Quotes Meaning

"The strangest thing about the low quality of Internet argument is that effective argument isn’t really so difficult. Sure, not everyone can be Clarence Darrow, but anyone who wants to be at least competent at argument can do it."

- Barry Eisler

Renowned author and former intelligence officer Barry Eisler frequently considers the caliber of online discourse. He observes that a lot of online debates lack substance or coherence, which leads him to question why there isn't more widespread use of such powerful communication.

Eisler contends that having exceptional talent, such as that of renowned American lawyer Clarence Darrow, who was renowned for his eloquence and debating abilities, is not always necessary to craft a strong argument. Rather, he contends that anyone who is willing to learn and practice can become proficient in the fundamentals of argument construction.

Consider a carpenter who builds furniture. Although not everyone will become an expert craftsman right away, anyone can learn to create strong, useful pieces with time and effort. In a similar vein, Eisler thinks that anyone can become more adept at crafting logical and convincing arguments, even though not everyone will be as eloquent as Clarence Darrow.

The main point of Eisler's observation is that people frequently underestimate the amount of work required to comprehend various points of view, obtain trustworthy information, and clearly communicate their ideas online, which leads to ineffective communication. People can improve their ability to argue and make more intelligent contributions to conversations by taking care of these factors.

In the end, Barry Eisler's viewpoint emphasizes how critical it is to invest time in honing our logical reasoning and expressive skills. In this manner, we enhance the caliber of discussions within communities both online and offline while also strengthening our own ability to communicate effectively.

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