Rationalist Community

[Phoebe]

I occasionally check in with bemused interest to some blogs written by people who associate themselves with the so-called "rationalist community". Ever come across this? It appears they perceive themselves to be deeply committed to being rational, though not in fact rationalists. They are evangelists of a sort for logic, but not actual logical reasoning one might recognize as such. This is why I am bemused. Now their guru is approvingly citing the writings of a bunch of quacks and occultists. I'm at a loss. Also Jordan Peterson, because nothing shouts "rational!" like that purveyor of fine old irrationalisms.

[Kyle]

I have no idea what you’re talking about. Who are you specifically talking about, and can you give links to the sites you’re talking about?

[mimekiller]

I sense rick and morty avatars...

My problem with groups like that and even science/skeptic groups that sometimes I like on facebook before they grow tiresome is that they constantly go for low hanging fruit in this really tiresome way

PER EXAMPLE, last science group I liked on facebook was "science chick" or something ironic like that and it seemed 50 percent of things shared by that group was take downs of the flat earth people. Which yea they are goofy but also who gives a shit?

[Phoebe]

It starts with slate star codex and trickles out in various directions to blogs written by others. I find him fascinating as an example of fellow OCD sufferer who has, shall we say, taken it in a very different direction. Where other people have Purity or Cleanliness or Religiosity obsessions, my guess is that he has something we could call a rationalist obsession, except it doesn't have as much to do with being reasonable as you would think.

[Kyle]

Ill let you guys go at it. I still can’t make heads or tails of what you’re saying, Phoebes.

[Mike]

I googled it, but after five minutes I still hadn't figured out the egregious parts.

I'm sensing that they are very enamored of process.

[Phoebe]

It's not a big deal. I feel badly for the guy, I don't know who he is. Rather than joyfully reducing the uncertainty he should try joyfully living with it, my 2 cents as a non-expert in psychology. You will never be right enough.