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marylandblue

(12,344 posts)
Fri Mar 29, 2019, 11:53 PM Mar 2019

When diversion is the purpose.

Some people like to divert attention. It really doesn't matter why or how. It only matters that they do it. They do it so much they become diversionary experts.

There are a lot of ways to divert attention. Some are fallacies. Some are not. Some diversionary tactics have a name. Some don't.

At any one time, there is one topic. It's simple. But diversion is complicated. There are infinite number of methods and an infinite number of other topics to choose from. So it's hard to pin down exactly what kind of diversion it is. There is no point to pinning it down anyway, because the point of the diversion is to avoid the real topic. For the diverter, talking about the type of diversion works just as well as any diversion. Anything so long as the real topic is avoided. Even arguing about what the real topic actually is can be a diversion.

If the diverter senses the diversion is not working, he doesn't return to the topic. He simply abandons the whole line of thought and goes somewhere else.

It helps if the diverter is shameless. Then there is no limit to what he can say. The bounds of normal human conversation are no constraint. He can create ever more distracting diversions if he needs to.

So next time you see a diverter diverting, just don't go there. It's not a fallacy, it's not a lie, it doesn't matter what was said before. It's just a diversion. Don't let yourself be diverted. Stay on topic.

I'm speaking of Trump, of course. But he isn't the only one.

20 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
When diversion is the purpose. (Original Post) marylandblue Mar 2019 OP
Are you trying to change our forum's favorite topic of discussion?.. NeoGreen Mar 2019 #1
I thought our favorite topic edhopper Mar 2019 #2
I will concede that point (nt) NeoGreen Mar 2019 #3
Won't someone please think of the Trump supporters? Major Nikon Mar 2019 #4
Atheists in Boston were mean to a Trump supporter. Act_of_Reparation Apr 2019 #5
It just "proves" that intolerance is simply a human characteristic... trotsky Apr 2019 #6
Leviticus, schmeticus Major Nikon Apr 2019 #7
It is good that straw exists in such abundance. guillaumeb Apr 2019 #8
Straw, eh? trotsky Apr 2019 #9
You built the argument. guillaumeb Apr 2019 #10
As I figured, you proved my point. trotsky Apr 2019 #11
Your style of "debate" is interesting. guillaumeb Apr 2019 #12
Yes you have made it clear many times you think I am stupid. trotsky Apr 2019 #13
Not stupid. guillaumeb Apr 2019 #14
Your insults will never deter me. trotsky Apr 2019 #15
Yes, your unsubstantiated assertion stands guillaumeb Apr 2019 #16
Substantiated with every post you've ever made. trotsky Apr 2019 #17
Perhaps you should research the word unsubstantiated. guillaumeb Apr 2019 #18
Nope. Proven and documented. trotsky Apr 2019 #19
You made an assertion that you apparently cannot prove. guillaumeb Apr 2019 #20

NeoGreen

(4,033 posts)
1. Are you trying to change our forum's favorite topic of discussion?..
Sat Mar 30, 2019, 06:00 AM
Mar 2019

...what about our whataboutism problem?!


Oh and, I think I need to add... - OFF


In all seriousness, thanks for the post.

Spot on.

trotsky

(49,533 posts)
6. It just "proves" that intolerance is simply a human characteristic...
Mon Apr 1, 2019, 08:00 AM
Apr 2019

and that religion is NEVER responsible for ANY intolerance ANYWHERE so you need to stop talking about it!

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)
8. It is good that straw exists in such abundance.
Wed Apr 3, 2019, 11:51 AM
Apr 2019

And can so easily be used to construct opponents.

trotsky

(49,533 posts)
9. Straw, eh?
Wed Apr 3, 2019, 11:52 AM
Apr 2019

Give me ONE example where you think a religious belief is responsible for intolerance.

trotsky

(49,533 posts)
11. As I figured, you proved my point.
Wed Apr 3, 2019, 12:03 PM
Apr 2019

You clearly do not think religious belief can ever be responsible for intolerance, or else you would have been able to give me just one example.

You've humiliated yourself yet again - you must love this more than I do, which I didn't think was possible.

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)
12. Your style of "debate" is interesting.
Wed Apr 3, 2019, 12:04 PM
Apr 2019

But from my experience, your grade in a debate class would not be high.

trotsky

(49,533 posts)
13. Yes you have made it clear many times you think I am stupid.
Wed Apr 3, 2019, 12:08 PM
Apr 2019

Your personal attacks have never deterred me.

Resolved: You believe religious beliefs can never be responsible for intolerance.

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)
14. Not stupid.
Wed Apr 3, 2019, 12:12 PM
Apr 2019

Driven by an agenda? Perhaps.

But you made the original assertion. Do not lose sight of that fact as you construct a variation of your unsubstantiated assertion.

trotsky

(49,533 posts)
15. Your insults will never deter me.
Wed Apr 3, 2019, 01:07 PM
Apr 2019

And my assertion, if that's what you need to call it so you think you can try and wriggle away, still stands.

All you need to do to disprove my assertion is give ONE example of intolerance supported by a religious belief. If you think that's possible, you should have at least one example, shouldn't you?

Or maybe you could just answer a fucking question for once. Do you feel religious belief can be responsible for intolerance? EVER?

Ha, silly me, you will never answer that. You'll just go back to screaming that I made an "assertion" and will refuse to dialog because you know very well what your answer is, and you're too ashamed to admit it publicly.

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)
16. Yes, your unsubstantiated assertion stands
Wed Apr 3, 2019, 01:27 PM
Apr 2019

as evidence that you cannot substantiate your assertion.

As to your second question, which is in direct contradiction to your assertion, it has been answered numerous times.

trotsky

(49,533 posts)
17. Substantiated with every post you've ever made.
Wed Apr 3, 2019, 01:42 PM
Apr 2019

You have NEVER allowed an example of intolerance to be linked to religion. NEVER.

You lose again, g. Everyone sees your bias.

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)
18. Perhaps you should research the word unsubstantiated.
Wed Apr 3, 2019, 01:44 PM
Apr 2019

And your new assertion builds on your previous assertion.

A skyscraper of straw.

trotsky

(49,533 posts)
19. Nope. Proven and documented.
Wed Apr 3, 2019, 02:02 PM
Apr 2019

Of course you COULD just provide that one example of you admitting a religious belief is responsible for intolerance.

Just one.

That one little example could easily knock down my alleged "skyscraper of straw."

But you can't even provide one example.

This is your game, g. I'm done playing it. I've made my case more than enough on a simple discussion board. Your bias and agenda are completely clear for all to see.

Feel free to throw another "straw" accusation at me. Insult me again if you really need to. Have your precious last word.

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)
20. You made an assertion that you apparently cannot prove.
Wed Apr 3, 2019, 02:05 PM
Apr 2019

And now, you are trying to divert and insist that I must disprove what you cannot prove.

Next time, do your research first.

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