I would describe the problem as a combination of privileging the hypothesis and privileging the question. First, even granted that you want to both be consistent and help your friends, it’s not clear that telling them about the seminar is the most helpful thing you can do for your friends; there are lots of other hypotheses you could try generating if you were given the time. Second, there are lots of other things you might want and do something about wanting, and someone’s privileging the question by bringing these particular things to your attention in this particular way.
This objection applies pretty much verbatim to most things strangers might try to persuade you to do, e.g. donate money to their charity.
I would describe the problem as a combination of privileging the hypothesis and privileging the question. First, even granted that you want to both be consistent and help your friends, it’s not clear that telling them about the seminar is the most helpful thing you can do for your friends; there are lots of other hypotheses you could try generating if you were given the time. Second, there are lots of other things you might want and do something about wanting, and someone’s privileging the question by bringing these particular things to your attention in this particular way.
This objection applies pretty much verbatim to most things strangers might try to persuade you to do, e.g. donate money to their charity.