When one overreacts to a work that was overhyped by shouting down the work instead of those overhyping it
Person A: Inception? inception was shit. Christopher Nolan is shit now. 2/10.
Person B: a clear example of The Robertson Fallacy.
Person B: a clear example of The Robertson Fallacy.
by aido_anto March 4, 2012
A recently coined logical fallacy. It follows that archaeologists 1,000 years from now unearth a collection of Spiderman comics. From the background art, they can tell it takes place in New York City. NYC is an actual place, as confirmed by archaeology. However, this does not mean that Spiderman existed.
Often used to illustrate the flaw in the assertion by evangelical Christians that archaeologists unearthing biblical cities today "proves" that the Bible was written by a supernatural force.
The Spiderman Fallacy is committed any time the discovery of a mundane element from a myth, legend, or story is taken to mean that ALL other parts of that story, even the supernatural, are also true.
Can be modified to use any fictional character whose story takes place in a real life location.
Often used to illustrate the flaw in the assertion by evangelical Christians that archaeologists unearthing biblical cities today "proves" that the Bible was written by a supernatural force.
The Spiderman Fallacy is committed any time the discovery of a mundane element from a myth, legend, or story is taken to mean that ALL other parts of that story, even the supernatural, are also true.
Can be modified to use any fictional character whose story takes place in a real life location.
Idiot: The Bible is literally true! Archaeology proves it! Sodom and Gommorrah have been found!!!
Smart guy: Dude, you're committing the Spiderman fallacy. New York City is a real place. Does that prove Spiderman exists?
Smart girl: There was also a real Transylvanian prince named Dracula. Does that prove vampires exist?
Smart guy: Dude, you're committing the Spiderman fallacy. New York City is a real place. Does that prove Spiderman exists?
Smart girl: There was also a real Transylvanian prince named Dracula. Does that prove vampires exist?
by Riqusii Aro Vilux December 18, 2010
The idea that, if you mitigate the consequences of a particular type of accident, then that type of accident will necessarily occur much more frequently, more than negating the initial benefit.
The CF assumes that human nature is perverse and seeks to equalize consequences. Hence, improved automotive technologies such as air bags, ABS, space frames, etc. will be offset (or more than offset) by careless driving, leading to increased highway fatalities.
FALSIFICATION: Empirical evidence shows that, while reducing consequences increases risky behavior, overall safety/health outcomes are better. Insurance companies with a stake in reducing claims verify this.
More generally, the CF confuses all forms of risk-taking, such as faster highway speeds, with fecklessness. Increased speed and convenience (for motorists) has utility; and there is no principle in welfare economics that says risk-taking will increase by an amount sufficient to offset the safety measures.
The CF assumes that human nature is perverse and seeks to equalize consequences. Hence, improved automotive technologies such as air bags, ABS, space frames, etc. will be offset (or more than offset) by careless driving, leading to increased highway fatalities.
FALSIFICATION: Empirical evidence shows that, while reducing consequences increases risky behavior, overall safety/health outcomes are better. Insurance companies with a stake in reducing claims verify this.
More generally, the CF confuses all forms of risk-taking, such as faster highway speeds, with fecklessness. Increased speed and convenience (for motorists) has utility; and there is no principle in welfare economics that says risk-taking will increase by an amount sufficient to offset the safety measures.
The massively overrated book *Freakanomics* (Dubner & Leavitt) includes many examples of the curmudgeon's fallacy.
by Abu Yahya August 22, 2008
pathetic fallacy
The attribution of human emotions or characteristics to inanimate objects or to nature.
The phrase was coined by the English critic John Ruskin in Modern Painters (1843–60), to describe the ascription of human feelings to the outside world.
The attribution of human emotions or characteristics to inanimate objects or to nature.
The phrase was coined by the English critic John Ruskin in Modern Painters (1843–60), to describe the ascription of human feelings to the outside world.
Examples of pathetic fallacy
When Lee leaves the clouds in the sky weep with my eyes....
The sun smiles everytime I see Lee's face....
When Lee leaves the clouds in the sky weep with my eyes....
The sun smiles everytime I see Lee's face....
by dobby101 October 10, 2006
The Nirvana Fallacy is the name for an instance when a person does not do something because they fear that it will not turn out like they envision it in their minds.
Sometimes this prevents people from doing anything.
This stems from the philosophy that anything short of perfect is just as good as nothing at all.
Sometimes this prevents people from doing anything.
This stems from the philosophy that anything short of perfect is just as good as nothing at all.
John wants to lose weight, and decides to walk 2 blocks to the subway station near his job instead of taking the bus home.
He tells his friend, Mike...
John: I'm going to walk 2 blocks to the subway instead of taking the bus home.
Mike: HAH! Like that'll do anything! You're a freaking whale!
John: *sigh*...I guess you're right.
He then proceeds to take the bus home. That is the Nirvana Fallacy in action.
He tells his friend, Mike...
John: I'm going to walk 2 blocks to the subway instead of taking the bus home.
Mike: HAH! Like that'll do anything! You're a freaking whale!
John: *sigh*...I guess you're right.
He then proceeds to take the bus home. That is the Nirvana Fallacy in action.
by plays_well_with_others July 15, 2009
The idea that improving at videogames will actually gain the person wealth, and a very quick loss of virginity.
Sal: "Hey did you hear? Bill is training to become a pro gamer."
Jonas: "No way nigga, he got gamer's fallacy."
Jonas: "No way nigga, he got gamer's fallacy."
by Doge.Nacho June 14, 2014
Belief that data is science.
Marxist-dogmatists believe that data is science. This is because one datum is a unit of historical materialism.
Marxist-dogmatists believe that data is science. This is because one datum is a unit of historical materialism.
Data isn't science. Science is data.
In Marxist fallacy, Marxists proffer data as the context for science; so they can position historical materialism as science's overseer.
In Marxist fallacy, Marxists proffer data as the context for science; so they can position historical materialism as science's overseer.
by zanderfin May 20, 2020