[Noam Chomsky is] so far out on the lunatic fringe that even the sensible things he has to say are lost. --David Rieff, August 4, 1991 [212]
ChomskyPublicExtremismPerceptionReputationArgumentCredibility
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Rieff argues Chomsky is so extreme his sensible points are ignored.
- In plain terms
- His fringe position drowns out valid arguments.
- What can you take from it?
- Extreme positions can silence otherwise reasonable points.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does style hurt substance?
- Is he truly too extreme?
Another view
It ignores if Chomsky's fringe label is justified.
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