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This article is a classic instance of a thought-provoking thesis that is supported by interesting assertions that don't hold up to scrutiny. See Yuval Noah Har
by shermantanktop 3y ago
This article is a classic instance of a thought-provoking thesis that is supported by interesting assertions that don't hold up to scrutiny. See Yuval Noah Harari, Malcom Gladwell, Jared Diamond, etc. Every single one has included dilettante-level ideas that make a lot more sense when holding a beer.
The thesis is still interesting, and I don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.
- jameshart 3y agoThe purpose of the gin anecdote is less to provide an airtight proof of a scientific correlation, and more as a warmup act to get your mind to think about social behavior in a different way than you might naturally be inclined to. The author getting you to walk through a warmup exercise to get you ready to follow the argument they are about to make. Not every piece of writing is meant to function as an academic thesis.
- shermantanktop 3y agoHopefully it's clear that I agree with you - many critics are quick to make well-ackshually comments about this type of warmup content, and it misses the point.