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The problem with some of these abstract arguments is that people forget to carve out exceptions for circumstances, and shifting norms. Nobody likes busybodies

The problem with some of these abstract arguments is that people forget to carve out exceptions for circumstances, and shifting norms. Nobody likes busybodies who calls the cops for the most mundane of neighbourhood infractions. But what happens when a bunch of people with different values move in? Will the people who just mind their business say anything? Do anything? Agree with both Gelman and Pinker here, around expectations of people having “an opinion”. But what’s missing from Gelman’s critique of the other fellow, is that you do also need leaders to enforce some norms. There should be some values. And if you can’t agree to what those values are, there definitely is a problem. Times have changed, there’s too much lazy tolerance now, and people do need to organize around some common values that isn’t just what is the progressive de jour.

_a_a_a_ 3y ago
> And if you can’t agree to what those values are, there definitely is a problem I don't see how that's the case. The only way we could agree entirely on those common values is to be entirely homogenous as a group, and that is not the case and in my view, deeply undesirable. (I suppose another way we could agree entirely is to be entirely conformist, but that doesn't seem very attractive either). > Times have changed, there’s too much lazy tolerance now, and people do need to organize around some common values that isn’t just what is the progressive de jour. Well that comes across as "I want more of my values in society, not yours because they are wrong". If you gave some reasons for why yours are correct and mine aren't, I'd be interested.