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Up and Coming
May 15, 2017
Question

Arguing on the internet

Scott Adams (the guy who writes and draws Dilbert) has a blog.  
In that blog he has written all sorts of things that are controversial.  Hell, he predicted Trump's election months and months (a year?) before it happened.  He's also a  published writer and trained hypnotist, among other things.  

His latest post was pretty interesting because it echoes one of my long-held axioms of forum arguments - ad hominem is the last resort of someone who is fresh out of logical responses.  Here it is for those of you who might enjoy reading it.

Scott Adams lists three other ways to tell you've "won" a political argument, but I think these apply equally to the discussions we have here on the board.  I know I've been guilty of a few of these over the years, so I'm going to try to avoid them if possible.
I guess this is fair warning that I'm going to judge others based on a few of his criteria as well.  If you commit any of these four internet argument sins, I'm going to smile and move on to another subject.

I know this may fall on deaf ears so I've prepared a quote from Arnold in his breakout role: 
"And if you do not listen, then to HELL with you!"

    115 replies

    nalex66
    Honored Contributor
    May 20, 2017


    @Zenbane not for nothing you are truly on my jock.. I wasnt trying to win an argument, I was having beers and using you for entertainment, Your too stupid in real life to notice. 


    Normally I wouldn't do that, but in the spirit of this thread, I thought it was appropriate.

    I also recall that in that earlier argument, you ripped someone apart for using "their" instead of "there", after making exactly the same mistake in your previous post. 

    Sincerely,

    One of the three clowns.    :)
    DK2, CV1, Go, Quest, Quest 2, Quest 3. Try my game: Cyclops Island Demo
    Zenbane
    Honored Contributor
    May 20, 2017
    I don't do topless pics, but I will do pantless photos while executing a handstand. just fyi
    Inspiring
    May 20, 2017
    i wish i was talented at bringing out the worst in people.
    A: Because it messes up the order in which people normally read text. Q: Why is top-posting such a bad thing? A: Top-posting. Q: What is the most annoying thing on forums?
    Honored Contributor
    May 20, 2017
    Not forgetting Your should of been You're  o:)
    A PC with lots of gadgets inside and a thing to see in 3D that you put on your head.
    Zenbane
    Honored Contributor
    May 20, 2017

    danknugz said:

    i wish i was talented at bringing out the worst in people.


    Pro Tip: first you learn how to bring out the best in people. It's the same talent.
    Inspiring
    May 20, 2017

    Zenbane said:
    : first


    *: First
    This is my forum signature. There are many others like it, but this is mine.
    ZoomieAuthor
    Up and Coming
    May 28, 2017
    It finally makes sense.  The avatar is so perfect...
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNz6eHfsESQ
    Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. - Arthur C Clarke
    Zenbane
    Honored Contributor
    May 28, 2017
    Honored Contributor
    May 28, 2017
    A PC with lots of gadgets inside and a thing to see in 3D that you put on your head.
    ZoomieAuthor
    Up and Coming
    May 29, 2017
    Why hasn't Atmos changed his avatar to He-Man, that's my question.
    Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. - Arthur C Clarke