Geoffrey MillerVerified account

9/To argue fruitfully with a Gish Galloper, you must focus on gestalt arguments. You must play his game, because he just doesn't know how to play yours.

10/Ignore the Galloper's points (which aren't really points at all). Focus on a central, memorable message that will allow him to think about the whole issue in a different frame. For example: "The United States is a team, and immigrants are recruits who strengthen that team."

Better, figure out what virtues the Galloper is trying to signal, and show them they can signal them even better by reframing the issue. Anything less won't change their mind.

Do you mean "signal" in the sense of a costly signal, or "signal" as in "communicate"? Because if it's the latter, that approach won't work...

Costly signaling theory, I'm thinking. Like in my 'Spent' book.

Yes, then that will work. But TBH I think most Gallopers are too instinctive to think this way. Costly signaling requires some forethought, I think.

Maybe. Or just connect what they're proudest of, to what their social in-group cares about, via a new perspective on an issue. This is a largely untried and speculative strategy, admittedly.

I find that much of what conservatives interpret as signaling, I interpret as either honest communication or pure emoting.