I mostly agree with the previous commenter who called this post “applause lights.” Reading it, many objections come to mind (some of which have already been voiced in other comments):
“Planting seeds” suggests starting a self-perpetuating chain reaction, but the post presents no evidence that any of the proposed methods are effective in this regard.
The post doesn’t draw on any existing knowledge in the area of influencing public opinion. For example, to me it seems pretty evident that public opinion normally flows only in one direction, namely down the social hierarchy of status, and any attempt to change it will be successful only insofar as it changes the influential higher-status levels. Otherwise, any success will be temporary and soon drowned. Whether or not you agree with this, any practical proposal for influencing public opinion must assume some such model, and it’s crucial not to assume a wrong one.
Similarly, there is no discussion of how to avoid making a negative contribution. For people with less than spectacular communication skills, following some of the advice in the post may result in low-status behaviors that will lower people’s opinion of the cause associated with them. (I’m not saying your advice necessarily leads to this, just that it’s easy to end up applying it that way.)
What is the exact goal of the desired change? Presumably it is to lead people to form more accurate beliefs across the board. But even assuming this can be done, is it really desirable? I don’t think this question can be answered affirmatively either at the individual or at the social level. It seems evident to me that in some significant cases one is better off not adjusting one’s beliefs towards greater accuracy, and moreover, in every human society there are widespread beliefs that wouldn’t survive rational scrutiny but nevertheless play crucial signaling and coordination roles, and it’s not at all clear whether organized society is possible without them. So what are the exact goals of “spread[ing] rationality on a mass scale,” and what argument exists that the results would be positive (by whatever measure)?
The post doesn’t draw on any existing knowledge in the area of influencing public opinion. For example, to me it seems pretty evident that public opinion normally flows only in one direction, namely down the social hierarchy of status, and any attempt to change it will be successful only insofar as it changes the influential higher-status levels.
Not invariably. I’ve certainly had a substantial impact on some of my professors’ views on rationality.
Indeed, but that’s exactly the point: influencing opinion higher up the status hierarchy is more difficult and more effective. If you really care about influencing opinion, and you don’t already have an influential platform, the really difficult problem is how to come up with strategies that are both feasible and effective.
Indeed, but that’s exactly the point: influencing opinion higher up the status hierarchy is more difficult and more effective.
Far, far harder overall. But if you have money (or other power substitute) then the high status people are easier to buy. Not only are they already (on average more) corrupt they are also a lot better at adjusting their beliefs according to what will benefit them. That is, after all, a big contributor to getting the high status in the first place.
Besides, that flow of opinion from high to low status apes is only the default. It’s important to be aware of the impact of status on ape behaviour if you want to change things, but mostly so that we can be aware of its effect on us and then question it.
You don’t have to influence the opinions of high-status individuals: just influence a few lower-status individuals to weigh those opinions mindfully against the facts. Those then gain status among their peers for their clever and original take on things, re-distributing a little ape-status in the direction of rationality.
I mostly agree with the previous commenter who called this post “applause lights.” Reading it, many objections come to mind (some of which have already been voiced in other comments):
“Planting seeds” suggests starting a self-perpetuating chain reaction, but the post presents no evidence that any of the proposed methods are effective in this regard.
The post doesn’t draw on any existing knowledge in the area of influencing public opinion. For example, to me it seems pretty evident that public opinion normally flows only in one direction, namely down the social hierarchy of status, and any attempt to change it will be successful only insofar as it changes the influential higher-status levels. Otherwise, any success will be temporary and soon drowned. Whether or not you agree with this, any practical proposal for influencing public opinion must assume some such model, and it’s crucial not to assume a wrong one.
Similarly, there is no discussion of how to avoid making a negative contribution. For people with less than spectacular communication skills, following some of the advice in the post may result in low-status behaviors that will lower people’s opinion of the cause associated with them. (I’m not saying your advice necessarily leads to this, just that it’s easy to end up applying it that way.)
What is the exact goal of the desired change? Presumably it is to lead people to form more accurate beliefs across the board. But even assuming this can be done, is it really desirable? I don’t think this question can be answered affirmatively either at the individual or at the social level. It seems evident to me that in some significant cases one is better off not adjusting one’s beliefs towards greater accuracy, and moreover, in every human society there are widespread beliefs that wouldn’t survive rational scrutiny but nevertheless play crucial signaling and coordination roles, and it’s not at all clear whether organized society is possible without them. So what are the exact goals of “spread[ing] rationality on a mass scale,” and what argument exists that the results would be positive (by whatever measure)?
Not invariably. I’ve certainly had a substantial impact on some of my professors’ views on rationality.
Indeed, but that’s exactly the point: influencing opinion higher up the status hierarchy is more difficult and more effective. If you really care about influencing opinion, and you don’t already have an influential platform, the really difficult problem is how to come up with strategies that are both feasible and effective.
Far, far harder overall. But if you have money (or other power substitute) then the high status people are easier to buy. Not only are they already (on average more) corrupt they are also a lot better at adjusting their beliefs according to what will benefit them. That is, after all, a big contributor to getting the high status in the first place.
Besides, that flow of opinion from high to low status apes is only the default. It’s important to be aware of the impact of status on ape behaviour if you want to change things, but mostly so that we can be aware of its effect on us and then question it.
You don’t have to influence the opinions of high-status individuals: just influence a few lower-status individuals to weigh those opinions mindfully against the facts. Those then gain status among their peers for their clever and original take on things, re-distributing a little ape-status in the direction of rationality.