How to explore Scott Alexander's work and his 1500+ blog posts? This unaffiliated fan website lets you sort and search through the whole codex. Enjoy!

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Jun 25, 2024
acx

Clarification On "Fake Tradition Is Traditional"

4 min • 476 words • 350 comments • 116 likes • podcast (4 min)
Scott Alexander refines his thoughts on tradition formation, proposing a three-part model that emphasizes the success of practical actions and those tied to tradition. Longer summary
Scott Alexander clarifies his previous post on tradition, proposing a three-part model for understanding the creation of traditions and rituals. He suggests that both purely practical actions and those tied to sacredness or tradition can evolve into valuable aesthetics, rituals, or communities. However, attempts to create these elements without reference to practicality or tradition tend to be less successful. Scott uses examples from architecture, Jewish wedding customs, and Halloween traditions to illustrate his points. Shorter summary
Jun 20, 2024
acx

Fake Tradition Is Traditional

10 min • 1,535 words • 813 comments • 349 likes • podcast (9 min)
Scott Alexander defends the practice of looking to idealized traditions for inspiration, arguing it's a common and useful human approach to creativity and innovation. Longer summary
Scott Alexander discusses the concept of tradition and how it's often misunderstood or criticized. He argues that references to the past or tradition are often just 'pointers' to specific aspects people appreciate, not necessarily an endorsement of everything from that era. He challenges the idea that past cultures didn't look back to idealized histories, providing examples from various periods showing how looking to an idealized past has been a common human practice. Scott suggests that using tradition as inspiration can be a psychologically easier way to introduce new ideas or practices than presenting them as entirely original. Shorter summary
Oct 14, 2021
acx

Links For October

19 min • 2,866 words • 507 comments • 64 likes • podcast (24 min)
A compilation of 30 diverse links on various topics including science, history, technology, and culture, with brief commentaries by Scott Alexander. Longer summary
This post is a collection of 30 diverse links and brief discussions on various topics. It covers a wide range of subjects including scientific findings, historical anecdotes, technological developments, cultural phenomena, and current events. The post touches on topics such as oil spills, architecture, IQ research, chronic pain therapy, alcohol consumption, AI safety, and more. Scott Alexander provides short commentaries or explanations for each link, often adding his own insights or connecting the information to broader themes. Shorter summary
Mar 06, 2019
ssc

Links 3/19: Linkguini

16 min • 2,429 words • 558 comments
Scott Alexander shares a diverse collection of links on topics including architecture, history, science, politics, and economics, offering brief commentaries and insights on each. Longer summary
This post is a collection of various links and brief commentaries on diverse topics. Scott Alexander covers subjects ranging from architecture and history to science, politics, and economics. He discusses the Obama Presidential Library, unusual historical facts, effective altruism, AI policy careers, Bitcoin mining, and scientific studies on parenting and voter ID laws. The post also touches on topics like gender discrimination in tech, nuclear energy startups, and dietary trends. Throughout, Scott provides his characteristic mix of curiosity, skepticism, and humor in discussing these wide-ranging subjects. Shorter summary
Nov 09, 2017
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Ars Longa, Vita Brevis

21 min • 3,144 words • 214 comments • podcast (24 min)
A warrior seeks help from Alchemists to save a prince, but is refused as the Alchemist explains their multi-generational quest for immortality cannot be interrupted. Longer summary
The post is a fictional story about an encounter between a warrior and an Alchemist. The warrior comes to request help from the Alchemists' guild to save a dying prince, but the Alchemist refuses, explaining that their work cannot be interrupted. Through a series of analogies involving architecture and knowledge accumulation, the Alchemist explains the nature of their work: a multi-generational effort to create the Philosopher's Stone and achieve immortality. The Alchemist argues that their work is so advanced and time-sensitive that even a brief interruption would set them back generations. The story explores themes of knowledge transmission, the limits of human lifespan, and the pursuit of immortality. Shorter summary
Jul 19, 2017
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Links 7/17: URL of Sandwich

15 min • 2,200 words • 731 comments
A collection of interesting links spanning architecture, science, politics and economics, with commentary on studies about lithium, lead exposure, minimum wage, and free speech. Longer summary
This is a links post where Scott Alexander shares various interesting articles and studies from around the internet. It covers a wide range of topics including architecture, science, politics, economics, and social issues. Notable items include a study showing lithium in drinking water may not have significant effects, research about the lead-crime hypothesis, discussions about minimum wage studies in Seattle, and various pieces about free speech and campus politics. Shorter summary