Calmversations s08e23 | Quiet Part Loud, with Rhetorically Defective
Dec 19, 2025
Artie, known as Rhetorically Defective, is a YouTube commentator who dissects contemporary discourse with sharp humor. In their chat, he recounts his internet evolution and the role of anonymity in his journey. From the impact of 2020 on his views to a deep dive into identity politics, Artie explains how offensive humor can spark meaningful dialogue. He critiques the risk of identity politics and discusses free speech issues, while emphasizing his mission to build a community that encourages laughter and candid conversations.
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Second Internet Life And Hidden Identity
- Artie describes multiple internet lives and hiding his identity after Antifa harassment and past exposure.
- He explains how showing his face changed over time and why he once concealed personal details.
Offense As A Gateway To Deep Talk
- Artie recounts using offensive humor on his old podcast to lower defenses and reach emotional topics.
- He explains he intentionally alternated offensive jokes with deep conversations to foster vulnerability.
Four-Step Cognitive-Bias Cycle
- Artie outlines a cognitive-bias cycle: availability heuristic, false consensus, naive realism, pluralistic ignorance.
- He argues pluralistic ignorance is the key lever for changing minds within that cycle.