Scott critiques the phrase 'the purpose of a system is what it does' by showing how it confuses outcomes with intentions and leads to absurd or paranoid conclusions. Longer summary

Scott Alexander critiques the popular phrase 'the purpose of a system is what it does' (POSIWID) by showing how it leads to absurd conclusions. He uses several examples including cancer hospitals, the Ukrainian military, and public transport to demonstrate that a system's actual outcomes don't necessarily reflect its purpose. The post shows how people often misuse this phrase on social media to suggest malicious intent behind system failures, rather than acknowledging that systems can have unintended consequences or simply fail to achieve their goals. He concludes by suggesting satirical alternative phrasings that highlight the absurdity of the original. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander's poem, inspired by a tragic aid airdrop incident in Gaza, explores the challenges and unintended consequences of altruism through various philosophical lenses. Longer summary

Scott Alexander presents a poetic reflection on the challenges and unintended consequences of trying to help others, inspired by a tragic incident where an aid airdrop killed five people in Gaza. The poem explores various philosophical approaches to altruism and social responsibility, ultimately settling on a utilitarian perspective while acknowledging its limitations. The verses touch on historical figures, personal growth, and the complexities of moral decision-making in a world where good intentions can lead to harmful outcomes. Shorter summary

A review of 'Public Citizens' by Paul Sabin, examining how Ralph Nader's public interest movement transformed American governance, with both positive and negative long-term effects. Longer summary

This book review discusses 'Public Citizens' by Paul Sabin, which explores how Ralph Nader and the public interest movement he inspired transformed American governance, leading to unintended consequences that now hinder progressive action. The review traces Nader's career from his early advocacy for auto safety to his creation of a new model of activism through litigation and regulatory pressure. It examines how this approach, while achieving significant reforms, also contributed to the current bureaucratic gridlock in American governance. The review concludes with a brief discussion of Nader's controversial role in the 2000 presidential election. Shorter summary

Scott presents a humorous list of fictional drugs banned by the FDA, each with unexpected and often ironic consequences. Longer summary

This post is a satirical list of fictional drugs banned by the FDA, each with a unique profile and an often ironic or paradoxical reason for its ban. The drugs range from treatments for pre-traumatic stress disorder to antibiotics for intelligent bacteria. Each drug description includes its intended use and the unexpected consequences that led to its ban. The post uses humor and creativity to explore themes of unintended consequences in medicine, the complexities of drug development, and the sometimes absurd nature of bureaucratic decision-making. Shorter summary