3 ms·

I don't know about you, but I don't expect anything more from alternet.

api 11y ago
I wish people understood that hyperbole weakens their position. It's an example of the seen vs. the unseen. What they see when they do this is lots and lots of clicks and lots of attention on social media, and that's interpreted as a win. What they don't see is all the more mature and informed people being swayed in the other direction since they understand that hyperbole signifies a lack of deeper comprehension.
- JoshTriplett 11y ago
  > I wish people understood that hyperbole weakens their position. Depends on the audience. Hyperbole won't convince anyone who fundamentally disagrees with you; you need a reasoned argument for that. But hyperbole can work wonders on people already slightly inclined towards your position but not yet acting on it.
  - api 11y ago
    I'm inclined to be suspicious of things like the TPP, but the hyperbole I see actually makes me wonder if it's a lot more benign. Of course there's a deeper underlying reason in my case: I am very deeply cynical about "activists" regardless of their political bent. Left, right, up, down, doesn't matter-- I've long observed that activists are True Believers for whom the victory of a pet ideology is more important than truth or reality. It really is equal opportunity: I am about as skeptical of Greenpeace's latest claim as I am of the religious right's recent "abortion doctors are selling chopped up fetus parts" outrage. I will take you seriously if you have a genuine grievance. Otherwise I see third party activism (moral outrage tourism?) today as largely a form of entertainment. It's something people do to feel morally superior and self-righteous or to be part of a "scene."
    - ossreality 11y ago
      lol, this position is even more senseless. "some people who might be irrational support X, so naturally I give Y more credence". I mean, if you're cool admitting that aloud...
- cLeEOGPw 11y ago
  It's questionable if their target audience are mature and informed people. Those people are usually harder to manipulate and extract money from.

api 11y ago

I wish people understood that hyperbole weakens their position. It's an example of the seen vs. the unseen. What they see when they do this is lots and lots of clicks and lots of attention on social media, and that's interpreted as a win. What they don't see is all the more mature and informed people being swayed in the other direction since they understand that hyperbole signifies a lack of deeper comprehension.

JoshTriplett 11y ago
> I wish people understood that hyperbole weakens their position. Depends on the audience. Hyperbole won't convince anyone who fundamentally disagrees with you; you need a reasoned argument for that. But hyperbole can work wonders on people already slightly inclined towards your position but not yet acting on it.
- api 11y ago
  I'm inclined to be suspicious of things like the TPP, but the hyperbole I see actually makes me wonder if it's a lot more benign. Of course there's a deeper underlying reason in my case: I am very deeply cynical about "activists" regardless of their political bent. Left, right, up, down, doesn't matter-- I've long observed that activists are True Believers for whom the victory of a pet ideology is more important than truth or reality. It really is equal opportunity: I am about as skeptical of Greenpeace's latest claim as I am of the religious right's recent "abortion doctors are selling chopped up fetus parts" outrage. I will take you seriously if you have a genuine grievance. Otherwise I see third party activism (moral outrage tourism?) today as largely a form of entertainment. It's something people do to feel morally superior and self-righteous or to be part of a "scene."
  - ossreality 11y ago
    lol, this position is even more senseless. "some people who might be irrational support X, so naturally I give Y more credence". I mean, if you're cool admitting that aloud...
cLeEOGPw 11y ago
It's questionable if their target audience are mature and informed people. Those people are usually harder to manipulate and extract money from.