Thread by @DaveKeto

1/ I think this would be a great time to discuss my process, particularly in connecting with people who feel very strongly that I’m wrong.

Why give anyone time or attention that has disparaged me or people I care about in the course of making their arguments?

2/ A cynical reading of this would be that I’m trying to bolster a reputation of being evenhanded while secretly being completely attached to my viewpoint all along.

A generous one would be that I’m truly seeking the challenge my hypotheses and finding the best people to do it.

3/ The irony is that I believe — if I’m being a good scientist — I don’t know how much the first is true vs the second.

But I do know this...

... It’s very hard to defend a hypothesis that is flawed if you find the very best people to shoot it down.

4/ “But Dave, <fill in the blank> is a jerk/idiot/zealot and not worth your time.”

Often people feel dialogs I’m getting into aren’t helpful as <fill in the blank> will “never be persuaded”.

But I’m not all about trying to persuade them, I want them bring new insights...

5/ And there are many who are capable of doing so — even if not in that moment I’m having the dialog.

Often they are connected with much more knowledgeable people on this subject with whom they have a close relationship I’ll likely never have myself.

6/ For instance, I’m aware of many DM groups that discuss my opinions in a not-so-flattering-way and why I’m wrong. Good! I encourage that!

This is like a research team that would have costed tens of thousands of dollars in the real world to pursue an evidence-based counter case

7/ You might ask why I wouldn’t just focus on those who were the most respectful of opposing opinions. Or at least avoid the biggest firebrands who have insulted so many.

To this I say two things...

8/ One — I don’t know yet who will have the magic bullet to challenge my strongest opinions, but I want to be sure they get a shot as often the best arguments come from the unexpected.

I know this because it’s already happened to me before, several times over.

9/ Two — as many of you can see — I find a lot of the biggest firebrands will engage me in a civil conversation when it’s clear that’s exactly what I want. Often I have to put up with a lot in the beginning, but sometimes that’s to be tolerated to get to the next step.

10/ And to be fair to them, it would be like someone coming up to you during the course of a giant brawl wearing the opposing team’s shirt after having taken and thrown punches over and over again. Your first instinct it to punch that guy too...

11/ ...So when that guy asks you to step aside from the brawl and talk it out after you punched him a few times in spite of his not punching back, it makes for a compelling invitation.

12/ I love those following me and believe I’m on the right track.

But I truly, genuinely want to give the strongest test to these opinions and that requires a lot of effort toward building relationships with those who think I’m on the wrong track.

13/ That means I’ll disappoint many of you who strongly dislike the people I’m connecting with. Many have said hurtful things about myself or people we care about.

But to be fair, there’s a lot of that on all sides.

14/ For me, the bigger prize remains the same.

If this energy model has any validity and if that likewise changes how we see risk with #LDL #cholesterol in this context — then it is indeed very consequential, not just to the low carb community, but lipid hypothesis itself.

15/ And if I manage to find someone to make the case that I find very convincing because I can’t effectively argue against it, then I’ll both change my mind and let you know about it.

It’s already happened many times before in my life from politics to economics to science.