Primarily because I get a lot of glee out of meta-contrarianism and talking in a way that would make stereotypical aspiring rationalists think I was crazy. Secondarily because the language is culturally rich. Tertiarily because I figure out what smart people actually mean when they talk about faith, charkras, souls, et cetera, and it’s fun to rediscover those concepts and find their naturalistic basis. Quaternarily it allows me to practice charity in interpretation and steel-manning of bad arguments. Zerothly (I forgot the most important reason!) it is easier to speak in such a way, which makes it easier to see implications and decompartmentalize knowledge. Senarily it is more aesthetic than rationalistic jargon.
I agree, though I was describing the case where I can do both simultaneously (when I’m talking to people who either don’t mind or join in on the fun). This post was more an example of just not realizing that the use of the word ‘theism’ would have such negative and distracting connotations.
Tertiarily because I figure out what smart people actually mean when they talk about faith, charkras, souls, et cetera, and it’s fun to rediscover those concepts and find their naturalistic basis.
Except I think it’s safe to say this sort of thing typically isn’t what they mean, merely what they perhaps might mean if they were thinking more clearly. And it’s not at all clear how you could find analogs to the more concrete religious ideas (e.g. chakras or the holy trinity).
Quaternarily it allows me to practice charity in interpretation and steel-manning of bad arguments.
If the person would violently disagree that this is in fact what they intended to say, I’m not sure it can be called “charity of interpretation” anymore. And while I agree steel-manning of bad arguments is important, to do it to such an extent seems to be essentially allowing your attention to be hijacked by anyone with a hypothesis to privilege.
Primarily because I get a lot of glee out of meta-contrarianism and talking in a way that would make stereotypical aspiring rationalists think I was crazy. Secondarily because the language is culturally rich. Tertiarily because I figure out what smart people actually mean when they talk about faith, charkras, souls, et cetera, and it’s fun to rediscover those concepts and find their naturalistic basis. Quaternarily it allows me to practice charity in interpretation and steel-manning of bad arguments. Zerothly (I forgot the most important reason!) it is easier to speak in such a way, which makes it easier to see implications and decompartmentalize knowledge. Senarily it is more aesthetic than rationalistic jargon.
I agree that verbal masturbation is fun, but it’s not helpful when you’re tying to actually communicate with people. Consider purchasing contrarian glee and communication separately.
That’s a good point, but where do you recommend getting contrarian glee separate from communication?
Cached thoughts: Crackpot Theory (48 readers)? Closet Survey, The Strangest Thing An AI Could Tell You, The Irrationality Game? Omegle?
I wish crackpot theories were considered a legitimate form of art. They’re like fantasy worldbuilding but better.
Here, of course.
I agree, though I was describing the case where I can do both simultaneously (when I’m talking to people who either don’t mind or join in on the fun). This post was more an example of just not realizing that the use of the word ‘theism’ would have such negative and distracting connotations.
Except I think it’s safe to say this sort of thing typically isn’t what they mean, merely what they perhaps might mean if they were thinking more clearly. And it’s not at all clear how you could find analogs to the more concrete religious ideas (e.g. chakras or the holy trinity).
If the person would violently disagree that this is in fact what they intended to say, I’m not sure it can be called “charity of interpretation” anymore. And while I agree steel-manning of bad arguments is important, to do it to such an extent seems to be essentially allowing your attention to be hijacked by anyone with a hypothesis to privilege.