Name-calling in debates is the oldest trick in the book

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Name-calling is the oldest trick in the book. It's a trick used by people who lack the ability to explain their point convincingly. It is also a diversion tactic because it draws the arguments away from the main idea. Plus, it is nothing more than an attack on the messenger instead of the message.

In public forums, debates have this tendency to escalate into pissing contests once someone resorts to name-calling. Calling your opponent stupid, an idiot or a moron is a sign that you are getting frustrated. Frustration in public forums is easy enough to detect when people start using name-calling. Those who use this tactic do not seem to realize that they are the ones who look like morons.

Before you call someone a moron, you need proof that he is. Ask yourself the following questions:

1. Did your opponent hurt/offend himself or other people as a result of what he said.

2. Did your opponent waste resources/time/money?

3. Did your opponent say something that is libelous?

If the answer to all of the above is no, then your opponent is not a moron. If the answer to any of the questions is yes, then he is a moron.

Comments

  1. AnonymousAugust 29, 2011 at 1:13 AM

    In any debate, the person who label's
    the other party loses credibility so
    goes whether right or wrong in its
    deliberate use; hence, backfires to
    the originator as doubtful.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousAugust 29, 2011 at 3:59 AM

    In the case of Noynoy Aquino, calling him a moron is not name calling. It is called describing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. ildaAugust 29, 2011 at 1:14 PM

    Anonymous 1:

    You got it right!

    Anonymous 2:

    You got a point. Plus PNoy doesn't engage in debates anyway, which automatically makes him a...

    :)

    ReplyDelete

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