The hottest Rhetoric Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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"But" vs. "Yes, But"

Astral Codex Ten • 22299 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Logic Ethics Dialogue Rhetoric Cognition
  1. It's important to acknowledge when you're wrong in a conversation. Saying 'Oh, you're right, my mistake' helps keep discussions respectful.
  2. Admitting mistakes can show others that you're open-minded and capable of real dialogue. It makes the conversation more engaging for everyone involved.
  3. You can still hold your beliefs while recognizing faults in your arguments. This helps you reflect and grow in your understanding over time.

If It's Worth Your Time To Lie, It's Worth My Time To Correct It

Astral Codex Ten • 33931 implied HN points • 11 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Discourse Misinformation Social Issues Rhetoric Public Opinion
  1. If someone lies to make their argument stronger, it's important to correct that lie. Even small lies can add up over time and change the conversation.
  2. Correcting false statements can be seen as nitpicking, but it's essential to reset the truth. Allowing exaggerations or false claims can lead to more extreme misconceptions.
  3. It's okay to be kind when correcting others, but we should not shy away from addressing inaccuracies just because it might seem uncomfortable.

Sam Harris Abuses Logic: What He Gets Wrong About a Trump Presidency, and Why DNC Fear-Mongering Needs to Stop

Popular Rationalism • 634 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Analysis Campaign Strategy Media Critique Rhetoric
  1. Sam Harris's arguments about Trump rely on logical fallacies. These include blaming Trump for all political problems without considering current issues or the role of other politicians.
  2. Focusing too much on Trump's personality distracts from discussing important policies and outcomes. Some people think that his administration did achieve things that were good for the country.
  3. Harris's fear-based narrative overlooks the strength of America's political system. Many believe that the U.S. can handle extreme leaders without losing democracy.

Yes, Arguments Stand Or Fall Based On Their Merits But The Messenger Still Matters And If You Allow Resentful People Into Your Head, You’ll Be Fooled Into Carrying Their Rage As Your Own

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 1496 implied HN points • 04 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Logic Rhetoric Critical Thinking Dialogue
  1. Arguments should be evaluated based on their strength, but who presents them also matters. It's important to think about the source of the message.
  2. If you let angry or resentful people influence you, you might start to feel their anger too. It's easy to take on emotions that aren’t yours if you’re not careful.
  3. Being mindful of who you listen to can help you avoid unnecessary negativity. Surrounding yourself with positive influences can lead to a healthier mindset.

Note on Gloating

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 8973 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political culture Media influence Public Opinion Bureaucracy Rhetoric
  1. It's okay to feel some relief after a big defeat, but it's important to stay cautious. Some problems still linger in institutions like schools and media.
  2. Even if things seem better now, there’s a chance that old habits and beliefs can resurface. Staying vigilant is key.
  3. Humor can help us process tough topics, but we shouldn't forget the challenges that may remain.
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The Paradox of Persuasion

Mon0’s Substack • 79 implied HN points • 24 Aug 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Persuasion Morality Rhetoric Society
  1. Extreme ideas like total tolerance or non-violence can backfire. If you let negative behaviors go unchecked, they can take over society.
  2. Persuasion works in two ways: through careful thinking or quick judgments based on superficial traits. Understanding this can help us choose how to communicate effectively.
  3. Sometimes, to fight bad ideas or leaders, we might need to use their own tactics against them. This can feel uncomfortable, but sometimes it’s necessary to protect what's right.

Social Learning Links, 1/28/2025

In My Tribe • 318 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Rhetoric Bureaucracy Activism Epistemology
  1. Barton Swaim discusses Cipolla's idea of classifying people into four categories: helpless, bandit, intelligent, and stupid. He argues that even well-credentialed elites can act stupidly, benefiting themselves while causing harm to others.
  2. Lorenzo Warby warns against the dangers of activism, suggesting that it attracts manipulative personalities who use power without accountability. This can lead to aggressive behavior and undermine responsible governance.
  3. Dan Williams highlights a debate about whether ordinary citizens can understand today's complex world and argues for giving more decision-making power to experts. This raises questions about the nature of democracy and who truly understands political issues.

A Literary Theorist Predicted Trump's Win in 1939. He's Worth a Read.

OK Doomer • 171 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
📚 Literature Literary theory Historical context Political Commentary Rhetoric Cultural analysis
  1. A literary theorist named Kenneth Burke predicted the rise of fascism and Trump in a 1939 essay. He understood the dangers of these movements even before they fully emerged.
  2. Burke was a self-taught scholar who struggled with writing but had important ideas that could help people understand political events today.
  3. His work is still relevant, and his insights might have been valuable in interpreting modern political strategies and rhetoric.

The Dangerous Rhetoric of School Choice

The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper • 696 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy School funding Rhetoric Privatization Public Schools
  1. Aggressive school choice activists use hateful rhetoric to silence public school advocates.
  2. Donors and politicians pushing for school choice are often motivated by profit rather than children's well-being.
  3. Privatization of public schools through school choice schemes takes funding away from public education for private gain.

Scientists shouldn't debate gaslighters

Science Forever • 557 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
🔬 Science Debates Rhetoric
  1. Gaslighters should not be debated by scientists as it can give them undeserved credibility and make the scientists look like nitpicking nerds.
  2. Debating gaslighters can lead to a situation where the huckster's misinformation is seen as equal to well-established scientific principles.
  3. It's crucial for the scientific community to find skilled communicators who can effectively counter the rhetoric of gaslighters like RFK Jr.

I. A. Richards on Metaphor and Rhetoric

Logos and Liberty • 59 implied HN points • 12 Jun 24
📚 Literature Philosophy Metaphor Rhetoric Empiricism Meaning
  1. The British empiricists of the Enlightenment period believed in the importance of language referencing clear ideas derived from sensory experiences.
  2. Richards's philosophy of rhetoric emphasizes the central role of misunderstanding and the inevitability of metaphor in language.
  3. Language, thought, and reality are interconnected but distinct, with metaphor playing a crucial role in conveying complex ideas beyond literal terms.

Locke, I've Come to Bargain

From the New World • 16 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Enlightenment AI Ethics Rhetoric
  1. Peter Thiel thinks that the old ways of thinking about politics are not coming back. He believes many Enlightenment ideas are now misleading or wrong.
  2. The connection between new technologies and control is becoming clearer with AI. The Paper Belt uses dramatic language to justify its control over society, even if that control isn't backed by evidence.
  3. As AI technology develops, there are narratives being created to control it. These stories aim to give power to certain authorities over all software, labeling it in a negative way.

The scapegoat of everything: Sacrifice

Uneasy’s Substack • 19 implied HN points • 24 Jun 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Existentialism Rhetoric Metaphysics Personal Growth
  1. To achieve important goals, you often need to give up less important things. Sacrifice is a key part of mastering any craft.
  2. Opportunity cost is about what you lose by choosing one path over another. It’s important to weigh your options to see which sacrifices benefit you most.
  3. Your sacrifices can define who you are. What you choose to give up can help you focus on what really matters in your life.

Dishonest Words

David Friedman’s Substack • 170 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Language Ethics Logic Rhetoric Meaning
  1. Labeling someone as 'homophobic' for having negative views of homosexuality can falsely imply a single cause for their opinion and stigmatize them without considering other reasons.
  2. Using terms like 'racism' and 'denier' to label those with differing views can be a dishonest tactic to imply that their opinions are unreasonable without proper argumentation.
  3. Words like 'thermal pollution' and 'CO2 emission as pollution' can carry hidden value judgments, implying negativity without explicitly stating the values being used.

RhetVis #1: Introduction to Rhetorical Data Visualization

Aika’s Newsletter • 98 implied HN points • 04 Oct 23
🚌 Education Data Visualization Rhetoric Statistics Ethics Psychology
  1. Rhetorical Data Visualization involves framing that influences interpretations of data visualizations.
  2. Visualizations are inherently biased and reflect the creator's inclinations.
  3. The course on Rhetorical Data Visualization aims to develop skills in analyzing and creating visualizations with integrity and humility.

Speaking of Centaurs:

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 79 implied HN points • 01 Oct 23
📚 Literature Mythology Rhetoric
  1. In the _Iliad_, Nestor uses stories from the past as examples in his persuasive speeches to influence others' decisions.
  2. Stories and examples from other narratives in the _Iliad_ may create dissonance with the current context, making them less effective as models for the characters' challenges.
  3. The epic focuses on how characters relate to stories from the past, reflecting on their present situations, and on how the _Iliad_ might be a paradigm for audiences' lives.

Literary clickbait

The Leftovers • 79 implied HN points • 19 Sep 23
📚 Literature Analysis Critique Rhetoric
  1. Clickbait often targets specific demographics, like authors, to generate outrage and drive traffic.
  2. Be wary of overgeneralizations in clickbait articles and carefully consider the rhetorical strategies used to manipulate readers.
  3. Understanding how literary clickbait operates can help readers resist its allure and approach content more critically.

Give Helen Back!

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 19 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
📚 Literature Greek mythology Politics Rhetoric Epic poetry
  1. Book 7 of the Iliad provides insight into Greek and Trojan political organizations through divine orchestration and assemblies.
  2. The political institutions in the Iliad mirror the basic organization of many Greek city-states.
  3. Antenor's dissent and suggestion to return Helen in the Iliad reflect the limits on advice and deliberation in the Trojan polity.

Negative Partisanship

Brain Lenses • 19 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Partisanship Politics Polarization Violence Rhetoric
  1. Negative partisanship is when some voters base their political opinions on who they dislike, not who they like.
  2. Traditional partisanship involves some dislike for the opposing team, but is more about central democratic tenets and country values.
  3. Negative partisanship is believed to be a factor in political polarization and increased tribal rhetoric in many countries.

Drown in an inch of water

do clouds feel vertigo? • 0 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Epistemology Metaphysics Logic Ethics Rhetoric
  1. It's okay to change your mind about things. Believing that all knowledge is uncertain can make life feel lighter and more open.
  2. We often wrongly assume our conclusions are true without enough evidence. It's important to question our beliefs instead of just accepting them.
  3. Knowledge can be viewed like a financial option. It has a limited time to be useful, and we should regularly assess its value and relevance.

Liberal morality needs liberal mythology

Hypertext • 0 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Political Philosophy Epistemology Culture History Rhetoric
  1. Liberal morality requires liberal mythology to shape political leadership and intellectual life.
  2. Acknowledging the importance of persuasive storytelling and civic myth-making in open societies is crucial for public justification and promotion of liberalism.
  3. Creating and sustaining genuinely pluralistic and open societies require proactive engagement, creative leadership, and the inclusion of diverse cultural narratives.

Aristotle's Philosophy of Communication

Logos and Liberty • 0 implied HN points • 12 Nov 22
📖 Philosophy Communication Rhetoric Language Thought
  1. Aristotle views rhetoric as crucial in political life for collective decision-making.
  2. Rhetoric and dialectic, according to Aristotle, serve different purposes with rhetoric being applied dialectic for practical use.
  3. Aristotle believes truth exists independently, represented through thought and language, favoring the just and the true in communication.