top | item 44082529 (no title) TimSchumann | 9 months ago It helps when you never question if, as in his own essay describing other ‘bad writers’ weaving falsehoods, you’re the one lying to yourself. discuss order hn newest TheOtherHobbes|9 months ago Especially about your own significance.I think PG's essays are (mostly) well-written, and are worth studying as examples of persuasive rhetoric.But rhetoric has no morals and no relationship to truth.Persuasion is what salespeople do. Grifters, lawyers, PR firms, politicians, and CEOs all make a living from being persuasive.That doesn't mean you can trust them not to lie to you.It also doesn't mean flawed rhetoric means flawed beliefs. Implying it does is itself a misleading rhetorical trick.
TheOtherHobbes|9 months ago Especially about your own significance.I think PG's essays are (mostly) well-written, and are worth studying as examples of persuasive rhetoric.But rhetoric has no morals and no relationship to truth.Persuasion is what salespeople do. Grifters, lawyers, PR firms, politicians, and CEOs all make a living from being persuasive.That doesn't mean you can trust them not to lie to you.It also doesn't mean flawed rhetoric means flawed beliefs. Implying it does is itself a misleading rhetorical trick.
TheOtherHobbes|9 months ago
I think PG's essays are (mostly) well-written, and are worth studying as examples of persuasive rhetoric.
But rhetoric has no morals and no relationship to truth.
Persuasion is what salespeople do. Grifters, lawyers, PR firms, politicians, and CEOs all make a living from being persuasive.
That doesn't mean you can trust them not to lie to you.
It also doesn't mean flawed rhetoric means flawed beliefs. Implying it does is itself a misleading rhetorical trick.