Obnoxious Tactics of the Black Knights
Most adults have come across those special people who will stubbornly NOT concede a point under any circumstances. The worst offenders are those who resort to ridiculous commentary rather than admit they might be mistaken. I label these individuals ‘Black Knights’ - in reference to the classic Monty Python Holy Grail sketch in which King Arthur demolishes the self-declared invincible Black Knight.
(please view the video – it is satirically brilliant)
There are a large number of tactics available to the Black Knight. I am listing some of the most common (and obnoxious) tactics I have had the displeasure to deal with. Each description assumes a debate between two fictional characters: Arthur (an honest opponent) and Black (one who shall remain invincible at all costs).
Obnoxious Tactics
#1 GENERALIZATION
Arguing that characteristics of an empirical sampling apply to an entire group. For example: ‘ a few racist signs at a rally means ALL rally participants are racists ’.
Black : “ Both of my English opponents fled from my challenge. Englishmen are all cowards .”
#2 OBFUSCATION
Change the topic (misdirection, Red Herring) or change the meaning of phrases or words (equivocation), etc. to create a cloud of smoke to hide behind.
Arthur : “ Victory is mine, you have no arms .”
Black : “ I have arms .”
Arthur : “ I cut them off; they are on the ground .”
Black : “ Again you dare suggest my arms are not my property .“
#3 DECLARATION
Acting as if a mere statement establishes truth. This attempts to bypass the argument and proceed directly to a declared (proven) truth. Another form of declaration is claiming that a point was indeed proven or a question answered to avoid having to make an argument or answer a question. Python demonstrates declaration in the ‘Argument’ sketch .
Arthur : “ I cut off your arm ”
Black : “ No you haven’t ”
#4 ACCUSATION
Inventing or exaggerating to seek sympathy such as claiming the opponent is making personal attacks (e.g. a statement such as: " you are being presumptuous " is deemed a personal attack)
Black : ( without arms and legs ) “ Oh sure, running away from a fight ”
#5 FAUX OBTUSENESS
Pretending to miss a damaging and obvious point or reinterpreting it with a simplistic alternate meaning - usually based upon zeroing in on a word and taking a tangent. This is clearly illustrated in the Python Parrot sketch .
Arthur : “ Look your arm is cut off .”
Black : “ It is just a flesh wound; I’ve had worse .”
#6 AMBIGUITY
Terse responses designed to provide a reply while denying the opponent anything to respond to
Arthur : “ What must be done for you to accept defeat ?”
Black : “ Defeat is subjective ”
#7 PROJECTION
Accuse your opponent of the very things you are doing as if somehow that hides your disingenuous tactics. (The purpose seems to be an attempt to put the opponent on a false defensive.)
Black : “ You are delusional – you cannot accept defeat.”
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These stand out for me. However, there exist plenty of formally and informally defined tactics for disingenuous debate. Generally the Black Knight resorts to these tactics as part of grandstanding – appealing to an audience that may be paying only casual attention – to ‘ save face ’.
What obnoxious tactics have your ‘Black Knights’ used?
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Black Knights generally behave nicely right up to the point where they sense they are losing the debate. Then out come the obnoxious tactics.
Yes, it's when the debate victor usually tries to be gracious and give the opponent an out for a graceful retreat.
Black Nights refuse to accept the graceful retreat, choosing instead rhetorical suicide.
For me most of the time it is enough to make my point trusting people to see the point and leaving the antagonist to reveal himself trying to escape the point.
It is just more fun to allow others to expose themselves rather than be the exposer. and heck you just might change a few opinions in the process.
What obnoxious tactics have your ‘Black Knights’ used?
All of the above .
We see all of the above used on a daily basis.
... and more no doubt.
It would be interesting (fun) if members would share some of their 'favorite' slimy tactics in this discussion. I know I have left out all sorts of nasty little tricks.
"Gish gallop" - variation on obfuscation.
Projection - I'm accused on another discussion of being a "Christianphobe" because I mentioned that lying is not especially Christian behavior. I was also told that nonchristians lie, but don't really feel bad about it, because they're nonbelievers. So I'm accused of religious bigotry in the very same post where my accuser is making religiously bigoted statements.
Faux obtuseness.
Double standards - holding your opponent's arguments to a higher standard than your own.
Oh, yeah, declaration. I remember one debate where many people actually looked up the links provided, and one said exactly the opposite of what the debater claimed it said. When this was pointed out, he either ignored us, or just lied and contradicted us. I didn't see him around much after that.
The ''name callers'' are my favorites. One called me an ignorant Indian and another called me a crazy Redskin. Seems that their ''true colors'' came out when they couldn't deal with someone of a different color.
I thought that it was just great, their inability to put together two words in a sentence was there for all to see.
I suspect most people see the name calling and realize that the author is someone who is out of ideas.
Funny, seems to be you're a pretty well read Indian. I still am making the mental jumps about riding my Indian....and now, if I go to Toronto, I have to call the Damned Thing A 'First Nations Headman Vintage two-Tone'. Sigh, PC correctness gone rampant.
Good article, BTW, I love that movie, Tig
Except for the Tuesdays, the day before your weekly beard washing.
Also known as word salad or baffle-with-bullshit.
Not sure if it's covered in the article, but my favorite is when someone deliberately makes a clearly ridiculous statement. Not only does it not help their argument it actually makes them easier to dismiss.