A “straw man arguement” is an informal fallacy based on giving the impression of
refuting an opponent’s argument, while refuting an argument that was not
presented by that opponent.
It’s a petty political tactic, but I have learned something valuable from it.
You know those intrusive, shitty thoughts that just kinda ruin your day? Usually when depressive, but sometimes when hypomanic or experiencing anxiety or paranoia.
These invasive, unhelpful comments are illogical, but also hard to attack.
So I don’t attack them.
Instead, I pretend
they’re from the kinda person I wouldn’t ever listen to ever in real life.
Someone who is just ugh and is so obviously in the wrong they cannot defend themselves.
Some examples:
- “Your ex cheated because you’re crap in bed.”
- Says the fedora-wearing gamergate teen
L0rdThund3rC0ck69. - “Timothy, does your mum know you’re up?”
- “You’re selfish and have never done anything meaningful with your life.”
- Says the uptight religious housewife who voted against marriage equality.
- “Thanks
Gladys,how’s the marriage going?”
- “Everyone secretly wants you to disappear.”
- Says the mean person at a house party who no one talks to and now you know why.
- “Please fuck off, Krystal-with-a-K.”
Framing these thoughts in this way allows me to externalise their impact. It reminds me that these thoughts are happening to me, rather than being an experience I have chosen.
Who are your strawmen?