How would you characterize the process that resulted in homosexuality becoming socially unacceptable in the first place? And how would you characterize the process that resulted in homosexuality becoming increasingly socially acceptable?
In my experience, an important part of the former process is marginalizing the unacceptable minority and encouraging the “mainstream” to think of them as basically alien. “Othering” them, to use a bit of popular jargon. And an important part of the latter process is getting people to acknowledge the actual perspectives of the unacceptable minority.
I expect the former to be a lot more difficult and the latter easier when we can all experience their thoughts.
So, yeah, I expect it to be a lot harder in the shminux-telepathy scenario to get these sorts of arbitrary strong hatreds started in the first place, and a lot easier to get rid of them. Is it guaranteed? No, of course not. But I like my odds a lot better than in the “normal” society, where harmful prejudice is demonstrably possible. (To put it mildly.)
The thing you’re missing is that malice directed against people one doesn’t like can be quite a strong pleasure.
Sure, of course it is, agreed. Smashing people’s windows in the real world can be a hoot, too. And yet, despite the fact that we all have the physical ability to smash each others’ windows, it somehow turns out that most windows stay unsmashed. Why do you think that is?
For my part, I think it’s because most people are capable of abstaining from an act that would be pleasurable if the act is sufficiently antisocial, and generally choose to do so.
No, I’m not just saying “it might work”. As I said, I like my odds a lot better in the telepathic society than in the “normal” society, for the reasons I gave.
If you disagree with me, and think your odds are better in the normal society, that’s a good enough reason to opt out. Which is fine. But I’ve made a claim and you disagree with it.
I have no idea where “early adopter” comes from here; in this scenario both societies have existing members.
How would you characterize the process that resulted in homosexuality becoming socially unacceptable in the first place? And how would you characterize the process that resulted in homosexuality becoming increasingly socially acceptable?
In my experience, an important part of the former process is marginalizing the unacceptable minority and encouraging the “mainstream” to think of them as basically alien. “Othering” them, to use a bit of popular jargon. And an important part of the latter process is getting people to acknowledge the actual perspectives of the unacceptable minority.
I expect the former to be a lot more difficult and the latter easier when we can all experience their thoughts.
So, yeah, I expect it to be a lot harder in the shminux-telepathy scenario to get these sorts of arbitrary strong hatreds started in the first place, and a lot easier to get rid of them. Is it guaranteed? No, of course not. But I like my odds a lot better than in the “normal” society, where harmful prejudice is demonstrably possible. (To put it mildly.)
Sure, of course it is, agreed.
Smashing people’s windows in the real world can be a hoot, too.
And yet, despite the fact that we all have the physical ability to smash each others’ windows, it somehow turns out that most windows stay unsmashed.
Why do you think that is?
For my part, I think it’s because most people are capable of abstaining from an act that would be pleasurable if the act is sufficiently antisocial, and generally choose to do so.
You’re giving reasons why it might work—I still think my reasons are strong enough for it to be reasonable to not be an early adopter.
No, I’m not just saying “it might work”. As I said, I like my odds a lot better in the telepathic society than in the “normal” society, for the reasons I gave.
If you disagree with me, and think your odds are better in the normal society, that’s a good enough reason to opt out. Which is fine. But I’ve made a claim and you disagree with it.
I have no idea where “early adopter” comes from here; in this scenario both societies have existing members.