Scott Alexander uses simulations to explain why seemingly counterintuitive arguments against the genetic basis of schizophrenia are misleading. Longer summary

Scott Alexander discusses two seemingly counterintuitive arguments against the genetic basis of schizophrenia and explains why they're not as compelling as they might appear. He uses a simplified simulation to demonstrate how a highly heritable disorder can have low twin concordance rates and why eliminating affected individuals doesn't significantly reduce prevalence in the next generation. The post aims to clarify common misunderstandings about polygenic disorders and their inheritance patterns. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander explores the ethics of eugenics and population control through fictional debates, comparing historical figures and policies. Longer summary

Scott Alexander discusses the ethics of eugenics and population control through a dialogue between fictional characters. The post starts with a debate on whether eugenics can be ethical if implemented voluntarily, then compares the historical impacts of eugenics advocate Francis Galton and population control advocate Paul Ehrlich. It explores how Ehrlich's ideas led to forced sterilizations in India yet he remains respected, while Galton is vilified. The dialogue then debates whether this discrepancy is justified and how to evaluate ideas that led to harmful outcomes. The post ends with a discussion on the role of government in implementing controversial policies for perceived greater goods. Shorter summary

Scott responds to various reader comments on his article about having children despite climate change, addressing critiques and expanding on several points. Longer summary

This post highlights and responds to various comments on Scott's previous article about having children despite climate change concerns. It covers topics such as the sincerity of climate concerns, political implications, carbon emissions by location, the severity of climate change impacts, and arguments for and against having children in the current climate context. Scott engages with these comments, offering additional insights, corrections, and reflections on the original arguments. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander explores how minority views can be silenced through social censorship, using a 'first offender model' to explain the maintenance of taboos despite significant private support. Longer summary

Scott Alexander discusses the concept of social censorship, using a study on public support for eugenics as a starting point. He introduces a 'first offender model' to explain how a minority view can be effectively silenced despite having significant support. The post draws parallels between this model and a hypothetical policing strategy, where focusing on deterring the first offender of a particular crime can prevent others from following suit. Scott applies this concept to explain how taboos and social norms are maintained, even when a significant portion of the population might privately disagree. He reflects on how this insight changes his view on censorship, acknowledging that taboos might represent a 'tenuous coordination advantage' rather than overwhelming opposition. The post concludes by considering the implications of this model for debates about censorship and free speech. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander analyzes a photo of Alois Alzheimer's research team, discussing the reasons for their scientific productivity and theorizing about patterns of scientific progress. Longer summary

Scott Alexander discusses a historic photograph of Alois Alzheimer and his colleagues, noting the concentration of scientific talent in that group and era. He explores reasons for this concentration, including new histological staining techniques, the geographic and temporal context of fin de siecle Central Europe, and Emil Kraepelin's organizational skills. Scott theorizes that scientific progress often comes from exploiting a fruitful paradigm until it's exhausted, rather than continuously developing new ones. The post concludes with a brief history of Alzheimer's institute, including its unfortunate involvement with Nazi eugenics and its post-war reformation. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander presents Raikoth, his fictional utopian society, which strives for perfection in language, government, and population through unique systems and practices. Longer summary

Scott Alexander describes Raikoth, a fictional utopian society he created. Raikoth is an island nation of 8 million people that aims for perfection in three areas: language, government, and population. They use Kadhamic, a 'perfect language' designed for philosophical rigor, and are governed by AI 'Angels' that make decisions based on utilitarian calculations. The population is carefully managed through birth control, exile of criminals, and selective breeding. Education focuses on meditation, psychedelic experiences, and rationality. The post provides detailed information about Raikoth's history, government structure, societal norms, and educational system. Shorter summary