Rides, ramblings and rants on a motorcycle.
- We are scientists, too!
4.16.2016,10:59 AM
Strawmen. Please go back to your caves.
Pet Peeve: Strawman arguments.
The one I hear and read most is a parroting of this: people protesting or opposing anything related to industrial energy, especially any coal, gas, or oil extractions and/or related utility industry, should immediately and completely denounce everything associated and related with those resources.
e.g. Wearing textiles or fabrics derived from or produced using these energy sources, driving or riding in any vehicle using any of these as a fuel source, using any form of electricity, owning and using anything made of plastic, commercial food, etc.
This is a strawman argument meant to bully, creating an illusion of having completely refuted or defeated an opponent's proposition by covertly replacing it with a different proposition. It does not at all consider the complexity of the issues, does not attempt to examine solutions. Instead it is more a self-justified and often selfs-righteous battle and the defeat of the enemy is often more valued than critical thinking or understanding both sides of the issue.
It is the typical binary judgement demonstrating black-and-white superficiality and is often boasted about like peacock feathers and pounding on chests.
For those that use this often, we now know you are ignorant. Please return to your cave.
