# Enlighten the newb: Who are the SDMB woo-woos who argue WELL? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 19, 2010, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enlighten-the-newb-who-are-the-sdmb-woo-woos-who-argue-well/543760 "2010-06-19T07:05:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Cyningablod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc29f/32.png) [@Cyningablod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyningablod)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2010, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enlighten-the-newb-who-are-the-sdmb-woo-woos-who-argue-well/543760/21 "2010-06-19T16:13:00Z")
Thanks for the responses. A few of y’all ( **Sleeps With Butterflies** , **SoulFrost** , **minlokwat** ) have suggested that this thread of mine is little more than a cheap, veiled attack on anyone who’s not a card-carrying Skeptic. I have two thoughts on this. 1. You might be right. As I was checking the responses to this thread just now, it occurred to me that I probably wouldn’t have even posted such a topic as this, today. Or most of the time, for that matter. So maybe last night I was just feeling pettily confrontational. I dunno. If that’s the case, I apologize. 2. At least I came to the right place for it (the Pit). It would have been transparently aggressive of me to have put it in GD or IMHO, I s’pose. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2010, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enlighten-the-newb-who-are-the-sdmb-woo-woos-who-argue-well/543760/22 "2010-06-19T16:19:35Z")
Aw, I forgot it was the pit, and there I was giving a reasoned thought-out response. That was a waste of time and electrons. Where is the ‘mortified at being so gauche’ smiley ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2010, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enlighten-the-newb-who-are-the-sdmb-woo-woos-who-argue-well/543760/23 "2010-06-19T16:56:40Z")
> [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > \ > > I really like the fact that this board is welcoming to atheists, and sometimes I wish it were more welcoming to other people. I’d prefer it if we could have a civil discussion, or even a fiery debate in GD, without having to go for blood whenever someone mentions religion or the supernatural in MPSIMS. I regret the loss of civility and interesting threads that this seems to entail. > > Woo. That is one of the weaker elements of this board - the intolerance of anything other than science and atheism/agnosticism. We have our things that we are endlessly tolerant of, but we do not extend that courtesy to all the things that people might be interested in; only the ones on the Big List of Accepted Beliefs. You probably won’t see a lot of good arguments for anything but atheism and science here because people who don’t fall in line with those beliefs wouldn’t feel comfortable here. > [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > Aw, I forgot it was the pit, and there I was giving a reasoned thought-out response. That was a waste of time and electrons. > > Where is the ‘mortified at being so gauche’ smiley It’s the blowjob smiley - :o 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2010, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enlighten-the-newb-who-are-the-sdmb-woo-woos-who-argue-well/543760/24 "2010-06-19T17:16:51Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > It’s the blowjob smiley - :o 😃 Well, of course it is, it says it right on it. Now I’m meta-embarrassed. ⭕o I thought it was going wooo wooo. . 😃 ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2010, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enlighten-the-newb-who-are-the-sdmb-woo-woos-who-argue-well/543760/25 "2010-06-19T17:28:06Z")
If it was a blowjob _frowny_, somebody is doing something wrong. Or shouldn’t be doing it at all. Whats worse than a resentful blowjob? Besides none at all, I mean… But I digress. I want to find what Dopers can offer a really good argument that Carrot Top is funny, insightful and chucklesome. I want them to be skilled enough at argument to put up a really good fight, before I crush them. ---
**Author:** ![minlokwat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minlokwat/32/2844_2.png) [@minlokwat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minlokwat)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2010, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enlighten-the-newb-who-are-the-sdmb-woo-woos-who-argue-well/543760/26 "2010-06-19T17:29:47Z")
> [@Cyningablod](#): > > 1. You might be right. As I was checking the responses to this thread just now, it occurred to me that I probably wouldn’t have even posted such a topic as this, today. Or most of the time, for that matter. So maybe last night I was just feeling pettily confrontational. I dunno. If that’s the case, I apologize. Sheesh. No need to be so reasonable about it. -and shit. ---
**Author:** ![SoulFrost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f07891/32.png) [@SoulFrost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoulFrost)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2010, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enlighten-the-newb-who-are-the-sdmb-woo-woos-who-argue-well/543760/27 "2010-06-19T17:52:44Z")
> [@Cyningablod](#): > > Thanks for the responses. > > A few of y’all ( **Sleeps With Butterflies** , **SoulFrost** , **minlokwat** ) have suggested that this thread of mine is little more than a cheap, veiled attack on anyone who’s not a card-carrying Skeptic. > > I have two thoughts on this. > > 1. You might be right. As I was checking the responses to this thread just now, it occurred to me that I probably wouldn’t have even posted such a topic as this, today. Or most of the time, for that matter. So maybe last night I was just feeling pettily confrontational. I dunno. If that’s the case, I apologize. > > 2. At least I came to the right place for it (the Pit). It would have been transparently aggressive of me to have put it in GD or IMHO, I s’pose. 😉 No need to apologize. This is the Pit, after all. If you’re going to be confrontational, _be_ confrontational. Of course, it’s going to be pretty hard to top the guy who recently wanted to execute all religious people. I likes me some good ole confrontation. What I don’t have much respect for is smug intellectual snobbery, and that’s how your OP came across. I’ve read some of your other posts, though, and–one Texan to another–you don’t strike me as the snobby sort. You did break one tiny rule, however. It is required that any post hostile to religion use the word _delusion_ at least twice. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2010, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enlighten-the-newb-who-are-the-sdmb-woo-woos-who-argue-well/543760/28 "2010-06-19T18:11:24Z")
> [@SoulFrost](#): > > \ > > You did break one tiny rule, however. It is required that any post hostile to religion use the word _delusion_ at least twice. 😉 Bonus points if you can work the word “imaginary” in, as well. ---
**Author:** ![SoulFrost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f07891/32.png) [@SoulFrost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoulFrost)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2010, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enlighten-the-newb-who-are-the-sdmb-woo-woos-who-argue-well/543760/29 "2010-06-19T18:19:39Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Bonus points if you can work the word “imaginary” in, as well. Is _woo_ the new _delusional_? Gaarrk! I hate it when I don’t get the memos… ---
**Author:** ![Cyningablod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc29f/32.png) [@Cyningablod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyningablod)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2010, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enlighten-the-newb-who-are-the-sdmb-woo-woos-who-argue-well/543760/30 "2010-06-19T18:41:42Z")
Does one get an automatic web win (in the sense of " ^ WIN"), if s/he uses “delusional”, “imaginary”, and “woo” _all in the same sentence_?? Like I said, I’m new, so I’m still learning the Board rules. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2010, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enlighten-the-newb-who-are-the-sdmb-woo-woos-who-argue-well/543760/31 "2010-06-19T18:47:03Z")
> [@AHunter3](#): > > Yeesh, I don’t even get an honorable mention? “AHunter3 is an honorable person.” There, happy now? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2010, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enlighten-the-newb-who-are-the-sdmb-woo-woos-who-argue-well/543760/32 "2010-06-19T18:50:44Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > But I digress. Often. And quite well, usually. What I’m wondering is what **Cyningablot** has against Ric Flair? ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2010, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enlighten-the-newb-who-are-the-sdmb-woo-woos-who-argue-well/543760/33 "2010-06-19T18:53:56Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > What I’m wondering is what **Cyningablot** has against Ric Flair? He feels those butterflies. ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2010, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enlighten-the-newb-who-are-the-sdmb-woo-woos-who-argue-well/543760/34 "2010-06-19T19:22:55Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > It’s pretty much a given that rational argument on behalf of irrationality is going to be rare to nonexistent. > > It pretty much boils down to: > > - here are some really neat anecdotes > - science was wrong before > - they persecuted Galileo > - what about the Tuskegee Experiment > - you’re a meanie > - lots of people believe this stuff > - here are some cranks with degrees who believe it too > - my critics are being paid off/part of the conspiracy > - you can’t prove me wrong > > This can go on indefinitely. > > Here’s a viable debate topic: is it redundant to refer to woo-woo(s)? Do we need more than one woo? One might ask if we need _any_ woo, but laughs are sometimes in short supply. You forgot: - Scientists/Doctors have a vested interest in perpetuating untruths - We can’t know anything for sure ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2010, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enlighten-the-newb-who-are-the-sdmb-woo-woos-who-argue-well/543760/35 "2010-06-19T19:25:50Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > That is one of the weaker elements of this board - the intolerance of anything other than science and atheism/agnosticism. We have our things that we are endlessly tolerant of, but we do not extend that courtesy to all the things that people might be interested in; only the ones on the Big List of Accepted Beliefs. You probably won’t see a lot of good arguments for anything but atheism and science here because people who don’t fall in line with those beliefs wouldn’t feel comfortable here. So how tolerant are you of flat earthers. birthers, creationists. Scientologists. and people who believe in unicorns? Do you dismiss them out of hand or do you think we need to have a serious discussion of why the earth is round? ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2010, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enlighten-the-newb-who-are-the-sdmb-woo-woos-who-argue-well/543760/36 "2010-06-19T19:27:05Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > That is one of the weaker elements of this board - the intolerance of anything other than science and atheism/agnosticism. We have our things that we are endlessly tolerant of, but we do not extend that courtesy to all the things that people might be interested in; only the ones on the Big List of Accepted Beliefs. You probably won’t see a lot of good arguments for anything but atheism and science here because people who don’t fall in line with those beliefs wouldn’t feel comfortable here. To be fair, I think folks like **Diogenes** think of religion as the the _exact same thing_ as anti-vaccination movements: people with faith-based beliefs spread to them by others with an agenda whose entire belief system not only actively harms others, but is _objectively and completely proven false by every ounce of science and reality there is._ Wouldn’t you react the same way as he does in his shoes? ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2010, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enlighten-the-newb-who-are-the-sdmb-woo-woos-who-argue-well/543760/37 "2010-06-19T19:29:54Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Supposedly Bricker argues stupid points articulately, but I’ve never personally found him convincing.. I’d not call Bricker a woo-woo. I frequently find him convincing, especially on legal issues. He’s changed my mind more than once. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2010, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enlighten-the-newb-who-are-the-sdmb-woo-woos-who-argue-well/543760/38 "2010-06-19T19:33:39Z")
> [@ivan\_astikov](#): > > And people call me a troll. Sure, but people call you a lot of things. Idiot, blowhard, message board failure, attention whore, loser, loudmouth, uncoordinated retard who can’t pass a basic driving test, spaz, moron, and fool, just to name a few. Personally, I think you’re way too dumb to be a troll. ---
**Author:** ![SoulFrost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f07891/32.png) [@SoulFrost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoulFrost)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2010, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enlighten-the-newb-who-are-the-sdmb-woo-woos-who-argue-well/543760/39 "2010-06-19T19:35:20Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > …but is \*objectively and completely proven false by every ounce of science and reality there is. Really? ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2010, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enlighten-the-newb-who-are-the-sdmb-woo-woos-who-argue-well/543760/40 "2010-06-19T19:55:43Z")
> [@Cyningablod](#): > > Anyway, please tell me that the SDMB’s Anti-Science League has some clean-up hitters whose argumentative average hovers somewhere at least above .200, and that I just haven’t observed them at bat yet. And who are they? > > Thanks. This is so cheap. Teasing or taunting people up who hold views that cannot be empirically verified to step up so you can show how big your rhetorical balls are is childish and speaks poorly of the sophistication of your world view. It’s positively puerile and is like some wannabe bully trying to pick a vulnerable kid in the playground to pick on. If you think you’ve got the chops, and really want to step up to it why not choose a controversial political or social perspective you hold dear, that most do not share, and put it front and center in GD as an OP. We’d love to see you in action. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enlighten-the-newb-who-are-the-sdmb-woo-woos-who-argue-well/543760.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enlighten-the-newb-who-are-the-sdmb-woo-woos-who-argue-well/543760.md?page=3)