Comment by ozgung

It’s another red flag. I don’t read “rationalist” blog posts but I’ve seen verbosity before. It’s a pseudo-intellectual effect. It’s a kind of propaganda method. You talk and write very long and convoluted. No one really understands you but they assume you know what you’re talking about and tend to buy what you sell. Of course this requires a “community” praising the person who talks a lot. Otherwise no one would read/listen to them.

I’ve seen this tactic in politics and media, to sway public opinion (into something against public’s interest and against basic common sense). I’ve seen with charismatic leaders and followers of religious cults. They talk a lot, write thick books but say little of value. I’ve seen this with people selling Ponzi schemes.

I think the common theme is they have to go against the common sense and have to weaken defense mechanisms of the target. But they have no real arguments that can be summarized clearly in a few sentences. Such arguments would be easy to understand and refute.