Psyamoche (shadow boxing)
The Canned Platypus is justified in attacking a straw man rather than dealing directly with “conservative” issues, because of this:Straw men and ad hominem attacks are pretty universal and not confined to any particular ideology. Tu quoque, on the other hand, seems to be a characteristically anti-liberal failing. It’s a particular instance of the survival of the meanest dynamic I’ve alluded to before, except that this time it’s survival of the stupidest instead. Can you say “adverse selection"?
And of course, “liberals” are correct because “anti-liberals” are mean.
Many liberals are pacifists. Many are taught to respect others’ opinions. Quite a few are simply wimps. No matter how you slice it, though, these attitudes put liberals at a distinct disadvantage when debating conservatives and libertarians (collectively, “anti-liberals") who don’t believe in “playing nice” at all. Liberals rein themselves in, and stop to listen; anti-liberals don’t reciprocate.
Nevermind the facts, I've already formed an opinion.
posted by Robert @ Monday, March 21, 2005
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