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Feb 14, 2013
ssc

Abraham Lincoln, Necromancer

25 min • 3,473 words • 5 comments
The post investigates claims about Abraham Lincoln's involvement in spiritualism, finding evidence for his attendance at seances while debunking more extreme claims. Longer summary
This post explores the historical evidence for Abraham Lincoln's involvement in spiritualism and seances during his presidency. The author starts with well-documented accounts of Lincoln attending seances, including one where a piano supposedly levitated. The post then delves into more controversial claims, such as Lincoln using mediums for intelligence during the Civil War. While debunking the extreme claim that Lincoln made a pact with Attila the Hun's ghost, the author shows how investigating outlandish claims can lead to discovering intriguing historical facts. The post concludes by emphasizing the value of charitable investigation of seemingly absurd claims. Shorter summary
Feb 12, 2013
ssc

Abraham Lincoln, Ape-Man

11 min • 1,445 words • 6 comments • podcast (12 min)
Scott Alexander reviews a bizarre historical book claiming Abraham Lincoln had ape-like features and used spiritualism to become president. Longer summary
This post discusses a 19th/20th century book called 'The Copperhead' by Dr. Fayette Hall, which makes outlandish claims about Abraham Lincoln. The book suggests Lincoln had ape-like physical characteristics and relied on spiritualism and voodoo to become president. Scott Alexander presents these claims with a mix of amusement and historical interest, noting the book's crackpot nature while finding its illustrations and assertions entertaining. The post ends with a promise to continue the topic in a future entry. Shorter summary
Feb 12, 2013
ssc

You’re probably wondering why I’ve called you here today

5 min • 627 words • 10 comments • podcast (7 min)
Scott Alexander introduces his new blog, Slate Star Codex, and explains its ethos of 'charity over absurdity' in intellectual discourse. Longer summary
Scott Alexander introduces his new blog, Slate Star Codex, explaining its name and ethos. The blog's central principle is 'charity over absurdity,' which means trying to understand opposing viewpoints rather than dismissing them outright. Scott explains this concept using Chesterton's Fence analogy and emphasizes the importance of charitable interpretation in intellectual discourse. He argues that this approach is not only ethically sound but also intellectually advantageous, as it can lead to a deeper understanding of complex issues. Shorter summary