PurposeSometimes an argument is built on hidden rules or values. “Thinking outside the box” means stepping outside the way the argument is set up so you can see it from a new angle. This can help you find blind spots, unfair rules, or hidden trade-offs. Quick Example Them: “Everyone should eat lunch at the same … Continue reading Thinking Outside the Box
Tag: discussion
Peaceful Practices: A Guide To Healthy Communication In Conflict
"'It takes practice and intention to communicate well in the midst of conflict,' says Jes Stoltzfus Buller, MCC U.S. peace education coordinator and author of the curriculum. 'If we can learn to embody healthy dialogue habitually in interpersonal interaction, it will ripple out and affect our communities and society.'" -"Peaceful Practices: A guide to healthy communication in conflict." Mennonite Central Committee. The … Continue reading Peaceful Practices: A Guide To Healthy Communication In Conflict
Illiberalism, Cancel Culture, Free Speech, and The Internet
"Bad faith is the condition of the modern internet, and shitposting is its lingua franca. On—yes—both sides. Look: A professional Twitter troll is president. Trolling won. Perhaps it’s time to acknowledge that despite their centrality, online platforms aren’t suited to the earnest exchange of big ideas."—Lili Loofbourow, "Illiberalism Isn’t to Blame for the Death of … Continue reading Illiberalism, Cancel Culture, Free Speech, and The Internet
Attack, Reframe, Normalize and Politicize
The playbook is: Attack, reframe, normalize and politicize. The goal is not rational discussion but repetition. I could write a bot to make far right political comments in Internet forums, and people do. Which leaves the question: how should we respond to people whose ideas could algorithmically programmed and whose goal is repetition? One place … Continue reading Attack, Reframe, Normalize and Politicize
Change Your Conversations/Life
tl;dr: Discussions with people with love and respect done in the spirit of discovery of truth can be a powerful force for personal change. Without love, respect and a concern for truth, discussions devolve into signalling group allegiances and programming / deprogramming The Others and is best avoided. "Anti-idiotarianism: Opposition to idiots of all political … Continue reading Change Your Conversations/Life
The Uselessness of Discussion to Find Truth
"‘Every philosopher runs away when he or she hears say 'Let’s discuss this.' Discussion, they claimed ‘are fine for roundabout talks, but philosophy throws its dice on another table. The best one can say about discussions is that they take things no farther, since the participants never talk about the same thing.’" —Gilles Deleuze and … Continue reading The Uselessness of Discussion to Find Truth
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