The Logical Fallacy's definitions

Transtextuality

The method by which a text connects itself to another text.

Transtextuality takes on five different forms: Intertext, Metatext, Paratext, Hypertext and Architext.

According to Gérard Genette transtextuality is "all that sets the text in relationship, whether obvious or concealed, with other texts" and it "covers all aspects of a particular text".

by The Logical Fallacy September 2, 2017

American Exceptionalism

A patriotism-based political belief that states that the United States of America is unique or exceptional when compared with the historical development of other countries, and is thus considered better than other countries regardless of context.

More extreme cases of this have led to white-washing of historical events, propaganda and violation of international law under the pretense that "it's not a crime when America does it."

America's greatness, America's exceptional greatness, is not based on that fact that we are the most powerful, most prosperous - and most generous - nation on earth. Rather, those things are the result of American Exceptionalism.
-- Newt Gingrich

by The Logical Fallacy September 23, 2016

Day of 1000 Cuts

A type of bad day that consists primarily of mishaps and general problems that one knowingly has no right to openly complain about, either being too minor and inconsequential to be worth getting upset over or are because of that person's own poor decisions, until the person in question's temper boils over.

I overslept, I forgot to pack a lunch,I stub my toe on the way out, I have to drive for an hour while keeping a fly trapped with me in the car out of my face, I remember that I have to get an oil change, all of my ceramic pots exploded in the kiln because of air-bubbles in them, I leave my homework in my car and only remember until after I make it to class and then I have to sit in traffic in an hour, a firetruck overseeing the wreck taking up three lanes on the freeway. "Death by 1000 Cuts"? Well mine was a Day of 1000 Cuts.

by The Logical Fallacy October 4, 2018

Destructive Criticism

Often confused with Constructive Criticism, destructive criticism is when a critique is made that does little to open for improvement, but rather attacks the work through fallacious logic or personal bias, and often leads to the weaken rather than strengthen the work. Usually done to attack the creator and not the creation.

It's destructive criticism to demand a happy ending instead of a horrifying ending for an intentionally horrifying film.

by The Logical Fallacy October 16, 2016

Woody

An adjective meant to describe a word pleasant to the sound or pronunciation. Opposite of Tinny.

"Yes, you can't beat wood. Gorn."
"What's gone, dear?"
"Nothing, nothing -- just like the word, it gives me confidence. Gorn. Gorn -- it's got a sort of 'woody' quality about it. Gorn. Go-o-orn. Much better than 'newspaper' or 'litter bin'."
-- Graham Chapman, "The Woody Sketch" from Monty Python's Flying Circus

by The Logical Fallacy October 12, 2016

Socratic

The adjective meaning "like Socrates" or "Socrates-like". Usually applied to nouns that are involved in critical thinking.

The Socratic Method involves asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and to draw out ideas and underlying presumptions.

by The Logical Fallacy September 23, 2016

passive goth

A person who has a passive fascination with gothic subjects (the night, despair, the night, wearing black, Hot Topic, Tim Burton, the night, etc.), but compared to an active goth, could not be identified as goth immediately on sight. They tend to not take the more dramatic lifestyle commonly associated with other goths, and are considered "moderate" in comparison. Can usually be identified by wearing all black and/or having a dark sense of humor. Not to be confused with emos or beatniks.

"You see that guy over there?"
"Who?"
"The art student in a black sweater and sunglasses."
"Oh, you mean the passive goth."
"Passive goth?"
"Yeah, you know, a goth that you wouldn't think was a goth till you ask them about how their day went. Shit gets creepy really quick."

by The Logical Fallacy July 8, 2016