On this episode of the Argument Ninja podcast I talk openly about why this is the first new episode I’ve produced in 7 months, and the lessons I’m learning as a life-long stutterer.
Timestamps
00:00 – 03:12 Introduction
03:12 – 05:23 The move and web consolidation update
05:23 – 07:24 Failing at the one thing I set out to do
07:24 – 13:49 Experiments, consulting side-gigs, and coaching
13:40 – 18:12 Argument Ninja video community meetings—motivations and lessons learned
18:12 – 33:34 My history as a stutterer, and how it’s influenced my work
33:34 – 42:44 On accepting my comfort zone
42:44 – 48:46 Retreating from my role as community builder (and trying to understand why)
48:46 – 57:53 My views on social media and how I choose to use it
57:53 – 01:06:22 A new opportunity that changes the equation
01:06:22 – 01:07:50 Wrapping up
Clay
6 Apr 2020Hi Kevin,
So great to hear from you again. I was worried about you!
Some general comments about this episode:
1. I did not realize you sometimes had speech challenges. I’ve listened to you for a long time and it would be the furthest thing from my mind. If you and I were to ever meet and you had a hard block, I would likely think you had a sudden medical issue. I’m glad that you shared your condition, as hard as it may have been for you.
2. “This has given me the greatest trouble and still does to realize that what things are called is incomparably more important than what they are.” – Nietzsche. I certainly wouldn’t use the word “Failure” to describe what you have experienced over the last year. It sounds like a lot going on and perhaps learning about yourself a bit more. I’ve looked at what you were doing with argument ninja and community building as being experimental. Perhaps “Reboot” would be better 🙂
3. I could understand why you might feel envious about someone that could simply turn on a microphone and talk or to do a live episode. Personally, I wish that people would do far more preparation and research prior to turning on a microphone or video camera. In fact, I would point them to your videos and podcast as an example of how to prepare.
4. I think you can reboot the community building to help in your course building for argument ninja. It could turn into an offline way for people to present papers or articles and have constructive comments be placed on those articles (via a volunteer moderator). In preparation for a course, you could take these articles and comments and incorporate them into the coursework – explaining what was done well, what persuasion techniques were used, what could have been done better, and so forth. Let me give an example:
Disclaimer: I’m going to write briefly about COVID-19. In focusing on the critical thinking aspect, I do not wish to give the impression that I am ignoring the loss of life or the horrors people are experiencing.
The COVID-19 pandemic is an event that has a lot of empirical data concerns, critical thinking concerns, persuasion concerns, and philosophical concerns. You could create a topics for research and article posting on COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding what went on, what is going on, what decisions were made, and importantly, why those decisions were made are of upmost importance – especially if they are flawed and we could have done better. In the future, it will also be beneficial to critically appraise the critical thinking commentary made while the pandemic was in process.
4.1: Empirical: Are there any statistical concerns with the distribution and testing methodology of the COVID-19 test kit?
4.2: Empirical: Is there any information regarding the precision & accuracy of the test? Specifically the precision and accuracy of – True Positives, False Positives, True Negatives, and False Negatives.
4.3: Persuasion: What are the persuasion ramifications of using the test result numbers to educate the public? Sadly, I think of the Vietnam War body count statistics used during the war. Are these numbers triggering any biases in the public? For example, do the numbers present a more scientific result (and more confidence in) than the empirical data gathered should have?
4.4: Philosophical: In non-pandemic/epidemic situations, is it ever ethical to segregate society into the “low hospitalization risk” set of people and the “high hospitalization risk” set of people so that you can better handle a pandemic/epidemic should it arise?
5. My mom and I have eliminated any social media except for Instagram, used by my mom to see pictures of her rather large family (e.g., kids, grandkids, great grandkids, and potentially great-great grandkids). We also do not watch any news. I basically look at a couple of web sites that I can filter on and fill her in on what is going on locally and sometimes in the world. In all honesty, I believe our mental health has improved via these changes.
6. I’m very happy to hear about your partnership. I hope it goes a long way to help you do satisfying things and to help with your financial situation.
Very happy to hear from you again! I have a lot of faith that you’ll be able to get into a good place with everything you are doing.
Clay
Kevin deLaplante
7 Apr 2020Thank you as always for your thoughtful replies and support Clay! No doubt our current times offer lots of opportunities to sharpen our critical thinking skills. Regarding data-heavy issues, I’m personally looking forward to this book coming out in the summer (https://amzn.to/2UUTcrn), “Calling Bullshit: The Art of Skepticism in a Data-Driven World”, by Carl Bergstrom and Jevin West. I always value your ideas and suggestions. I hope you and your mom stay well!
Colee
8 Apr 2020It’s great to hear from you Kevin! Your insights have been missed. I always appreciate your refreshing honesty which ends up giving me a new way of looking at the world and myself. Congratulations on your new partnership – all the best with that! And when the time is right, I look forward to future Argument Ninja content.
Kevin deLaplante
9 Apr 2020Thank you Colee! I know we’ll talk again soon!
Herbert Molano
8 Apr 2020Kevin,
Glad to hear your voice back on your podcast. I’ve always liked the measured delivery and clarity of your speech and ideas. I never suspected a speech impediment on you. The candid approach you’ve taken in telling us, though, is a teachable moment for those of us who may balk from time to time at disclosing our perceived weaknesses or simply being transparent.
When I first heard your story of leaving a tenured position to take on this passion of yours given the uncertainties of this medium, it reaffirmed my perception of you as a man of exceptional integrity and courage. With the severe downturn in the economy now, I felt somewhat worried about how these events might make your recent transition from academia financially precarious. I’m glad that those other opportunities are panning out well for you at your new organization.
On Social Media. I’ve taken an unusual view of social media and specifically FB. I see it as an amazing tool to understand the reasoning and style of argumentation of my friends and acquaintances there. My rule is that I include as friends only those with whom I’ve had a personal or face-to-face exchange. Some are close friends of mine and many other people in my dance community that express opinions across the political and social spectrum and that I’ve met or danced with. It is a challenge to remain prudent in answering and following topics that people post. But I have not shirked from challenging anti-vaxxers and conspiracy theorists by applying many of the lessons I’ve learned in your course and other sources. I’ve used it as a training platform to learn how their arguments are shaped, how they respond, and how to nudge them towards challenging their claims.
I’ve only been unfriended twice despite my contacts with about 750 people. Since I used to meet them pre-COVID-19 at dance events, many who did not participate in the FB discussions thanked me in person and told me how much they appreciated the tone, delivery, and nuanced discussions. These compliments are owed to your efforts and the materials in your courses and elsewhere online. That is my training platform. Though I was hoping to test the issues and advocacy I’m tackling with members who participate on your platform.
I’m deeply interested in how cognitive biases interfere in our judgments and in our discussions. I have policy ideas that could have a significant impact dealing with the financial disruption and precarious situations for renters and how non-payment of rent impacts the property owners. The discussions at the city council sessions are passionate and ideological. So becoming more effective and polished in persuasive skills is extremely important to me. I’m deeply interested in how people form opinions and the manner in which these become entrenched. Learning to keep a measured response and guide a courteous interchange has tested my resolve to remain cool. So I’ve been looking at your platform as a way to exchange ideas and approaches with those who have committed to supporting your platform. My objective is effective persuasion and staying candid with myself in evaluating my weaknesses and my biases.
I’d like to see this platform grow. I had been searching for a platform like yours because I’ve not found satisfaction with the critical thinking books, materials, and websites that still have a traditional approach. Let me know if I can be of service in any of these endeavors to keep your website and other platforms extant and vibrant. I’ll learn even more in the process.
Herbert
Kevin deLaplante
9 Apr 2020Thank you as always for your gracious and thoughtful feedback Herbert! I appreciate it very much. I know we’ll talk again soon.
Bentley Davis
13 Apr 2020Congratulations on finding focus and direction. It was great to hear this episode. I agree with everything you said and how you chose to go forward. Thank you for all you have done so far and I look forward to seeing where this all goes.