How to argue in a weasel-ey manner, or...

[chargirlgenius]

...How I learned to stop worrying and be disingenuous when I was losing on substance

“Honey, if you think that was insulting I’d hate to see how you handled a real insult!”

Closely related to: “I’m not insulting you. Believe me, when I’m insulting you, you’ll know it.” (In other words, I can say whatever the hell I want, and you’re not allowed to take offense at it.)

“I’m only talking about you if my completely insulting post describes you.” (In other words, if you’re offended, it’s still your own fault.)

“My post wasn’t about you, even though enough of the pertinent details are eerily close to you.” (In other words, I can say whatever the hell I want, and you’re not allowed to take offense at it.)

“I just tell the truth as I see it.” (In other words, when it’s me against the world, *obviously* the whole world is wrong.)

And especially, remove the offending post/comment so you can say “I didn’t say that!” when people try to actually argue the points with you down the road.

The nice part about these phrases, is that it's a pretty nice cue for knowing when the person has totally lost all the substance of their original point.

PS: And why, OH WHY, does every time somebody suggests some quick and dirty things that people *could* do to improve their look, do people feel like it’s an attack upon them? Folks, there’s no reason to defend why you do things the way you do. It’s *fine*. It’s really fine. You make your own choices for whatever your reasons are. However, if you WANT to look a little more medieval, then read the list. If you don’t, then just go read something else.

Comments

[isabelladangelo.livejournal.com]

I keep reading all of that thread and it's really interesting to me. I'm trying to figure out why, if you aren't into history, why are you in the SCA? Why not go to LARP or another fantasy based role playing where you can get the fighting but don't get the need for historical based items? Then again, most of the arguments against making suggestions over there have been hurting my head. Suggestions are perfectly fine; you don't HAVE to take them. ...oh well. I just feel really sorry for the OP over in that thread...

[reabhecc.livejournal.com]

Because the SCA isn't about history, it's a 42 year old Fantasy Costume Party, didn't you know that?

*rolls eyes*

[isabelladangelo.livejournal.com]

...so I can wear my requiem gown to 12th night? And claim I'm Arwen? Woohoo!!! ;-)

Hey, I totally have the hair for it...now to find some pointy ears...

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

See, LARPs have rules.

I see a big difference between making general, generic suggestions on a list, and telling one person that they have to change. The former is, and should be, ok. The latter, not so much.

Preaching to the Choir, but...

[shalmestere.livejournal.com]

if you aren't into history, why are you in the SCA?

Because the SCA is where your social life is?

When I was in college, I ran into a lot of people who played SCA because their S.O./friends/housemates did. Or they were in one of the campus clubs whose membership overlapped the local SCA (like the gamers, or the Film Society), and they found the SCA a pleasant enough diversion that they would put on their one T-tunic and go to the local group's annual event [back in the days when local groups only held one event a year ;-D]--but not engaging enough that they'd go to anything out-of-town.

Many people come to/stay in the SCA for the subculture--it's just that most of them don't pick fights about it :-> (After all, one could conceivably become a Peer in the SCA without even a rudimentary interest in "history"....)