4 ms·

I just want you to understand that you're coming across as if you want people not to discuss most things in their lives, because as you say, we're hardly expert

by Zetice 3y ago

I just want you to understand that you're coming across as if you want people not to discuss most things in their lives, because as you say, we're hardly experts on most things. Being wrong is completely okay, and trying to police what people discuss with one another is a dark road to go down. Besides, where do you draw the line? Do I need a specific number of course hours completed? Some number of books read? Three or more articles published on the topic? Discussion, particularly in writing, is a form of thinking, and thinking with others is infinitely more productive than thinking alone, so if what you're asking is for folks to stop thinking about topics they're not experts on, I'm sorry but no. That's not going to happen.

godelski 3y ago
> I just want you to understand that you're coming across as if you want people not to discuss most things in their lives, because as you say, we're hardly experts on most things. Thank you. If you have any suggestions as to how to make my point clearer, I'd greatly appreciate it. I hope it is clear now, but obviously I can always improve. I do want to promote discussions, but that also means wanting to decrease arguments. Especially arguments that are uninformed and ones which has a clear answer (or lack of) from the domain experts. Where to draw the line of domain expertise is not clear, you're right. Academia is one example of a way to pass that line but I wouldn't say the only means as it is just a method that correlates with sufficient knowledge gain. But I also wouldn't say that watching some YouTube videos does not constitute expertise (more explicitly, videos by science communicators rather than lectures). The boundary is fuzzy, but that should put pressure to reduce confidence (which is good for science and truth seeking) rather than increase it. Discussion is not only fine, but actively encouraged. We're having one right now and at least on my side I don't feel like this is a argumentative. I tried to clarify this previously but I guess this is difficult. I'm not sure how to make myself more clear so all I can do is ask that you read more carefully with the updated knowledge that there's a substantial amount that I agree with you on (differences are in finer points) and request that you point out specifically where what I said may be confusing or resulted in misinterpretation. Hoping that this can facilitate a better discussion, if you still wish to have one.
- Zetice 3y ago
  I guess I just don't understand your point, if it isn't meant to stifle conversation in a practical sense. Is there any other way you can put that idea, that might make it easier for me to understand?

by Zetice 3y ago

godelski 3y ago

> I just want you to understand that you're coming across as if you want people not to discuss most things in their lives, because as you say, we're hardly experts on most things. Thank you. If you have any suggestions as to how to make my point clearer, I'd greatly appreciate it. I hope it is clear now, but obviously I can always improve. I do want to promote discussions, but that also means wanting to decrease arguments. Especially arguments that are uninformed and ones which has a clear answer (or lack of) from the domain experts. Where to draw the line of domain expertise is not clear, you're right. Academia is one example of a way to pass that line but I wouldn't say the only means as it is just a method that correlates with sufficient knowledge gain. But I also wouldn't say that watching some YouTube videos does not constitute expertise (more explicitly, videos by science communicators rather than lectures). The boundary is fuzzy, but that should put pressure to reduce confidence (which is good for science and truth seeking) rather than increase it. Discussion is not only fine, but actively encouraged. We're having one right now and at least on my side I don't feel like this is a argumentative. I tried to clarify this previously but I guess this is difficult. I'm not sure how to make myself more clear so all I can do is ask that you read more carefully with the updated knowledge that there's a substantial amount that I agree with you on (differences are in finer points) and request that you point out specifically where what I said may be confusing or resulted in misinterpretation. Hoping that this can facilitate a better discussion, if you still wish to have one.

Zetice 3y ago
I guess I just don't understand your point, if it isn't meant to stifle conversation in a practical sense. Is there any other way you can put that idea, that might make it easier for me to understand?