It frustrates me on Less Wrong that I cannot call certain views crazy without being called leftist
If one called religion “crazy”, one would be likely to be an atheist. And if an American lists a bunch of Republican views and call them all crazy, without doing anything similar about any Democrat-held view I’d consider them likely to be a Democrat (or a libertarian but, since you seem to dislike libertarianism, that’s unlikely in your case).
On my part, it frustrates me that you see calling certain views “crazy” as supposedly being dissent or an argument. No! Calling a different view “crazy” without any argument about why, is a status game—it’s an attempt to shut down dissent by deliberately lowering the status of the people that even attempt to discuss the issue.
i.e. they aren’t just in really strong disagreement with you (something which would put them on an equal level), they are insane wackos, and nobody sane could possibly hold any doubt about the issue, or worse yet defend the views, or worse yet share them. It’s an attempt to throw said views outside the Overton window.
On my part I’m actually sympathetic about such status games. I’m a progressive. I wish that e.g. neonazism in Greece had been destroyed, and same with lots of other vile crazy views. I don’t want to discuss with Greek neonazis, I want them utterly destroyed and thrown out of any political discussion completely.
But you seek the same about your political opponents (seemingly Republicans), while also seemingly denying you so seek it.
People on LessWrong, however, have the ability to recognize status games when they see them.
If one called religion “crazy”, one would be likely to be an atheist. And if an American lists a bunch of Republican views and call them all crazy, without doing anything similar about any Democrat-held view I’d consider them likely to be a Democrat (or a libertarian but, since you seem to dislike libertarianism, that’s unlikely in your case).
On my part, it frustrates me that you see calling certain views “crazy” as supposedly being dissent or an argument. No! Calling a different view “crazy” without any argument about why, is a status game—it’s an attempt to shut down dissent by deliberately lowering the status of the people that even attempt to discuss the issue.
i.e. they aren’t just in really strong disagreement with you (something which would put them on an equal level), they are insane wackos, and nobody sane could possibly hold any doubt about the issue, or worse yet defend the views, or worse yet share them. It’s an attempt to throw said views outside the Overton window.
On my part I’m actually sympathetic about such status games. I’m a progressive. I wish that e.g. neonazism in Greece had been destroyed, and same with lots of other vile crazy views. I don’t want to discuss with Greek neonazis, I want them utterly destroyed and thrown out of any political discussion completely.
But you seek the same about your political opponents (seemingly Republicans), while also seemingly denying you so seek it.
People on LessWrong, however, have the ability to recognize status games when they see them.