Scott Alexander examines why therapy works for some people but not others, suggesting that individual differences in mental processes might explain its varying effectiveness. Longer summary

Scott Alexander explores the debate around the effectiveness of therapy, particularly supportive therapy. He acknowledges the wide range of opinions, from those who see therapy as a waste of money to those who find it incredibly beneficial. The post delves into the possible reasons for these differing views, suggesting that individual differences in mental processes might explain why therapy works for some but not others. Scott discusses examples of people lacking certain mental abilities that others take for granted, such as problem-solving skills or inner monologue, and speculates that these differences might influence therapy's effectiveness. He emphasizes that everyone likely has some deficiencies in basic human functioning, and that the variation in thought processes could explain the varying benefits people derive from therapy. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander examines a review of a paper on serotonin receptors, discussing prediction error, suffering, and the effects of different serotonin receptor activations on problem-solving approaches and psychedelic experiences. Longer summary

Scott Alexander reviews George from CerebraLab's analysis of a paper by Nutt and Carhart-Harris on serotonin receptors. The post explores two main points: the relationship between prediction error and suffering in the context of active inference theory, and the different effects of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptor activation. Scott discusses how these concepts relate to depression, psychedelics, and problem-solving approaches. He also considers George's suggestion that using psychedelics for introspection might be more harmful than using them for fun or practical problem-solving. Shorter summary

Scott engages in a battle of wits with a Sphinx, exchanging clever riddles and culminating in an unexpected answer to the classic Sphinx riddle. Longer summary

Scott Alexander presents a series of witty and clever riddles in a fictional encounter with a Sphinx on the road to LA. The riddles and answers showcase wordplay, puns, and creative interpretations of common phrases. The post culminates with Scott providing an unexpected but logical answer to the Sphinx's famous riddle about legs and time of day, using a flight itinerary as his solution. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander refutes claims that existing collective entities are superintelligent AIs, emphasizing the fundamental differences between collective intelligence and true superintelligence. Longer summary

Scott Alexander argues against the idea that existing entities like corporations, bureaucracies, teams, or civilizations are already superintelligent AIs. He distinguishes between collective intelligence and genuine superintelligence, asserting that groups have advantages but can't surpass the problem-solving ability of their smartest member. Scott emphasizes that true superintelligence would be a completely different class of entity, possessing both the advantages of collective intelligence and higher genuine problem-solving ability without the disadvantages. The post includes examples, counterarguments, and clarifications to support this distinction. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander investigates and humorously addresses a recurring search query about 'alien thickness', tracing it to a 7th-grade science assignment and offering guidance on solving the problem. Longer summary

Scott Alexander humorously addresses a recurring search query about 'alien thickness' that has been leading people to his blog. He traces the source to a 7th-grade science assignment from a school in Los Angeles. Scott explains that the question likely refers to an online simulation about alien phenotypes, which the students aren't aware of. He then proceeds to guide the students through the problem-solving process, explaining how to approach the question using logical deduction and test-taking skills. The post ends with Scott sharing a personal anecdote about passing an exam on a subject he knew nothing about, emphasizing the importance of test-taking skills. Shorter summary