Scott Alexander explains why 'doing something' about mentally ill homeless people is more complex than it seems, detailing current processes and challenges in implementing alternatives. Longer summary

Scott Alexander critiques the common call to 'do something' about mentally ill homeless people, explaining why seemingly simple solutions are often impractical or ineffective. He details the current process for dealing with disruptive mentally ill homeless individuals, highlighting its limitations and the numerous challenges in implementing alternative approaches. The post emphasizes the need for specific, well-thought-out plans rather than vague demands for action, and critiques articles that criticize 'soft' approaches without offering concrete, feasible alternatives. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander critiques the FDA approval of esketamine for depression, discussing issues with drug development, efficacy, cost, and administration requirements. Longer summary

This post discusses the FDA's approval of esketamine for treatment-resistant depression, highlighting the issues with the pharmaceutical industry's approach to drug development and approval. Scott Alexander explains how companies often make minor changes to existing chemicals to patent them, as in the case of esketamine (a left-handed version of ketamine). He critiques the high cost of esketamine compared to regular ketamine and the FDA's stringent requirements for its administration. The post also questions the efficacy of esketamine based on clinical trials and discusses the inconvenience of the approved delivery method. Scott expresses disappointment that this approval may set a precedent for future psychedelic medicines, making them equally inconvenient and bureaucratic to access. Shorter summary