Scott Alexander humorously analyzes 'My Immortal' as an alchemical allegory, combining medieval alchemy, Rosicrucian writings, and Goethe's Faust. Longer summary

Scott Alexander presents a satirical analysis of the infamous Harry Potter fanfiction 'My Immortal', arguing that it is actually a complex alchemical allegory combining medieval alchemy, Rosicrucian writings, and Goethe's Faust. He breaks down the story's structure, characters, and symbolism, drawing parallels to alchemical stages and concepts. The post is written in a tongue-in-cheek manner, mimicking academic literary analysis while applied to a notoriously bad piece of writing. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander argues against harshly criticizing various groups often mocked by both left and right, emphasizing nuanced thinking and engagement with evidence. Longer summary

Scott Alexander argues against dismissing or mocking several groups often criticized by both left and right-wing commentators. He defends celebrities speaking out against Trump, people comparing politics to Harry Potter, Hamilton fans, Vox, Matt Yglesias, pundits who failed to predict Trump's victory, and those concerned about Russian election interference. The post uses a mix of logical arguments, personal anecdotes, and humor to make the case that these groups don't deserve harsh criticism, while also acknowledging some of their flaws. Scott emphasizes the importance of nuanced thinking, avoiding sweeping conclusions from limited data, and engaging with evidence rather than dismissing concerns outright. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander compares the MsScribe Harry Potter fandom drama to his experiences in online micronations, arguing that such behavior reflects universal human social dynamics. Longer summary

Scott Alexander reflects on a famous incident in Harry Potter fandom involving a manipulative fan named MsScribe, drawing parallels to his own experiences in online micronation communities. He describes how both environments featured intense rivalries, sockpuppet accounts, and elaborate schemes for social manipulation. The post argues that this behavior is not unique to teenage girls or fan communities, but is a fundamental aspect of human nature that manifests in various group settings, from online forums to politics. Scott concludes that the MsScribe story perfectly encapsulates human social dynamics and would be the ideal artifact to explain humanity to aliens. Shorter summary