How to argue in a weasel-ey manner, or...
Nov. 25th, 2008 02:34 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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.
“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.
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(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-25 09:21 pm (UTC)Redsonja suggests that people who took offense at her post cannot be anything other than vicious, spiteful Authenticity Nazis, and that anyone else could not possibly find fault with her meek-and-mild, butter-won't-melt-in-my mouth helpful suggestion. She was only insulting those who so desperately need to be insulted.
Perhaps we can look at the other side of this equation; those who so strongly took offense at Sir Corby's post are so deply defensive because they have something to be defensive about. It gets harder and harder to pretend that you are a contributing memeber of the SCA when the level of authenticity as a whole progresses, and you wilfully refuse to progress with it. Instead, you cling to a ring belt, a peasant blouse, and a broomstick skirt out of a spiteful refusal to do anything other than the bare minimum, and when someonme calls you on it, you go spare.
There's no sense in arguing with someone that tetched.
Lalalalalalalalala....
Date: 2008-11-25 10:38 pm (UTC)