Scott Alexander examines how 'fnords' and similar psychological techniques may influence political discourse and polarization through unconscious associations. Longer summary

Scott Alexander explores the concept of 'fnords' from the book Illuminatus and how it relates to political discourse and psychological manipulation. He discusses Nydwracu's technique of stripping articles down to their emotionally-charged words, Jonathan Haidt's experiments on disgust and moral judgments, and the potential psychological mechanisms behind associating ideas with disliked figures. The post suggests that these techniques may contribute to political polarization by creating unconscious negative associations. Shorter summary

A review of David Foster Wallace's 'Infinite Jest', exploring its themes, structure, and critique of postmodern society through comparison with 'Illuminatus' and analysis of its complex narrative. Longer summary

This post reviews David Foster Wallace's novel 'Infinite Jest', comparing it to Robert Anton Wilson's 'Illuminatus' trilogy. The reviewer discusses the book's themes of wireheading, competition, and the need for genuine human connection. They explore the novel's critique of postmodern society, its complex narrative structure, and its use of symbolism. The review also touches on the book's treatment of addiction, entertainment, and the dangers of self-reference. The author concludes by suggesting that 'Infinite Jest' is a postmodern work that paradoxically attempts to reconnect readers with reality through its complexity and demands for engagement. Shorter summary