You may feel that way because many of your online conversations are with us at the LessWrong IRC, which is known for its high level of intellectual vigor. The great majority of online conversations are not as rigorous as we are. I suspect that IRL conversations with other lesswrongers will have equal dependence on citations, references, for example.
If I take a minute to locate the right source for an argument that’s completely fine for a discussion on Lesswrong and even IRC.
It’s not fine for a live face to face conversation.
I think that depends on local norms. In one of my old social groups finding information online was practically expected. It helped that conversations were generally between four or five people, so there could be related tangential discussion while someone was looking something up.
“Excuse me, I need to go to the toilet for a sec, I’ll be right back.” (But that would probably have the side effect of making you come across as a dick, even if you turn out to be right.)
I suspect that IRL conversations with other lesswrongers will have equal dependence on citations, references, for example.
I’ve actually noticed that in many real life conversations, I’ve found myself saying that I’ll email people links to articles, essays, etc. Online, it’s much easier to do this directly.
You may feel that way because many of your online conversations are with us at the LessWrong IRC, which is known for its high level of intellectual vigor. The great majority of online conversations are not as rigorous as we are. I suspect that IRL conversations with other lesswrongers will have equal dependence on citations, references, for example.
I can”t cite the same number of sources in real life because I don’t have all of them in memory. In real life I can’t run a quick search for a source.
...unless you carry a smartphone with you. :-)
(But the signalling effects of that may not be desirable in all social circles.)
I do carry the phone with me but taken out the phone interrupts the conversation.
If I take a minute to locate the right source for an argument that’s completely fine for a discussion on Lesswrong and even IRC.
It’s not fine for a live face to face conversation.
I think that depends on local norms. In one of my old social groups finding information online was practically expected. It helped that conversations were generally between four or five people, so there could be related tangential discussion while someone was looking something up.
“Excuse me, I need to go to the toilet for a sec, I’ll be right back.” (But that would probably have the side effect of making you come across as a dick, even if you turn out to be right.)
I’ve actually noticed that in many real life conversations, I’ve found myself saying that I’ll email people links to articles, essays, etc. Online, it’s much easier to do this directly.