Scott Alexander reviews the psychiatric medication information site crazymeds.us, praising its quality but explaining why he can't recommend it to patients due to potential offense. Longer summary

Scott Alexander discusses the website crazymeds.us, praising its accurate, readable, and humorous descriptions of psychiatric medications. He compares it favorably to more official sources like drugs.com, which often provide overwhelming and unhelpful information. Despite its quality, Scott explains why he can't recommend it to patients, citing concerns about its potentially offensive name and content. He explores the concept of 'negative selection' in medicine and how it affects his decision-making. The post concludes by reflecting on the trade-offs between effectiveness and political correctness in medical communication. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander shares two humorous medical anecdotes that highlight the potential for misunderstanding complex health information. Longer summary

Scott Alexander shares two humorous anecdotes involving medical professionals and patients, highlighting the potential for misunderstanding when discussing complex medical information. The first involves a conversation with an AIDS specialist about life expectancy for HIV patients, while the second features Scott as a doctor discussing medication for alcoholism with a patient. Both stories demonstrate how literal interpretations of medical advice can lead to absurd conclusions, emphasizing the importance of clear communication in healthcare. Shorter summary