April, 2010

The Argument Clinic

by Richard Thaler
The Conversation
April 16th, 2010

I must say that I find Professor Whitman’s debating style reminds me quite a bit of arguing with John Cleese in the famous Monty Python argument clinic sketch. Whitman employs two strategies. 1. Mis-stating the arguments and goals of the other side. 2. Repeating unsubstantiated claims. This is tiresome and unconvincing. Let me recapitulate. First, [...]

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Take Me to the River

by Glen Whitman
The Conversation
April 15th, 2010

Shane Frederick begins his reply with an extended example about a river in which many people like to swim — and in which a few have drowned. His first question is, “What should the warning sign say?” My first question is, “Who owns this place?” Frederick doesn’t specify the answer in his set-up. (The river [...]

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