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This is an interesting flavor of ad hominem. While the post isn't a personal attack, it severely degrades the argument by calling it a 'meme'. Omitting the first sentence, and leaving the second, would be far more effective.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7512/15985103560_ed7985fc2a_o...




Would it be better if I called it a "misconception" perhaps? If it matters, I meant it in the "idea that spreads between people" sense, not the animal-gif-with-block-text sense.


People are deserving of respect, arguments less so. I see no reason to grant any particular deference to a sentence.


Saying an argument is false because it's a meme isn't a rational way to argue against a thought. You argue against things with facts and evidence. It's more disrespectful of the opposition if that's the strongest remark the opposition can make.

I suppose the great-grandparent is more an 'appeal to emotion' fallacy rather than ad hominem.


The word "meme" isn't doing any argumentative work here. It's just a handle for the claim that's being contested, with some extra connotation that the claim is typical or customary rather than unique to this thread.




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