convincible.org

Convincible has recieved a message from a reader on the debates. We think it’s a fun one!
Mr. Wood writes:

After briefly pondering this topic, I’m inspired to create a new word: “pithable”

Definitions:

A pithable argument (as opposed to a “pithy” argument) is one which has the potential of becoming substantial or weighty by the addition of a small, but cogent insight.

“The candidate’s proposal was pithable, if economic insights were added.”

A pithable argument is also one which can be demolished by stabbing it’s core. As in pithing a laboratory frog.

“The candidate’s proposal was pithable, because it neglected the fact that the earth is round.”

But most importantly, it sounds like “pitiful” with a mouth full of popcorn, and sentences where it is interchanged are also meaningful!

It’s been too long since this site has had an update! The primary author has been busy with a few other projects, but I expect he will have a few new postings soon. In the meantime, I just received a new set of header images from our professional photographer. They now rotate when the page is refreshed. I hope our readers enjoy the new shots!

The picture used at the top of the site is of the “Pozzo di San Patrizio”, or the Well of Saint Patrick, in Orvieto Italy. I took this photograph while on vacation.
The well is 62 meters deep and features a double helix staircase, so that mules could go down and carry water up simultaneously.
Somehow, a well with many windows and two paths seemed to make for a good theme for this site.
There will be two of us starting the commentary, so that fit the two paths.
And there are many windows, from the two paths, all looking at the same water. Pretty neat.

Some background on the actual well can be found here:
Pozzo di San Patrizio (St. Patrick’s Well)

I want to thank Topi Ilmari Peltonen, because I based this site design on a theme he created, called “Neat!” You can find more about Topi here: www.aamukaste.org (Thanks Topi!)

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Be convincible.

Reasonable commentary on politics and issues of the day.
Written by convincible people for convincible people.

Many people think of politics and issues like they think about their favorite team sports, but without the sportsmanship. They support their team’s viewpoint, because it is their team. They follow their team blindly and unwaveringly and sometimes vociferously. And often any sense of respect or even politeness for the opposition (sportsmanship) is thrown aside. “Fitting in with your peers” or “supporting your side and winning” becomes more important than the idea of objective reasoned discussion and persuasive argument.

Move above being in a “red state” or “blue state”. Get outside the echo chamber of blogs and newspapers that agree with you. Realize that sometimes the majority is wrong. Read both the editorials from the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. Find out if the author has a vested interest or a known bias. Question how the statistics were used and don’t believe everything the authors tell you. Find out what was said after the sound bite. Do some research and check the facts. Can you be convinced that you are wrong about an idea? Can you convince someone else?

To “be convincible” means that an argument or evidence can be used to change your beliefs or plan of action. Being convincible doesn’t mean that you have to be persuaded by a particular argument, but is does mean that you should not hold fast to an ideal merely to fit in with your friends or because some other authority said it was right. Reason, logic, evidence and facts should shape your opinion. Reasonable people should be able to have a discussion and even a passionate argument without unsportsmanlike conduct. When you are right, you should be able to convince others and when you are wrong you should be convincible.

Welcome to convincible.org.