The Spoiler Effect and similar fallacies (Quiz included)
This fallacy keeps popping up during US elections even though it is clearly multiply self contradictory and oxymoronic.
The gist of the "spoiler effect" argument is that a vote for some candidate c is perforce a vote for candidate a because it is not a vote for candidate b. Other than its blinding silliness, this is strangely reversible insofar is it relies on an implicit general rule that not voting for x is a vote for y. Hence, voting for c is not voting for a and ergo voting for b BUT, voting for c is, likewise, not voting for b and hence voting for a.
Underlying this silliness is a simple false dichotomy. It is obvious that there are more than two possible choices if there are, in fact, more than two possible choices. Even voting for neither by not voting at all is, in fact, a third choice.
If we return to the first position, that not voting for x is voting for y, we also get an endless circularity. Voting for neither is a deemed vote for a because it isn't a vote for b, and a deemed vote for b because it isn't a vote for a, but that is a vote for both and either the two votes cancel, resulting in no vote, which is a vote for a because blah blah and a vote for b because blah blah, or it is an invalid vote and hence a vote for neither and hence a vote for a because blah blah and also a vote for b because blah blah, etc.
For 30% of your grade, does this sound more like
a) Jean Genet
b) Eugene Ionesco
c) Alfred Jarry
d) Abbot & Costello
Please be prepared to defend your answer
Comments
Ionesco, as in "The Bald Soprano"
which is a nonstop flood of non-sequiturs fitted into an endless loop. (I read it - in French as well as in English.)
There is no justice. There can be no peace.
Appropriately enough, the software keeps deleting my blank
replies to this. It figures.
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
Third Base!
Although it actually sounds a bit like a different routine.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkbQDEXJy2k]
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
One of my favorite routines
Then of course there's the classic "who's on first," which is constantly being parodied. I like the christmas special skits too, like the one where they're talking about Costello's christmas tree. "Did you seed it yourself?"
"Did I seed it? Sure, I seed it this morning, I seed it last night, I seed it every day!"
Abbott & Costello
Who's on First?
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTcRRaXV-fg]
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
Oh thank you, gg
For posting this video. It brings back such fond memories of my grandpa who loved these guys.
And Red Skelton who was just like him.
Grandpa had his own joke that took me years to get.
He would say to me, how long is a china man.
I'd say I didn't know
And he'd say that how long was his name.
And I'd say it was 7 letters long.
For years I thought he was asking me How long was a China man, not making it a statement.
Maybe you had to be there to get it as the saying goes.
But do it to your husband or a friend and see how it goes.
Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.
d) Abbot & Costello
What makes up the other 70% of our grade?
I woke up this morning determined to drink less, eat right, and exercise.
But that was four hours ago when I was younger and full of hope.
In this era of reduced expectations, you only get
30% of a grade.
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
ROFLMAO
"The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?" ~Orwell, "1984"
30%
is a superstar in baseball.
There is no such thing as TMI. It can always be held in reserve for extortion.
what with all these republicans
either not voting for trump or voting for Hillary, I don't think Hillary needs my vote, things are already "spoiled".
Alfred Jarry, because his neck of the woods is (one of the places) where troops are being sent.
bygorry
There clearly cannot be one correct answer, though I do note
that Genet has garnered no votes yet. I'm partial to Jarry because of his pataphysics, a "science of imaginary solutions".
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
i'm partial
to Jerry, myself.
it all rolls into one
and nothing comes for free
there's nothing you can hold
for very long
spoiled
Stinking fucking rotten!
"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar
"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides
Let's not forget variables.
I'm writing in Peter Tosh.
"I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones."
John Cage
That's a nice language
[video:https://youtu.be/NDbicVxyzBY]
I like your sig line, sojourns n/t
John Cage was/is a treasure.
"I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones."
John Cage
I've quit asking, or trying to defend the obvious
I vote Ionesco. It's just too surreal ...
it's quantum voting
Just as light can be both a particle and a wave, so too can a vote for, say, Stein, also be a vote for The Hairball. Or The Mad Bomber. Or all three at once.
The candidates are also quantum. The Mad Bomber is a slavering warmonger with terminal brain syphilis, and also an earnest do-gooder who wants to Save the Children. The Hairball is a brave and bold crusader taking on the establishment, even as he is the quintessential establishment candidate, embodying the Great Wealth and Great Hate that have been the primary drivers of his party for the past 52 years.
Especially spooky action at a distance, as it were.
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
what i do not want
is a strange loop, cementing this campaign-season into eternal recurrence.
(No subject)
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
A plank reply?
That's another vote for Ionesco ; )
'blank' not 'plank', maybe?
makes a world of difference if tht is plank or planck.
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
Funny fluke ...
about plank or Planck.
Clearly, the answer is....
Abbott & Costello.
Who's voting on first?
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I thought the Who was voting for the new/old boss.
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
pete sez:
i've been runnin' from side to side
now i know for sure
that both sides lie
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGURVK9bMbw]
let's be free
let's see who cares