Comment Policy

We do not aspire to the ideal of unlimited free speech. Instead, we aspire to an informed discussion that stays on topic as much as possible.

On the first point, we have very little tolerance for basic questions: if you could answer your question with a quick trip to Wikipedia, make the trip rather than wasting everyone’s time. We also have little tolerance for people who whine that the conversation is mainly for insiders — we know it is; we chose for it to be that way on purpose. If you’re not an insider to the various discourses we participate in and you’re still interested in the topic, figure out a way to become more of an insider. If you want advice about that from one of the blog authors, try to ask in a way that shows you’ve done some work on your own.

On the second point, we have absolutely no tolerance for comments that attack blog post authors personally — for being arrogant, for having an overly harsh tone, for not being open to new opinions, etc. Above all, however, we are intolerant of boring comments. If we are saying something that goes against the conventional wisdom, assume that we know the conventional wisdom already and have reasons for rejecting it (i.e., the reasons for adopting our alternative position). If you wish to advance positions associated with a well-known school of thought that we obviously oppose, you should also assume that we know about that school of thought rather than parachuting in with the answers that we have been ignoring or fearing in our close-mindedness. This latter rule applies especially to libertarianism, to such a degree that all libertarians are banned from commenting on this site and discouraged from reading it.

Overall, you should be conscious of the fact that we are primarily blogging for our own benefit, not yours. We are not teaching a class here, nor are we attempting to popularize our ideas for the edification of the general public — we would expect to be paid for doing either of those things.

We blog for free because it can benefit us, and we allow commenting in the hope that reader input will spur our thinking in interesting directions. Answering your basic questions does not spur our thinking. Responding to your accusations that we’re a bunch of close-minded assholes does not spur our thinking. Patiently explaining to you why libertarianism or Scientology or whatever doesn’t actually have all the answers does not spur our thinking.

The rigorous thinking of those who have closely followed our own thinking (and that will almost always mean people who are up to a certain level in the discourses we’re working with) is what can at least potentially spur our thinking. Allowing for such interventions is the sole and exclusive reason that we have comments on this site.

If you find that standard intimidating, then you probably shouldn’t comment. If you want a venue with unrestricted free speech where you can spout off indefinitely and be cherished for the unique intellectual snowflake you undoubtedly are, then you definitely shouldn’t comment.

If you find that our writings have spurred your thinking and believe you are able to return the favor in some way, then you should perhaps think about commenting.