Steelmanning

This video presents the same text shown beside it, spoken and on screen. It adds nothing the text does not say.

State

Steelmanning goes past charity: build the best possible version of the opposing view — better than its advocate managed — then engage that.

Show

If the improved version still fails, the position fails. If it survives, you've learned something before losing anything.

Watch for

The test of understanding a position is stating it so its holders say "yes, exactly." Anything less is rehearsal, not engagement.

Builds on