October 2023 Linkpost
Who knew escaping bullying could involve building a fairy-tale kingdom? Dwarves in China turned discrimination into a theme park commune – talk about thinking small to achieve big dreams!
Philosophy & Human Nature
Who Goes Nazi? (harpers.org)
Dorothy Thompson’s 1941 essay plays a macabre parlor game, profiling types of people at a gathering to predict who might become Nazis, fellow-travelers, or resisters. Key observations include “born Nazis” driven by resentment, those democracy creates through unfulfilled ambitions, and the certain non-Nazis like the genuinely kind or truly happy. The main thesis warns of fascism’s appeal to the insecure and power-hungry, with implications for recognizing authoritarian tendencies in society. Notable quote: “It is an interesting and somewhat macabre parlor game to play at a large gathering of one’s acquaintances: to speculate who in a showdown would go Nazi.” Re: discussions on the bully-to-fascist pipeline, I would note this piece brilliantly extends that idea, capturing how personal insecurities fuel political extremism in timeless ways.
Divine Command Theory (en.wikipedia.org)
This meta-ethical theory posits that moral goodness stems from God’s commands, with obligations tied to obedience. Historically developed by thinkers like Augustine, who linked ethics to loving God, and Scotus, who argued some duties are arbitrarily willed by God. Criticisms include the Euthyphro dilemma: are actions good because God commands them, or does God command them because they’re good? Implications challenge moral autonomy and raise issues with divine arbitrariness. Quote from Plato: “Is the pious loved by the gods because it is pious, or is it pious because it is loved by the gods?” In conversations about machine gods and ethics, I would observe this framework raises profound questions on whether simulated or artificial divinities could define morality.
A Fertility Reckoning (overcomingbias.com)
Robin Hanson’s essay calls for a cultural reckoning on declining fertility, noting a 250-year global drop soon below replacement levels, driven by modern values like career prioritization and anti-traditional norms. Main arguments critique excuses (e.g., tech solutions like AI) as akin to addicts’ rationalizations, predicting high-fertility subgroups like Amish will dominate. Data points include the pattern of falling fertility and high-fertility groups’ growth. Implications: without compromising values, innovation may halt, urging governments to incentivize children. Quote: “Though these values seem authentic and honestly fulfilling, we must face the hard fact that they seem to be in substantial conflict with their persistence over centuries.” I would note this mirrors historical shifts, like Christianity’s rise, and compels us to weigh cherished freedoms against cultural survival.
Loyalty: A Gray Virtue (sciencedirect.com)
This study challenges loyalty as a pure virtue, showing loyal workers are ironically targeted for exploitation due to self-sacrifice expectations. Four experiments with managers (aiming for 100+ per condition) used scenarios to test hypotheses: loyal employees were more asked for unpaid work, and agreeing boosted loyalty reputations, creating a vicious cycle. Results: effects specific to loyalty, not other virtues like fairness. No exact sample sizes, but pre-registered. Conclusions: loyalty can lead to unfair suffering. Implications: reevaluate workplace loyalty to protect employees. Quote: “Loyalty is often touted as a moral principle, or virtue, worth exemplifying in social and business relations. But is it always beneficial to be loyal?” A colleague would suggest this reveals how virtues can backfire in hierarchical settings, fostering exploitation.
Academic Research & Science
Scientists Offer a New Explanation for Long Covid (nytimes.com)
This study in Cell analyzed blood from 58 long Covid patients (symptoms 3-22 months) vs. 30 recovered and 60 acute cases, finding depleted serotonin levels as a key factor in neurological symptoms. Methodology: blood metabolite comparison, revealing serotonin as the only non-recovering molecule. Key data: 90% had AR, serotonin tied to viral remnants in gut stifling production. Conclusions: serotonin therapies could treat subsets; links hypotheses like inflammation. Implications: identifies subtypes for targeted treatments. Quote: “All these different hypotheses might be connected through the serotonin pathway.” (Christoph Thaiss). A buddy would highlight how this connects gut health to brain fog, offering hope for recovery.
Enclomiphene: An Estrogen Receptor Antagonist for Testosterone Deficiency (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Review of enclomiphene (trans-isomer of clomiphene) for secondary hypogonadism, promoting gonadotropin-dependent testosterone via estrogen antagonism. Methodology: synthesis of clinical trials (sizes not specified). Results: restores testosterone physiologically, maintains testicular volume/spermatogenesis; favorable glucose effects, linking low testosterone to obesity/metabolic syndrome. Safety equivalent to gels/placebo. Conclusions: promising for hypogonadism tied to obesity/infertility. Implications: warrants RCTs; bidirectional testosterone-metabolic link. Quote: “Enclomiphene demonstrated significant efficacy in the physiological restoration of testosterone levels in males with secondary hypogonadism.” My friend would point out its potential beyond steroids, as a non-steroidal option for hormone balance.
Think Before You Speak: Training Language Models with Pause Tokens (arxiv.org)
This paper introduces pause tokens to delay LM output, allowing extra computation. Methodology: pretrain/finetune 1B/130M parameter models on C4 (200B tokens), evaluate on 9 tasks like GSM8k, SQuAD. Experiments: variants with pauses at pretrain/finetune/inference; ablations on token count/placement. Results: PausePT PauseFT boosts 8 tasks for 1B model (e.g., SQuAD EM +18% from 36.4 to 55.9; GSM8k +1% from 7.5 to 8.5). Optimal pauses: 10-50. Conclusions: delays improve reasoning/QA; representations aid even without inference delays. Implications: scalable for better LM performance. Quote: “Delays during pretraining and finetuning lead to clear performance gains on eight tasks for the 1B model.” A pal would note this mimics human thinking pauses, enhancing AI reliability.
Quadricuspid Aortic Valve: Characteristics, Associated Structural Cardiovascular Abnormalities, and Clinical Outcomes (ahajournals.org)
Retrospective analysis of 50 QAV patients (0.006% frequency) from 788,733 echocardiograms (1975-2014). Methodology: echo assessments per ASE guidelines; subtypes via Hurwitz-Roberts; follow-up 4.8±5.6 years. Sample: 50 patients, mean age 43.5±21.8, 52% female. Findings: Types A/B most common (64%); AR in 90% (26% moderate/severe); dilatation in 29%; surgery in 16%. Data: 5-year survival 91.5%; no endocarditis/dissection. Conclusions: rare anomaly with AR predominant; stable progression. Implications: monitor echo; low complication risk. Quote: “QAV is a rare congenital anomaly with a frequency of 0.006%.” Someone would observe this rarity underscores genetic screening’s value for heart defects.
The Genetic Heritage of the Denisovans May Have Left Its Mark on Our Mental Health (sciencedaily.com)
Genomic analysis identified SLC30A9 variant from Denisovans affecting zinc regulation, aiding cold adaptation but predisposing to psychiatric disorders. Methodology: cellular zinc transport studies; no sample sizes specified. Genetic details: amino acid change alters metabolism in endoplasmic reticulum/mitochondria; global except Africa. Conclusions: evolutionary advantage turned liability. Implications: links ancient interbreeding to modern mental health; animal models needed. Quote: “Apparently, the change was beneficial and proved a selective advantage for humans.” (Jorge Garcia-Calleja). A colleague would remark on how archaic genes persist, influencing everything from climate resilience to mood disorders.
All Objects and Some Questions (pubs.aip.org)
Overview of Universe’s thermal history, sequencing object formation from protons to civilizations. Methodology: theoretical modeling of cosmic evolution. Key concepts: timeline from Big Bang to today; questions on life’s rarity. Implications: educational tool for cosmology. No specific data/quotes in summary.
September Was the Most Anomalously Hot Month Ever (scientificamerican.com)
Using Japan Meteorological Agency reanalysis, September’s anomaly was 0.5°C hotter than 2020’s, 0.2°C above 2016’s record. Methodology: anomaly vs. averages. Comparisons: hotter than most pre-2010 Julys; 2023 may exceed 1.5°C above preindustrial. Implications: fossil fuels + El Niño drive extremes; urgent action needed. Quote: “This is what the world looks like when it’s 1.5 degrees hotter in a year, and it’s terrible.” (Kate Marvel). I would add this signals accelerating climate shifts, demanding policy reckoning.
Flowers Are Spreading in Antarctica as Summer Temperatures Soar (sciencealert.com)
2022 heatwave: 39°C above normal, peaking -10°C; amplified 2°C by climate change, projected +8°C by 2096. Methodology: storyline modeling. Data: plant growth +20% (2009-2018); threefold ice-free land by 2100. Implications: biodiversity loss, invasion risks. Quote: “We know that there will be thousands of square kilometers of new-ice free area…” (Jasmine Lee). A friend would warn this foreshadows ecosystem collapse from warming.
Technology & Society
Normalization of Deviance (danluu.com)
Explores surprising corporate practices normalized despite risks, like secretive bug fixes or flaky tests. Examples: high turnover at “great” companies; info hoarding. Implications: stifles innovation, breeds failures. Quote: “Humans are bad at reasoning about how failures cascade…” A buddy would say this explains why “normal” tech habits lead to disasters.
The Product Manager Role is a Mistake (sollecitom.github.io)
Argues hiring mediocre PMs kills vision; hire craft-obsessed greats instead. Examples: PMs introduce bloat, politics. Alternatives: teams of passionate experts. Implications: avoids decline. Quote: “The enormous mistake you can make is to adopt a model that requires tremendous people, without having these tremendous people.” Someone would note this critiques startup pitfalls.
How to Efficiently Advance Your Software Engineering Career (jakeseliger.com)
Framework: exceed cycles (career/job tenure), signal via results. Experiences: rapid promotions via 60+ hour weeks. Data: retire at 30. Implications: balance effort/rest. Quote: “The more frequently you signal you are ready, the faster you’ll get promoted.” A pal would advise this for ambitious coders.
The Tyranny of the Marginal User (nothinghuman.substack.com)
Software worsens chasing distracted users, eroding agency. Examples: OKCupid’s swipe shift. Implications: prioritizes growth over quality. Quote: “A company with a billion-user product doesn’t actually care about its billion existing users. It cares about the marginal user.” I would observe this explains UX degradation.
Economics & Development
America’s Greatest Public Policy Success Is Now in Jeopardy (bloomberg.com)
PEPFAR, started 2003, saved 25 million lives via HIV treatment/infrastructure. Data: 25 million saved. Context: Bush-era, State Dept. overseen. Challenges: partisan threats. Implications: risk to global health. Quote: “PEPFAR, an AIDS relief program that has saved 25 million lives in Africa over the last two decades.” I would note its bipartisan triumph underscores effective aid.
Do Nice Guys Finish Last? Prosociality and the CEO Labor Market During Industry Downturns (papers.ssrn.com)
Model: prosocial CEOs motivate but delay layoffs, leading to turnover in shocks; replaced by less prosocial. Findings: higher turnover in import competition. No sample sizes. Conclusions: psych traits key in markets. Implications: “wartime” CEOs for downturns. Quote: “Prosocial CEOs increase employee motivation but are often slower to implement layoffs.” A colleague would say this reveals economics of empathy.
OnlyFans Subscribers May Get a Direct Self-Esteem Boost (civicscience.com)
Surveys: 2% creators, 4% subscribers; subscribers see themselves as more attractive, happier. Methodology: CivicScience demographics. Findings: 18-24 dominate; 57% former creators female. Conclusions: boosts esteem/finances. Implications: shapes adult content future. A friend would quip it’s more than entertainment – a confidence hack.
Climate & Environment
September Was the Most Anomalously Hot Month Ever (scientificamerican.com)
[See above for details.]
Flowers Are Spreading in Antarctica as Summer Temperatures Soar (sciencealert.com)
[See above for details.]
Reference & Curiosities
Gruen Transfer (en.wikipedia.org)
Psychological effect in malls causing intention loss via confusing layouts, boosting impulses. History: Victor Gruen’s 1956 Southdale Center. Examples: supermarket remodeling. Implications: manipulates behavior. Quote: “I refuse to pay alimony for those bastard developments.” (Gruen). Reminds me of Vegas – designed to disorient for spending.
Battle of Mosul (2016–2017) (en.wikipedia.org)
Campaign retaking Mosul from ISIL: 108,500-114,000 anti-ISIL vs. 6,000-12,000 ISIL. Timeline: Oct 2016-Jul 2017. Casualties: 1,200-1,400 Iraqi killed; 7,757-25,000 ISIL; 5,805-40,000 civilians. Tactics: multi-front assaults vs. tunnels/bombs. Implications: weakened ISIL, $50B rebuild. In war discussions, I would note 1:1 civilian:combatant ratios indicate urban warfare’s grim tolerances.
Jewish Exodus from the Muslim World (en.wikipedia.org)
900,000 Jews fled/expelled post-1948; 650,000 to Israel. Causes: nationalism, violence (e.g., Farhud). Timeline: 1940s-1970s. Numbers: Iraq 120,000 (1950-51); Morocco 250,000-265,000 (1948) to 2,100 (2019). Details: laws froze assets; Yemen airlifts. Implications: reshaped demographics, $100B+ losses. Quote: “A convoy of Iraqi Jews should be… forced to cross the line.” (Nuri al-Said). Retaliatory cleansing differs from reactive; Arabs did cleanse Jews elsewhere.
Why Arabs Lose Wars (ciaotest.cc.columbia.edu)
Arab armies’ ineffectiveness stems from cultural factors like secrecy, stratification, hoarding info. Examples: Egyptian officers misusing soldiers; 1967 deceptions. Methodology: author’s observations. Conclusions: culture trumps tech. Implications: reforms needed. Quote: “Most Arab officers treat enlisted soldiers like sub-humans.” I would add this cultural lens explains performance gaps beyond ideology.
The Next Time Wikipedia Asks for a Donation, Ignore It (unherd.com)
Wikimedia has $400M cash, $100M endowment; $162M raised 2021 vs. $10M costs. Arguments: funds bloat staff (550, $300K-400K salaries), not volunteers. Data: $162M fundraising. Implications: sustainable without drives. Quote: “WMF has operated… on an absolute shoestring.” A buddy would say appeals mislead on urgency.
Dwarves Found ‘Theme Park’ Commune to Escape Bullying (telegraph.co.uk)
120 dwarves in Kunming built a refuge with mushroom houses, becoming a tourist spot. Reasons: escape exploitation. Daily life: self-policed, fairy-tale themed. Implications: debates on dignity vs. employment. Quote: “As small people we are used to being pushed around… But here there aren’t any big people.” I would chuckle at this clever twist on community building.
Politics & Current Events (2023)
Ghana to Black Americans: Come Home. We’ll Help You Build a Life Here (washingtonpost.com)
Ghana invites Black Americans for safety/economic opportunities. Stories: Kimberly Reese building home amid U.S. fears. No specific data. Implications: potential migration wave. Quote: “Some of us are tired… Where we don’t have to worry about our sons getting pulled over.” I would note Anchorage’s diversity contrasts, but Ghana offers roots.
In Israeli Politics, It’s Not Right vs. Left but Ashkenazim vs. Mizrahim (haaretz.com)
Ethnic divides drive politics: Mizrahim (Arab-country origins) vs. Ashkenazim (European). Arguments: Mizrahim support right due to historical grievances. No data in summary. Implications: reframe debates. I would observe Mizrahim, often cleansed by Arabs, favor hardlines, unlike Ashkenazim.