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Ed Clarke's avatar

Ted, I can't argue about the instances of the change you have identified. They worry me greatly, however. I think this trend is linked to the notion that everyone's opinion is equally valid. Now offhanded comments, without evidence, have just as much credibility as the opinion of someone who speaks from evidence and/or experience. If we insist on a "conversational" tone, do we will not normalize decision making based on emotion, personal comfort and likability. I think we can see the outcomes of this idea already in the degrading of "elites". The result is a society wherein anyone can be the Cabinet head of the CDC. No qualifications required. Promoting a conversational tone is one thing but evidence and expertise need to be recognized. Particularly on topics such as military decisions, medical research, meteorological predictions, etc.

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Louis Ryan's avatar

Maybe you'd prefer the Cabinet head of the CDC to be tapped by the same people he or she is supposed to be overseeing?

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𝓙𝓪𝓼𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓮 𝓦𝓸𝓵𝓯𝓮's avatar

Not at all. Important facts and knowledge need to be explained VERY SUCCINCTLY AND CLEARLY. The more complicated the explanation the fewer are people who will understand it. And it was an "expert", can't remember her name, from the CDC that caved to pressure from the CEO of Delta🤦‍♀️ And she also caved to political pressure. Experts are human beings and are susceptible to the same mistakes and biases the rest of us are.

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