ArisKatsaris comments on Intro-level training materials for rationality / critical thinking - Less Wrong

9 Post author: lukeprog 20 September 2011 03:03AM

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Comment author: ArisKatsaris 24 November 2011 07:57:42PM 4 points [-]

It is entirely legitimate to down-vote completely crackpot ideas

Would it be legitimate for me to downvote people the next time they mention ideas that I consider completely crackpot (like quantum immortality), or ideas that most of the world considers completely crackpot (like many-worlds)?

The arguments contained in the ancestor post criticize "Here Be Dragons" for actual failings contained therein. That the specific ideas mentioned (9/11 conspiracy, autism-vaccine connection) are considered crackpot doesn't mean one is allowed to strawman them. It's all the more reason that one doesn''t even have to strawman them.

Comment author: wedrifid 25 November 2011 02:56:17AM 0 points [-]

Would it be legitimate for me to downvote people the next time they mention ideas that I consider completely crackpot (like quantum immortality), or ideas that most of the world considers completely crackpot (like many-worlds)?

I tend to presume less control of other people's voting behavior than you seem to.