Astral Codex Ten

Massachusetts

14 min read

Massachusetts

Article

Massachusetts is a recurring place in the Astral Codex Ten archive, appearing 16 times across 16 issues between February 24, 2021 and April 01, 2026. The archive places it in contexts such as “deep in the countryside of Massachusetts”; “one specific hospital in Massachusetts”; “in one specific hospital in Massachusetts”. It most often appears alongside Boston, Europe, USA.

Metadata

  • Category: Places
  • Mention count: 16
  • Issue count: 16
  • First seen: February 24, 2021
  • Last seen: April 01, 2026

Appears In

Source Context

Recovered passages from the original issue text. When the raw archive preserved outbound links inside the source passage, they are listed directly under the quote.

Book Review: Fussell On Class
February 24, 2021 · Original source
Where then may a member of the top classes live in this country? New York first of all, of course. Chicago. San Francisco. Philadelphia. Baltimore. Boston. Perhaps Cleveland. And deep in the countryside of Connecticut, New York State, Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. That's about it. It’s not considered good form to live in New Jersey, except in Bernardsville and perhaps Princeton, but any place in New Jersey beats Sunnyvale, Cypress, and Compton, California; Canton, Ohio; Reno, Nevada; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Columbus, Georgia, and similar army towns.
Adumbrations Of Aducanumab
August 05, 2021 · Original source
A while back I learned about cholestasis in infant Short Bowel Syndrome, a rare condition with only a few hundred cases nationwide. Babies cannot digest food effectively, but you can save their lives by using an IV line to direct nutrients directly into their veins. But you need to use the right nutrient fluid. The FDA approved one version of the nutrient fluid, but it caused some problems, especially liver damage. Drawing on European research, some scientists suggested that a version with fish oil would cause less liver damage - but the fish oil version wasn’t FDA-approved. A bunch of babies kept getting liver damage, and everyone knew how to stop it, but if anyone did the FDA would take away their licenses and shut them down. Around 2010, Boston Children’s Hospital found some loophole that let them add fish oil to their nutrient fluid on site, and infants with short bowel syndrome at that one hospital stopped getting liver damage, and the FDA grudgingly agreed to permit it but banned them from distributing their formulation or letting it cross state lines - so for a while if you wanted your baby to get decent treatment for this condition you had to have them spend their infancy in one specific hospital in Massachusetts. Around 2015 the FDA said that if your doctor applied for a special exemption, they would let you import the fish-oil nutritional fluid from Europe, but you were only able to apply after your baby was getting liver damage, and the FDA might just say no. Finally in 2018 the FDA got around to approving the corrected nutritional fluid and now babies with short bowel syndrome do fine, after twenty years of easily preventable state-mandated damage and death. And it’s not just this and coronavirus, I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH HOW TYPICAL THIS IS OF EVERYTHING THE FDA DOES ALL THE TIME.
Inline links: Finally in 2018
Contra Drum On The Fish Oil Story
August 08, 2021 · Original source
Around 2010, Boston Children’s Hospital found some loophole that let them add fish oil to their nutrient fluid on site, and infants with short bowel syndrome at that one hospital stopped getting liver damage, and the FDA grudgingly agreed to permit it but banned them from distributing their formulation or letting it cross state lines - so for a while if you wanted your baby to get decent treatment for this condition you had to have them spend their infancy in one specific hospital in Massachusetts.
Kids Can Recover From Missing Even Quite A Lot Of School
August 17, 2021 · Original source
Also of note, a study by Joshua Goodman finds that snow day closures do not have any noticeable effect on test scores in Massachusetts. Nobody has officially made this connection, but I suspect this is because Massachusetts’ standardized test is in May, when there won’t have been snow days close enough to make a difference.
Inline links: do not have any noticeable effect on test scores in Massachusetts
Open Thread 210
February 07, 2022 · Original source
One paragraph summary of Jan 2022 progress on #climate24x7 (advancing smart climate efforts in the legislature and/or via 2024 ballot measures in at least 7 states): In Nebraska, climate-concerned R state senator John McCollister introduced LB944, a short 3-page bill that cuts the regressive 5.5% state sales tax rate on electricity once electric utilities hit certain carbon intensity targets; see these one-pagers. We have a page of potential improvements based feedback from utility folks and others and are anticipating a public hearing in late February or early March. A similar idea is making progress in South Dakota, where a D legislator has expressed interest in similar legislation, and in Arizona, where I’ve hired Autumn Johnson of Tierra Strategy to pursue this; we’ve written one-pagers and draft legislation, she’s gotten fairly positive feedback from utilities, enviros, and legislative staff, and we’re doing our best to find a House member to introduce legislation before the cut-off of Friday Feb 4. In Utah we continue to work on the signature-gathering plan for the Clean The Darn Air 2024 ballot measure effort; we also anticipate the introduction of a similar bill in this year’s legislative session. Also trying to push forward with ideas or exploratory conversations in Colorado, Georgia, Massachusetts, and Michigan. Additional funding would help extend Autumn’s contract and help push forward faster in Nebraska, South Dakota, and elsewhere! From Yoram Bauman (yoram@standupeconomist.com, @standupecon)
Inline links: John McCollister, LB944, one-pagers, Tierra Strategy, one-pagers, draft legislation, plan, Clean The Darn Air, yoram@standupeconomist.com
2022
June 02, 2022 · Original source
Lulie (F / 32 / Oxford + Waterloo) Kathy (NB / 28 / Massachusetts) Nathan (M / 28 / London) Richard (M / 27 / SF) Misha (M / 34 / Wisconsin + SF)
Inline links: Lulie, Kathy, Nathan, Richard, Misha
Universe-Hopping Through Substack
September 29, 2022 · Original source
The big story in the news over the past couple of days is that Florida governor Ron DeSantis chartered two planes to fly about 50 migrants, most of whom were from Venezuela, to Martha’s Vineyard, off the coast of Massachusetts. The story is still developing. Although DeSantis is the governor of Florida, the migrants appear to have come from Texas, and it currently appears that they were lured onto the planes—paid for with taxpayer money—with the false promise of work and housing in New York City or Boston. In addition, there are allegations from a lawyer working with the migrants that officials from the Department of Homeland Security falsified information about the migrants to set them up for automatic deportation. As I write this, it is not clear what their actual status is: have they applied for asylum and been processed, or are they undocumented immigrants? As Josh Marshall of Talking Points Memo says, none of it adds up. None of it, that is, except the politics. DeSantis apparently dispatched the migrants with a videographer to take images of them arriving, entirely unexpectedly, on the upscale island, presumably in an attempt to present the image that Democratic areas can’t handle immigrants (in fact, more than 12% of the island’s 17,000 full-time residents were born in foreign countries, and 22% of the residents are non-white). But the residents of the island greeted the migrants; found beds, food, and medical care; and worked with authorities to move them back to the mainland where there are support services and housing. In the meantime, there are questions about the legality of DeSantis chartering planes to move migrants from state to state.
Spring Meetups Everywhere 2023
April 10, 2023 · Original source
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, USA Contact: Dan and Skyler Contact Info: skyler[at]rationalitymeetups[dot]org Time: Saturday, April 22nd, 04:00 PM Location: JFK Memorial Park, Cambridge, MA, USA Coordinates: https://plus.codes/87JC9VCG+7W Event Link: https://www.lesswrong.com/events/8A7tdTvvKBBiByinn/boston-acx-spring-schelling-point-meetup-1
Inline links: https://plus.codes/87JC9VCG+7W, https://www.lesswrong.com/events/8A7tdTvvKBBiByinn/boston-acx-spring-schelling-point-meetup-1
NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS, USA Contact: Alex Liebowitz Contact Info: alex[at]alexliebowitz[dot]com Time: Friday, May 19th, 06:00 PM Location: Progression Brewing Co doesn't reserve specific tables, but I talked to a manager and he says he'll make sure there is enough general room for us. We'll probably go with outside if the weather is favorable and a good table is available, inside if not. Just wander around and look for a bunch of nerds with an "ACX Meetup" sign. Coordinates: https://plus.codes/87J9899F+C4 Event Link: https://www.lesswrong.com/events/vYPq4xFwN2rRY7pHW/northampton-massachusetts-usa-acx-meetups-everywhere-spring Notes: This is the Meetups Everywhere Spring 2023 edition of a meetup that started in the 2018 Meetups Everywhere. At most meetups we get about 5-7 people out of a rotation of 15-20; Meetups Everywhere events tend to get a boost and we get closer to 8-10. Looking forward to a fun time!
Inline links: https://plus.codes/87J9899F+C4, https://www.lesswrong.com/events/vYPq4xFwN2rRY7pHW/northampton-massachusetts-usa-acx-meetups-everywhere-spring
Meetups Everywhere 2023: Times & Places
August 25, 2023 · Original source
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND, USA Contact: Dan Moller Contact Info: dmoller[at]umd[dot]edu Time: Saturday, September 16th, 2:00 PM Location: Steps in front of McKeldin library, UMD campus. Visitor parking by Skinner Building. In case of rain, front of Skinner Building. Coordinates: https://plus.codes/87C5X3P4+97 Massachusetts BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, USA Contact: Skyler and Dan Contact Info: skyler[at]rationalitymeetups[dot]org Time: Sunday, September 03rd, 03:00 PM Location: JFK Memorial Park, Cambridge Coordinates: https://plus.codes/87JC9VCG+8W Group Link: https://groups.google.com/g/ssc-boston
Inline links: https://plus.codes/87C5X3P4+97, https://plus.codes/87JC9VCG+8W, https://groups.google.com/g/ssc-boston
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, USA Contact: Skyler and Dan Contact Info: skyler[at]rationalitymeetups[dot]org Time: Sunday, September 03rd, 03:00 PM Location: JFK Memorial Park, Cambridge Coordinates: https://plus.codes/87JC9VCG+8W Group Link: https://groups.google.com/g/ssc-boston
Inline links: https://plus.codes/87JC9VCG+8W, https://groups.google.com/g/ssc-boston
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, USA Duplicate of Boston Contact: Skyler and Dan Contact Info: skyler[at]rationalitymeetups[dot]org Time: Sunday, September 03rd, 03:00 PM Location: JFK Memorial Park, Cambridge Coordinates: https://plus.codes/87JC9VCG+8W Group Link: https://groups.google.com/g/ssc-boston
Inline links: https://plus.codes/87JC9VCG+8W, https://groups.google.com/g/ssc-boston
Spring Meetups Everywhere 2024
March 30, 2024 · Original source
FORT MEADE, MARYLAND, USA Contact: "Ferret" Contact Info: meetup2024[dot]exposure178[at]passinbox[dot]com Time: Saturday, May 4th, 12:00 PM Location: Burba Lake; Coordinator will *not* sponsor attendees to location Coordinates: Email coordinator for precise location Group Link: Email coordinator for group chat Notes: Techies and family types alike are welcome. Title/position agnostic (wear comfortable clothes). ?? Czar note: meetup is on a government installation with controlled access; if you're not sure if you can attend you probably can't Massachusetts BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, USA (duplicate of Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, USA (duplicate of Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA)
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, USA Contact: Skyler Contact Info: Skyler[at]rationalitymeetups[dot]org Time: Sunday, April 14th, 3:00 PM Location: JFK Memorial Park, Cambridge. Look for the tall blue and green hat. We'll have a canopy in case it rains. Coordinates: https://plus.codes/87JC9VCG+8W Group Link: https://groups.google.com/g/ssc-boston Notes: Please feel free to bring kids or pets! I'll be the one in the tall green and blue hat.
Inline links: https://plus.codes/87JC9VCG+8W, https://groups.google.com/g/ssc-boston
Contra Hanson On Medical Effectiveness
April 24, 2024 · Original source
Sommers, Long, and Baicker: same story: after Romneycare, mortality in Massachusetts went down compared to comparison states (p = 0.003).
Inline links: Sommers, Long, and Baicker
Meetups Everywhere 2024: Times & Places
August 29, 2024 · Original source
Contact: Ferret Contact Info: meetup2024[dot]exposure178[at]passinbox[dot]com Time: Saturday, October 12th, 01:00 PM Location: Fort Meade Coordinates: (ask organizer) Group Link: (ask organizer) Notes: Meetup is on a controlled-access government campus. Organizer will not sponsor guests onto base; attendees must be able to enter on their own. Massachusetts BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, USA (See Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA)
(See Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA)
(See Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA) CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, USA Contact: Skyler Contact Info: skyler[at]rationalitymeetups[dot]org Time: Sunday, September 29th, 02:00 PM Location: JFK Memorial Park. I'll be wearing a tall blue and green hat. Coordinates: https://plus.codes/87JC9VCG+8W Group Link: https://groups.google.com/g/ssc-boston Notes: Children and pets welcome- we're in a park with a decent amount of grass and open space. We'll have food and a shelter in case of rain.
Inline links: https://plus.codes/87JC9VCG+8W, https://groups.google.com/g/ssc-boston
Meetups Everywhere Spring 2025: Times & Places
March 25, 2025 · Original source
Contact: Ferret Contact Info: meetup2025[period]unseen534[a t]passmail[period]net Time: Saturday, April 26th, 2:00 PM Location: Ask Organizer Coordinates: Ask Organizer Group Link: Ask Organizer Notes: Event will be held on a government installation. Guests must be able to access the base on their own. Organizer will not sponsor attendees onto base. Massachusetts BOSTON Contact: Skyler and Mili Contact Info: Skyler[ at] rationalitymeetups[period] org Time: Saturday, May 10th, 2:00pm Location: Sennott Park, 305 Broadway, Cambridge Coordinates: https://plus.codes/87JC9W92+92 Group Link: https://linktr.ee/bostonacx Additional Notes: Kids and pets welcome!
Inline links: https://plus.codes/87JC9W92+92, https://linktr.ee/bostonacx
(See “Boston, Massachusetts”)
Meetups Everywhere 2025: Times and Places
August 29, 2025 · Original source
Contact: Ferret Contact Info: meetup2025[period]unseen534[a t]passmail[period]net Time: Saturday, September 27th, 02:00 PM Location: Contact Coordinator Coordinates: Contact Coordinator Group Link: Contact Coordinator Notes: Location is on a military base - attendees must be able to access base themselves; coordinator will not sponsor attendees onto base Massachusetts BOSTON Contact: Skyler Contact Info: skyler[a t]rationalitymeetups[period]org Time: Saturday, September 27th, 2:00 PM Location: Sennott Park, 305 Broadway, Cambridge. I'll be wearing a tall striped hat. Coordinates: https://plus.codes/87JC9W92+92 Group Link: https://linktr.ee/bostonacx Notes: We’ll have snacks and pizza. Kids and pets welcome! There’s a playground at the park.
Inline links: https://plus.codes/87JC9W92+92, https://linktr.ee/bostonacx
Against The Concept Of Telescopic Altruism
March 31, 2026 · Original source
I don’t really think liberals are better spouses/parents in the way a naive reading of these maps might suggest - but there’s certainly no sign that they’re worse (except in Massachusetts - I blame the Kennedys!)
Meetups Everywhere Spring 2026: Times & Places
April 01, 2026 · Original source
Contact: Rivka Contact Info: rivka[@]adrusi[.]com Time: Sunday, May 17th, 7:00 PM Location: First floor of the Performing Arts and Humanities Building at UMBC. The address is 1000 Hilltop Cir, Baltimore, MD 21250. There will be a sign that says “ACX Meetup”. Coordinates: https://plus.codes/87F5774P+53 Group Link: We have a mailing list and a discord. The mailing list is more for our weekly meetup reminders and the discord is more of a social environment. Here’s a link to the discord: https://discord.com/invite/meeUK [remove this bit] NBRjX. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please email me. Notes: Parking is free on the weekend. There will be food and drinks. RSVPs are useful so I know how much food to get, but are not required. Massachusetts BOSTON (See CAMBRIDGE) CAMBRIDGE Contact: Skyler, Dan, and Owen Contact Info: skyler[@]rationalitymeetups[.]org, dan[@]metascienceobservatory[.]org Time: Saturday, May 2nd, 2:00 PM Location: Sennott Park, 305 Broadway, Cambridge. I’ll be wearing a tall striped hat. Coordinates: https://plus.codes/87JC9W92+92 Group Link: https://linktr.ee/bostonacx Notes: Please feel free to bring kids or pets! We’ll have snacks and pizza. The Linktr.ee will show lots of ways to get event updates, but the Discord and the google group are the most reliable.
Inline links: https://plus.codes/87F5774P+53, https://plus.codes/87JC9W92+92, https://linktr.ee/bostonacx