Don't take the whatabout
'But what about—' is a change of subject wearing an argument's coat.
Someone answers your point by raising a different wrong. It feels like a hit; it's a dodge. Acknowledge it in five words and bring it straight back: 'That might be true too — and it doesn't answer this.' Two wrongs are two conversations; have the one you started.
Instead of
Oh, so now we're talking about THAT? Fine—
Try
Maybe so — happy to come to that. It doesn't change the point I made, though. Can we finish that one?
Try it today
Next time an argument swerves to 'what about X', say 'we can do X next' and return to the point.
The science
'Tu quoque' in the classical catalogue; identified as a Soviet propaganda staple ('And you are lynching Negroes') and analysed in the misinformation literature as a deflection technique.
Where you'd actually use it
- 🏛️ Politics & SocietyYou've said you'd tax wealth more heavily and a friend has fired back with the standard objection. You're on the spot to make the …
- 🏛️ Politics & SocietyDrill: pick the political position you disagree with most. In sixty seconds, make the strongest, fairest case FOR it — the version…
Next lesson
- 🏰 Hold them to the claim they actually madeThey defend the modest version and act like they've proved the bold one.
- 🔬 Specific beats sweeping'Always' and 'everyone' are the two words that lose arguments.
- 👀 Argue to the room, not the opponentYou'll never convince the person you're arguing with. You might convince everyone watching.