Strawman Arguments

Comments criticize users for rebutting arguments not actually made, employing ad hominem attacks, and failing to provide substantive counterarguments or engage in good faith.

➡️ Stable 0.5x Other
8,133
Comments
20
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#8442
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

2007
13
2008
86
2009
127
2010
137
2011
181
2012
293
2013
351
2014
276
2015
309
2016
372
2017
502
2018
404
2019
538
2020
610
2021
807
2022
871
2023
798
2024
599
2025
791
2026
70

Keywords

OK GTFO OP HN argument bad faith faith arguments arguing didn make hominem ad hominem prove new thing

Sample Comments

tptacek Dec 12, 2014 View on HN

The comment you're replying to isn't a good one, but rebutting an argument it didn't make doesn't make yours much better.

iamsohungry Nov 2, 2015 View on HN

Either present a counterargument or GTFO. Ad-hominem attacks do not contribute to the conversation.

tptacek Dec 17, 2019 View on HN

It's easy to win arguments when you make them up yourself to knock down. That comment is responding to and inaccurately paraphrasing me. I'm right here. I suggest you rebut something I actually said.

idlewords Aug 30, 2014 View on HN

You're rebutting an argument I didn't make.

NegativeK Sep 9, 2023 View on HN

You're arguing in bad faith.

ehnto Sep 6, 2018 View on HN

You have done it again. Don't bash the person, make a solid argument against their argument.

austinjp Dec 26, 2015 View on HN

You seem to be making strident arguments against ridiculous points that nobody is making.

SiempreViernes Nov 5, 2024 View on HN

You are arguing against a claim you made up yourself, best of luck getting that conversation somewhere useful.

tptacek Jun 23, 2015 View on HN

You are very emphatically rebutting an argument that nobody made!

tptacek Dec 15, 2016 View on HN

You just rebutted an argument he didn't make.