site banner
PaperclipPerfector  18hr ago (text post)   353 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for March 15, 2026

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

Top Bottom Old Controversial Comments
Jump in the discussion.

No email address required.

The one I trust most is Nootropics Depot. Scott talks about them in: https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/how-trustworthy-are-supplements

Originally, I was drawn to them because they had a good reputation when I was researching phenibut sources (which they no longer sell). Then I tried many of their products and they worked as described. The products have certificates of analysis. The owner (u/MisterYouAreSoDumb) posts on Reddit alot and I can tell:

  • He is very knowledgeable.
  • He is focused on quality and improving the industry. He calls out shady practices in the industry that are verifiable.
  • There are many people that respect and agree with him.
  • He has been in the space for a long time and is known for pursuing mission and long-term goals over short-term profits.

Another factor in my determination is that giving money to his company supports the development of novel nootropics that are easily accessible outside the medical model. I have a grudge against the medical system/FDA/government for how they handle psychedelics, MDMA, phenibut, tianeptine, racetams, and other substances that I believe people should have greater access to.

What is this place?

This website is a place for people who want to move past shady thinking and test their ideas in a court of people who don't all share the same biases. Our goal is to optimize for light, not heat; this is a group effort, and all commentators are asked to do their part.

The weekly Culture War threads host the most controversial topics and are the most visible aspect of The Motte. However, many other topics are appropriate here. We encourage people to post anything related to science, politics, or philosophy; if in doubt, post!

Check out The Vault for an archive of old quality posts. You are encouraged to crosspost these elsewhere.


Why are you called The Motte?

A motte is a stone keep on a raised earthwork common in early medieval fortifications. More pertinently, it's an element in a rhetorical move called a "Motte-and-Bailey", originally identified by philosopher Nicholas Shackel. It describes the tendency in discourse for people to move from a controversial but high value claim to a defensible but less exciting one upon any resistance to the former. He likens this to the medieval fortification, where a desirable land (the bailey) is abandoned when in danger for the more easily defended motte. In Shackel's words, "The Motte represents the defensible but undesired propositions to which one retreats when hard pressed."

On The Motte, always attempt to remain inside your defensible territory, even if you are not being pressed.


New post guidelines

If you're posting something that isn't related to the culture war, we encourage you to post a thread for it. A submission statement is highly appreciated, but isn't necessary for text posts or links to largely-text posts such as blogs or news articles; if we're unsure of the value of your post, we might remove it until you add a submission statement. A submission statement is required for non-text sources (videos, podcasts, images).

Culture war posts go in the culture war thread; all links must either include a submission statement or significant commentary. Bare links without those will be removed.

If in doubt, please post it!


Rules


Recommended Posts And Communities

Recommended Realtime Chats