Scott Alexander describes 'fallacies of reversed moderation,' where moderate positions are misinterpreted as extreme opposites of the consensus view.
Longer summary
Scott Alexander discusses a pattern he calls 'fallacies of reversed moderation.' This occurs when a popular consensus holds an extreme view (100% X, 0% Y), and when someone suggests a more moderate position (e.g., 90% X, 10% Y), they are accused of holding the opposite extreme view (100% Y, 0% X). He provides several examples of this pattern, including in climate change solutions, nature vs. nurture debates, and AI risk assessment. Scott explains why this pattern might occur and acknowledges its occasional validity, but argues that it's often used incorrectly. He suggests that critics should address the actual argument rather than mischaracterizing it as an extreme position.
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