Learn this term: Fallacy of Accident

[Opusnone]

from Bill Maher's piece at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-maher/roasting-chestnuts_b_33053.html

"You can't make a reasoned argument against a law based on the most outlandish possible hypothetical counter-example you just pulled out of your ass. This is called the Fallacy of Accident. A twist on the old dicto simpliciter ad dictum secundum quid. Like I have to tell you."

He easily explains the cognitive hypnosis of America better than most I've heard, and is followed up in the reader's comments by even smarter people such as this:

"And in mental health terms, it's a distorted thought pattern called catastrophizing: basing decisions on the most extremely negative consequences possible (i.e. smoking gun in the form of a mushroom cloud). By presenting the world in stark black and white terms, it becomes easier to manipulate and distort people's perceptions of reality.

Unhealthy thoughts and belief patterns can amplify stress and anxiety, as well as hinder your perceptions and ability to think and act effectively. Replacing them with more realistic and healthy thoughts can help you take control of nearly any situation."

Love him or hate him, Bill Maher tells it like it is.

[Vorta]

1. Love him

"You can't make a reasoned argument against a law based on the most outlandish possible hypothetical counter-example you just pulled out of your ass.

I wish I had said that.

[Opusnone]

3. You should read the Think tank trolls comments!

I don't know who they think they are fooling (the trolls). There is a building somewhere in a mountain that houses these pseudo-scholars who do nothing but spout right wing party trash and talking points on all the left leaning message boards like a huge festering boiler room.

Their reasoning is always specious, their arguments all the same, their cowardice and greed overwhelming. I would love to pull the curtain back and see who is behind this psyops operation. My money is on repuke money.

[sui generis]

7. I would also add that

There are really two kinds of people out there.

There are people who fear events and there are people who fear inconvenience.

Guess which ones make the better conservatives.

Personally, I worry what happens if you don't flush twice with a 1.6 gallon water saving toilet. Wonder where that puts me on the continuum? :think:

:P

It does seem like there has to be some hardwiring, or else habit, there already for people to habitually fear events, even ones that don't, won't or are highly unlikely to happen.

Critical Thinking Is Fundamental. It doesn't roll off the tongue well, but it is a good skill to insist we learn.

[sui generis]

2. so THAT'S what happens when it's my turn to

clean the bathrooms at the casa.

I keep thinking, what if I'm in there scrubbing the toilet and the Clearinghouse guys show up with my check for a brazillian dollars and I don't hear the doorbell ring and they go away?

What if someone breaks in and runs off with my Renoir? Oh wait. Nevermind. Somebody must have done that already.

See! I can't possibly clean the bathrooms, it could be a DISASTER I tell ya.

:P

[TahitiNut]

4. I'd disagree with you, but I know ...

... that my disagreement would anger you and you'd hunt me down and kill me and my family.

:dunce: :silly:


(I wish that were as unimaginable as I'd like to believe, but considering some of the bizarre, kneejerk stuff I've seen around here... ) :eyes:

[sui generis]

6. don't worry

I am only homicidal towards those who have angered me, whoever they are.

:rofl:

I'm probably pretty guilty of the kneejerk stuff myself. Hey! Haven't said hi in a while! :hi:

[Opusnone]

5. If you are cleaning the bathrooms

be sure not to mix ammonia with bleach or you will have a mini mushroom cloud.

[Jackpine Radical]

8. Renoir? Oh--I thought you said Renault.

I was gonna say, just let them have it. No loss.