Fallacy of Problem-Solving

A fallacy that demands a perfect solution as a precondition for acknowledging a problem. "If you can't solve it perfectly, you can't complain about it." The fallacy sets an impossible standard—any proposed solution can be criticized as insufficient, impractical, or having unintended consequences—and uses that impossibility to dismiss the problem itself. It's the logic of "socialism has failed wherever it's been tried" (ignoring that capitalism has also failed), of "we can't just defund the police without a plan" (as if the current system had a plan). The Fallacy of Problem-Solving is beloved of those who benefit from the status quo, who can always find reasons not to change. The cure is recognizing that problems can be acknowledged without solutions being ready, and that imperfect action is better than perfect inaction.

Example: "He agreed that the healthcare system was broken, but the Fallacy of Problem-Solving meant he never had to support any fix. Single-payer? Too expensive. Public option? Too complicated. Private insurance reform? Too weak. No solution was perfect, so no solution was acceptable. The problem continued, unsolved, unaddressed—which was exactly what the fallacy was designed to achieve."

by Dumu The Void February 20, 2026

Argumentum Ad Probationem

The classic "you are proving my point" fallacy—a form of Argumentum Ad Te where the responder claims that the opponent's response, tone, or very engagement demonstrates the truth of the original position. "You're proving my point by getting angry." "Your response proves exactly what I was saying." The move turns any engagement into evidence against you: if you respond emotionally, you're proving their point about emotionalism; if you respond calmly, you're proving their point about detachment; if you don't respond, you're proving their point about avoidance. It's a rhetorical trap with no exit—any response is reframed as confirmation. The fallacy lies in treating engagement as evidence, rather than addressing what's actually said.

Argumentum Ad Probationem "I calmly explained why I disagreed. Response: 'See? You're proving my point by being so defensive.' That's Argumentum Ad Probationem—using my engagement as evidence, not addressing my arguments. Defensive? I was calm. But even if I were defensive, that doesn't address my points. It's a trap: any response proves them right."

by Dumu The Void March 3, 2026

the linux problem

When a project gets made by a technical person, which leads that person to subconsciously optimize it for other technical people instead of user friendliness, thus attracting a user base of technical people, which contribute to the product to reinforce that cycle even more.

Hey man, your app is really suffering from the linux problem.

by RealmyTheMan October 16, 2024

The Moana Problem

The Moana Problem, first coined by Matthew Walsh circa 2024, is a theory that suggests that there is really no cure to Racism, especially with children.

Basically the theory goes: you have two white children who both watch Disney movies. One white child gravitates towards white princess. Picks out white princess dolls, watch Disney movies with white princess, etc. Which is bad. Then, on the other hand you have the other white child, whose favorite princess is Moana. However, that child wants to be Moana for Halloween, which proposes Cultural Appropriation, if she were to wear the Pacific-Islander Attire. So “no matter which way you go… you end up back in Racism”.

“This is similar to The Moana Problem,” said Paul, who’s on a journey to defeat racism.

by YourfavoriteConservative January 6, 2025

Not your problem

Neither is Anti-Semitism! Neither is Palestinian genocide! That one isn't even vaguely analogous to any of YOUR problems.

Hym "It's not your problem. But neither is anything else that isn't happening directly to you. So, whether or not a problem is yours has any relationship to how you act in the world."

by Hym Iam January 7, 2025

Brittany Leeanne Probst

Tha baddest non-binary person on the earth; hails for Kentucky. Copyright BMI... My name no one else will be named my name.

Brittany Leeanne Probst copyrighted her lyrics and also her name.

by Amuze Tha Clown February 10, 2025

Königsberg Bridge Problem

The Königsberg Bridge Problem is a historical puzzle asking if it's possible to walk through the city of Königsberg, crossing each of its seven bridges exactly once. Leonhard Euler proved it's impossible because there were more than two landmasses connected by an odd number of bridges, a key insight that laid the foundation for graph theory.

Graph Theory People: I love the Königsberg Bridge Problem.

by jorgis_01 March 19, 2025