I felt that if this sub-forum was to gain a little more traffic (Which could be a good thing.), I should post a piece of advice I found on my regular haunt,
Portent Forums.
These are not created by me, but Scott Adams, the creator of Dilbert. So yeah, these aren't rules (As I have no authority to establish such things.) but merely what I felt are great pieces of advice when in a debate about anything, not just politics.
You are wrong because:
1. Amazingly Bad Analogy:
Example: You can train a dog to fetch a stick, therefore you can train a potato to dance
2. Faulty Cause and Effect:
Example: On the basis of my observations, wearing huge pants makes you fat.
3. I Am the World:
Example: I don't listen to country music. Therefore, country music isn't popular.
4. Ignoring Everything Science Knows About the Brain:
Example: People choose to be obese/gay/alcoholic because they prefer the lifestyle.
5. The Few Are The Same As The Whole:
Example: Some Elbonians are animal rights activists. Some Elbonians wear fur coats. Therefore, Elbonians are hypocrites.
6. Generalizing From Self:
Example: I'm a liar. Therefore, I don't believe what you're saying.
7. Argument By Bizarre Definition:
Example: He's not a criminal. He just does things that are against the law.
8. Total Logical Disconnect:
Example: I enjoy pasta because my house is made out of bricks.
9. Judging Things Without Comparison To Alternatives:
Example: I don't invest in U.S. Treasury Bills. There's too much risk.
10. Anything You Don't Understand Is Easy To Do:
Example: If you have the right tools, how hard can it be to generate nuclear fission at home?
11. Ignorance Of All Statistics:
Example: I'm putting all my money in the lottery this week because the jackpot is so big.
12. Ignoring the Downside Risk:
Example: I know that bungee jumping could kill me, but it's three seconds of great fun!
13. Substituting Famous Quotes For Common Sense:
Example: Remember, "All things come to those who wait." So don't bother looking for a job.
14. Irrelevant Comparisons:
Example: A hundred dollars is a good price for a toaster, compared to buying a Ferrari.
15. Circular Reasoning:
Example: I'm correct because I'm smarter than you. And I must be smarter than you because I'm correct.
16. Incompleteness As Proof Of Defect:
Example: Your theory of gravity doesn't explain why there are no unicorns, therefore it must be wrong.
17. Ignoring the Advice of Experts Without a Good Reason:
Example: Sure, the experts think you shouldn't ride your bicycle into the eye of a hurricane, but I have my own theory.
18. Following the Advice of Known Idiots:
Example: Uncle Billy says pork makes you smarter. That's good enough for me.
19. Reaching Bizarre Conclusions Without Any Information:
Example: The car won't start. I'm certain the spark plugs have been stolen by rogue clowns.
20. Faulty Pattern Recognition:
Example: His last six wives were murdered mysteriously. I hope to be wife number seven.
21. Failure to Recognize What's Important:
Example: My house is on fire! Quick, call the post office and tell them to hold my mail!
22. Unclear on the Concept of Sunk Costs:
Example: We've spent millions in developing a water-powered pogo-stick. We can't stop investing now, or it will all be wasted!
23. Overapplication of Occam's Razor(which states that the simplest explanation is usually right):
Example: The simplest explanation for the moon landings is that they were hoaxes.
24. Ignoring All Anecdotal Evidence:
Example: I always get hives after eating strawberries. But without a scientifically controlled experiment, it's not reliable data. So I continue to eat strawberries everyday, since I can't tell that they cause hives.
25. Inability to Understand that Some Things Have Multiple Causes:
Example: The Beatles were popular for only one reason: They were good singers.
- Harold Q. Eastwood, Rogue Clown.