I read this article by Robin Hanson a while back that lists signs that "your opinions function more to signal loyalty... than to estimate truth" and I forgot to share it until now.
It's a simple, but effective, pass/fail test you can apply to commentators in order to gauge substantive perspective. If nothing else, it's a good indicator of when to apply the proverbial grain of salt when someone opens their mouth.
It's a simple, but effective, pass/fail test you can apply to commentators in order to gauge substantive perspective. If nothing else, it's a good indicator of when to apply the proverbial grain of salt when someone opens their mouth.
- You find it hard to be enthusiastic for something until you know that others oppose it.
- You have little interest in getting clear on what exactly is the position being argued.
- Realizing that a topic is important and neglected doesn’t make you much interested.
- You have little interest in digging to bigger topics behind commonly argued topics.
- You are less interested in a topic when you don’t foresee being able to talk about it.
- You are uncomfortable taking a position near the middle of the opinion distribution.
- You are uncomfortable taking a position of high uncertainty about who is right.
- You care far more about current nearby events than similar distant or past/future events.
- You find it easy to conclude that those who disagree with you are insincere or stupid.
- You are reluctant to change your publicly stated positions in response to new info.
- You are reluctant to agree a rival’s claim, even if you had no prior opinion on the topic.
- You are reluctant to take a position that raises the status of rivals.
- You care more about consistency between your beliefs than about belief accuracy.
- You go easy on sloppy arguments by folks on “your side.”
- You have little interest in practical concrete implications of commonly argued topics.
- Your opinion doesn’t much change after talking with smart folks who know more.
- You are especially eager to drop names when explaining positions and arguments.
- You find it hard to list weak points and counter-arguments on your positions.
- You feel passionately about a topic, but haven’t sought out much evidence.
- You are reluctant to not have an opinion on commonly discussed topics.
It's telling, and frankly, sad, that few cable news commentators pass this test. Especially when I can't think of any on Fox News, save maybe Shep Smith, and his is more a calculated way to distinguish himself, rather than a pure display of integrity. Also, it's unfortunate that nearly all of the people guilty of being loyalists lack the self-awareness to recognize themselves as such.
[Overcoming Bias]
[Overcoming Bias]
on Amazon
on Amazon
