When exploring an area of knowledge with others, we can perform in roles such as:
Truth-building roles: mutual truth-seeking involving exchange of truthful information
scout (explores information and develops truthful information for themselves)
soldier (attacks and defends ideas to confirm their existing beliefs)
Manipulative roles: at least one side seeking to manipulate the other without regard for the other’s interests
salesperson (sells ideas and gathers information)
actor/actress (performs theatrics and optionally gathers information)
The Scout and Soldier model breaks down during communication when people believe that:
the truth is cheap and readily accessible, and so communication about important topics should serve other purposes than truth-building.
everyone else seems to be engaged in manipulating, either through lying or withholding information
withdrawal from engagement with others seems appropriate
joining in with other’s theatrics or sales efforts seems appropriate.
One of several lessons I draw from Galef’s excellent work is the contrast between those who are self-serving and those who are open to contradiction by better information. However, a salesperson can gather truthful information from you, like a scout, develop an excellent map of the territory with your help, and then lie to your face about the territory, leaving you with a worse map than before. Persons in the role of actors can accomplish many different goals with their theatrics, none of which help scouts develop truthful information.
Truth-building vs Manipulating
When exploring an area of knowledge with others, we can perform in roles such as:
Truth-building roles: mutual truth-seeking involving exchange of truthful information
scout (explores information and develops truthful information for themselves)
soldier (attacks and defends ideas to confirm their existing beliefs)
Manipulative roles: at least one side seeking to manipulate the other without regard for the other’s interests
salesperson (sells ideas and gathers information)
actor/actress (performs theatrics and optionally gathers information)
The Scout and Soldier model breaks down during communication when people believe that:
the truth is cheap and readily accessible, and so communication about important topics should serve other purposes than truth-building.
everyone else seems to be engaged in manipulating, either through lying or withholding information
withdrawal from engagement with others seems appropriate
joining in with other’s theatrics or sales efforts seems appropriate.
One of several lessons I draw from Galef’s excellent work is the contrast between those who are self-serving and those who are open to contradiction by better information. However, a salesperson can gather truthful information from you, like a scout, develop an excellent map of the territory with your help, and then lie to your face about the territory, leaving you with a worse map than before. Persons in the role of actors can accomplish many different goals with their theatrics, none of which help scouts develop truthful information.