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I definitely see what you're referring to happen a lot. Ironically, one thing I also enjoy about HN is reading a questionable article and seeing the top comment
by sjtindell 5y ago
I definitely see what you're referring to happen a lot. Ironically, one thing I also enjoy about HN is reading a questionable article and seeing the top comment be a well thought out take down from someone who seems like a real expert. But it's true the top comment regularly seems to be a (sometimes egregiously wrong) takedown or downplaying.
- uoaei 5y agoI see the zealotry surrounding rationalism in this space but was always puzzled by it. Rationality is achieved when one merely makes rational arguments following some axiom or assumption. But it says nothing about the reasonableness of the axiom or assumption per se. It would seem that some folks employ faulty assumptions in supposedly rational discussions, assuming that they are winning the debate (whether it is a debate or not) without considering their blind spots.
- scoopertrooper 5y agoI don't think that's a fair criticism of deductive reasoning. A rational argument should absolutely try and drill down into assumptions. We might accept some assumptions for the sake of argument, but that doesn't take them off the table for unpicking once the main argument is made.
- prox 5y agoI noticed it depends a lot on the actual expertise of the commenter. Some are really high end, and comments follow to be interested. If it’s not, you see counterpoints arise fairly quickly.
- wolverine876 5y ago> someone who seems like a real expert They almost never seem like it to me. A suggestion: Look for whether they provide evidence, not just claims that anyone can type.