Astral Codex Ten Podcast Bureaucracy Isn't Measured In Bureaucrats
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Jan 27, 2025 Dive into the debate surrounding federal bureaucracy, particularly the FDA, and discover how cutting personnel might backfire on drug approvals. Explore the complex nature of red tape in medical processes, especially during crises. Learn about innovative strategies for streamlining drug approvals, including Idaho's successful regulatory reforms. Finally, evaluate the quirky impacts of regulatory repeals in Idaho, contrasting their state-level initiatives with the federal landscape, all while keeping the discussion engaging and thought-provoking.
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FDA Drug Approval Debate
- Scott Alexander debated Kevin Drum about the FDA's slow drug approval process.
- Drum cited a doctor who praised FDA bureaucrats, but Scott argued this didn't negate the overall impediment of excessive forms.
Afghan Translators' Citizenship
- The fall of Afghanistan highlighted bureaucratic inefficiencies.
- Despite good intentions, immigration bureaucrats struggled to process Afghan translators' citizenship applications due to excessive paperwork.
Red Tape Drivers
- Scott suggests that red tape isn't solely determined by bureaucrat numbers.
- He believes factors like court challenges and paperwork demands drive bureaucratic processes.