How to explore Scott Alexander's work and his 1500+ blog posts? This unaffiliated fan website lets you sort and search through the whole codex. Enjoy!

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Jun 16, 2023
acx

Your Book Review: Njal’s Saga

35 min • 4,807 words • 296 comments • 245 likes • podcast (35 min)
A review of Njal's Saga explores themes of justice and freedom in medieval Iceland's anarcho-capitalist society, comparing it to modern legal systems and other classic works. Longer summary
The review discusses Njal's Saga, a medieval Icelandic epic, focusing on its portrayal of the early anarcho-capitalist society in Iceland and its complex legal system. The author humorously compares the saga to a Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney game due to its numerous lawsuits and legal proceedings. The review explores themes of justice, freedom, and the transition from a revenge-based society to one governed by law, drawing parallels with other works like The Eumenides. It also reflects on the saga's relevance to modern debates about justice and social order. Shorter summary
Jun 17, 2021
acx

Your Book Review: Plagues And Peoples

33 min • 4,484 words • 286 comments • 44 likes • podcast (37 min)
The review analyzes 'Plagues and Peoples' by William H. McNeill, which presents human history as shaped by the interaction between humans, microparasites, and societal structures. Longer summary
This book review discusses 'Plagues and Peoples' by William H. McNeill, which frames human history through the lens of microparasites and viruses. The book argues that these invisible forces have shaped civilization, from early human migration out of Africa to the development of complex societies. It explores concepts like disease gradients, the balance between microparasites and macroparasites (like governments), and how these forces influenced historical events and social structures. The review also compares McNeill's work with other big-picture histories and briefly touches on its relevance to the COVID-19 pandemic. Shorter summary
Oct 17, 2017
ssc

Highlights From The Comments On Dark Ages

19 min • 2,536 words • 164 comments • podcast (19 min)
Scott Alexander summarizes and responds to comments on his Dark Ages post, addressing debates about the timeline, historical continuity, and implications of the concept. Longer summary
This post summarizes and responds to comments on a previous article about the Dark Ages. It covers debates about the timeline of the Dark Ages, challenges to the author's original claims, discussions on the continuity between classical and medieval worlds, and reflections on the philosophical and political implications of the concept of Dark Ages. The post includes various expert opinions and historical perspectives, addressing topics such as population decline, economic changes, and cultural shifts during this period. Scott Alexander acknowledges some potential errors in his original post and provides additional context and nuance to the discussion of the Dark Ages. Shorter summary
Aug 17, 2015
ssc

The Goddess of Everything Else

17 min • 2,353 words • 382 comments • podcast (15 min)
A mythological tale contrasts the Goddess of Cancer's primal drives with the Goddess of Everything Else's push for cooperation and progress, showing how the latter gradually wins over creation. Longer summary
This post presents a mythological narrative of two opposing forces: the Goddess of Cancer, representing primal drives for survival and reproduction, and the Goddess of Everything Else, embodying cooperation, beauty, and progress. The story unfolds in stages, showing how the Goddess of Everything Else subtly guides evolution and civilization, always finding ways to align her goals with the Goddess of Cancer's imperative to 'KILL CONSUME MULTIPLY CONQUER'. Through each stage - from single-celled organisms to complex civilizations and beyond - the Goddess of Everything Else gradually wins over creation, ultimately freeing humanity from the bonds of their original nature to pursue greater things across the stars. Shorter summary