Note: I don't literally mean that the author sat down to lure HN-ites in. Let's not flatter ourselves.

My point is that extremists in one area also hold non-extremist beliefs in other areas. That can lull you into a false sense of sharing an identity with them. And that, according to all kinds of psychological research, can end up with you conforming to their other ideals as well -- if you believe they go part and parcel together, you will, on some level, strive for consistency.

That's why you have to be aware of who's saying what, and why, and what you read, and how you feel about it.