Don't Know the Half of It

Despite its collective efforts, the scientific community knows a lot less about how the world works than I usually give it credit for.

Map Ain't Territory Reminder

Scientific models like causal DAGs are probably much cruder instruments for understanding real-life complex phenomena than I have been hoping recently.

Origins of Epistemology of Disagreement

A lot of thought on the epistemology of disagreement comes before and outside philosophy (hat tip: James Bailey on COVID-19 experts)

My Language of Politics

I'm pretty dedicated to the progressive narrative of oppression. (Arnold Kling's Three Languages of Politics, via Russ Roberts on Amit Varma's podcast)

Scalable Adequacy

Elite institutions designed to get "the best of the best" aren't scalable. Instead, there's value in setting up systems that succeed with mediocre participants.

Discrimination in Contact & Contract

Glenn Loury's focus on discrimination in contact (social discrimination), which is distinct from discrimination in contract (economic discrimination), encourages practically conservative policy suggestions but stems from liberal ideals of helping the disenfranchised. He understood this position as neoconservativism in the 80's.