# Bricker's betting gambit **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [September 4, 2013, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brickers-betting-gambit/667992 "2013-09-04T13:41:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2013, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brickers-betting-gambit/667992/201 "2013-09-05T20:55:47Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > True, but that’s a feature, not a bug. It’s when an inaccurate post stands with no subsequent refutation that problems exist. So refute the post-nobody’s stopping you. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2013, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brickers-betting-gambit/667992/202 "2013-09-05T21:00:33Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > So refute the post-nobody’s stopping you. I will. But until such time as the mere presence of a post below my user name is sufficient to quell all doubts, many casual readers will simply shrug and say to themselves, “They both have some good points.” But when the proponent of the error steps forward to repudiate his mistake, then even the casual reader can regard the issue as solved. And if you don’t like that – ignore it. Nobody’s stopping you. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2013, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brickers-betting-gambit/667992/203 "2013-09-05T21:08:03Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > But until such time as the mere presence of a post below my user name is sufficient to quell all doubts, many casual readers will simply shrug and say to themselves, “They both have some good points.” At which point maybe you could consider following your own advice: > [@Bricker](#): > > And if you don’t like that – ignore it. Nobody’s stopping you. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2013, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brickers-betting-gambit/667992/204 "2013-09-05T21:09:56Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > At which point maybe you could consider following your own advice: No. But thank you for the invitation. See, I have a solution I like. I am not asking anyone to change any rules, or concoct any schemes, to assist me in making my point. I’m fine. Thanks for caring. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2013, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brickers-betting-gambit/667992/205 "2013-09-05T21:26:34Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > No. > > But thank you for the invitation. > > See, I have a solution I like. I am not asking anyone to change any rules, or concoct any schemes, to assist me in making my point. I’m fine. > > Thanks for caring. Yeah-I sort of thought that your “advice” was only for those on the other side of the debate. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2013, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brickers-betting-gambit/667992/206 "2013-09-05T21:26:49Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Somebody who flooded the board with off-topic commentary or tried a denial-of-service attack… that would be disruptive. Or even someone who polluted thread after thread after thread after thread with really stupid rhetorical questions as though they thought they were Socrates, rarely providing facts, information or debate, just idiotic attempts at “gotcha” questions, multiple times per thread. That would be really disruptive too. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2013, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brickers-betting-gambit/667992/207 "2013-09-05T21:30:42Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > Or even someone who polluted thread after thread after thread after thread with really stupid rhetorical questions as though they thought they were Socrates, rarely providing facts, information or debate, just idiotic attempts at “gotcha” questions, multiple times per thread. > > That would be really disruptive too. Yes it would. Have you tried reporting this person? ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2013, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brickers-betting-gambit/667992/208 "2013-09-05T21:40:17Z")
What do you suppose might happen if I did? ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2013, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brickers-betting-gambit/667992/209 "2013-09-05T21:41:13Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > Or even someone who polluted thread after thread after thread after thread with really stupid rhetorical questions as though they thought they were Socrates, rarely providing facts, information or debate, just idiotic attempts at “gotcha” questions, multiple times per thread. And all of a sudden, SDMB post volume drops by 75%. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2013, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brickers-betting-gambit/667992/210 "2013-09-05T21:42:12Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > What do you suppose might happen if I did? Since this is neither the right forum, let alone the right thread, for this dance I’m just going to stop here. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2013, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brickers-betting-gambit/667992/211 "2013-09-05T22:23:42Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > Assume there is a thread in GD that says, “1+1 = 4” and each and every poster comes in and says, “well shit, you’re right.” But then I come in with facts and evidence and mathematical proof that in fact, 1+1 = 2. Each and every poster that previously agreed that 1+1=4 remains silent, no other poster comes in after the fact and notes that the original posters were wrong, and the thread dies. Is that enough? What the fuck is the point if factual correctness goes unacknowledged? Bricker’s a religious man. He can tell himself his factual correctness will be acknowledged when he gets to heaven. As for _you_… what do you want, a medal? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2013, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brickers-betting-gambit/667992/212 "2013-09-05T22:25:38Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > Or even someone who polluted thread after thread after thread after thread with really stupid rhetorical questions as though they thought they were Socrates, rarely providing facts, information or debate, just idiotic attempts at “gotcha” questions, multiple times per thread. > > That would be really disruptive too. Meh, that was pretty much covered when I said “flooded the board with off-topic commentary”. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2013, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brickers-betting-gambit/667992/213 "2013-09-05T23:09:29Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Yeah-I sort of thought that your “advice” was only for those on the other side of the debate. No. My advice is for all. If you don’t like it, ignore it, or post in response to it. I follow that advice. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2013, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brickers-betting-gambit/667992/214 "2013-09-05T23:17:59Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Bricker’s a religious man. He can tell himself his factual correctness will be acknowledged when he gets to heaven. > > As for _you_… what do you want, a medal? A medal, no. But all of us post on the board for various reasons. Sharing thoughts and ideas, seeking information, some sort of validation or acknowledgment, vindication even, among many others I would presume. If those ideas and reasons are unrequited - if that interaction doesn’t occur then posting becomes less interesting and more like blog posts. If GD ignored well thought out OPs and topics of merit in lieu of debating the weight gain of Lindsay Lohan, the forum would be much less interesting and there would be less motivation for participation. Conversely, if factual correctness goes unacknowledged, it creates a similar disincentive to participate because what’s the point of going to the trouble of engaging in debate then? May as well shout on a soapbox for it would have the same effect. To the extent possible, correct ideas should be rewarded, and incorrect ideas should be punished. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2013, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brickers-betting-gambit/667992/215 "2013-09-05T23:23:24Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Yes, I do. And notice that your skin did not burst into flames. You survived. As you say. Notice, too, that your aggressive and snarky offering of betting terms was totally unnecessary in eliciting this admission of wrongdoing; all you needed to do was to point out the error. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2013, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brickers-betting-gambit/667992/216 "2013-09-05T23:32:46Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > Conversely, if factual correctness goes unacknowledged, it creates a similar disincentive to participate because what’s the point of going to the trouble of engaging in debate then? May as well shout on a soapbox for it would have the same effect. To the extent possible, correct ideas should be rewarded, and incorrect ideas should be punished. Well, feel free to set up the Doper Correctness Reward Fund if you like, giving grants and bursaries to those who express “correct” ideas (as well as funding local programs to put flaming bags of dog poop on the doorsteps of the incorrect). If I win $2 from Bricker, I will happily donate it to such a cause. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2013, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brickers-betting-gambit/667992/217 "2013-09-06T00:02:40Z")
What’s the over-under for how many pages this thread runs to before being locked? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2013, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brickers-betting-gambit/667992/218 "2013-09-06T00:13:46Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > As you say. Notice, too, that your aggressive and snarky offering of betting terms was totally unnecessary in eliciting this admission of wrongdoing; all you needed to do was to point out the error. Yes. And that’s always the first step. But see – not everyone is **Hentor**. ---
**Author:** ![j\_sum1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8baadc/32.png) [@j\_sum1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j_sum1)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2013, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brickers-betting-gambit/667992/219 "2013-09-06T00:55:54Z")
I admit to not having read the whole of this thread. But I do have some thoughts. Let Bricker (or anyone else) posit a wager if they like. I don’t see much harm in that. I won’t play though. After the initial proposal let the dialogue on the bet take place via PM/email. If it must be done publicly, let it go to the pit. Keep the debate where the debate belongs and put the sideshow (with whatever merits it might have) somewhere else. ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2013, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brickers-betting-gambit/667992/220 "2013-09-06T05:41:46Z")
> [@j\_sum1](#): > > Let Bricker (or anyone else) posit a wager if they like. I don’t see much harm in that. Well, I think it’s rather clear by now that, despite his statements about wanting a tool to enforce an admission of incorrectness in order to settle a debate conclusively, **Bricker** really only wants to put on a show, a little song and dance in order to exact a judgement about his opponent independently of the factual content of their position; indulging this is I think already harmful to the debate. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brickers-betting-gambit/667992.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brickers-betting-gambit/667992.md?page=12)