I learned to debate by arguing with the campus street preacher bigot at Ohio state. My goal was never to convince him, but to reveal how ignorant his arguments were to the other people gathered.
I learned a lot.
I learned a lot.
https://twitter.com/rwparlerwatch/status/1443707044855377952
I learned that it’s powerful to cede as many ancillary points as possible to avoid distraction - just focus on the main argument.
I learned that when someone gets into a position where they have argued themselves into a corner there’s no final fantasy victory music that plays from the heavens, and they are free to ignore their own failure. That’s fine.
I learned that as long as you have no emotional stake in the conversation it’s easy to tie someone who does into circles.
I learned that there’s no intrinsic value in debating someone arguing in bad faith. If you choose to engage do so for fun, or to dismantle their arguments in front of others. Never try to convert or convince.
I learned that earnest curiosity is disarming to someone anticipating hostility. That scammers can’t engage on that level easily.
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