Scott Alexander analyzes the Elizabeth Hoover case to explore the complexities of racial identity, lived experience, and the ethics of cultural appropriation. Longer summary

Scott Alexander examines the case of Elizabeth Hoover, a professor who believed she was Native American but later discovered she wasn't, to explore the concept of race and lived experience. He discusses the complexities of defining race, the problems with basing identity solely on genetics or lived experience, and the ethical implications of cultural appropriation and affirmative action. The post critiques the harsh treatment Hoover received, suggesting it's a result of cancel culture and an overly rigid application of rules about cultural identity. Scott argues for a more nuanced and compassionate approach to such cases, highlighting the potential cruelty of retroactively invalidating someone's identity based on genetic tests. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander argues for a universal right to self-determination, critiquing the current paradigm of determining which groups qualify as 'peoples'. Longer summary

Scott Alexander explores the concept of self-determination in international politics, focusing on the case of Ukraine and Russia. He critiques the current paradigm of determining which groups qualify as 'peoples' deserving self-determination, arguing instead for a universal right to self-determination for any region large enough to feasibly be its own country. The post discusses the complexities and potential problems with this approach, including the cases of Crimea and the American Confederacy. Scott concludes that while his position leads to some controversial conclusions, it's more consistent and ethically sound than basing self-determination on subjective cultural or historical criteria. Shorter summary