Horrible lurching realisation: over the past couple of years, I’ve avoided unproductive online arguments. This has made me happier. I’ve also felt, over the past 18 months or so, that my general argument-forming faculties have gotten a little bit shoddy.
Since reading Lesswrong, I try to argue more. But not to win, rather, from the point of view that I am trying to understand how they think and to modify how they think. Lesswrong has allowed me to concede points that I don’t agree with, because I know that I can’t change their mind yet. It’s fun.
Horrible lurching realisation: over the past couple of years, I’ve avoided unproductive online arguments. This has made me happier. I’ve also felt, over the past 18 months or so, that my general argument-forming faculties have gotten a little bit shoddy.
This is worrying.
So long as your truth-discovering faculties are getting enough exercise, that seems like a fair trade.
Since reading Lesswrong, I try to argue more. But not to win, rather, from the point of view that I am trying to understand how they think and to modify how they think. Lesswrong has allowed me to concede points that I don’t agree with, because I know that I can’t change their mind yet. It’s fun.
My experience tends to be in line with yours.