语言与文风2022ymeskhout.substack.com
十一个神奇词语
Eleven Magic Words
导读
文章围绕“十一个魔法词”展开，检视认罪协议与缓刑如何把重罚悬在当事人头上，促使他们配合制度。它值得写作者读，是因为它用一个具体说法撬开制度逻辑，并把抽象规则落到具体人生处境上，容易引发读者共鸣与争论。
可以直接用的写作要点
- 01
用一个看似普通的具体短语或术语作入口，逐步揭示其背后的制度与权力关系。
- 02
把抽象制度拆成当事人要付出的具体代价：放弃陪审团审判、接受监控、未来可能被加重处罚。
- 03
在批判中引入可感的类比，让外行迅速理解机制为何僵化。
- 04
不要只停留在愤怒，给出替代方案的设想，让文章从控诉走向建设。
HN 评论精选
质疑辩诉交易和缓刑是否与宪法权利保障相容。
我不是律师，但每次看刑事司法系统都纳闷：在权利法案的强保护下，它怎么合宪？文章提到辩诉交易的结构，以及缓刑的目的就是把重刑悬在头上“鼓励”人做该做的事。创始人真想让正义这样被追求吗？因非法物质被抓，为换合理惩罚就要放弃陪审团审判；惩罚常是再放弃另一项宪法权利，比如被24/7监控；还不保证仅此而已，若违反假释又可在没有程序或证据标准下被重罚。
tinalumfoil查看英文原文
I'm not a lawyer but every time I look at the criminal justice system I do wonder how it could be constitutional given the strong protections of the bill of rights. > Recall how plea deals are structured, and how the entire purpose of a suspended jail sentence is to dangle the anvil over someone’s head to “encourage” them to do the things they’re supposed to do. Is this really how the founders meant justice to be pursued? You get picked up for an illegal substance and, in exchange for a reasonable punishment, you have to give up your right to a jury trial? And your punishment is often that you give up another constitution right -- like by being monitored 24/7? But you're not guaranteed that's your only punishment, you also give up the right to a jury trial in the future so if you break parole they drop an anvil on you without any process or standard of evidence? I'd be curious if I'm mistaken and this was all very common in federal trials of post-revolution America.
好写作能引出读者强烈的个人经验与情绪联想。
文章写得很好，希望大家抽时间读。说个重要的偏题：一位朋友被酒驾司机撞死，我对那人有非常、非常黑暗的情绪。
CoastalCoder查看英文原文
That was some excellent writing; I hope people find the time to read the article. And on a significant tangent from the article's main point: A friend of mine was killed by a drunk driver. I struggle with some very, very dark sentiments towards them.
用软件遗留系统类比司法惰性，主张惩罚之外的支援性方案。
如果那样被带上法庭，我首先会想：我们为什么在这里？这场逻辑、修辞和盲目情绪的古怪仪式，竟决定一个人乃至一个家庭的命运？理性的人会判断：他犯罪危及他人不对，但他也有家庭要养，或许只需吊销驾照并提供交通和心理支持。可现实要么轻拍手腕，要么驱逐。我们都知道有更好办法，却没人做。就像软件设计：烂工具以烂方式运行，惯性、货物崇拜和既得利益让人困在旧辙，进步慢且无序。
0xbadcafebee查看英文原文
The first thing I would think if I was brought into court like that would be: why are we even here? What is the purpose of this exercise? So three individuals can do some bizarre ritual dance of logic, rhetoric, and blind willful emotion, and the conclusion of this dance decides a man's life? A family's life? A rational person might judge the situation and see that, yes, it's not fair for this man to commit a crime that could put other's lives at stake. But that he also has a family to care for, and that we might solve the problem by simply taking away his right to drive, as well as simultaneously giving him the support he needs (transportation so he doesn't need to drive and get DUIs, as well as psychological support). But that's not what we give him. We either give him a slap on the wrist, or deport him. We all know that there has to be a better way, but as far as I can tell, nothing is being done about it. It's like with software design. We just have these shitty tools, that have to work in these shitty ways, and we all know there must be a better way, but inertia and cargo cult and incumbency keeps us stuck in a rut. If there is progress, it's unacceptably slow and disorganized.
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