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Operate from a position of excruciating reasonableness. Put a firewall between your beliefs and your words. Approach sensitive topics delicately and obliquely.
by jdietrich 9y ago
Operate from a position of excruciating reasonableness. Put a firewall between your beliefs and your words. Approach sensitive topics delicately and obliquely. Acknowledge both "sides" of the debate in a patient and compassionate manner, whilst also signalling that you clearly recognise the edges of the Overton window.
Never argue for any particular position; present a series of facts and ideas, then allow your audience to come to their own conclusion. Nobody likes being told what to think, but most people take great satisfaction in joining up the dots for themselves.
Some people might still call you a Nazi, but your obvious reasonableness will be a near-infallible shield; they'll look silly and you'll look dignified.
Study marketing. Major corporations have invested billions in developing powerful persuasion methods, so loot their arsenal. You can sell a political position in exactly the same way as a can of fizzy drink, with immeasurably greater success than someone using the traditional techniques of political rhetoric.
- kristianc 9y ago> Operate from a position of excruciating reasonableness. Put a firewall between your beliefs and your words. Approach sensitive topics delicately and obliquely. Acknowledge both "sides" of the debate in a patient and compassionate manner, whilst also signalling that you clearly recognise the edges of the Overton window. This is probably somewhere where the left could take lessons from rationalist YouTube. Many of the arguments are presented in this way, always taking pains to express their logical credentials and remaining reasonable. Of course the evidence is heavily selected, but that is not mentioned. Then, when 'progressives' shout at them, it is progressives who seem shrill and absurd.
- maxerickson 9y agoWhat's a logical credential?
- fao_ 9y agoThat... that's really not the case for most of "rationalist" youtube. Examples of rebuttals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAmM872874A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAmM872874A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc24YtUslCU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc24YtUslCU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYQo6LI3Y7c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYQo6LI3Y7c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahuj1B0ow4U https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahuj1B0ow4U https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpgBkpb7xlU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpgBkpb7xlU
- leereeves 9y agoAll five of those videos are from one person. How is that "most of rationalist youtube"?
- fao_ 9y agoHe critiques a fair chunk of rationalist youtube.