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From the article: "More often, you will run into ordinary people under the influence of bad ideas—ideas that lead them to think and act in misguided, even monst
by exodust 4y ago
From the article: "More often, you will run into ordinary people under the influence of bad ideas—ideas that lead them to think and act in misguided, even monstrous ways."
So a presumptuous negativity lurks behind starman? The tone is like "we can cure those people infected with bad ideas, with healing power of compassion".
- rendall 4y agoI took that as more a way to reach those readers who already think this way. Kind of "If you are trying to reach someone who is under the influence of ideas you think are bad, try empathizing with the values that led them to these ideas."
- exodust 4y agoYou needed to change what they wrote in order to take it that way.
- rendall 4y agoNot really. I interpreted the quote in context of the whole, which you did not do.
- exodust 4y agoYou're missing the part where he says "monsters are so few in number that you’re unlikely to actually encounter one." No argument there. But then he continues: "more often, you will run into ordinary people under the influence of bad ideas... Our error is in assuming these people are lost to us." You can try all you like to give him a green pass of interpretation and context, but by no means is he speaking from the cynic's point of view. He is establishing that people are infected with bad ideas. His premise is about all the ignorant people out there you can "de-cloak" with compassionate star-manning. > "Many may still think this idea naïve, but they’re wrong." I think the idea is naive, and the author comes across as arrogant, and contradicts his own advice. If you disagree, you're wrong. Don't worry, I extend you compassion!