander explores the difficulties of learning and explaining complex ideas, advocating for diverse approaches and collaborative learning despite internet criticism. Longer summary

Scott Alexander discusses the challenges of understanding and communicating complex ideas, drawing parallels between learning social skills and grasping difficult concepts. He argues that for complex knowledge, multiple perspectives and approaches are often necessary, as different formulations may resonate better with different individuals. The post emphasizes the importance of community-based learning, questioning, and practical application in truly understanding complex ideas. Scott also critiques the internet's hostility towards this learning process, where attempts to understand or explain ideas are often mocked as 'reinventing the wheel' or showcased as examples of stupidity. He concludes that while authoritative lectures work for simple facts, collaborative truth-seeking is crucial for more complex subjects, despite the risks of criticism or accusations of arrogance. Shorter summary