What has become apparent to me now is that most people do not know when they have lost an argument. So I decided I would try to give some pointers on how you can tell when it is time to concede the discussion.
- If you pull a Godwin. You have lost. If the only refutation you can generate is invoking Hitler, the SS, or the Holocaust and there are no actual dead bodies or death camps you are just cheapening those tragedies.
- If accused of (racial) insensitivity/bigotry, do not ever say, "But I have a friend who is black/Jewish/Hispanic/Korean/Gay/etc.". You have lost if you do. First everyone makes mistakes. It is easy to misunderstand a comment that is made. Realize that, and clarify, that should generally clear things up. However, sometimes people are just ignorant and say ignorant things. You may fall in that category. Be aware of that.
- As a sort of corollary to the previous statement. If you have to exclaim, at any point, that your group/organization is diverse. You have failed. Diversity is fairly easy to spot. It is not some massive cognitive leap that there may be a racial component to the Tea Party craze currently washing over the country, when it consists almost entirely of people of a certain ethnic background.
So there you go. Some friendly advice from me too you.
-Cheers
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