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Overcoming Bias Commenter's avatar

Our normal state is to be largely controlled by our emotions. In my opinion this is why books of wisdom have always dealt so much with self-control.

Detaching from self, exercising discretion, holding one's tongue, thinking of others (even if not for noble or altruistic reasons such a negotiation) these are all signs of prudence if not outright wisdom, and they all hinge on one's ability to rise above their emotional urges.

Obviously I'm not saying anything new here, but Robin seems to have taken a fresh look at an old problem, and the answer is still the same. We're emotional creatures that rarely - unfortunately - rise above ourselves to consider truly larger pictures.

So those with an agenda will always win because they are the most motivated to wrap their intentions in a narrative that is easily digested by the emotions, and reconstituted in our conscious minds as well reasoned "fact." (Consider the popularity of Malcolm Gladwell.)

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Overcoming Bias Commenter's avatar

Instead we’ll need to find ways to frame indirect effects so that strong emotional responses seem appropriate, to allow people to signal feelings via considering indirect effects. Easier said than done, I know.

Now that you've given us insight into the problem, perhaps it could become easier, if we develop methods and techniques for doing so. I've always liked using reductio ad absurdum to blow apart an opponents proposal in arguments; what this post tells me is that my the absurdum should be constructed in a way which triggers 'near' emotional responses, making the opponent's proposal viscerally seem uncaring. Constructing pictures with deep emotional resonance is perhaps more the domain of artists than of people like myself, but I can learn :)

Wonderful post!

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