A broader, often First World political version of the previous fallacy, where one dismisses scientific findings, theoretical frameworks, and even well‑established social science by appealing to an idealized “real life.” This rhetoric typically surfaces in debates about climate policy, public health, education, or social welfare: “Real life isn’t a textbook,” “People in the real world don’t care about theory,” “Real life is more complex than your models.” The fallacy is that it positions the speaker as a hard‑nosed pragmatist while using “real life” as a rhetorical shield to ignore evidence that challenges their preferred policies. It’s a favorite of politicians and pundits who want to appear grounded while rejecting expertise that inconveniences them.

“I Work with Real Life, not Science nor Theory” Example: “When confronted with studies on housing affordability, the candidate said ‘I work with real life, not science nor theory’—dismissing decades of urban research to justify developer‑friendly zoning.”

“I Work with Real Life, not Science nor Theory” by Dumu The Void March 23, 2026

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“I Work With Reality, not Data”

A bias and fallacy common in Brazilian neoliberal and business circles, where one dismisses empirical evidence, statistics, and systematic analysis by appealing to a supposedly unmediated grasp of “reality.” The speaker claims that data is abstract, manipulated, or irrelevant, while their own personal observations, anecdotes, or “common sense” are direct contact with how things really are. The fallacy lies in assuming that rejecting data makes one more realistic, when in fact it abandons the very tools that correct individual bias. It’s a form of anti‑intellectualism dressed as pragmatism, often used to justify policies benefiting elite interests while ignoring contradictory evidence.

“I Work With Reality, not Data” Example: “The economist waved away poverty statistics with ‘I work with reality, not data’—as if his conversations in corporate boardrooms were more ‘real’ than millions of people’s living conditions.”

“I Work With Reality, not Data” by Dumu The Void March 23, 2026

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Lunching through work

The act of eating your lunch during work hours to free up your lunch hour for other fun activities.

Tina and I are both lunching through work this morning so we can go running on the bayou trails for our lunch date.

Lunching through work by Dglass444 February 6, 2009

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trying to work it out

expression used by couples that are breaking up but won't admit it. Often just delaying the inevitable.

Tiger Woods & his wife were "trying to work it out" after she caught him cheating. But she took his ass to the cleaners anyhow

trying to work it out by hapyboy61 February 18, 2010

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