If you discard the emotionally-laden word “agenda” (in my experience, its usage always indicates negative affect toward the thing with the “agenda”), what you’re basically saying is this: Anyone or any organization that concludes that the evidence for something is strong and that it matters, and who consequently takes a stand—their conclusions should be thrown out a priori. You did say “effectively nullifies anything they say”—those are damn strong words. So what you’re implying, AFAICT, is that you only listen to ‘what someone has to say’ if they don’t come to a strong conclusion and become an advocate for change (despite that one would say you have a moral obligation to).
I’m disappointed to find this kind of thinking on LessWrong, to be honest, not least from one of the regulars.
Edit: specifically on the topic at hand, my initial response to yourbrainonporn.com is positive not only because of the comprehensive and well-cited posts I read on the homepage, but because of Gary Wilson’s response (about halfway down) here: http://www.yourbrainrebalanced.com/index.php?topic=2754.0 -- It’s clear that he really knows what he’s talking about, even when the average neurologist doesn’t. (I’m not saying I believe it’s perfect—I can see motivated cognition going on, and am disappointed in the lack of mention of selection bias—but from what I can tell he is… (removes sunglasses).… less wrong than the average expert.)
That they have a bias is trivial to see. Every issue has multiple sides, and if someone only or predominantly presents just one side, they are clearly biased. This site fits this to a T. I challenge you to find any information on this site which details the benefits of porn. Compare this, for example. to the writings of Dan Savage, who frequently discusses porn, but gives a much more balanced view. He also has an agenda, of course, but it’s not related to porn.
So what you’re implying, AFAICT, is that you only listen to ‘what someone has to say’ if they don’t come to a strong conclusion and become an advocate for change (despite that one would say you have a moral obligation to).
I don’t listen to those who look for supporting arguments for the side they already picked, whether they post online or ring my door bell in a hope of converting me. I advise that you do not, either, but it’s your call.
They have an agenda (prewritten bottom line), which effectively nullifies anything they say.
This is wrong.
If you discard the emotionally-laden word “agenda” (in my experience, its usage always indicates negative affect toward the thing with the “agenda”), what you’re basically saying is this: Anyone or any organization that concludes that the evidence for something is strong and that it matters, and who consequently takes a stand—their conclusions should be thrown out a priori. You did say “effectively nullifies anything they say”—those are damn strong words. So what you’re implying, AFAICT, is that you only listen to ‘what someone has to say’ if they don’t come to a strong conclusion and become an advocate for change (despite that one would say you have a moral obligation to).
I’m disappointed to find this kind of thinking on LessWrong, to be honest, not least from one of the regulars.
Edit: specifically on the topic at hand, my initial response to yourbrainonporn.com is positive not only because of the comprehensive and well-cited posts I read on the homepage, but because of Gary Wilson’s response (about halfway down) here: http://www.yourbrainrebalanced.com/index.php?topic=2754.0 -- It’s clear that he really knows what he’s talking about, even when the average neurologist doesn’t. (I’m not saying I believe it’s perfect—I can see motivated cognition going on, and am disappointed in the lack of mention of selection bias—but from what I can tell he is… (removes sunglasses).… less wrong than the average expert.)
That they have a bias is trivial to see. Every issue has multiple sides, and if someone only or predominantly presents just one side, they are clearly biased. This site fits this to a T. I challenge you to find any information on this site which details the benefits of porn. Compare this, for example. to the writings of Dan Savage, who frequently discusses porn, but gives a much more balanced view. He also has an agenda, of course, but it’s not related to porn.
I don’t listen to those who look for supporting arguments for the side they already picked, whether they post online or ring my door bell in a hope of converting me. I advise that you do not, either, but it’s your call.