Not making a strong argument is a relief

Kaj Sotala, writing on LessWrong, identifies a paradox: the most persuasive argument often admits its weak spots. He recounts a teacher who refused to say whether he'd used drugs, claiming any answer could be twisted against the anti-drug message. But if something is truly bad, there must be ways to prove it—even honestly. Sotala sees the same temptation in his own writing: construct bulletproof cases for positions he's only 'probably' right about. Yet he finds that exhausting. Instead, his most popular essays acknowledge uncertainty and limitations. The result? Readers respect the honesty far more than they would have respected manufactured certainty. There's relief in not having to pretend you know more than you do.

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