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The problem with all this nudging and using of biases to influence people is that it is hardly better than spicing their drinks with drugs to make them more com
by jonathanstrange 10y ago
The problem with all this nudging and using of biases to influence people is that it is hardly better than spicing their drinks with drugs to make them more complacent and willing to agree.
In my personal experience, being honest and reasonable, sticking to the facts and presenting good arguments have worked better in the long run than any eristic tricks. It depends, though, there are some fields where arguments do not really count and people are fairly irrational anyway, so I don't want to condemn these methods in general. Just as a tendency, it seems better to take other people seriously rather than only as allies or antagonists and as mere means to an end.
- TruthSHIFT 10y agoWhy not both? Can you also pre-suade someone and then present an honest and reasonable argument?
- TeMPOraL 10y agoYou can, but you have to ask yourself, if you should. Aside of the moral issue of performing a hostile action to limit other side's agency, you should also consider how - if discovered - it will affect your relationship with the other side, as well as your reputation.
- user5994461 10y agoYou can't compare that. Drugs is easier to use, doesn't require training, and works all the time.
- a3n 10y agoDrugs in someone's drink doesn't scale. Except tap water, I guess, but large conspiracies are hard to hide.
- dsfyu404ed 10y agohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_fluoridation_controversy#Communist_conspiracy_theory_.281940s.E2.80.931960s.29 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_fluoridation_controversy...
- MichaelMoser123 10y agoI never got it that Jack Ripper and bis bodily fluids in Dr Strangelove were meant to be a reference to anti fluoridation campaigners
- firethief 10y ago> Fluoridation is the most monstrously conceived and dangerous communist plot we have ever had to face.
- evincarofautumn 10y agoYeah, there’s an enormous difference between software exploits (cognitive biases) and hardware exploits (drugs). Although both are basically an infringement on free will, even if someone plants an idea in my mind, I’m still much less vulnerable than if they give me something (alcohol/GHB/scopolamine) to force me to be more suggestible.
- TeMPOraL 10y agoI agree with your personal experience, and I also dislike such methods. That said, I'm reminded of what I recently read in "Getting to Yes", which commented on underhand tactics. While not recommending them (and refraining from opinionating on morals), the book pointed out some things to consider; particularly: - whether or not the other side is someone you'll want to maintain a longer-term relationship with - how use of such methods affects your reputation as a negotiator
- hammock 10y agoGood considerations that shed light on why your experience with a new car salesman (representing a car manufacturer that is vying for your loyalty) can be so different from a salesman on a used car lot. See also those late night infomercials that pack as many "parlor tricks" as they can into an ad, for a product from a fly-by-night company that you don't even know the name of.
- SilasX 10y ago>The problem with all this nudging and using of biases to influence people is that it is hardly better than spicing their drinks with drugs to make them more complacent and willing to agree. Funny that you mention that, because one of the recommended, "ethical" techniques mentioned in Influence is to serve caffeine to make the other party more compliant.