The basic idea of a minimal-trust investigation is suspending one’s trust in others’ judgments and trying to understand the case for and against some claim oneself, ideally to the point where one can (within the narrow slice one has investigated) keep up with experts.
I think a minimal trust investigation can end up being positive or negative. I suppose one could start off with a minimal trust investigation which could then turn into a red team if one disagrees with the generally accepted viewpoint.
I personally feel uncomfortable with a criterion being “critical” for the reasons you and others have mentioned.
Worth noting that the post mentions that minimal-trust investigations are in scope. From that link:
I think a minimal trust investigation can end up being positive or negative. I suppose one could start off with a minimal trust investigation which could then turn into a red team if one disagrees with the generally accepted viewpoint.
I personally feel uncomfortable with a criterion being “critical” for the reasons you and others have mentioned.