this post was submitted on 25 Jun 2023
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Sounds like this is more of a debate about semantics. "Whataboutism" is a recently-popularized term that doesn't have a concrete definition yet. You see it as a tool to escape a debate by diverting attention, but I see it as a tool to highlight hypocrisy while continuing a debate. Really, I guess what matters is context - specifically, whether one is attempting to debate "in good faith" (another recently-popularized, inconsistently-defined term).
I certainly don't know you or your personal relationship with your dad. He doesn't sound like a great debate opponent, but to be fair, neither do you. Most people aren't nowadays, sad to say. Somewhere between Trump and Biden, people forgot how to wait their turn and debate the idea, rather than the person. It takes two to tango, they say, and it's becoming increasingly difficult to find two individuals who are able to set aside their egos and listen in earnest to opposing beliefs.
I guess I'm a bit biased. 2020 turned me into a misanthrope. ๐คท
It's neither recent nor interpretable XD. It was coniated by a journalist in the '70s with the specific meaning I'm telling you. The origin is actually interesting.
I'll give you that it is more frequent nowadays, since it is an escamotage that populist groups use a lot and they are rising all around the world.
If you are both ignorant and arrogant I'm the worst debate opponent on the fucking planet and I will just troll you into the ground. Expecially with people from my father's generation, with their "I'm always right" attitude. It doesn't matter how well informed/educated you might be, they are never receptive and never will. So if I'm forced to argue with them, I make sure I'm the one having fun.
In any other context (luckily the majority) I'm pretty chill and I've actually been told by many people to be a really good talker/debater.
I can respect that. If they've proven themselves to be ignorrogant, there's no reason to get all flusterfucked trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. I've dealt with enough people who use trolling as their primary debate strategy that I guess I got shit-triggered. Apologies, friend, for assuming the worst.