Suppose one is posting to pro_scurvy[1], and someone says she doesn't have scurvy because she eats fruit. This statement is technically incorrect, there are fruits which don't help[3].
There are a variety of essentially unhelpful responses to this problem:
I don't understand, what are you talking about? If you're genuinely unaware that in this context "fruit" means "citrus fruit, or other vitamin C containing fruit" then I'm envious of your shelter from nonpedants, and it's not your fault, however, try to realise what's going on when people explain.
Hah! You have made an error of fact, however minor. Now we must ridicule you for that, instead of pursuing the interesting, widely relevant, and intellectually stimulating point previously under discussion. If you truly want to derail the discussion (eg. it's getting too personal), this is a good, if somewhat mean, way. However, recognise what you're doing, don't, as is too easy, do it automatically because you can.
( Read more... )
There are a variety of essentially unhelpful responses to this problem:
I don't understand, what are you talking about? If you're genuinely unaware that in this context "fruit" means "citrus fruit, or other vitamin C containing fruit" then I'm envious of your shelter from nonpedants, and it's not your fault, however, try to realise what's going on when people explain.
Hah! You have made an error of fact, however minor. Now we must ridicule you for that, instead of pursuing the interesting, widely relevant, and intellectually stimulating point previously under discussion. If you truly want to derail the discussion (eg. it's getting too personal), this is a good, if somewhat mean, way. However, recognise what you're doing, don't, as is too easy, do it automatically because you can.
( Read more... )