@genejoy.substack.com
Let us evaluate arguments on their merits, and not just on their sources.
The sin of the genetic fallacy
This fallacy is more than just a logical faux pas
open.substack.com
July 15, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Let us evaluate arguments on their merits, and not just on their sources.
Let's save the online hangings for the worst offenses, and prefer to correct instead of condemn.
Language nooses and proper categories
Why we should reserve the harshest terms for the worst behavior
open.substack.com
June 29, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Let's save the online hangings for the worst offenses, and prefer to correct instead of condemn.
If you don't agree with me...change my mind.
Can you change my mind?
I am not a big meme person, but the "Change My Mind" meme template is thought-provoking and challenging
open.substack.com
June 11, 2025 at 4:08 AM
If you don't agree with me...change my mind.
Most controversial issues are complicated. How might we look past the positions people take and instead ask about what led them to that position?
Moths drawn towards the flame
Much of what is sensational has deep roots in boring, arcane topics. Are we willing to spend the time to learn?
open.substack.com
June 2, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Most controversial issues are complicated. How might we look past the positions people take and instead ask about what led them to that position?
Let's be good ambassadors to those we meet online.
Social media and the custom of ambassadors
What we can learn about dealing with strangers from the Mouth of Sauron
open.substack.com
May 19, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Let's be good ambassadors to those we meet online.
Take the extra time to get things right in your social media content. It will save trouble in the long run.
Social media and due diligence
Borrowing a concept from law and business to improve online conversation
open.substack.com
May 18, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Take the extra time to get things right in your social media content. It will save trouble in the long run.
We don't just think; we feel as well. How might we respond better to our feelings in ways that lead us to truth?
Hitting a nerve
There is something else besides logic at work in our discussions. Pain is real.
open.substack.com
April 30, 2025 at 4:34 AM
We don't just think; we feel as well. How might we respond better to our feelings in ways that lead us to truth?
None of us get everything right, but we don't get everything wrong, either. Where might we find common ground?
Broken clocks
Noting points of agreement with those that we profoundly disagree with
open.substack.com
April 13, 2025 at 10:48 PM
None of us get everything right, but we don't get everything wrong, either. Where might we find common ground?
Sometimes there are no good options - just bad and worse options. Choose wisely.
Scylla and Charybdis
How do we choose between two evils in our own Odyssey - and how do we justify our choice?
open.substack.com
April 6, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Sometimes there are no good options - just bad and worse options. Choose wisely.
I've said what I want to say - now I want to hear from you!
I have taken my turn to speak. Now it's your turn.
After 100 articles, I think I've said what I could. Now I want to do something different.
open.substack.com
March 28, 2025 at 3:23 AM
I've said what I want to say - now I want to hear from you!
It's good to have goals.
What is our goal in speaking and writing?
Do we simply want to have our say, or do we want more?
open.substack.com
March 27, 2025 at 5:21 AM
It's good to have goals.
Would your standards pass the “shoe is on the other foot” test?
The standards we use
Are we consistent?
open.substack.com
March 26, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Would your standards pass the “shoe is on the other foot” test?
Let us be open to learn.
Things we don't know...that we don't know
There is a big world out there.
open.substack.com
March 25, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Let us be open to learn.
No pain, no gain.
Cognitive strength training
How might we get our minds in better shape?
open.substack.com
March 24, 2025 at 6:14 AM
No pain, no gain.
Writing is a good habit to form.
The practice of writing
What long-form writing does for us as a community
open.substack.com
March 23, 2025 at 5:35 AM
Writing is a good habit to form.
If you both listen to each other, you both get to go free.
The Prisoner's Dilemma, Conversation Edition
If you listen to what the other person has to say, they might change your mind. That's a good thing.
open.substack.com
March 22, 2025 at 5:56 AM
If you both listen to each other, you both get to go free.
Perhaps a better question: what dots are we leaving out, and why?
What dots are we connecting?
Recognizing patterns is helpful, but there are pitfalls to avoid
open.substack.com
March 21, 2025 at 4:18 AM
Perhaps a better question: what dots are we leaving out, and why?
How do we address bad behavior in those we love?
Do you feel personally attacked?
How do we separate behavior from identity so that people feel free to change?
open.substack.com
March 20, 2025 at 4:39 AM
How do we address bad behavior in those we love?
What have you learned today that you didn't know yesterday?
Doing your own research
Curiosity is a wonderful thing, when it is accompanied by an acknowledgement of reality
open.substack.com
March 19, 2025 at 5:04 AM
What have you learned today that you didn't know yesterday?
Sadly, there are no refunds. But you can cut your losses.
Can I get a refund for my bad ideas?
The sunk cost fallacy keeps many of us from rejecting nonsense. How do we recover?
open.substack.com
March 18, 2025 at 5:20 AM
Sadly, there are no refunds. But you can cut your losses.
What motivates you to write?
What motivates me to write
And what I do when it's hard
open.substack.com
March 17, 2025 at 4:14 AM
What motivates you to write?
New questions are good.
Asking new questions
A test of independent thinking
open.substack.com
March 16, 2025 at 5:08 AM
New questions are good.
I write to keep my mind in shape.
Writing as mental exercise
How do we keep our minds in shape?
open.substack.com
March 15, 2025 at 4:46 AM
I write to keep my mind in shape.
Writing helps me to reflect and to collect.
Reflecting and collecting
Why I write and publish every day
open.substack.com
March 14, 2025 at 4:37 AM
Writing helps me to reflect and to collect.
What should be getting our attention?
Should this get our attention?
What is important, and what is a distraction?
open.substack.com
March 13, 2025 at 3:33 AM
What should be getting our attention?