Poll: RESPECT MY IGNORANCE.

[grimsprice]

THIS IS NOT CRUISE CONTROL, I'M ACTUALLY PISSED, AND AM ACTUALLY HOLDING THE SHIFT KEY.

Ok, sorry for that. I have a question... a quandary... a quick quizzical quibble about questions themselves. Particularly the fabled "rhetorical" species of question.

If someone asks a rhetorical question, they can do it for several reasons; They may be doing it to shed light on a question that they feel you should ponder for the shear pleasure of postulation, or they might be using the question to highlight the stupidity of someone else. Of course i'm sure there are other reasons, but I'll be talking about the latter of the two i listed.

If a person asks a rhetorical question that is meant to tear down another person and make them look stupid (see "strawman argument [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_man]") and you know the simple and easy explanation that would both restore the other persons honor, and inform and educate the obviously ignorant (not an insult [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ignorant]) person, is it your duty to engage this situation and at least try? Or should you leave well enough alone being that it was a rhetorical question?

Your opinions on this matter and any other part of this rhetorical nonsense are much appreciated.

 

[FalloutJack]

I voted 'only if...' on account that answering a rhetorical question is acceptable if it's FUNNY. People need a good laugh to break up tension.

 

[Johnmw]

Only if... The rhetorical question was set up to assume a false position to it's questionee ( is that even a word?). Rhetorical questions should be used only IMO as a colouring to a humorous argument, they have no place in serious debate. Whenever a politician uses a rhetorical question its because he/she doesn't WANT the opponent to answer the question, he/she wants to ascribe an answer to him/her.....IMO (Bugger used my most hated phrase of the internet twice in that post)

 

[Insanum]

P.S. I had to part ways with a 1987 Jaguar Xj6 today. Weep for me.

OMG YOU POOR PERSON...Did it crash/die? WHAT WAS THE REASONING?!?

ok, first off im getting a twinge of irony as i feel the thread may be a rhetorical question, HOWEVER fighting through that, I usually let them finish their question because you can usually send that person a look of "go on" and they will answer their own question. Then you take apart the logic around the question, causing it to collapse.

 

[grimsprice]

P.S. I had to part ways with a 1987 Jaguar Xj6 today. Weep for me.

OMG YOU POOR PERSON...Did it crash/die? WHAT WAS THE REASONING?!?

(Writing ot response, Bear with)

I had to sell it. I just don't have the means to fix all the problems with the wiring and interior. Its in pretty bad shape and she just needed a better home. *sniff*... her name was Heather.

 

[Dys]

Of course, especially if someone is wrong, if you've been caught out in your argument then perhaps not.

 

[Insanum]

P.S. I had to part ways with a 1987 Jaguar Xj6 today. Weep for me.

OMG YOU POOR PERSON...Did it crash/die? WHAT WAS THE REASONING?!?

(Writing ot response, Bear with)

I had to sell it. I just don't have the means to fix all the problems with the wiring and interior. Its in pretty bad shape and she just needed a better home. *sniff*... her name was Heather.

Heather is in a better place now. There there. You can buy another vintage car, May i suggest a Reliant Kitten.

<color=white>Jeez...I shouldnt tell him its probably been put out to pasture in a field to rust with all the rovers...

 

[Roxas1359]

P.S. I had to part ways with a 1987 Jaguar Xj6 today. Weep for me.

OMG YOU POOR PERSON...Did it crash/die? WHAT WAS THE REASONING?!?

(Writing ot response, Bear with)

I had to sell it. I just don't have the means to fix all the problems with the wiring and interior. Its in pretty bad shape and she just needed a better home. *sniff*... her name was Heather.

I feel your pain. When I was little my parents had to part with the same model of Jaguar and sold it for 12k.

 

[grimsprice]

P.S. I had to part ways with a 1987 Jaguar Xj6 today. Weep for me.

OMG YOU POOR PERSON...Did it crash/die? WHAT WAS THE REASONING?!?

(Writing ot response, Bear with)

I had to sell it. I just don't have the means to fix all the problems with the wiring and interior. Its in pretty bad shape and she just needed a better home. *sniff*... her name was Heather.

I feel your pain. When I was little my parents had to part with the same model of Jaguar and sold it for 12k.

Mmmmm, i hope she was royal blue, no Jag looks good any other color but royal blue.

 

[ottenni]

P.S. I had to part ways with a 1987 Jaguar Xj6 today. Weep for me.

Oh dear god. I think we need a minute of silence. I truly do feel sorry for you.

 

[grimsprice]

Why was the jaguar bit more important than the actual thread. I'll take it out now.

 

[El Poncho]

Only if it is funny, or you know it will piss them off.

 

[Ironic Pirate]

Ooops, didn't see the only if... option, damn it.

What if I had clicked that option?