# Ways of making a point that make you instantly lose interest in a thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 29, 2010, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-of-making-a-point-that-make-you-instantly-lose-interest-in-a-thread/537738 "2010-04-29T12:57:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2010, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-of-making-a-point-that-make-you-instantly-lose-interest-in-a-thread/537738/41 "2010-05-03T00:04:31Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > “As a Christian, I believe X.” > > I’ve got news for you. There’s basically nothing that all people who call themselves Christians agree on. Does this really matter? If someone says “As a vegetarian, I eat a lot of Quorn”, they’re not asserting a universal - they’re claiming that X arises or depends from Y, not that Y will always bring about X. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2010, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-of-making-a-point-that-make-you-instantly-lose-interest-in-a-thread/537738/42 "2010-05-03T00:10:45Z")
> [@Ruby Sees](#): > > Poster says something stupid and/or inflammatory in a non-political topic. > > Other posters disagree and without crossing any lines, tell the first poster “Hey, what you said was a little much.” > > First poster explodes in “You _insert random political leaning_ people always make that point. I can’t say anything here without people like you getting all in my face.” It’s bad enough even when the topic _is_ political. If the argument is unsound, attack the argument. If you need to rant about your opponent’s political bias/motivation that is not in evidence in the thread, you just lost the debate. ---
**Author:** ![Astral\_Rejection](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/258eb7/32.png) [@Astral\_Rejection](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astral_Rejection)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2010, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-of-making-a-point-that-make-you-instantly-lose-interest-in-a-thread/537738/43 "2010-05-03T00:41:30Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > I hate when someone thinks of an utterly contrived, farfetched hypothetical situation as a counterexample to an argument of another post. A real life counterexample would be perfectly legitimate, but something that could only happen in a bad science fiction story makes we want to stop reading. Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. This one drives me crazier than any other example in this thread. I see this especially in threads about someone’s negligence, for example: Poster 1: (News story about a child drowning in the bathtub because his babysitter was on the phone and not paying attention.) Poster 2: That’s terrible and such! Poster 3: We don’t know all the particulars! Maybe the child had been stung by a bee and was having an allergic reaction, and the babysitter was on the phone with the hospital! Did you ever think of that? Yeah, this one kinda bothers me. ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2010, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-of-making-a-point-that-make-you-instantly-lose-interest-in-a-thread/537738/44 "2010-05-03T00:47:50Z")
My problem is this: 1. I’m having a conversation with people…presumably a friendly one. 2. somewhere along the line, things changed to DEFCON 1 and I should have been using Lincoln-Douglas debate rules. 3. But it doesn’t matter, because no matter what you say, no matter what your background, the response is **Well that just doesn’t make any _sence_!** I wrote about something similar here: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=553262&highlight=tl%3Bwd](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=553262&highlight=tl%3Bwd) ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2010, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-of-making-a-point-that-make-you-instantly-lose-interest-in-a-thread/537738/45 "2010-05-03T01:10:25Z")
Someone challenges the OP, not because they have information about the particular topic, but because they can’t believe it. Someone pops into a sympathy thread and turns it on its ear, usually using the above method. A thread becomes converted into yet another feminist rant. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2010, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-of-making-a-point-that-make-you-instantly-lose-interest-in-a-thread/537738/46 "2010-05-03T01:56:11Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > A thread becomes converted into yet another feminist rant. Typical male. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2010, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-of-making-a-point-that-make-you-instantly-lose-interest-in-a-thread/537738/47 "2010-05-03T01:57:45Z")
> [@don\_t\_ask](#): > > I can be happily following a thread and the someone comes in and posts: > > What you are saying is: > > Inaccurate summation of what they are saying with bonus erroneous comparisons. > > And then a list of dot points. > > Followed by some convoluted logic that seeks to disprove the poster on the basis of their own post. > > The magic words are **what you are saying** , you can abandon any thread in which you see them. > > Any other tips? Amen and amen. People do this to me incessantly. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2010, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-of-making-a-point-that-make-you-instantly-lose-interest-in-a-thread/537738/48 "2010-05-03T05:57:37Z")
Most applications of 'My post is my cite." Using unrelated data to support a conclusion. ie. We’ve removed sugar loaded sodas from schools so the Mexican Timber Wolf population is rebounding. Cherry picking statements from an argument and quoting them out of context to attempt to prove a point. ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2010, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-of-making-a-point-that-make-you-instantly-lose-interest-in-a-thread/537738/49 "2010-05-03T07:14:14Z")
Any thread that goes like this: OP: I’m looking for feedback/opinions on X. 1: I really dislike Y. 2: Yeah, Y sucks. 3: Y is stupid. OP: Um, okay, but I asked about X. 1: Well, you **should** have asked about Y. 2: I know everything about Y. Y is more important. 3: Who cares about X? We know what you need better than you do. If the OP has to repeat their question more than once, I’ve quickly learned that the real question will never get answered. Although there will be a lot of dogpiling while everyone insists that the OP never needed to know about X, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2010, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-of-making-a-point-that-make-you-instantly-lose-interest-in-a-thread/537738/50 "2010-05-03T12:40:50Z")
Irrelevant “experience” tangenetially related to but in lieu of the real deal. [/aside]I mean, we are on a message board, and anyone can make claims to expertise. Usually after a while one does figure out whose bullshit at least is coherent, logical and consistent. [end/aside] Something along the lines of “well, I won the stock picking contest in my high school home economics class, therefore I’m pretty good at all this stock markety stuff and therefore have a valid opinion on the Goldman Sachs fiasco.” Sheesh, turns me off to no end. Especially when the opinion is completely asine to anyone with a modicum of real experience on said topic. ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2010, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-of-making-a-point-that-make-you-instantly-lose-interest-in-a-thread/537738/51 "2010-05-03T12:59:44Z")
It sucks that there’s no easy way to quickly show your _Curriculum Vitae_ online. There’s no way you can know if I’m full of shit, or a career expert, successful in my field. ---
**Author:** ![badbadrubberpiggy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/57b2e6/32.png) [@badbadrubberpiggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badbadrubberpiggy)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2010, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-of-making-a-point-that-make-you-instantly-lose-interest-in-a-thread/537738/52 "2010-05-03T13:30:36Z")
Cafe Society specific: whenever someone says anything like, “anyone who doesn’t like this just didn’t understand it”. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-of-making-a-point-that-make-you-instantly-lose-interest-in-a-thread/537738/53 "2010-05-06T15:17:59Z")
One I just saw that absolutely irritates the hell out of me: condescension. “Oooh, I can’t believe you feel so strongly about little old me. I feel so sorry for you. Your life must be so sad.” Which inevitably leads to: “No, I couldn’t care less about you or your stupid little posts. I was just trying to help you not embarrass yourself with your pitiful little baby arguments…” Repeat again and again and again, each trying to outdo the other in the lack of caring department until I lose it and shove broken glass into both sides’ eyes. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-of-making-a-point-that-make-you-instantly-lose-interest-in-a-thread/537738/54 "2010-05-06T15:31:44Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > One I just saw that absolutely irritates the hell out of me: condescension. > > “Oooh, I can’t believe you feel so strongly about little old me. I feel so sorry for you. Your life must be so sad.” > > Which inevitably leads to: “No, I couldn’t care less about you or your stupid little posts. I was just trying to help you not embarrass yourself with your pitiful little baby arguments…” > > Repeat again and again and again, each trying to outdo the other in the lack of caring department until I lose it and shove broken glass into both sides’ eyes. ‘‘The magnitude of my uncaring is so immense that it should be perfectly obvious by the last 342 posts I have made in response…’’ Yeah. ---
**Author:** ![ReticulatingSplines](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@ReticulatingSplines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReticulatingSplines)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-of-making-a-point-that-make-you-instantly-lose-interest-in-a-thread/537738/55 "2010-05-06T17:18:58Z")
Personally, I can’t stand people who argue based on a single (usually anecdotal) exception. Like someone might say “A college degree is really important to getting a good job,” and then invariably someone says “Not true, Bill Gates never finished college and he’s a billionaire.” Or, “My uncle Jethro never went to college and he’s rich, so that’s clearly untrue.” Ugh. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-of-making-a-point-that-make-you-instantly-lose-interest-in-a-thread/537738/56 "2010-05-06T18:51:08Z")
“I insist on a retraction or acknowledgment of the sub-sub-counterpoint made on page 16 of this thread. Until you do so it is futile to continue” … “I’m still waiting for response to the page 16 sub-sub-counterpoint that I asked for on page 23 of this thread. Are you deliberately avoiding the point?” … “Your continued refusal to address my repeated requests for acknowledgment are not worth my time. I declare you unfit to engage in the particulars of my debate procedures and am leaving this thread” … “Why do you continue to address these recent current questions and topics occurring presently on page 38 of this thread while still refusing to answer my page 16 sub-sub-counterpoint!” ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-of-making-a-point-that-make-you-instantly-lose-interest-in-a-thread/537738/57 "2010-05-06T23:47:56Z")
> [@Unintentionally\_Blank](#): > > It sucks that there’s no easy way to quickly show your _Curriculum Vitae_ online. There’s no way you can know if I’m full of shit, or a career expert, successful in my field. “Experts” can be wrong. Indeed, since “experts” sometimes disagree, some of them _must_ be wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-of-making-a-point-that-make-you-instantly-lose-interest-in-a-thread/537738/58 "2010-05-07T00:11:53Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > “Experts” can be wrong. > > Indeed, since “experts” sometimes disagree, some of them _must_ be wrong. That’s not the point. If I tell you using DOT 5 fluid in an ABS system is a Bad Idea, and you tell me it’s fine because you’ve done it, and I’m a Braking Systems engineer for GM where does that leave things? Following the example further, I know it’s wrong based on testing that show when the ABS unit actuates it can foam the fluid causing a compromise to the braking system…or corrosion that shortens the life of the system, or whatever. You’re left with: “Don’t use DOT 5 fluid.” “I’ve used it, works fine, you’re a poo poo head” Long laborious justification of Expertise ensues. (and I believe you’re exhibiting **Reticulating Splines** gripe.) ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-of-making-a-point-that-make-you-instantly-lose-interest-in-a-thread/537738/59 "2010-05-07T00:21:22Z")
> [@Unintentionally\_Blank](#): > > That’s not the point. If I tell you using DOT 5 fluid in an ABS system is a Bad Idea, and you tell me it’s fine because you’ve done it, and I’m a Braking Systems engineer for GM where does that leave things? > > Following the example further, I know it’s wrong based on testing that show when the ABS unit actuates it can foam the fluid causing a compromise to the braking system…or corrosion that shortens the life of the system, or whatever. > > You’re left with: > > “Don’t use DOT 5 fluid.” > “I’ve used it, works fine, you’re a poo poo head” > > Long laborious justification of Expertise ensues. (and I believe you’re exhibiting **Reticulating Splines** gripe.) One need not _be_ a braking system engineer to know this, just as one need not be an expert in any particular field, necessarily, to be _right_ on a particular point. Therefore “expertise” and credentials aren’t the point. (That’s _my_ point.) If you happen to both both an expert _and_ right, you should be able to readily document this with _evidence on the point at hand_, which is much more relevant than your credentials, and better reading than any “Long laborious justification of expertise.” See what I mean? ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-of-making-a-point-that-make-you-instantly-lose-interest-in-a-thread/537738/60 "2010-05-07T00:24:31Z")
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