The whole premise of the Overton window is that it does not represent the full spectrum of opinions on some issues, which is unchanging, but rather some socially constructed window onto that spectrum, which does change. Assuming that the midpoint is probably correct is equivalent to saying that any change from the status quo is probably bad. Is that what you really mean?
> The whole premise of the Overton window is that it does not represent the full spectrum of opinions on some issues, which is unchanging, but rather some socially constructed window onto that spectrum, which does change.
Why would you assume that the full spectrum of opinions on an issue would be unchanging?
The concept of the Overton window is meant to represents how attitudes do change in response to variations in perceived extremes.
> Assuming that the midpoint is probably correct is equivalent to saying that any change from the status quo is probably bad. Is that what you really mean?
Basically, yes. I you have a mature system that's reached a stable equilibrium, then its parameters are likely to be optimized against its inputs and constraints, so deviation from that equilibrium is likely to produce less optimal results. If the inputs or constraints have changed significantly, of course, then that might not be applicable.
> Why would you assume that the full spectrum of opinions on an issue would be unchanging?
The spectrum of actual opinions (which is related to the Overton window) may not be unchanging, but the spectrum of all possible opinions by definition can't change. The range of opinions on nuclear weapons goes from "Let's use all of the nukes that exist right now, and also build more and use those, at any cost." to "Nuclear weapons are so evil that any amount of sacrifice is justifiable if it effects even a minuscule change in the likelihood of nuclear weapons being used, or more being built, or existing ones dismantled." This has been true since they were invented, and will continue to be true forever. But both opinions are outside the Overton window, which changes over time.
