• Dasus@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    All just versions of “do your own research”, the go-to “argument” from all sorts of nutters and dumbos.

    • Val@lemm.ee
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      2 months ago

      How else would you reply to someone wanting to know more about a topic?

      It seems to me that “look at this x” is the standard way to let someone learn more about a topic.

      The other alternative is a wall of text from someone who doesn’t have the skills to consolidate information. And there are memes about that as well.

      Also It’s not “do your own research” because it actually cites the things your supposed to research. The entire reason "do your own research is bad is because it doesn’t actually point you to any useful direction.

      • Dasus@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        How else would you reply to someone wanting to know more about a topic?

        By making a coherent argument?

        The other alternative is a wall of text from someone

        The alternative to say… hours of video material? “Do your own research” is a bullshit argument, because you’re making the claim that the other person is ignorant despite not addressing anything you think they’re ignorant about.

        It’s like an ad hominem. People think it’s just when you’re mean to people, but it’s not. An ad hominem is when you make an argument that relies on the personal properties of another person. Ie “you’re [whatever property] so you can’t possibly know anything about [whateverthesubject]”. Just making an insult does not constitute an ad hominem. I could say “you’re wrong because [coherent argument A] and [coherent conclusion B], also, you’re a fuckwit”, and it wouldn’t be an ad hominem.

        It works a bit the same way with what you’re doing here. Sure, “you need to read up on this” is a valid thing to say… occasionally, but it’s not something you can use as an argument. “The Earth isn’t flat, you dumbo.” “YES IT IS. I saw evidence in a 7 hour YouTube video. You can’t say I’m wrong until you watch it and address every single thing they say. Do your own research!

        Listing things does not an argument make

        • Val@lemm.ee
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          2 months ago

          Sure. But that’s only if you take everything in the internet as an argument. This meme is not inherently about an argument. The caption is “How do I become more informed” not “I don’t agree with you on these things”. If this was framed as an argument then I could see the inherent fault in just pointing to a video. But not every discussion on the internet is an argument and the original meme does not frame the initial question as such.

          If someone post on a community I frequent about wanting to become more informed I would absolutely send them to a video. Because I believe the video does a better job of explaining it than I do. If they have more specific questions afterwards. I would reply to them as best as I could (while stressing that I’m not as good at condensing information).

          Also to say you need to refute every single point in an argument until you’re wrong is stupid. This is the internet not an argument board. If you’re not the kind to play to the audience you can just say “That feels wrong and I don’t care enough to find out why”. There are literally no stakes here.

          • Dasus@lemmy.world
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            2 months ago

            Sure. But that’s only if you take everything in the internet as an argument. This meme is not inherently about an argument.

            Nope. Something not being an “official debate” doesn’t mean that people aren’t making arguments. Like you are now, by arguing that people don’t make arguments.

            No ofc not everything is an argument. But seriously, you can’t pretend in good faith that we’re talking about people asking for some crazy videos in a crazy community, as opposed to crazy people making claims like “the Earth is flat”, “the election was stolen”, “Democrats control the weather” etc trying to support those with “DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH” when their garbage is challenged.

            Also to say you need to refute every single point in an argument until you’re wrong is stupid.

            Never implied that. Perhaps a bit more reading comprehension is in order?

            There are literally no stakes here.

            Then why so tense there, buddy?

            • Val@lemm.ee
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              2 months ago

              I’m starting to doubt my ability to write coherent comments so I don’t know If this is ok but I’ll post it anyway.

              I’m not making arguments. I’m discussing your comment. You are framing my discussion as arguments. I’m not against you. I’m just commenting on the things you say in order to get a better understanding. Maybe some of the things are arguments but I don’t care enough to classify them as such. Arguing is not my point, discussion is. And some times It’s useful to frame the discussion as an argument and sometimes it isn’t.

              you can’t pretend in good faith that we’re talking about people asking for some crazy videos in a crazy community

              Why not? Isn’t that the title of the post? The only one bringing in conspiracy theories are you.

              Never implied that. Perhaps a bit more reading comprehension is in order?

              I was commenting on this bit of your comment.

              "[…] You can’t say I’m wrong until you watch it and address every single thing they say. […]

              and this so elegantly showcases the point I’m trying to make. (You can make points without arguing) You look at everything I say as an argument against you even if I am agreeing with your example. I imagine a lot of context goes missing in text, which is a shame.

              Then why so tense there, buddy?

              when I wrote that comment I wasn’t. Now I am, because your acting hostile towards me and I don’t like that.

              • Dasus@lemmy.world
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                2 months ago

                “I’m not here” - man who’s here

                An argument: “an exchange of diverging or opposite views, typically a heated or angry one.”

                You have an opposing view as to what this discussion is about. One might even argue this is a"heated" exchange.

                You look at everything I say as an argument against you even if I am agreeing with your example.

                I don’t, really. I’m just elaborating on the point. Perhaps you have an opposing view on that matter?

                Now I am, because your acting hostile towards me and I don’t like that.

                I’m really not, you’re just reading into it.

                  • Dasus@lemmy.world
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                    2 months ago

                    Don’t worry, I’ll help you.

                    It’s always come very naturally to me.

                    For instance I assume you understand that you’re clearly implying something with your comment. Something which I might disagree with. Communication is so hard that I forget, what is it called again, when two people are talking and have diverging views on the thing they’re talking about? I’m sure there’s a word for that…