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Long read. I skimmed a lot of the start, because I am familiar with most of the history.

It seems to me that if you are willing to sit across from an Alex Jones or Mike Cernovich and take him seriously, there’s a high probability that you’re either cynical or stupid.

I don't agree. I think it is good to be willing to hear out and give a fair chance to any ideas that can be rationally put forward.
Even if we know going in that it's nutty/dumb/wrong.
By assessing and breaking down even the ridiculous, we expand our own perceptions, understanding, and strengthen our existing ideas.
And, on occasion, it turns out a crazy person can be correct.

this frog-kissing plays perfectly into the hands of those who want to discredit the individuals in this network

That is an unfortunate consequence, it does provide ammunition for their opposition, but I don't think that's a good enough reason to change the behaviour. Dishonest opposition will always find, or fabricate something anyway.