General Discussion

HuckleB

(35,773 posts) Sun Feb 16, 2014, 08:44 PM Feb 2014

Isn't the Shill Gambit against a progressive, pro-evidence, pro-science world view? [View all]

If you're not familiar with it, this is a great explanation:
http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Shill_gambit

Alas, it is used much too frequently here, and it allows people who want to do the right thing, but aren't quite sure how to explore and understand the full evidence base on many issues to simply attack without reason.

It's, quite frankly, ugly, and I'm not sure why it is tolerated at DU. This board used to demand actual arguments supported by actual evidence vetted by those who can vet such things, etc... It's a little depressing to see that culture devolve.

36 replies

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Highlight:

Isn't the Shill Gambit against a progressive, pro-evidence, pro-science world view? [View all] HuckleB Feb 2014 OP

It happens because it is easier to accuse someone of bias than dig up real evidence Agnosticsherbet Feb 2014 #1

Yup. HuckleB Feb 2014 #2

"one party dismisses the other's arguments by proclaiming them to be on the payroll of some agency" pampango Feb 2014 #3

Thanks for the beautiful response! HuckleB Feb 2014 #4

Sometimes shilling for GMOs is just shilling for GMOs. U4ikLefty Feb 2014 #5

Sometimes being anti-science is just being anti-science. HuckleB Feb 2014 #6

See that you didn't answer my question. U4ikLefty Feb 2014 #10

So you have nothing to offer to the conversation. HuckleB Feb 2014 #15

Why don't we have a conversation about GMO labeling? Fumesucker Feb 2014 #23

That is a fine idea, but could we do it in an OP concerning GMO labeling pampango Feb 2014 #27

What discussion? Fumesucker Feb 2014 #28

It's a difficult choice sometimes to decide if someone really is a total idiot or has an odd agenda Fumesucker Feb 2014 #7

I don't agree. HuckleB Feb 2014 #9

That's what I'm talking about, people who argue in infinite circles Fumesucker Feb 2014 #11

I'm sorry for those people. HuckleB Feb 2014 #14

Welcome to the DU! Fumesucker Feb 2014 #16

I guess you don't know how long I've been here. HuckleB Feb 2014 #17

I was gently pulling your leg, I do know what the number next to the handle means Fumesucker Feb 2014 #20

This. +1,000,000 Dr Hobbitstein Feb 2014 #8

Isn't dismissing people who disagree with you as "anti-science" against a progressive, pro-evidence, Chathamization Feb 2014 #12

It would be... HuckleB Feb 2014 #13

Two of your responses were saying "derp", four more were calling people anti-science Chathamization Feb 2014 #18

That might mean something if I was responding to posts that were genuine. HuckleB Feb 2014 #24

Allow me to translate for you, Denzil_DC Feb 2014 #26

Nothing except links? HuckleB Feb 2014 #29

Links? I posted a link! Denzil_DC Feb 2014 #30

It was more than dismissed. HuckleB Feb 2014 #31

"You offered something that pushed a point that was clearly and easily shown to be false." Denzil_DC Feb 2014 #32

I get it. You think that if you say something, then it is true. HuckleB Feb 2014 #35

Wow. Do you realize you just proved the point of the topic? joeglow3 Feb 2014 #33

Did someone accuse you of shilling? Pretzel_Warrior Feb 2014 #19

LOL! HuckleB Feb 2014 #25

Not exactly sure where you are going? Are you suggesting that there madinmaryland Feb 2014 #21

Yep. See every Fukushima or alt-med thread here ever. NuclearDem Feb 2014 #22

It's actually true though, when it comes to right-wing think tanks and such. alarimer Feb 2014 #34

Thoughts From A "Shill For Monsanto" HuckleB Feb 2014 #36