Gleb_Tsipursky comments on Intentionally Raising the Sanity Waterline - Less Wrong

12 Post author: Gleb_Tsipursky 13 November 2014 08:25PM

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Comment author: Gleb_Tsipursky 17 November 2014 11:31:59AM 0 points [-]

I think we have a difference in our interpretation of the article I wrote. My point was to promote openness to polyamory as "one among many mainstream relationship styles". Because of the current social stigma against polyamory in mainstream society, the article was defending the validity of polyamory as one among many relationship styles, and discouraging cached thought patterns. The article thus may "feel" like it encourages people to pursue poly relationships, but in actuality, due to the current mainstream anchoring, its effect is to promote tolerance of others pursuing those relationships.

My own sentiments don't apply here, as Mary is in a different situation than I am. In both cases, Mary was open to the relationship with John. Since I am not open to other relationships personally, it's a non-issue for me.

Comment author: Azathoth123 18 November 2014 01:14:48AM 1 point [-]

My point was to promote openness to polyamory as "one among many mainstream relationship styles".

What do you mean by that, should we also promote openness to shared-property communes as "one among many lifestyle" options. How about astrology as "one of many options for predicting the future"? In a sense the answer is yes, i.e., we shouldn't burn people who do these things at the stake. On the other hand we probably shouldn't be encouraging people to do those things either.

Your article certainly looks much more like its written in with the latter rather then the former meaning of "promote openness" in mind. After all, no one is burning polyamourists at the stake.

Comment author: Gleb_Tsipursky 18 November 2014 05:18:39AM 0 points [-]

Actually, there is quite a high social stigma against poly relationships, and I believe it is worthwhile to use rational thinking to re-assesses cached thoughts about relationships as well as many other life domains. What are your thoughts on the benefits of using rational thinking to re-assess our cached patterns?

Comment author: Azathoth123 18 November 2014 08:43:51AM -2 points [-]

social stigma =/= burring at the stake

Comment author: Gleb_Tsipursky 18 November 2014 09:28:39PM 1 point [-]

I think such social stigma is still a harmful thing for our society, and would like to oppose it :-)

Comment author: Azathoth123 19 November 2014 01:59:08AM 0 points [-]

I think such social stigma is still a harmful thing for our society

Why? I think bad decisions should be stigmatized. And that's before we get into the issue of how polyamory is supposed to raise children.

Comment author: Gleb_Tsipursky 19 November 2014 02:15:17AM 1 point [-]

I see that you have a strong opinion against polyamory, and I accept that this is what you believe. I think there are other posts on LW better suited for that debate, so I will avoid engaging with you further on this topic.

Comment author: Azathoth123 19 November 2014 03:23:14AM -1 points [-]

I think there are other posts on LW better suited for that debate,

Both of which are rather short on actual arguments beyond the ones I described here. In fact, my summary there almost looks like a Steelman of their argument.

so I will avoid engaging with you further on this topic.

So you're willing to post a pro-polyamory article with questionable logic on a site supposedly dedicated to raising the sanity waterline, but aren't willing to discuss the topic.

Comment author: Lumifer 18 November 2014 02:38:14AM 1 point [-]

should we also promote openness to shared-property communes as "one among many lifestyle" options.

I don't know why not. Kibbutzim are a valid lifestyle choice in Israel, for example, and I don't see any horrors coming out of that. Shared-property communes with the right of exit and very different from "shared-"property governments.

Comment author: Azathoth123 18 November 2014 04:19:13AM 2 points [-]

Kibbutzim are a valid lifestyle choice in Israel, for example,

My understanding is that most communes collapse for pretty much the reasons you'd expect.

Comment author: Lumifer 18 November 2014 05:31:26AM 2 points [-]

Oh, sure, they are not the success their founders expected. Still, as an institution they are a century old and are still around.

Diversity is good.

Comment author: Azathoth123 19 November 2014 01:56:01AM 1 point [-]

That doesn't mean we should refrain from applying social pressure to people doing stupid things.

Comment author: Lumifer 19 November 2014 02:29:49AM 0 points [-]

Your idea of what's stupid may be quite different from my idea of what's stupid. To what do you want to apply "social pressure"?