Zach’s post is not vibe-neutral because nothing is vibe-neutral. There’s a subtextual claim that: 1. when people criticize your arguments you should take it as a gift 2. when you criticise other people’s opinions you should present it as a gift. 3. when “debating” be chill, as if you are at the grocery store check-out
I think this is a good strategy, and that (2) actually can succeed at at quelling bad emotional reaction. If you present an argument as an attack, or prematurely apologize for attacking, it will be felt like an attack. If you just present it with kindness, people will realize you mean no harm. If you present it with a detached professional “objectivity” and like actually feel [i just care about the truth] then … well some people would still react badly but it should usually be fine. could be done with a bit more finesse maybe.
There’s also 4. this is the right frame that people who read LW ought to take to debates with other people who read LW. Which I also agree with.
[I’m probably reading into Zach’s writing stuff that he didn’t intend to imply. But death of the author; I’m following the advice of the post]
Zach’s post is not vibe-neutral because nothing is vibe-neutral. There’s a subtextual claim that: 1. when people criticize your arguments you should take it as a gift 2. when you criticise other people’s opinions you should present it as a gift. 3. when “debating” be chill, as if you are at the grocery store check-out
I think this is a good strategy, and that (2) actually can succeed at at quelling bad emotional reaction. If you present an argument as an attack, or prematurely apologize for attacking, it will be felt like an attack. If you just present it with kindness, people will realize you mean no harm. If you present it with a detached professional “objectivity” and like actually feel [i just care about the truth] then … well some people would still react badly but it should usually be fine. could be done with a bit more finesse maybe.
There’s also 4. this is the right frame that people who read LW ought to take to debates with other people who read LW. Which I also agree with.
[I’m probably reading into Zach’s writing stuff that he didn’t intend to imply. But death of the author; I’m following the advice of the post]