Scott examines how friends use verbal teasing or 'slagging' as a form of countersignaling to demonstrate the strength of their friendship.
Longer summary
Scott Alexander explores the concept of countersignaling in friendship, particularly focusing on 'slagging' or teasing between friends. He explains that this verbal cruelty is a form of bonding, demonstrating such strong friendship that even hostile signals won't be misinterpreted. The post includes examples of successful and unsuccessful attempts at this type of interaction, highlighting how it can backfire if the friendship isn't strong enough. Scott also notes that this behavior involves trusting the other person with potentially damaging information, further cementing the bond.
Shorter summary