Comment by Ray on Evaporative Cooling of Group Beliefs · 2007-12-08T20:13:59.000Z · LW · GW

There's no particular reason why you need to have a detailed knowledge of the psychological literature for fanatics to try to chase moderates out of a group. That particular piece of knowledge, that if you shout down and away anybody who disagrees with you then you are in control, seems built in to human understanding of politics.

Comment by Ray on Applause Lights · 2007-09-11T18:45:08.000Z · LW · GW

You have, I think, come upon the essence of modern political speeches.