How to disagree

[Rowan Duffy]

I've been involved in quite a number of disagreements on the board of late, many of them with very intelligent and well informed people. I think however that many of the disagreements have degenerated such that they are no longer useful.

It might be worthwhile for us to step back a bit. I think this article does well in explaining some of the most common tendencies that humans exhibit when we disagree.

http://www.paulgraham.com/disagree.html

[Reznov]

People are always going to do this, its the internet and it cannot be changed with its level of anonymity.

[Pioneers_Violin]

Thank you for finding that excellent guide to disagreeing.

The burden is upon the dissenter to disagree well and that guide is a jewel.


P.V.

[Agent Ducky]

Best way to disagree:

Stand up, point your finger straight at the person you disagree with and yell "OBJECTION!"

Actually, this guide is really good. More people on the internet should read this. =D

[Kotze]

I see two problems with Paul Graham's disagreement hierarchy.

He should put arguments about tone lower than arguments that are aimed at the social position of the speaker. It's not the best type of argument, but it's true that current society is very hierarchical and conflicts of interest are a big problem. Remember that story about an American judge who dished out especially harsh sentences and who also made a profit in the incarceration biz?

The other problem is that the disagreement hierarchy doesn't go low enough for RevLeft.

DH -1. Ad Strawmanem. Arguments aiming at the social position of a person, when that person doesn't actually occupy that position.

DH -2. Non-conflict of interest. Arguments aiming at the social position of a person, when the claimed conflict of interest doesn't follow from that position.

DH -3. RevLeft Operating Thetan. Arguments aiming at the social position of a a person, when that person doesn't actually occupy that position and even if the person did, the claimed conflict of interest would not follow.

It's no wonder what a big fan of sortition Rowan Duffy is, I did not expect anything better from an elite member of the Chinese coordinator class!

[Jose Gracchus]

Ban all Burnheimites. :cool:

[Book O'Dead]

I've been involved in quite a number of disagreements on the board of late, many of them with very intelligent and well informed people. I think however that many of the disagreements have degenerated such that they are no longer useful.

It might be worthwhile for us to step back a bit. I think this article does well in explaining some of the most common tendencies that humans exhibit when we disagree.

http://www.paulgraham.com/disagree.html

I found this useful guide on You Tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQibJCNQfG0