Idiotic Debating Tactics

i know there was a thread on this, but alas they changed the search function and i cant find it.

what are the stupidest tactics for debating you have seen?
no names please, just state it, and if giving an example do not paste a debate from another thread. just give a hypothetical example.

example:

one which has been reoccuring very often is what i will refer to as "run with the analogy". this is a tactic where, when an opponent shoots out an abstract analogy to illustrate their pattern of logic, the poster will ignore that it was simply an analogy and run with it, accusing the opponent of making a direct comparison...all the time completely dodging the point, imho very much on purpose.

poster 1: you shouldnt just get pregnant without knowing what you're getting into. parenting is a heavy responsibility. to go about it in a rush and without proper planning would be like running through traffic blindfolded.

poster 2: omg how can you compare parenting with running through traffic? how stupid. only an idiot would compare the two (on and on)

i can think of a million of them, but lets hear your observations.

oh yeah, most important: please do not quote logical fallacies. those who would understand already know them, and those who dont know are most likely too set in their own silly ways to ever care to learn them, as they are the often the ones who gleefully commit them.

Originally posted by PVS

what are the stupidest tactics for debating you have seen? no names please, just state it, and if giving an example do not paste a debate from another thread.
just give a hypothetical example.

Here is a good one:

zOMG!!!!!1111

😂 i love you too

!!1111

I guess my most idiotic debating tactic is when I actually debate with an idiot.

I will agree with that (The "zOMG!!!111" thing, and leet also), regardless of who says it or why. I think it just needs to end, stop, cease. It's like the over-use of smileys, really. I also agree with what Capt said. Sometimes I give people on here far too much time, I shouldn't.

The one I hate most is when you actually provide a fact and the opposing debater says "I don't agree.". Then when you say something like "It's not up to you, it's a fact.", they say "Your opinion isn't fact.".

It's really stupid.

The classic "People shouldn't have sex if they don't want kids" was quite hilarious/disturbing.

-AC

The analogy one is good.

I've always thought that using an synonym of "Stupid" to describe the other poster or their cognitive capabilities is a cop-out and to me, means that the debator is simply out of material. Examples: Moronic, Idiotic, Ignorant (ooh, that one is #1 on this list and real popular among the persistent ones who have little backbone to their argument), and so on.

Example:

"That last post clearly displays your moronic ignorance, as only an idiot would think that the sky is blue!!"

which can be cleaned up and re-phrased as:

"I don't think the sky is blue."

Or better yet, use subtle, condenscending humor to berate them.

Originally posted by Alpha Centauri
The one I hate most is when you actually provide a fact and the opposing debater says "I don't agree.". Then when you say something like "It's not up to you, it's a fact.", they say "Your opinion isn't fact.".

ah yes, the old fact/opinion switch

poster1: *states opinion dressed up as fact...often including the word "FACT!".

poster2: *presents factual proof that they are wrong*

poster1: fine. lets just agree to disagree. you have your opinion and i have mine.

poster 2: um...no, this is proven fact, thus you are believing an absolute lie.

poster1: you should respect other people's opinions (on and on, back and forth)

Originally posted by Alpha Centauri
I will agree with that (The "zOMG!!!111" thing, and leet also), regardless of who says it or why.

as for your's and WD's opinions, i both respect and dismiss them 😛

Originally posted by botankus
The analogy one is good.

I've always thought that using an synonym of "Stupid" to describe the other poster or their cognitive capabilities is a cop-out and to me, means that the debator is simply out of material. Examples: Moronic, Idiotic, Ignorant (ooh, that one is #1 on this list and real popular among the persistent ones who have little backbone to their argument), and so on.

Example:

[b]"That last post clearly displays your moronic ignorance, as only an idiot would think that the sky is blue!!"

which can be cleaned up and re-phrased as:

"I don't think the sky is blue."

Or better yet, use subtle, condenscending humor to berate them. [/B]

third person insult/left handed slap. thats what i choose to call it.
and anyone with half a brain would call it that.

i see this alot. its the cheapest of copouts...and quite gutless imho. if you're going to insult someone, have the balls to do it. dont hide behind gramatical loop holes to avoid banning. this type of attack is far too encouraged on too many forums.

hahaha...this is absolutely brilliant...i actually cant believe what i'm reading

Or how about these guys?

"Judging by your responses, you obviously don't know what debating is. Let me help you:

de·bate ( P ) Pronunciation Key (d-bt)
v. de·bat·ed, de·bat·ing, de·bates
v. intr.
To consider something; deliberate.
To engage in argument by discussing opposing points.
To engage in a formal discussion or argument. See Synonyms at discuss.
Obsolete. To fight or quarrel. "

I know what you mean. I will give an analogy to try and convey my point, and the other person will focus on the parts of my analogy that don’t work instead of what I was trying to say. I don’t know if this is on purpose, or just because of anal retentiveness.

Originally posted by Shakyamunison
anal retentiveness.

Is that gay bashing I see in your post?

the main film forum is pretty good for the idiots...

the ones who's reviews consist of

potc2

omg...this was soooOOOOOOoooOOoooOO good...johnny depp is hot

actually now i think of it...there's plenty of that in the music forum as well

and when you dare question them they attack in verocious packs of there fellow cloned idiots

To further annex my previous post, don't forget the guys who leave the www.dictionary.com address for your convenience.

Originally posted by botankus
Is that gay bashing I see in your post?

😆 I think not. 😆 But good example.

Oh hello Shakyamunison.

Here's what bothers me: People that change their opinion with basically every post they make, I could try to give a funny example...but I suck at it, I guess you get the point anyways.

Oh, hi Shakya. How are you today?

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Then there is of course the funny ignoring posts or reply to half a page of interesting facts with "No" or "😐"

---

And the random capitalization of words. Quite an interesting way to debate as well.

agenda-site link spamming.

you know, someone posts their "proof" on an unproven/dead issue by posting a link to some agenda-based site. you point it out and after much denial, they decide to spam you to death with other links to affiliated agenda-based sites. i will call this the "shock and awe link technique".

Originally posted by Capt_Fantastic
I guess my most idiotic debating tactic is when I actually debate with an idiot.

Yes but whom is more idiotic. An debating idiot or an idiot who uses ad hominem attacks on an arguing idiot instead countering his argument.

Originally posted by FistOfThe North
Yes but whom is more idiotic. An debating idiot or an idiot who uses ad hominem attacks on an arguing idiot instead countering his argument.

A debating idiot.

one of my favorite techniques: someone who reads the baiting rhetorical trap question...and gives an answer 😂