Great article on how to talk to people (especially politically). Know how to avoid falling into these traps, and avoid committing them yourself. Via Lifehacker.
Conversational Terrorism: How NOT to Talk!
All of the techniques listed in this document have actually been witnessed, told to us by someone else, or dreamed up. They are described in first person for clarity of motive.
The intent of detailing and naming these insidious tactics is so that the reader may AVOID USING THEM, to quickly recognize if someone else is using them, and for fun. There is much humor in the way people (consciously or unconsciously) conversationally cheat.
It is hoped that exposing these tactics will help muzzle the growing abuse in our conversational landscape. Give copies to both perpetrators and victims (only NOT for profit use).
The examples are overblown in an attempt to be both clear and funny. Use your imagination to think of how you (perish the thought) and others have used these techniques in the past.
They have been grouped by major category, with the best (worst!) saved for last.
First, we have the Ad Hominem Variants where you attack the person as a way to avoid truth, science, or logic which might otherwise prove you wrong. Next are the Sleight of Mind Fallacies, which act as “mental magic” to make sure the unwanted subject disappears. Then, we move on to Delay Tactics, which are subtle means to buy time when put on the spot. Then, the ever popular Question as Opportunity ploys, where any question can be deftly averted. Finally, we have the Cheap Shot Tactics and Irritants, which are basically “below the belt” punches.
One Response
What you said about the goal of terrorism is what most people (especially
the Bush administration) don't get. Everytime we react to terrorism
in a way that curtails our freedom, we've scored one for the
terrorists. Terrorists will achieve the ultimate victory not when
they've killed all of us, but when they've achieved the transformation
of our society from a free one to a police state.