5 ms·

Huh? This just seems like a bunch of name-calling. > I don't know about you, but to me it seems like a comical case of the psychiatrist being the one who's in

by hcta 6y ago

Huh? This just seems like a bunch of name-calling. > I don't know about you, but to me it seems like a comical case of the psychiatrist being the one who's in need of help. In what way? Can you spell it out a little? What about "Lorien", "Valinor" and rationalist blog posts indicates a problem?

bedobi 6y ago
Even the label "rationalist" itself is pathetic, and very revealing. It's basically a way to signal "I am right, take my word for it". And no, while I enjoyed reading and watching the lord of the rings as much as anyone, I'm very confident most people would agree that the type of person who surrounds themselves with other hardcore Tolkien fans and makes subtle Tolkien references in everyday life don't tend to be what you'd call the most well-adjusted people. I just realized both the previous and the new name of his blog is an anagram of his name. Again, this sends a certain signal, which is evidently very appealing to a lot of people, but to me screams "run".
- ccarterlandis 6y ago
  How is "rationalist" pathetic? What's it's revealing of? In what ways does it signal that he's right? Did you even read why he uses that term? [0] > the type of person who surrounds themselves with other hardcore Tolkien fans and makes subtle Tolkien references in everyday life don't tend to be what you'd call the most well-adjusted people Yeah, God forbid I surround myself with people who really enjoy similar things as me and like to make references to pop culture. That would just be so unbearable! You must be a lot of fun at Comic-Con. I don't think most people would agree with you here, and it just makes you sound absolutely insufferable to be around. > I just realized both the previous and the new name of his blog is an anagram of his name. Again, this sends a certain signal I want to believe so badly that you're trolling here. I don't understand how or why using an anagram of your name sends any sort of "signal", it's just a fun way to come up with a name that means nothing. This might be one of the biggest reaches for something to be angry about that I've seen in a long time. [0]: https://astralcodexten.substack.com/p/youre-probably-wondering-why-ive https://astralcodexten.substack.com/p/youre-probably-wonderi... EDIT: fixed a typo
  - foldr 6y ago
    Everyone tries to reason correctly when they reason (just as no-one deliberately performs arithmetic incorrectly). Self-identifying rationalists are often simply people who are too quick to jump to the conclusion that people who disagree with them are irrational.
    - bedobi 6y ago
      Couldn't have said it better
- scatters 6y ago
  > I just realized both the previous and the new name of his blog is an anagram of his name. Well, you have to call it something . What would you think of a composer writing the initials of their name into their works, I wonder?
- civilized 6y ago
  I know plenty of well-adjusted Tolkien fans. What screams "run" to me is when someone hurls epithets like "neckbeard" based on liking some popular author, or enjoying word games like anagrams, or declaring that they adhere to a certain philosophy of life that values rationality (which, far from being just an excuse to declare oneself right all the time, demands that we declare openly when we believe we may be on thin ice, as Scott frequently does). Being so eager to judge people on such superficial characteristics indicates narcissism, immaturity, and a lack of appreciation for human diversity.
  - ccarterlandis 6y ago
    I wish I could have made this comment. I wanted to make the same points, but my reply to this comment was much angrier and accusatory, and was not nearly as civilized or mature as yours. I will try to emulate this style of rebuttal in the future, and to be a little nicer when I can, even when I'm angry. Your username definitely fits!!

by hcta 6y ago

bedobi 6y ago

Even the label "rationalist" itself is pathetic, and very revealing. It's basically a way to signal "I am right, take my word for it". And no, while I enjoyed reading and watching the lord of the rings as much as anyone, I'm very confident most people would agree that the type of person who surrounds themselves with other hardcore Tolkien fans and makes subtle Tolkien references in everyday life don't tend to be what you'd call the most well-adjusted people. I just realized both the previous and the new name of his blog is an anagram of his name. Again, this sends a certain signal, which is evidently very appealing to a lot of people, but to me screams "run".

ccarterlandis 6y ago
How is "rationalist" pathetic? What's it's revealing of? In what ways does it signal that he's right? Did you even read why he uses that term? [0] > the type of person who surrounds themselves with other hardcore Tolkien fans and makes subtle Tolkien references in everyday life don't tend to be what you'd call the most well-adjusted people Yeah, God forbid I surround myself with people who really enjoy similar things as me and like to make references to pop culture. That would just be so unbearable! You must be a lot of fun at Comic-Con. I don't think most people would agree with you here, and it just makes you sound absolutely insufferable to be around. > I just realized both the previous and the new name of his blog is an anagram of his name. Again, this sends a certain signal I want to believe so badly that you're trolling here. I don't understand how or why using an anagram of your name sends any sort of "signal", it's just a fun way to come up with a name that means nothing. This might be one of the biggest reaches for something to be angry about that I've seen in a long time. [0]: https://astralcodexten.substack.com/p/youre-probably-wondering-why-ive https://astralcodexten.substack.com/p/youre-probably-wonderi... EDIT: fixed a typo
- foldr 6y ago
  Everyone tries to reason correctly when they reason (just as no-one deliberately performs arithmetic incorrectly). Self-identifying rationalists are often simply people who are too quick to jump to the conclusion that people who disagree with them are irrational.
  - bedobi 6y ago
    Couldn't have said it better
scatters 6y ago
> I just realized both the previous and the new name of his blog is an anagram of his name. Well, you have to call it something . What would you think of a composer writing the initials of their name into their works, I wonder?
civilized 6y ago
I know plenty of well-adjusted Tolkien fans. What screams "run" to me is when someone hurls epithets like "neckbeard" based on liking some popular author, or enjoying word games like anagrams, or declaring that they adhere to a certain philosophy of life that values rationality (which, far from being just an excuse to declare oneself right all the time, demands that we declare openly when we believe we may be on thin ice, as Scott frequently does). Being so eager to judge people on such superficial characteristics indicates narcissism, immaturity, and a lack of appreciation for human diversity.
- ccarterlandis 6y ago
  I wish I could have made this comment. I wanted to make the same points, but my reply to this comment was much angrier and accusatory, and was not nearly as civilized or mature as yours. I will try to emulate this style of rebuttal in the future, and to be a little nicer when I can, even when I'm angry. Your username definitely fits!!