October 2022 Linkpost
Who knew snake oil wasn’t just a scam? Turns out those salesmen were onto something with omega-3s—maybe they were the original biohackers!
Philosophy & Human Nature
Book Review: Malleus Maleficarum (astralcodexten.substack.com)
This review dives into the infamous witch-hunting manual, exploring its historical context and the logic behind medieval beliefs in witchcraft. I would note that it’s a fascinating look at how societies construct threats, much like modern moral panics.
Making Beliefs Pay Rent in Anticipated Experiences (lesswrong.com)
Eliezer Yudkowsky argues that beliefs should produce testable predictions, otherwise they’re empty. I would observe this framework helps cut through philosophical fluff, ensuring ideas have real-world utility.
A Columbian Exchange (astralcodexten.substack.com)
A satirical dialogue debating the ethics of celebrating Columbus Day versus Indigenous Peoples’ Day. I would highlight how it cleverly exposes cultural conflicts, reminding us holidays often mask deeper power struggles.
Church of Reality: Schrödinger Believed in God (superbowl.substack.com)
Exploring physicist Erwin Schrödinger’s views on philosophy, theology, and metaphysics. I would point out his integration of science and spirituality offers a timeless bridge between empirical and existential questions.
The Death of God and the Decline of the Humanities (crookedtimber.org)
The essay links the waning cultural significance of texts to the decline in humanities studies, tracing it to a shift away from sacred text traditions. I would suggest this reflects broader societal changes in how we value knowledge.
Chapter 14: The Three Modes of Material Nature (holy-bhagavad-gita.org)
Shree Krishna explains the gunas—sattva, rajas, and tamas—and their influence on human nature. I would emphasize its insights into how these qualities shape behavior, offering enduring wisdom on self-understanding.
Academic Research & Science
Rare Cases: Coronavirus Vaccines May Cause Long Covid–like Symptoms (science.org)
This article examines rare instances where COVID-19 vaccines trigger symptoms like brain fog, headaches, and fatigue, resembling Long Covid. Key findings include temporal associations but uncertain causality, with possible mechanisms like autoantibodies and microclots. Methodology involves small-scale NIH studies with neurological tests and treatments like IVIG. Sample sizes: 34 patients enrolled, 14 visiting NIH. Conclusions stress rarity and vaccine safety, with implications for understanding Long Covid and improving vaccines. Quote: “You have to be very careful before tying COVID-19 vaccines to complications… The implications are huge.”
Reversal in the Trend of U.S. Earnings Inequality (pnas.org)
The study reveals U.S. earnings inequality has not increased in the last decade, marking a reversal. Key findings: Inequality declined among the bottom 90% and stabilized at the top. Methodology uses administrative data to track trends. Sample sizes not specified, but comprehensive national data. Conclusions attribute this to policy shifts under Trump and Biden. Implications suggest potential for sustained equality with targeted interventions.
Maternal Touch Predicts Attunement and Resiliency (pnas.org)
Research shows maternal touch in rhesus monkeys fosters secure attachment and resiliency. Key findings: Touch deprivation leads to anxious behaviors, while contact comfort promotes exploration. Methodology: Observational studies on separated infants. Sample sizes not detailed. Conclusions: Touch is crucial for emotional development. Implications: Highlights importance of physical affection in parenting.
Comparing China REACH and Jamaica Home Visiting Program (nber.org)
Insufficient content for detailed summary; focuses on early childhood interventions’ long-term effects.
Gender-Based Pricing in Consumer Packaged Goods: A Pink Tax? (papers.ssrn.com)
The study debunks the pink tax myth in personal care products. Key findings: Over 80% of products are gendered, but no systematic premium for women’s items when formulations match; women’s variants cheaper in 3/5 categories. Methodology: National sales data analysis. Sample sizes: Comprehensive retail data. Conclusions: Questions need for pink tax laws. Implications: Legislation may be ineffective. Quote: “Price differences are small, and the women’s variant is less expensive in three out of five categories.”
Intergenerational Mobility in the Very Long Run: Florence 1427-2011 (papers.ssrn.com)
Examines mobility across centuries via surnames. Key findings: Earnings elasticity of 0.04, higher than predicted, due to wealth inheritance and elite access. Methodology: Linking historical to modern data. Sample sizes: Full 1427 Florence population. Conclusions: Pre-industrial immobility explains persistence. Implications: Historical status endures.
The Covid-19 Baby Bump (nber.org)
Insufficient content for detailed summary; notes unexpected fertility increase post-pandemic.
Perception of Time Linked to Heartbeat (ed.ac.uk)
Insufficient readable text for detailed summary.
Snake Oil Salesmen Were on to Something (scientificamerican.com)
Historical snake oil from Chinese water snakes contains 20% EPA omega-3s, beneficial for inflammation and cognition. Key findings: Higher EPA than salmon; improves mouse endurance. Methodology: Fat extraction and animal studies. Sample sizes: Small (e.g., 2 rattlesnakes). Conclusions: Original oil effective, unlike fraudulent versions. Implications: Validates traditional remedies. Quote: “Omega-3’s behave very differently in cell membranes… they allow enzymes to work.”
Ashwagandha for Anxiety (examine.com)
Insufficient content for detailed summary; notes anxiety reduction.
Tongkat Ali (examine.com)
May improve erectile function and testosterone in low-T men. Key findings: Enhances strength with exercise. Methodology: RCTs and meta-analyses. Sample sizes not specified. Conclusions: Potential for specific populations. Implications: Useful for sexual health.
Fish Oil (examine.com)
Reduces triglycerides, aids depression and inflammation. Key findings: Improves sleep in type 2 diabetes. Methodology: Cross-sectional and RCTs. Sample sizes not specified. Conclusions: No cardiovascular event reduction. Implications: Dietary minimum 250mg EPA/DHA.
How Food Powers Your Body (newyorker.com)
Metabolism as slow combustion via Krebs cycle. Key findings: Cancer’s Warburg effect; metabolism preceded genes. Methodology: Historical experiments (Lavoisier, Szent-Györgyi). Sample sizes not applicable. Conclusions: Metabolism central to life, cancer, aging. Implications: Shift focus to metabolic research. Quote: “Electrical field… equivalent to a bolt of lightning.”
Contest or Conquest? (harpers.org)
Reviews Hämäläinen’s book on Indigenous resistance. Key findings: Native population growth to 10 million by 2020. Methodology: Continental history using Native sources. Sample sizes: Historical estimates (5M to 250K drop). Conclusions: Contest, not conquest. Implications: Reframes history. Quote: “A nation had disappeared from the family of man.”
Technology & Society
The Hot Water Revolution (dynomight.net)
Proposes running hot water while showering to save energy. A friend mentioned this clever hack, noting its practical efficiency gains.
Replace G.P.A. with G.P.C. (overcomingbias.com)
Suggests grading based on class percentiles for better signals. Someone shared this, highlighting its potential to improve educational assessments.
Did GoogleAI Just Snooker One of the World’s Leading Neuroscientists? (garymarcus.substack.com)
Critiques corporate AI hype. A colleague pointed out how media can be misled, urging skepticism in tech claims.
Why High-Speed Rail Hasn’t Caught On (caseyhandmer.wordpress.com)
Explains barriers to HSR adoption. I would note economic and infrastructural challenges make it memorable for future planning.
The Internet Is Already Over (samkriss.substack.com)
Argues the internet’s golden era has passed. A buddy remarked on its devolution, evoking nostalgia for decentralized web.
How Americans Edit Sex Out of My Writing (europeanreviewofbooks.com)
Discusses cultural censorship in editing. I would observe this reveals transatlantic differences in literary norms.
Economics & Development
Joe Biden Is Too Timid. It Is Time to Legalise Cocaine (economist.com)
Advocates legalization for harm reduction. A pal suggested the costs of prohibition outweigh benefits, useful for policy debates.
TikTok Chases Amazon with Plans for US Fulfillment Centers (axios.com)
TikTok’s e-commerce expansion. Someone noted its logistics ambitions, connecting to broader tech-society shifts.
How One Programmer Broke the Internet by Deleting a Tiny Piece of Code (qz.com)
The leftpad incident’s chaos. I would highlight dependency risks in software, a cautionary tale.
Money: The True Story of a Made-Up Thing (goodreads.com)
Explores money as social fiction. A friend praised its historical insights, linking to economic development.
Live Counter of Uber’s Net Losses (uberlosses.com)
Tracks Uber’s financial losses. I would note this underscores gig economy challenges.
Spreadsheet Day (equals.app)
Celebrates spreadsheet history. Someone shared this curiosity, reflecting on data tools’ evolution.
Climate & Environment
Fin de Siècle (granolashotgun.com)
Discusses managed retreat from declining areas. I would connect it to adaptive urban planning.
Climate Adaptation Policies Are Needed More Than Ever (economist.com)
Urges adaptation amid extreme weather. A colleague emphasized its relevance for long-term resilience.
Managed Retreat and Climate Change (nytimes.com)
Advocates relocating vulnerable communities. I would note innovative ways to address environmental threats.
Reference & Curiosities
Countercurrent Exchange (en.wikipedia.org)
Explains efficient property transfer mechanisms. I would find this useful for understanding biological efficiencies.
Mortar and Pestle (en.wikipedia.org)
Details this ancient tool’s uses. A friend referenced it in a proverb context.
Association of German National Jews (en.wikipedia.org)
Historical group during Weimar/Nazi era. I would note its tragic assimilation efforts.
Ghulam Kadir (en.wikipedia.org)
Biography of an 18th-century leader. Someone highlighted his brutal occupation of Delhi.
Political Coordinates Test (idrlabs.com)
Assesses political views. I would use this for self-reflection on ideologies.
John Conlon’s Scholar Page (scholar.harvard.edu)
Academic profile on economics. A pal shared for its research on stereotypes.
Text-to-Pokémon (huggingface.co)
AI generates Pokémon from text. I would chuckle at its fun creativity.
Elon Code Review (eloncodereview.com)
Satirical tool for code printing. Someone joked about tech hype.
Politics & Current Events (2022)
Data Shows Surge in Homegrown Domestic Terrorism (washingtonpost.com)
Reports rise in incidents. I would warn of underlying societal tensions.
Senate Report on Covid-19 Origin (nytimes.com)
Suggests lab leak possibility. A friend debated its political implications.
American Technology Boosts China’s Hypersonic Missiles (washingtonpost.com)
Highlights tech transfer risks. I would stress national security concerns.
China Runs Undeclared Police in Netherlands (bbc.com)
Exposes pressure on dissidents. Someone noted authoritarian reach abroad.
How China Abuses U.S. Diplomats (wsj.com)
Details Covid protocol abuses. I would see this as diplomatic friction.
Wyoming Wrestlers Bear Attack (washingtonpost.com)
Story of friendship in crisis. A buddy admired their bravery.
Signs of Hearing Loss (nytimes.com)
Guides on over-the-counter aids. I would recommend for aging awareness.
Senate Report on Covid Origin in Wuhan Lab (propublica.org)
Unearths lab troubles. A colleague questioned translations’ accuracy.
Science Fraud and Image Manipulation (nytimes.com)
Explores incentives for misinformation. I would critique peer review flaws.