Clay Shirky Quotes

When reason and unreason come into contact, an electrical shock occurs. This is called polemics.

Controversy is only dreaded by the advocates of error.

What I love is getting polarized opinions.

Writers should provoke disagreement.

There is no conversation more boring than the one where everybody agrees.

Scholars will argue with each other about everything.

It is only by the collision of adverse opinions that the remainder of the truth has any chance of being supplied.

When a thing ceases to be a subject of controversy, it ceases to be a subject of interest.

Discussion in America means dissent.

No matter what side of the argument you are on, you always find people on your side that you wish were on the other.

When two or more people agree on an issue, I form on the other side.

Disagreement is something normal.

I love disagreements. I love the democratic process. If I'm in a room where everybody agrees, I start to nod off.

Debates, I hate.

I like to argue with the radio.

Every day of my life, I come against a conservative who wants me to shut up. I do believe I'm right and they are wrong.

I think I was born for controversies.

Arguing is fun when you think you have all the answers.

I like arguments.

There are two sides to every question: my side and the wrong side.

It is not he who gains the exact point in dispute who scores most in controversy - but he who has shown the better temper.

I don't feel that an atmosphere of debate and total disagreement and argument is such a bad thing. It makes for a vital and alive field.

Debates are boring.

One can always debate questions back and forth.

If you are ignorant, you certainly can get into some interesting arguments.