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Berder's avatar

But there are clear observables that could be used as the basis for social norms re "high" vs "low" thinking. Conduct of debate!

If you're insulting or denouncing your partner in discussion, that's your "low mind" talking. If you're trying to shut the other person up, that's your "low mind" talking. If you're refusing to answer a relevant question because the answer would be detrimental to your point, that's your "low mind" talking. If you're refusing to agree on objectively obvious common ground with someone you disagree with, that's your "low mind" talking. If you're declaring victory over someone on the main point because you have caught them admitting uncertainty or making a mistake on just a supporting point, that's your "low mind" talking.

All of these detrimental behaviors are fairly clear observables. The problem is not that we can't observe them, but that we socially reward them. If we see someone we agree with being socially dominant over someone else - insulting them, painting them as stupid and evil, refusing to acknowledge or entertain what they're saying - then, most people will reward and approve of that behavior.

The solution is to build social systems where these clear observables are clearly punished. These would be moderated communities.

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Sloww's avatar

Finally! You're the only other person I've come across so far who isn't blindly worshipping this book. Tim's strength is simplification, but these topics need complexity and nuance. The book is called "What's Our Problem?" and subtitled "A Self-Help Book for Societies." First, this isn't about global societies—this book is about America (specifically American politics and current events). Regarding the title, the book never actually gets to root cause(s) or generator function(s)—it's stuck in hundreds of pages of muck just pointing at symptoms. The premise of the book is thinking better and increasing wisdom to save ourselves from exponential technology, yet the book never actually gets there. Here are more of my thoughts in a Twitter thread: https://twitter.com/SlowwCo/status/1627909918945869824

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