Reasons I’m going batshit insane, #2

I’ve got a new entry for Wikipedia in logical fallacies. I’m calling it makio shit uppum. It almost always occurs when someone is losing an argument. Here’s how it works:

Scenario 1. Invent examples of highly negative character traits you attribute to your opponent. For example, “The floor is 90 years old and rotting. It will collapse if we do not replace it.” “You only know how to spend money. You want to replace the floor because you’re moving in,” Even better, do that to your opponent’s significant other / spouse. When they aren’t present. For example, “—— doesn’t talk much. She is ignorant.”

Scenario 2. Only respond to what you think your opponent should be saying, not what they are actually saying. For example, “You are so ignorant for saying that about me in front of ——!” “The little dig I made was at ——, what does what his son said have to do with you?” “You should be ashamed of your behaviour towards me in front of ——!”

I notice that “being ignorant” is frequently used as a general-purpose insult here in Central Scotland. Which, frankly, tells me how ignorant those tossing the insult around truly are.

• 21 Jan 2008

• Thinking