The Treachery of Vibes

Overvaluing an aesthetic of moderation can be treacherous. Part of its appeal may lie in the expectation that a moderate stance arises from a cautious, level-headed, well-reasoned approach, but mistaking the former for the latter can be a trap. Where the two are conflated, superficial assertions can skate by undetected, which means they can mislead people into buying ideas that don’t really hold up to scrutiny.