The Logical Fallacy's definitions

Marxist Schadenfreude

When one takes pleasure in inflicting misfortune onto the rich and powerful (regardless of intentions).

Some of them suggest that he's not so much a champion of the oppressed so much as an adrenaline junkie who uses powerful and amoral opponents as a source of Marxist schadenfreude.

by The Logical Fallacy May 23, 2018

closed systems of thought

A way of thinking that begins with the conclusion and spends the rest of its time trying to find ways to justify the conclusion, rather than the other-way around.

During an interview with the Monty Python troupe in 1979, they professed that "Life of Brian" was a condemnation of closed systems of thought. Example: after Brian escapes from the Romans, he is followed by a group of people who mistakenly believe he is the Messiah based on the fact that he does not finish his statement and therefore is "mysterious" to them. When he tells them he is not the messiah, they claim that only the true messiah would deny this. That is where dogma comes in. In the early stages of their new religion, Brian's unlikely followers built their faith out fo whole-cloth. They recover a gourd that is briefly owned by Brian, proclaim that it is a holy artifact and begin to assign greater meaning and significance to it. Upon finding his shoe, a schism emerges among his new followers. They are instantly dedicated to the emerging dogma to the religion of Brian. They are so eager to believe in Brian as the messiah that they immediately begin fashioning the tenants of their faith; the dogma of their religion.

-- Dogma & Theology - Life of Brian | Renegade Cut

by The Logical Fallacy January 12, 2019

Rotten Tomatoes Dilemma

When you aren't sure if you should listen to the criticisms and opinions of the professional few (critics, analysts and your teachers) or the unprofessional many (fans, peers and the general public).

The ole' Rotten Tomatoes Dilemma: should I listen to the critics who know what they're talking about and have learned advice, or the crowd of people that like what I've made warts and all?

by The Logical Fallacy July 1, 2022

Koumpounophilia

An affection and/or love of buttons. Those that have this usually enjoy collecting buttons, using them in crafts and projects and even identify with them in some manner.

More extreme cases lead to a sexual arousal at the sight or mention of them.

"Yeah, uhuh, sure. Hey, where did you get that shirt?"
"The department store across the street. Why?"
"Well, its just... so many buttons... buuuuuuuttooooons! GIVE ME THOSE BUTTONS! I MUST HAVE THEM!!!"
--Example of Koumpounophilia

by The Logical Fallacy December 18, 2015

Valley of Virility

When something is so straight in its manliness that it becomes incredibly gay in the process, usually displayed in a visual metaphor similar to the Uncanny Valley.

"Remember that 'Valley of Virility' thing I once mentioned ? That's where I feel 'Top Gun' lies. It is so straight that it's looped back around to gay."
-- Rantasmo, "Top Gun Needs More Gay"

by The Logical Fallacy November 4, 2017

Anti-Stratfordians

People who believe, to one capacity or another, the theory that William Shakespeare of Stratford did not write the plays that he had become famous for.

"There are certain people who believe that Shakespeare's plays are so sophisticated, so erudite, so brain-crapingly good that a middle-class kid from the Boondocks without a University degree couldn't possibly have written them. Why no one suspects the same from degree-less writers Maya Angelou, Truman Capote, Ray Bradbury, Mark Twain and Charles Dickens is anyone's guess. Still, the belief goes that only some one with a vast education and a noble soul could have designed such masterpieces. Shakespeare's too perfect not to be made by a perfect human. It is literary creationism."
-- Kyle Kallgren on Anti-Stratfordians

by The Logical Fallacy June 26, 2017

dinosaur

noun.
Killed a guy called Toby. He was an asshole.

"I swear, this guy was a fuckin' dinosaur, and he killed Toby!"
-- Violence Jack: Evil Town

by The Logical Fallacy May 16, 2022