Thread by @dravirmani

#SciMe = Scientific method ("When the facts change, I change my mind - what do you do, sir?" John Maynard Keynes) First the facts/data, 2nd the Analysis, 3rd the policy implications, finally the views.

2/int Precision in the use of words is very important for understanding & debating different views. Verbal extremism has been liberally used in recent years, generating a cycle of increasing abuse, leading too often to mutual hatred. The intellectuals must set a better example.

3/int A shift in focus from asserting one's views are only correct ones, to debating policy actions can introduce a large dose of reality into the discussions and cool extremist passions. Past is past, what policy action can we take, to make -ve (+ve) outcomes less(more) likely?

4/int Beware of #strawmen used by ideologues w/o data-based analysis to support their views. Clever debater identifies opponent with a group, takes most extreme view in group & demolishes it as flawed & concludes entire group is wrong(contrasts it w mst reasonable view of own grp

5/int Another debate trick : Have different norms for judging, controlled #Communist #dictatorships & poor, administratively weak, #democracies, but when debating, put both in same group, and use the known & accepted crimes of the former, to condemn the latter by association. QED

6/int Words as tools: There've been 10s of communal riots in India. Ratio of deaths of opposing religions, varies & differs from pop shares(state/district), with allegations of police bias. To selectively call a riot a Pogram w/o comparative data analysis is ideology or politics