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Re:It's weird that people get mocked for changing their minds by TeMPOraL on Tuesday June 27, 2023 @09:00AM (#36492126)
I don't think PG is using a straw man. Rather, he's talking about "politics and other performatively dishonest arenas", which GP excluded, as outside of those areas, mockery is kind of... stupid.
Re:It's weird that people get mocked for changing their minds by jahnu on Tuesday June 27, 2023 @09:09AM (#36492183)
He doesn't qualify who he is talking about and in which situations. This conveniently leaves room for charitable interpretations. Which is really close to a form of sophistry, in my opinion.

Reminds me of this classic Limmy sketch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z-a5hy7QO8

Re:It's weird that people get mocked for changing their minds by nkozyra on Tuesday June 27, 2023 @12:11PM (#36494848)
> He doesn't qualify who he is talking about and in which situations.

Yeah this sort of grand, vague postering is the kind of thing that tech personalities do and it's because they get the kind of blind positive reinforcement from followers who have their own agenda.

Someone in his position can write something like "Not everything is knowing" and get a bunch of adulatory responses and just think they're providing some deep philosophical fodder.

Re:It's weird that people get mocked for changing their minds by Retric on Tuesday June 27, 2023 @09:06AM (#36492166)
That’s what a strawman argument is. He’s attempting to artificially narrow the discussion.

“I think people are generally honest.” (Strawman) “Politicians and con men make a career out of dishonesty, how can you suggest they are honest.”