Until I noticed the “obvious”! He’s slipped in a subtle accusation that everyone who disagrees is a moron, into an otherwise pretty brilliant argument.
I mean, did he say this explicitly, even if in a less direct way? I don’t remember it. And honestly if just saying “here are obvious reasons why a certain argument is wrong” means implying everyone who agrees with the argument is a moron… I’m not sure what else can be done. He’s not making it particularly personal, but if you’re at the stage where any refutation of the argument will only make you more defensive, then you’re already really set in it.
Including that obvious is indicative of his attitude in general. He has a right to be frustrated, but it shows and it’s pissing people off. My friends outside the rationalist community tend to find his attitude insufferable. This is why I’m saying we need to get either people or skills in this arena.
I mean, did he say this explicitly, even if in a less direct way? I don’t remember it. And honestly if just saying “here are obvious reasons why a certain argument is wrong” means implying everyone who agrees with the argument is a moron… I’m not sure what else can be done. He’s not making it particularly personal, but if you’re at the stage where any refutation of the argument will only make you more defensive, then you’re already really set in it.
Including that obvious is indicative of his attitude in general. He has a right to be frustrated, but it shows and it’s pissing people off. My friends outside the rationalist community tend to find his attitude insufferable. This is why I’m saying we need to get either people or skills in this arena.