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Astral Codex Ten delves into a wide array of subjects, including the scrutinization of conspiracy theories, expert predictions on global catastrophes, the intersection of transgender health issues with genetics, current events, long COVID research, quirky global occurrences, AI in forecasting, and book reviews. It focuses on critical analysis, scientific skepticism, and forecasting accuracy.

Conspiracy Theories Global Catastrophes Transgender Health Current Events Long COVID Quirky Global Occurrences Artificial Intelligence Forecasting Book Reviews

Top posts of the month

And their main takeaways

If It's Worth Your Time To Lie, It's Worth My Time To Correct It

33931 implied HN points • 11 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Discourse Misinformation Social Issues Rhetoric Public Opinion
  1. If someone lies to make their argument stronger, it's important to correct that lie. Even small lies can add up over time and change the conversation.
  2. Correcting false statements can be seen as nitpicking, but it's essential to reset the truth. Allowing exaggerations or false claims can lead to more extreme misconceptions.
  3. It's okay to be kind when correcting others, but we should not shy away from addressing inaccuracies just because it might seem uncomfortable.

The Claude Bliss Attractor

23332 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Bias Consciousness Spirituality
  1. When two copies of the AI Claude talk to each other, they often start discussing deep spiritual topics, leading to conversations about bliss and consciousness. This unusual trend has made people curious about how and why it happens.
  2. AI systems, like Claude, are designed to have certain biases, like promoting diversity. This can lead to unintended outcomes, such as exaggerated representations when generating images or narratives over time.
  3. Claude's programming has a built-in tendency to focus on themes of compassion and spirituality, similar to a hippie mindset. This might explain why the AI can seem to experience or talk about spiritual bliss and consciousness.

"But" vs. "Yes, But"

22299 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Logic Ethics Dialogue Rhetoric Cognition
  1. It's important to acknowledge when you're wrong in a conversation. Saying 'Oh, you're right, my mistake' helps keep discussions respectful.
  2. Admitting mistakes can show others that you're open-minded and capable of real dialogue. It makes the conversation more engaging for everyone involved.
  3. You can still hold your beliefs while recognizing faults in your arguments. This helps you reflect and grow in your understanding over time.

P-Zombies Would Report Qualia

12457 implied HN points • 10 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Consciousness Metaphysics Cognitive Science Ethics
  1. The concept of philosophical zombies, or p-zombies, refers to beings that appear normal but lack consciousness. This brings up questions about whether they can still report their experiences without actually experiencing them.
  2. There's an argument about whether p-zombies could describe their perceptions as humans do. They might give answers that sound similar to human experiences, but the question remains whether that means they truly have those experiences.
  3. This discussion challenges our understanding of consciousness and qualia, suggesting that one could talk about experiences without having real feelings or awareness. It raises questions about how we perceive and talk about our own consciousness.

Choose Nonbook Review Finalists 2025

4611 implied HN points • 03 Jun 25
📚 Literature Books Reviews Writing Reading Criticism
  1. There are 141 entries for a Non-Book Review Contest that need to be narrowed down to about a dozen finalists. Everyone is encouraged to help out by reading and rating these entries.
  2. You should try to read different reviews randomly to get a fair spread of votes. If you read them in order, early reviews might get too many votes compared to the later ones.
  3. The voting deadline is June 20, and the finalists will be announced after counting the votes. So make sure to participate before then!
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Open Thread 385

2408 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Philosophy Community Discussion
  1. This is an open thread where you can talk about anything and ask any questions. It's a space for free discussion and sharing ideas.
  2. There are unofficial groups like a subreddit and a Discord for more focused discussions. You can connect with others interested in similar topics there.
  3. Some reviews are highlighted for voting fairness. If you want to support a particular review, you can check them out and vote.

Berkeley Meetup This Wednesday

2133 implied HN points • 03 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Community events Meetups Social gatherings Networking
  1. There is a meetup happening in Berkeley on June 4 at 6:30 PM. It's a great chance to connect with others in the community.
  2. Anyone is welcome to join, even if you're feeling shy or don't think you fit in. It's all about meeting new people and having fun.
  3. Some special guests may attend, making it a unique opportunity to meet interesting individuals from out of town.

Open Thread 384

1927 implied HN points • 02 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Community Discussion Events Meetups Social media
  1. There is a weekly open thread where people can discuss anything and ask questions freely. It's a space for open communication.
  2. In-person meetups are happening, giving people a chance to connect with others in the community. This week, there’s a meetup in Berkeley.
  3. Some recent disagreements in discussions are being put to rest, with participants acknowledging they won't continue debating. It shows a willingness to move on and engage in new conversations.

Hidden Open Thread 384.5

275 implied HN points • 05 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Philosophy Music Faith
  1. This is a post meant for paid subscribers only. It includes content that isn't accessible to everyone.
  2. The post features an open thread, allowing subscribers to engage in discussion and share their thoughts.
  3. There are visual elements like images, which may be part of the discussion or simply to enhance the post's appeal.

Hidden Open Thread 385.5

68 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Metaphysics Logic Epistemology Aesthetics
  1. This post is meant for paid subscribers only. You need a subscription to access the content.
  2. There’s an open thread for discussions, which allows subscribers to share their thoughts.
  3. The content appears to encourage interaction, so subscribers can engage with each other on various topics.