Hi, yeah I think the issue is that it is a format that does not make it easier to see the truth or to see cruxes; it is a format that is open to abuse. I think the best way to make progress on different topics is:
Clarity clarity clarity: be extremely clear about what your argument is, preferably laying out the key premises and conclusion in numbered form.
Dividing key different parts of your post into sections that flag which point you are now focusing on.
Flagging how many arguments you are making and flag what point you are now making in each paragraph
To be transparent about your uncertainties.
Dialogues don’t do very well according to these criteria. This does not mean that the argument presented in a dialogue is wrong or that the author has bad epistemics. Some very good papers have dialogue/conversational format, eg Achilles and the tortoise, pascal’s mugging, Bostrom’s dragon paper. But more often that not, this format will hinder comprehension, transparency and epistemic progress.
wrt this dialogue in particular, it is way too long
Hi, yeah I think the issue is that it is a format that does not make it easier to see the truth or to see cruxes; it is a format that is open to abuse. I think the best way to make progress on different topics is:
Clarity clarity clarity: be extremely clear about what your argument is, preferably laying out the key premises and conclusion in numbered form.
Dividing key different parts of your post into sections that flag which point you are now focusing on.
Flagging how many arguments you are making and flag what point you are now making in each paragraph
To be transparent about your uncertainties.
Dialogues don’t do very well according to these criteria. This does not mean that the argument presented in a dialogue is wrong or that the author has bad epistemics. Some very good papers have dialogue/conversational format, eg Achilles and the tortoise, pascal’s mugging, Bostrom’s dragon paper. But more often that not, this format will hinder comprehension, transparency and epistemic progress.
wrt this dialogue in particular, it is way too long