Recently I watched a debate between the creators of Loose Change 9/11: An American Coup and the editors of the Popular Mechanics book Debunking 9/11 Myths: Why Conspiracies Theories Can't Stand Up to the Facts. Without even touching upon the actual points, evidence, and arguments that either side presented, I think the performance of Loose Change filmmakers Dylan Avery and Jason Bermas functions as a textbook example of how to make a fool out of yourself in front of an audience--an audience that it is the job of media-makers to engage with intelligently.
People labeled "conspiracy theorists" are often portrayed as unstable, unreasonable, and overly argumentative, and theorists themselves often confirm these stereotypes. So, for the good of argumentation everywhere, let's go over some simple ground rules that would be good for anyone trying to argue a point, whether to a friend or to the nation.
People labeled "conspiracy theorists" are often portrayed as unstable, unreasonable, and overly argumentative, and theorists themselves often confirm these stereotypes. So, for the good of argumentation everywhere, let's go over some simple ground rules that would be good for anyone trying to argue a point, whether to a friend or to the nation.
As with a job interview, when you are talking to someone, they WILL judge you on how you present yourself and it WILL color the way that they receive the information you are giving. The boys from Loose Change at least wore shirts with buttons, but from the very beginning, the suited Popular Mechanics editors had the upper hand.
This is not about "selling out" and looking like a "suit", this is about looking like someone who knows what they're talking about. There is a reason doctors, lawyers, and other people who handle important things wear a tie and jacket at least. Look back at images of the great thinkers, men and women, of the last century, and chances are, they are wearing suits. And this isn't an issue of wealth. Head to your local Goodwill and spend $10. You'll be doing yourself a favor and giving jobs to people who otherwise wouldn't have them.
This is not about "selling out" and looking like a "suit", this is about looking like someone who knows what they're talking about. There is a reason doctors, lawyers, and other people who handle important things wear a tie and jacket at least. Look back at images of the great thinkers, men and women, of the last century, and chances are, they are wearing suits. And this isn't an issue of wealth. Head to your local Goodwill and spend $10. You'll be doing yourself a favor and giving jobs to people who otherwise wouldn't have them.
Always avoid tracksuits (sorry Icke).
If you are debating someone with a different viewpoint--I don't care how laughable you find their thesis--do not snicker. Do not name-call. Do not attack them personally. If your viewpoint is unpopular, plenty of people probably want to laugh at you. If they have good manners, they won't. Even if your opponent starts to get ugly, stay cool and stick to your argument. You'll likely come out on top if they become childish and you hold it together and present the facts.
Take note of some of the basic no-no's of argumentation, also known as Rhetorical Fallacies:
1. Ad Hominem - Attacking the speaker, not what's being said. Bad people can have good ideas (and vice versa).
2. Strawman - Setting up a dumbed-down version of your opponents argument (constructing a strawman) in order to knock it down easily.
Take note of some of the basic no-no's of argumentation, also known as Rhetorical Fallacies:
1. Ad Hominem - Attacking the speaker, not what's being said. Bad people can have good ideas (and vice versa).
2. Strawman - Setting up a dumbed-down version of your opponents argument (constructing a strawman) in order to knock it down easily.
Strike the word "sheeple" from your vocabulary. It serves no other purpose than to make the user feel superior to those around him, and this is not the point of researching, investigating, and communicating. The point is to bring everyone into a conversation as equals, and to free ourselves as well as our brothers and sisters from the bonds of oppression.
People do not listen to a speaker who insults them. When an individual is verbally deprecated, they will automatically block out any information that comes from the attacker.
Attacking people with different views is no way to succeed against evil in this world. There are no answers now, and only civil dialogue and discussion will lead to usable answers.
Belittling the majority of the population is a tactic used by the Powers-That-Be already. Beware those who belittle others, because they often dream of holding power over others.
People do not listen to a speaker who insults them. When an individual is verbally deprecated, they will automatically block out any information that comes from the attacker.
Attacking people with different views is no way to succeed against evil in this world. There are no answers now, and only civil dialogue and discussion will lead to usable answers.
Belittling the majority of the population is a tactic used by the Powers-That-Be already. Beware those who belittle others, because they often dream of holding power over others.