Ethically, politically, whatever - and as an actual “reasonable” person (interpret that as you will), not a straw man fanatic (even though those who believe that way do exist; it’s just too easy for the purposes of this question).
I’ve considered it as a blog concept (guess what my beliefs really are!), but figured that it might cozy up a bit to trolling when it comes to the opposing viewpoint. But the idea did stick - thus this thread.
Fairly easily. The only real way to know your point is to know what the other side thinks.
Understanding and asserting that person’s views is easy. Having my own contrary views means that I have understood and rejected theirs.
Writing in anyone else’s style is very difficult for me, so if it’s some particular person I am supposed to simulate or parody, I will likely fail.
My initial guess is: probably better than most of them could write as someone who believes the same as me. However, I’m curious what you mean by “convincingly”? For example, if it were not against the rules, I could probably create another account and post regularly on these forums as if I were a reasonable liberal and not be found out as a secret conservative for a long, long time. OTOH, I doubt that these numerous postings would “convince” any of the handful of conservatives here to change their position to adopt my falsified views.
Politically I’d have some issues. i generally understand the political opposition, but I understand the worst aspects of it. Understanding the fact that a lot of people have a lot of gray areas would be something I struggle with.
But on most other issues I’m pretty good at it.
To write something as a one-off? Sure, no problem.
To make it a long-term online persona? Would eventually trip up (or hate myself and then blow up at all my “fans”.)
So back when I was a teenager and discovered Satanism, I was not in a safe place to reject Christianity. So I kept my mouth shut and pretended to be a good christian kid until I could get out of my parents house. This included pretending to be enthusiastic over spending two months in the middle of nowhere attending a extremely faith based summer camp. (I think it was also supposed to “man” me up, but I ended up meeting my first boyfriend there and fell in love for the first time, so … yeah.)
At the end of that camp, we were required to do a written two page letter on how great god was and how he had been a positive influence on our life, that sorta thing. The winner would win a hand-drawn chalk drawing from the head honcho, who I will admit was an amazing artist. Out of roughly 100 kids, I won that drawing. (It’s still hanging in my ex-wife’s house.) For the rest of the day, I had multiple camp counselors congratulating me and telling me how powerfully written it was. I didn’t have the heart to tell any of them that I didn’t believe a word of it and I had made the whole thing up.
So this Satanist thinks he can play a fairly good devil’s advocate.
I could do a pretty good job of it, if I wanted to. The latter bit would be the hard part.
One time several years ago, for April Fool’s Day, Sean Hannity did a bit on his radio program where he announced that he had become a Democrat. It was hilarious. The sad part was that he gave better arguments for the Democratic positions than actual Democrats do.
I’ve been doing it successfully for years on the Dope.
:eek:
Not hard. Around 2/3 or more of friends and family hold views opposite of mine. So I think I could do it quite convincingly.
I usually let my genius younger sister make my arguments, which she doesn’t agree with. I make her arguments, that I don’t agree with. Our younger brother is smarter than both of us, but all he ever does is play war-games.
Terribly; I’ve never been good at that sort of thing.
Is this an Ender’s Game reference?
Yes
Nobody who believes the opposite of what I do can write it convincingly. If they could, I would no longer believe what I do.
Very easily. I’ve been paid to do this (and turned down a lot of money for things I just wouldn’t do) and it was a pretty standard part of basic education in my experience.
“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” Aristotle (now someone will come along and tell me he never actually said it)
I think I’d do a respectable job of arguing a position I don’t hold, there aren’t that many subjects I’m not able to see and understand both sides of the argument in the first place and I do make a conscious effort to find out different aspects of a subject.
I’ve had to remove several books from my public bookshelf because explaining is just too much hassle, ‘The Rape of Nanking’ by Iris Chan for one after an acquaintance got bent out of shape about the title.
“Yes I do have several books about Nazi Germany, no I don’t agree with the tenants of National Socialism…”
Possibly the dumbest plot contrivance in all of science fiction, imho.
One of my favorite xkcd comics. I’m just happy a made reference that people got.