From: Harvey Newstrom (mail@HarveyNewstrom.com)
Date: Sun Mar 30 2003 - 18:35:37 MST
Anders Sandberg wrote,
> While they are bad for truth, they are great for "winning" debates.
> Unfortunately many think that it is better to win the debate
> (since one
> is always right) than get to the truth, which in the long run
> backfires. Not only does one end up with enemies, all possibility of
> reaching a shared understanding of the true state of things have
> vanished in the mists of polarisation.
>
> A good argument is a good argument, even if it is the devil himself
> that makes it.
I wish more people believed this. Many people rather "win" a debate than
tell the truth. They rather spread memes with propaganda than with facts.
They think that public opinion will win out in the end. However, I think
that this method will always backfire. Eventually, people will discover the
truth. And untrustworthy sources or memes won't be trusted again.
-- Harvey Newstrom, CISSP, IAM, GSEC <www.HarveyNewstrom.com>
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