IDEOLOGICAL TURING TEST

The original Turing test: a machine passes if humans can't tell whether they're talking to a human or a machine. The ideological version: you pass if defenders of a position you disagree with can't tell whether you actually hold the position.

This is the most demanding version of steelmanning. It requires not just understanding the argument but inhabiting its motivations — feeling the world from inside the position. Most arguments would improve if both sides could pass this test before responding.

1. 1.Pick a view you disagree with. Choose one you've ENGAGED with — not a strawman you've avoided.
2. 2.Write a 300-word essay arguing FOR the position. In first person. As if you held it.
3. 3.Specifically include the motivations: not just what the position says, but why someone reasonable might find it compelling.
4. 4.If possible, show the essay to someone who actually holds the view. Ask: 'Does this sound like one of us, or someone pretending to be?'
5. 5.If they say pretending, ask what you missed. Revise.
6. 6.If you can't access a real holder, ask yourself: would I be embarrassed for the holder to read this?