WalterL comments on Open thread, Jun. 13 - Jun. 19, 2016 - Less Wrong

2 Post author: MrMind 13 June 2016 06:57AM

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Comment author: Ixiel 13 June 2016 10:28:26AM *  3 points [-]

Overcoming Eager Evidence

Does anyone know any good way to make a point that one believes is true on its own merits but clearly benefits the speaker or is easier for the speaker?

Suppose a poor person is saying we should all give more money to poor people, are there ways to mitigate the effect of “You're only saying that to benefit yourself” beyond either finding someone else without that perceived (and likely actual, but maybe less than perceived) bias or just taking the hit and having a strong enough case to overwhelm that factor?

Comment author: WalterL 14 June 2016 01:14:44PM 1 point [-]

Find a spokesperson.

Comment author: Ixiel 14 June 2016 01:38:12PM -1 points [-]

Yeah, that's a good tool if you have it. Of course, I would still have to convince the spokesman. Though I'm not trying to sell that the aliens and gods made the moon out of green cheese so it's not too hard there.