Most annoying argument tactics

[Fifty]

What are some argument tactics that you notice people use a lot, and really annoy you? It can be here, elsewhere, or both.

My two:

1. People who quote the exact definition of something, with pronunciation guide and everything, to illustrate a point. I'm not against coming to an agreeed definition but this is just annoying

2. People who do the fallacy of "your theory is incomplete therefore my theory is correct" (ad ignorantium I think it's called??)


So what are your guys' "most annoying argument tactics"!!!!?!???!?!???!?!?

 

[covok48]

1. People who take jabs and potshots at your religion/value system when arguing a specific topic.

2. Those who cry 'racist' 'sexist' 'bigot' or [insert pc term here] when they're clearly losing an arguement.

3. The term "I agree with everything you say/ I understand what you're saying...but... (and then go off on how they don't agree or understand anything you say).

4. The phrase "we need to educate more" or "people are not educated enough" or "education is the key". Replace 'education' with the word 'indoctrinate' and you get to the crux of what those phrases mean.

 

[Jawz II]

people who either play dumb or are really really dumb.

example, i post something and 2 posts down the person is claiming i posted something entirely diffrent. how can you beat that kind of stupidity?

or when they demand evidence for something that is totally obvious! example: prove to me that the allies won WW2!

or people who take tones, and think doing that takes courage. it dosent.
ive done that a few times too, but usually only when the other guys starts it.

or when someone says he is/isnt gonna do something, and immediately dose the opposite, example: im not gonna answer your question, but your answer is bla bla bla!!

 

[Sidhe]

People who start being pedantic when there argument is devoid of merit, I.e start pulling apart grammar or sentence structure or over analysing exactly what you said, even though they knew full well what you meant.

Producing definitions is valid if it is something that is definitive i.e what etymology means. Using it when the point of it's introduction isn't the point of your argument is a distraction and bloody annoying.

Changing the subject to something unrelated to divert atention away from the holes in your argument.

Resorting to calling someone a jerk or an arse without backing the sentiment up with an argument. i.e your an idiot screw you, full bloody stop!

Using words in an argument that are unrelated and that make people think that whoever your discussing is guilty of said words. Instead of just sticking to the facts.

People who find it impossible to admit their mistakes or to change their mind. Who somehow miss the point of a discussion, to learn not to be right.

 

[eyrei]

During an argument about whether something is moral, when people state "that is just the way it is"...

 

[Kayak]

People who take a response with a couple of points or a question and cherry pick from it. Thereby avoiding difficult issues or not directly aswering anything. It's maddening to constantly post "yes, but what about X?"

 

[Fifty]

or when they demand evidence for something that is totally obvious! example: prove to me that the allies won WW2!

Going off of that one, I could add "People who demand proof for things in which proof is completely impossible to attain, and then believe they have won when you tell them that proof is impossible to attain"



And a big one on OT: The belief that " " constitutes a refutation.

 

[Taliesin]

For sheer mass of effect, I think fallacious conflations in various forms are the most irritating. They are often unintentional, but even so they're blighters to sort out. Even worse if somebody's doing it on purpose.

 

[punkbass2000]

People who think concepts are objective, concrete things

 

[Riesstiu IV]

If someone is loosing an argument, they decide to punch you in the face instead.

 

[The Capitalist]

I got an example of an annoying argument.

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=3858325&postcount=71
gotta love people flirting the idea of reporting you to the authority.

 

[Fifty]

@Capitalist: Refraining from user-specific comments would be beneficial to this thread's aspirations of not being closed.

 

[ThePrankMonkey]

a person who only uses absolutes. ugh.

 

[bhsup]

If Fifty is okay with this, since I am personally requesting it about myself, I'd like to ask what people find irritating about anything I may argue about. I'm quite open to constructive criticism, so fire away!

I figured this wasn't really worthy of its own thread, but might fit nicely in Fifty's, and I've been wondering about this lately anyway.

 

[The Capitalist]

@Capitalist: Refraining from user-specific comments would be beneficial to this thread's aspirations of not being closed.

Sorry dude,it is just that it amaze me in this little community that i got people who come out of the blue and start saying i am rude.I was just making an argument and for some apparent reason,a person would resort to just telling me how to make such arguments.

 

[Fifty]

If Fifty is okay with this, since I am personally requesting it about myself, I'd like to ask what people find irritating about anything I may argue about. I'm quite open to constructive criticism, so fire away!

I figured this wasn't really worthy of its own thread, but might fit nicely in Fifty's, and I've been wondering about this lately anyway.

I'm fine as long as the moderatorial staff doesn't find it too user-specific.

 

[Jawz II]

If Fifty is okay with this, since I am personally requesting it about myself, I'd like to ask what people find irritating about anything I may argue about. I'm quite open to constructive criticism, so fire away!

I figured this wasn't really worthy of its own thread, but might fit nicely in Fifty's, and I've been wondering about this lately anyway.

well i had 2 arguements with you one about drugs and the other one i cant remember.

in the drug one you said you didnt know how to answer something i said and i guess thats as close as admitting youve changed your mind as we can get here on OT, at least slightly. or maybe not. anyway that was honest, which is good.

plus youre very polite.

 

[punkbass2000]

If Fifty is okay with this, since I am personally requesting it about myself, I'd like to ask what people find irritating about anything I may argue about. I'm quite open to constructive criticism, so fire away!

I figured this wasn't really worthy of its own thread, but might fit nicely in Fifty's, and I've been wondering about this lately anyway.

I always find your posts refreshing, personnally.

 

[Red Stranger]

I haven't seen much here, but what annoys me are people that use "you know as well as I know..." then goes on to make a bias statement.

 

[punkbass2000]

That's a good one, RS. People are regularly telling me to just "admit" things, I find.