I Don't Argue With Statues

If you want to convert me, here's a tip: before you give me a book or link a webpage that will "prove your case," read it yourself first.

Your argument is invalid.

I love discussing just about anything, with anyone.  But over the years, I've come to dread the web link or book. Every time I've had books suggested to me, the suggester hasn't read them or "just skimmed them."  They end up surprised when I bring things up, agree it's a terrible argument or idea, they would never argue that, there are much better arguments out there, somewhere. (Funny, they often don't know what they are.)

A book can't discuss. It can't answer questions, it can't clarify points, it can't answer my concerns. It's an argument by proxy, except the proxy may as well be a statue. An echo of an author, an outline of his thought, chiseled in stone, impenetrable and unfixable.

Webpages are worse. When people link these during a discussion, it seems like they just did a quick Google search for "arguments proving this thing I believe" and then linked the first thing that came up without reading it. Zero references, false facts, terrible grammar, and bad arguments.

My new rule is this: we read together.

I'll read your book, or your webpage, only if you will read it with me. We'll chat about each chapter, or each point, and you will respond, or I will go no further. I would love to talk to you.  I'm not spending any more time arguing with statues.

Recently, I found a copy of New Proofs for the Existence of God, lying face up conspiciously on my desk.  Nobody's volunteered that they did it, or told me why. I have my suspicions. When they fess up, we'll find out whether they wanted a conversation or just wanted to waste more of my time.