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So much negativity in the comments. I think this concept of how to have a conversation on the internet, and how to understand someone’s point, and how to maybe

So much negativity in the comments. I think this concept of how to have a conversation on the internet, and how to understand someone’s point, and how to maybe even convince someone successfully is extremely important. Much more important than what ever is in vogue right now as the hot topic politically issues of today. I have a minor gripe though, there’s a contradiction in the writing. “ There’s a misconception that good faith discussion only happens in close-knit…” And then just a few paragraphs later “If you’re not willing to do this, then you’re not arguing in good faith in my book.“ but this is generally the default behaviour of people on the internet and the article is trying to convince you, and teach you how not to be like that. So I think indeed, good faith arguments pretty much don’t happen on the internet with rare exceptions. It’s not a misconception unless the misconception is taken as good faith arguments literally never happen except in close knit communities, but who believes that?

0xEF 2y ago
Back in my Reddit days, I learned it was also hard to have an honest discussion because people are suspicious of your motives. I would comment something like "I'd like to understand more about why you think X," and ask for clarification. These were met either with radio silence or very caged answers that just reiterated their point instead of explaining it further. IRL, people tend to become extremely guarded when someone questions their statements or beliefs (guilty, myself) because they automatically assume the person asking is trying to change their mind as opposed to make an effort to understand them. In the end, I think everyone just wants to feel heard. It's difficult to remember that sometimes online, easy to forget there is a person behind the keyboard who came to think differently because of their experiences and exposures.
- Izkata 2y ago
  > because they automatically assume the person asking is trying to change their mind as opposed to make an effort to understand them. That's a pretty negative view of something I think is much simpler: Most people, on most topics, remember the conclusions (opinions) formed when learning about the topic, but either don't remember how they got there or only vaguely remember the details.
DoctorOetker 2y ago
Good faith discussions are happening all the time on the internet, in machine readable proofs for formal verifiers.
jrochkind1 2y ago
I think the author meant (but is I agree not saying it clearly in those quotes) that while good-faith arguments are rare, there's a misconception they can only happen in close-knit communities, but in fact if one party, you the reader, engages using the methods I discuss here, you can create many good-faith arguments on the general internet, not just in close-knit communities.

0xEF 2y ago

Back in my Reddit days, I learned it was also hard to have an honest discussion because people are suspicious of your motives. I would comment something like "I'd like to understand more about why you think X," and ask for clarification. These were met either with radio silence or very caged answers that just reiterated their point instead of explaining it further. IRL, people tend to become extremely guarded when someone questions their statements or beliefs (guilty, myself) because they automatically assume the person asking is trying to change their mind as opposed to make an effort to understand them. In the end, I think everyone just wants to feel heard. It's difficult to remember that sometimes online, easy to forget there is a person behind the keyboard who came to think differently because of their experiences and exposures.

Izkata 2y ago
> because they automatically assume the person asking is trying to change their mind as opposed to make an effort to understand them. That's a pretty negative view of something I think is much simpler: Most people, on most topics, remember the conclusions (opinions) formed when learning about the topic, but either don't remember how they got there or only vaguely remember the details.

DoctorOetker 2y ago

Good faith discussions are happening all the time on the internet, in machine readable proofs for formal verifiers.

jrochkind1 2y ago

I think the author meant (but is I agree not saying it clearly in those quotes) that while good-faith arguments are rare, there's a misconception they can only happen in close-knit communities, but in fact if one party, you the reader, engages using the methods I discuss here, you can create many good-faith arguments on the general internet, not just in close-knit communities.