Have the OmgImSoLogical people on OT invented a new fallacy? What should we name it?

[Fifty]

We need a word for the meta-strawman on OT, where people who think they sound logical by using the word "strawman" start getting into an argument over who is more of a strawman, thus turning the entire discussion into a strawman about strawman-hood.

Any suggestions for cool names for this phenomenon?

 

[Bill3000]

What's latin for strawman?

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

We need a word for the meta-strawman on OT, where people who think they sound logical by using the word "strawman" start getting into an argument over who is more of a strawman, thus turning the entire discussion into a strawman about strawman-hood.

Any suggestions for cool names for this phenomenon?

Ad Brainpanium fallacy.

 

[Abaddon]

Thread= haystack?

 

[Fifty]

haystack is actually a pretty good suggestion! I'm suprised at you abaddon!!

 

[Abaddon]

thankyou Fifty.

 

[Bill3000]

But the question is, how exactly is it an error in logic?

 

[Abaddon]

dunno, but at least i can shout "haystack" at big threads without having to read them

 

[Elrohir]

Thread= haystack?

Excellent! I'm going to steal this and pretend I'm the one who thought it up.

But the question is, how exactly is it an error in logic?

By insisting that the other person brought up a strawman to the exclusion of the actual topic, they are in effect diverting the subject to an irrelevant semantical debate. Maybe not technically a violation of the laws of logic, but it's certainly annoying.

 

[Japanrocks12]

the lamest thing I could think of was strawmanorgy

 

[Fëanor]

"With all the angry strawmen here this thread is probably about to go up in flame" (for strawmen threads that becoming flame-fests)
"And by the power invested in me by the Holy Haystack i declare these two Strawmen Husband and Husband" (pun on Gay Marriage, possibly done quoting two people calling each other "strawmen")

Any suggestions for cool names for this phenomenon?

Pagliaio (Italian for Hay barn)
Uomo di Paglia (Italian for Strawman)
Hooiberg (Dutch for Haystack)

 

[Stylesjl]

Strawman Battalion?

 

[MobBoss]

Ad Brainpanium fallacy.

This is the winner. No more offers necessary.

You could even expound upon it. Such as:

Ad Branpanium UB Trollium.

 

[Left]

Any suggestions for cool names for this phenomenon?

Bruce.

Perhaps Frank.

 

[warpus]

So what do we call an occurance of somebody dishing out haystacks in order to sound smart and logical, turning the thread into a battle of haystacks?

 

[GinandTonic]

Remember the HUGE straw man Christopher Lee built and burnt in the Wicker Man?

 

[West 36]

So what do we call an occurance of somebody dishing out haystacks in order to sound smart and logical, turning the thread into a battle of haystacks?

Battle of haystacks sounds like Battle of Hastings, so it should be called either a 1066 or a Will. Or maybe WtC. But then people would think its World Trade Center. And thats bad, and before you've known it people are talking about terrorists, and then debating if Bush is one, and then calling him a Nazi.

/ramble/strawman/streamofconscience/chaosthoery/godwinslaw.
huh. I should probably go to sleep now.

 

[mdwh]

Do we have some examples of this happening?

By insisting that the other person brought up a strawman to the exclusion of the actual topic, they are in effect diverting the subject to an irrelevant semantical debate.

If the person _did_ bring up a strawman, then it's fair game to point it out, and nothing to do with semantics. Certainly it's far better to stem the debate there - it's far worse when people fall for the strawman, and end up with a thread descending into trying to defend some point that nobody claimed in the first place.

If the person didn't make a strawman, then obviously you should respond by pointing out where someone made the argument you are arguing against.

I think what Fifty was talking about was when someone gets into an argument about who is more of a strawman, but the fault is just as likely to lie with the person supposedly making a strawman, than the person accusing him (after all, you need two to argue).

 

[Swedishguy]

The question I have is: What the hell is a strawman?

 

[Che Guava]

The question I have is: What the hell is a strawman?

It basically means that you define your opponent's arguments to an oversimplistic or irrational point, then try to debate them on that instead of what they actually say.

For eg:
"I think freedom of speech is a good idea"
"So you support all those people burning flags and calling for the president's impeachment!"


Personally I think we should call it a "Bolger Maneuver" after Ray Bolger:

Spoiler :