Good stuff, Grant. I will push back a little on this:
"I don’t want to go down the human nature rabbit hole, but suffice it to say if you share my priors you understand that human beings are inherently self-interested. We don’t do things that conflict with our deep perception of self-interest, whether conscious or otherwise."
The "or otherwise" thing seems slippery to me. I can accept the idea that you can evaluate my actions based on both the reasons I supply and your tests of whether they're logical and coherent with other actions. But once we get into the realm of "you unconsciously did such-and-such things to advance a subliminal self-interest," I'm out.
I do what I do. But to declare that it's all self-interest at the bottom, regardless of the person or transaction, is a metaphysical if not an outright religious statement. If that’s your god, so be it. But I think a better deal between dissidents would be one where we agree not to try to mindread each other while the Hydra is dancing.
Battling Narratives in the Marketplace of Ideas
Good stuff, Grant. I will push back a little on this:
"I don’t want to go down the human nature rabbit hole, but suffice it to say if you share my priors you understand that human beings are inherently self-interested. We don’t do things that conflict with our deep perception of self-interest, whether conscious or otherwise."
The "or otherwise" thing seems slippery to me. I can accept the idea that you can evaluate my actions based on both the reasons I supply and your tests of whether they're logical and coherent with other actions. But once we get into the realm of "you unconsciously did such-and-such things to advance a subliminal self-interest," I'm out.
I do what I do. But to declare that it's all self-interest at the bottom, regardless of the person or transaction, is a metaphysical if not an outright religious statement. If that’s your god, so be it. But I think a better deal between dissidents would be one where we agree not to try to mindread each other while the Hydra is dancing.
📝 Tech plea. Could you please re-format your doozy’s headings in a proper manner, so they would allow precise targeting with links? Puhleez? 🥹
support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/6978646417300-How-do-I-add-anchor-links-in-my-Substack-post-
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PS Tonic 7 fella shows the way 😊 --> markbisone.substack.com/i/132551691/what-is-gay
Great essay Grant
Good essay. Thank you