Re:Poll: Do you smoke marijuana?
by Eliezer on Sunday July 19, 2009 @12:19AM
(#712586)
Okay, you're right. I amend my statement to read that people who support drug criminalization are either horrible human beings, or stupid human beings who haven't spent much time thinking about who their righteous opinions might hurt in real life, and who as voters are directly partially responsible for the said pain. Is that an excuse? I suppose it's better than causing the pain on purpose.
[ Parent
| on HN ]
Re:Poll: Do you smoke marijuana?
by JulianMorrison on Sunday July 19, 2009 @06:55PM
(#713535)
Still too condemning.
The problem is the huge inferential gap between the facts on the ground, and people who don't know, don't know that they don't know, have been taught that they do know, have been taught to actively resist learning otherwise, and who are constantly reinforced by most everyone with whom they are in close personal or cultural contact.
Re:Poll: Do you smoke marijuana?
by jacoblyles on Monday July 20, 2009 @03:02AM
(#714088)
I would hope that someone in your position of authority would be less willing to reinforce the uncivil and dangerous group-think that pervades our society. Viewing those that disagree with you as evil or stupid is the strongest symptom of thought-ossification. The act of "condemning the other" can summon powerful forces to your side. But in the long run it is harmful. We would be better off if people were less comfortable using it as a tactic.
Seeing Eliezer Yukodsky use it himself does not set a good example.
Hell, I'm on your side on the particular issue at hand. It just turns my stomach to see people use such cheap rhetorical tactics, even if I agree with them. Especially if I agree with them.