It’s one thing to say “I know X is controversial, but I want to assume it and talk about the consequences.” But saying that there “this article is for people who know X and not the ignorant” leaves it fair game to attack X.
I have a different complaint. Saying “Epstein stuff” and not being specific could create an alliance between people who believe contradictory things. This is a common pattern. For a crisp example, consider anti-carb as an alliance between people who think glucose is fine and fructose is poison with people who think the opposite.
It’s one thing to say “I know X is controversial, but I want to assume it and talk about the consequences.” But saying that there “this article is for people who know X and not the ignorant” leaves it fair game to attack X.
I have a different complaint. Saying “Epstein stuff” and not being specific could create an alliance between people who believe contradictory things. This is a common pattern. For a crisp example, consider anti-carb as an alliance between people who think glucose is fine and fructose is poison with people who think the opposite.