Yeah, it wasn't really his assertion that bugged. It was the lack of any understanding of anecdotal evidence not being sufficient proof to make any sort of assertion on what an enormous group of people will think.

I sometimes wish I could plug into bob bob's brain. I should have taken more philosophy classes. My ability to formulate a reasonable argument is often so lacking, and I think when I spot it in others, I'm actually going apeshit on myself in a lot of ways.

we can no doubt assume that 40 percent of all women named Amy will list Sabotage as their favorite song.

But I feel like that should go without saying?

I think I'm just going to hang on to the logical fallacy poster and scan it every time someone irritates me. if I can make it to one of the entries in one step, I name the fallacy to them and use a different example--two rounds and out, if not, I try my damnedest to extricate right away.

I tried to explain the genetic fallacy I thought I was caught up in to my sister and she said that she didn't think she was smart enough to get it--which just makes me feel that either I got it wrong, or I can't describe it.

But the guy I'm arguing with never needs to know...

To make the Tour de France more interesting today, someone decided to scatter nails across the road.

This was discovered after 30 riders got punctures.

So, is Tony Stark just RDJ in cosplay?

[link]

CONFIRMED.

Dana,

WTF.

Maybe it was your sister! Is she an editor in Cincinnati?

My brother would never argue about Beastie Boys songs on the internet.

Rolling Stones, on the other hand...

(Let me know if he says he is my brother, though, and I'll kick his ass for you.)

So, is Tony Stark just RDJ in cosplay?

I really thought I couldn't love RDJ more, and then he goes and does this. Plus the showing up unexpectedly at the Iron Man costume contest.

And yet Tony Stark is *not* the Avenger I had a filthy dream about. (::cough::SteveRogers::cough::)

I think I'm just going to hang on to the logical fallacy poster

I have this printed out and on display in my office. It's embarrassing how much I Appeal to Authority. I'm wondering if it's because I'm sometimes arguing in a fandom. "yeah, but that's not what Tim thinks, so you're wrong" both is an Appeal, and makes me look like a DICK.

Oh, Amazon. If someone claims something is "nickel allergy free" and then in the next line says it's made of stainless steel, that's a bit of a problem.

I can't wear any of my watches now: even the tiny amount of nickel in the buckle of my sports watch gives me a rash. But did you know that there are wooden watches out there for people with nickel allergies? Fascinating. [link]