Scott Alexander examines how increased rational debate doesn't always lead to truth, using personal and societal examples, and suggests ways to carefully approach traditions and changes. Longer summary

Scott Alexander explores the concept of asymmetric weapons, which work better for good guys than bad guys, and how sometimes this asymmetry can be reversed. He discusses how increased rational debate and resources don't always lead to truth, using examples like minimum wage debates and personal habits. The post then examines societal-level examples, such as debates about politicians' salaries and early 20th-century socialism. Scott concludes with suggestions on how to approach traditions and changes carefully, emphasizing the importance of understanding before discarding, tolerating unexplained behaviors, and gradually improving on obsolete traditions. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander reviews 'Inventing The Future', critiquing its communist strategy while acknowledging its utopian vision. Longer summary

Scott Alexander reviews 'Inventing The Future', a book by Nick Srnicek and Alex Williams that outlines a plan for achieving a postcapitalist world. The book critiques 'folk politics' on the left, advocates for a Mont Pelerin Society-like approach to spreading communist ideas, and proposes a platform of full automation, universal basic income, reduced work weeks, and diminished work ethic. Scott finds the book's arguments often unconvincing and its intended audience unclear, but respects the authors' utopian vision despite disagreeing with their paradigm. Shorter summary

The post examines cultural evolution, arguing that while within-culture evolution is effective, between-cultures evolution is too slow and weak to justify cultural practices like opposition to gay marriage. Longer summary

This post discusses the concept of cultural evolution, distinguishing between two types: within-culture and between-cultures evolution. The author argues that while within-culture evolution (like Inuit survival techniques) is obvious and effective, between-cultures evolution (like arguments against gay marriage) is much weaker and slower. The post challenges the idea that cultural practices persisting over time necessarily prove their value, pointing out that cultural changes often take centuries and that the advantages of specific cultural traits are hard to isolate. The author concludes that appeals to intercultural evolution to justify cultural practices are on shaky ground, and that intracultural evolution can't override people's own assessments of their happiness and well-being. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander explores how evil evolves to evade societal recognition, drawing parallels with flu viruses and analyzing modern bullying tactics. Longer summary

Scott Alexander discusses the anti-inductive nature of evil, comparing it to the evolution of flu viruses. He argues that as society develops antibodies against recognized forms of evil (like Nazism and Communism), new forms of evil will emerge that don't match these patterns. The post then analyzes a Cracked article about groups society considers acceptable to mock, suggesting that bullies adapt their tactics to appear as if they're 'punching up' when they're actually 'punching down'. Scott concludes by noting that calling out these new forms of bullying is important work, as it helps society recognize and prevent them. Shorter summary

Scott reviews 'Red Plenty', a book about Soviet economic planning, discussing its initial promise, challenges, and ultimate failure. Longer summary

Scott reviews the book 'Red Plenty', which explores the history of socialist economic planning in the Soviet Union. The book describes how Soviet leaders and economists believed communism could outperform capitalism in economic growth, and their attempts to implement scientific planning methods. Scott discusses the allocation problems in the Soviet economy, the potential of linear programming and cybernetics to solve these issues, and how political factors ultimately prevented their successful implementation. He reflects on the attractiveness of communism to technically-minded people and the tragedy of its failure in practice. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander reviews Singer's book on Marx, finding Marx's ideas deeply flawed, particularly his refusal to plan for communist governance and his belief in infinitely malleable human nature. Longer summary

Scott Alexander reviews Peter Singer's 'Marx: A Very Short Introduction', finding Marx's ideas even more problematic than he initially thought. He criticizes Marx's refusal to plan for communist governance, his belief in the non-existence of human nature, and his naive assumptions about coordination. Scott does acknowledge one insightful aspect of Marx's thought related to collective irrationality, but notes this wasn't original to Marx. The review ends with Scott suggesting that the real challenge for Marxist intellectuals should be developing systems that solve coordination problems better than capitalism. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander critiques a plan to cure youth unemployment by abolishing minimum wage, arguing that unemployment might be preferable to miserable employment at extremely low wages. Longer summary

Scott Alexander discusses Federico's plan to cure youth unemployment through policies like abolishing minimum wage and reducing labor regulations. He explores the potential consequences, comparing unemployment to underemployment at very low wages. The post delves into historical communist strategies, technological unemployment, and the challenges of adapting to a changing job market. Scott argues that unemployment might be preferable to miserable employment at extremely low wages, as it could lead to solutions like a Basic Income Guarantee. He concludes that minimum wage and labor regulations might serve to turn miserably-employed people into unemployed welfare recipients, creating a problem society is more likely to address. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander critiques the Reactionary 'uncanny valley' argument for dictatorship, highlighting its practical flaws and drawing parallels with Communist regimes. Longer summary

Scott Alexander critiques the 'uncanny valley' argument used by Reactionaries to justify dictatorship. He argues that while uncanny valleys may exist in some areas, the Reactionaries are unfairly comparing a gritty Progressive reality to an idealized Reactionary thought experiment. Scott points out the practical difficulties in establishing a perfectly secure dictatorship, especially given current popular support. He draws parallels to Communist regimes, suggesting that Reactionary governments would likely face similar challenges and compromises, ultimately becoming oppressive in their attempts to maintain power against societal trends towards Progressivism. Shorter summary