“Yuck factor” has nothing to do with it. The “duty of the rigorously disciplined rationalist” does not include ignoring others’ reactions to your statements.
Avoiding unpleasant and “creepy” topics merely because others find them unpleasant is to fail in that duty. It does, in fact, include ignoring others’ reactions to your statements in terms of topic.
The topic was already framed; and the reactions have been most vehement to statements well-framed with context, ignoring that context as they espouse those reactions.
To allow an entire topic to be squelched for no better reason than others saying “that is creepy”, or something analogous, is in fact a failure mode.
You’re missing Steven’s point: “avoid looking needlessly creepy”.
I’m not missing it. I’m rejecting it.
“Yuck factor” has nothing to do with it. The “duty of the rigorously disciplined rationalist” does not include ignoring others’ reactions to your statements.
Avoiding unpleasant and “creepy” topics merely because others find them unpleasant is to fail in that duty. It does, in fact, include ignoring others’ reactions to your statements in terms of topic.
The topic was already framed; and the reactions have been most vehement to statements well-framed with context, ignoring that context as they espouse those reactions.
To allow an entire topic to be squelched for no better reason than others saying “that is creepy”, or something analogous, is in fact a failure mode.