# We can't state opinions as fact? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [December 20, 2010, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-cant-state-opinions-as-fact/564868 "2010-12-20T20:03:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![iamnotbatman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/858c86/32.png) [@iamnotbatman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamnotbatman)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2010, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-cant-state-opinions-as-fact/564868/82 "2010-12-21T04:19:42Z")
Ladies and gentlemen: the _Dio Show_. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2010, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-cant-state-opinions-as-fact/564868/83 "2010-12-21T04:25:02Z")
You’re the one doing the performing. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2010, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-cant-state-opinions-as-fact/564868/84 "2010-12-21T04:25:11Z")
> [@iamnotbatman](#): > > Ladies and gentlemen: the _Dio Show_. I actually laughed out loud at this. ---
**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:** [December 21, 2010, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-cant-state-opinions-as-fact/564868/85 "2010-12-21T04:45:34Z")
**Dio** , it is a fact that discussions in which you participate in an antagonistic capacity often become derailed to the point that we are only discussing you rather than the original topic. It is also a fact that many people have asserted that this is annoying. You have been asked to no longer do so by a quite a lot of people–again, another fact. By continuing to make the same types of posts, you have indicated you have no intention of ceasing the reportedly annoying behavior. It thus becomes possible to form the opinion that you perform this annoyance intentionally. That would be the most basic definition of trolling–posting with the intent to annoy others. I am not saying this is my opinion–as I assume ignorance before malice. But I have observed that many Dopers do not. And I applaud \*\*twickster \*\*for using her modly duties to fight your ignorance on this matter. Her only flaw was not being pedantic enough. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2010, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-cant-state-opinions-as-fact/564868/86 "2010-12-21T04:47:30Z")
Whatever you think I’m doing is in your imagination. I certainly did nothing to warrant a mod note in that other thread. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2010, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-cant-state-opinions-as-fact/564868/87 "2010-12-21T05:58:10Z")
Say, you know—now that you mention it, my eyelids \*are \*getting kind of heavy! ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2010, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-cant-state-opinions-as-fact/564868/88 "2010-12-21T06:14:55Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I don’t agree with a word of this. The so-called “Dio show” is just me getting piled on by others. I don’t precipitate it. Others do. I said nothing disruptive in that thread, broke no rules, did nothing that other people don’t do constantly and were doing in the same thread. There was an accusation of trolling made against me in that same thread (outside of the Pit) which was ignored by this same moderator in order to give me a note for absolutrely nothing. I don’t have any gripe against you, b]Marley\*\*, but **Twix** has, for some reason, taken it upon herself lately to start issuing notes to me for contrived reasons that don’t involve rules violations and which I believe are motivated puirely by personal animosity (or perhaps an attempt to ingratiate herself to those who think it’s really clever to yell Dio show" every time I exptress any kind of opinion about anything at all). When I was about 4 years old, my older sister locked the screen door and would not let me into the house. I got frustrated and kicked a hole in the screen door to get in. My father docked both of our allowances to pay for the repair to the screen door. My sister said (and believe me butter would not melt in her mouth as she said this) “Why are you taking my allowance, I didn’t do anything.” Anybody else see any similarity? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2010, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-cant-state-opinions-as-fact/564868/89 "2010-12-21T06:22:04Z")
No. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2010, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-cant-state-opinions-as-fact/564868/90 "2010-12-21T06:25:14Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > No. And therein lies the problem. ---
**Author:** ![Hedda\_Rosa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hedda_rosa/32/1204_2.png) [@Hedda\_Rosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hedda_Rosa)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2010, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-cant-state-opinions-as-fact/564868/91 "2010-12-21T07:12:18Z")
Frankly the mistake being made here, as I see it is that despite all evidence to the contrary, people keep thinking that they’ll eventually get Dio to crack. Not to call you out **Munch** but this describes the magical thinking that has to stop: > [@Munch](#): > > On the contrary, most of these threads contain people who disagree with you, while at the same time making concession after concession as if to show you that giving ground on points of reasonable discussion doesn’t result in public shame. Until we change **our** behavior, rather than expecting Dio to change his (either to start to admit some human frailty or get bad enough to get banned) we are just being the willing straightmen in the Dio show. You really want to give him that satisfaction? Seriously guys. DNFTT. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2010, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-cant-state-opinions-as-fact/564868/92 "2010-12-21T09:07:29Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I don’t have a history. The Dio show is a phenomenon of others, not me. I also don’t keep posting if others “disregard me.” **The problem is that THEY can’t let something go**. Every post of mine in those threads is a response to someone else. If I didn’t respond to them, I’d be attacked for running away. > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I do not have a history. I know perfectly well what my own thoughts, intentions and motivations are, and I have never once made a post simply to provoke a reaction or troll. I do not enjoy the pile ups. **I just feel obliged to respond to them**. Bolding mine. ---
**Author:** ![iamnotbatman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/858c86/32.png) [@iamnotbatman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamnotbatman)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2010, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-cant-state-opinions-as-fact/564868/93 "2010-12-21T09:30:58Z")
But that’s the thing (@ **Hedda Rosa** ). We shouldn’t be expected to change our behavior. If we debate in good faith and he puts on a show, he should be dealt with by the moderators. If we find that we must collectively ignore his posts (a possibly impossible job when not everyone is aware of his behavior), then our time is being wasted. So I’m not going to ignore his posts. The cat and mouse game he creates can be fun and comically rewarding, and is played while debating in good-faith. He is easy to corner – but impossible to catch! (Tirelessly parrying, like a clown punching bag, what mere mortals would receive as embarrassment). But when _the show_ hijacks an otherwise sober discussion I expect the moderators to step in. If they don’t, then what is the use in sitting idly by only to see others get unwittingly baited by him? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2010, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-cant-state-opinions-as-fact/564868/94 "2010-12-21T13:58:12Z")
> [@Hedda\_Rosa](#): > > Not to call you out **Munch** but this describes the magical thinking that has to stop: No, you’re exactly right. Like I said earlier, there are plenty of threads filled with people giving Dio reasoned, thoughtful, concerned posts about how Dio!Jekyll has become Dio!Dr.Hyde over the last couple years. I’m sure Dio’s read them. If he’s not willing to acknowledge them, he’s never going to. The rest of the board needs to just recognize when the Dio Show theme music starts up and learn to change the channel. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2010, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-cant-state-opinions-as-fact/564868/95 "2010-12-21T14:03:29Z")
There is no such thing as “the Dio show.” ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2010, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-cant-state-opinions-as-fact/564868/96 "2010-12-21T14:08:15Z")
That’s only in your imagination. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2010, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-cant-state-opinions-as-fact/564868/97 "2010-12-21T14:15:26Z")
You’re stating an opinion as fact. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2010, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-cant-state-opinions-as-fact/564868/98 "2010-12-21T14:20:59Z")
Wabbit season! ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2010, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-cant-state-opinions-as-fact/564868/99 "2010-12-21T14:24:40Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I don’t “have a history”… > > I do not have a history… > > You have me confused with somebody else. You are not describinmg my posting history. I do not do these things… > > I do not have any such history. That is a fact… > > These “observations” are not accurate. The behavior and motivations I’m accused of exist purely in the imagination of others. > > There is no such thing as “the Dio show.” At least **Diogenes** was kind enough to come and demonstrate exactly what **twickster** was talking about. Too funny. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2010, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-cant-state-opinions-as-fact/564868/100 "2010-12-21T14:28:25Z")
> [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](#): > > **Dio** is the only person I’ve ever seen warned about this stupidity. Also, \*\*Twickster \*\*is the only mod I’ve seen give out the warning. I’m starting to think it’s a personal issue. Not really. **Dio** sets my teeth on edge but I never bother replying to his drivel because it would be like arguing with a dull yet persistent child. If it was my job to make this message board a better place he would have been banned long, long ago. I’m sure it would be a kindness to him as his posting manner reminds me of the senile dementia patients I used to nurse. He becomes fixated on his own opinions, even if they are as stupid as “the sun rises in the west” and feels honor bound to defend them. No matter how many people tell him that the sun rises in the east, he is compelled to argue the opposite. How allowing him to parade his delusions like this is a good thing has me beat. “Fighting Ignorance,” we are publishing it! ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2010, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-cant-state-opinions-as-fact/564868/101 "2010-12-21T14:35:12Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > There is no such thing as “the Dio show.” I think you know full well what the Dio show is, why it exists, and why it keeps happening. You also know you have to pretend that you don’t, so that you can keep doing it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-cant-state-opinions-as-fact/564868.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-cant-state-opinions-as-fact/564868.md?page=6)