Essay by Paul Graham
- You can be moderate dogmatically,
the right answer is always in the middle! - Or you could happen to moderate because, in aggregate, you poll neither far-right nor far-left
- This requires a certain type of open-mindedness and critical approach to different subjects
- This position can be more isolating as you find yourself outside a particular tribe
- These approaches can be limited to a certain domain, or general
See also: Why I don’t discuss politics with friends
Politics today has become much more tribal due to increasing hyperpolarization. This makes it especially important to be careful when discussing opinions. Both participants in the conversation should be open to the possibility that they might be wrong. They should also be genuinely motivated to understand each other’s perspectives. Otherwise, the conversation is an attempt to assert beliefs or test someone’s loyalty to a cause, rather than a meaningful dialogue—and these can turn messy.