Rules and Exceptions

[shellbyrne]

I am amazed at how prevalent this pattern is in debates, journals, all over the place.  Basically it goes like this:  "Most people think this: (fill in blank),  but it's not true, because here's an exception!" Look, See!  (read anecdote or watch video).

And this is the essential kernel of how propaganda works:  Take the Exception, and turn it into the Rule.   It doesn't matter what the subject is.  Then you cherry-pick your examples looking for the most dramatic effect.  Top if off with euphemism and other creative word use, and you can convince alot of people.  They will be impressed.

How easily people forget that there are exceptions to every rule.  I think the law of 80/20 applies well here.  Yet when debating, you must deal with the rules, the larger portion.  It's just not practical to make policy otherwise.  Although obviously, allowances must be made by using clauses in making laws. 

But as far as debating the hot topics, my point is that many people here are misled when they forget that rules are reliable and that the exceptions are unreliable.  A tipping point must be reached before we can be convinced that the rule no longer represents the larger portion. 

Tags: debate, education, religion, politics, philsophy, journals, experience, anecdote, propaganda

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