Extreme Absolutes
Short Definition
A recurring diagnostic for rigid all-or-nothing language that often signals cognitive dissonance or weak reasoning.
Expanded Description
In Adams' persuasion framing, real systems are probabilistic and tradeoff-driven. Arguments framed as absolute certainties ("always," "never," 100%) often indicate simplification, emotional defense, or rhetorical overreach.
He treats this pattern as a tell: when nuance is converted into absolutes, analytical quality usually drops.
Persuasion Insight
Spotting absolute language helps distinguish identity defense and narrative protection from evidence-based reasoning.
Related Concepts
Source Note
This is presented as a recurring X and livestream theme rather than a single canonical phrase.