Sourcepost

A specific instance of Source Sophism—a post or comment whose sole purpose is to demand sources in a way that exhausts or dismisses rather than inquires. The Sourcepost often appears reasonable: "source?" "citation needed." But its function is not to seek information; it's to cast doubt, shift burden, or end engagement. The Sourcepost is recognizable by its pattern: demand source, dismiss source, demand better source, repeat. It's a rhetorical move disguised as a request.

"Source?" he commented, and nothing else. Not engagement, not discussion—just the demand. Sourcepost: source as conversation-ender, citation as cudgel. He didn't want to know; he wanted to stop knowing."

by Dumu The Void March 8, 2026

Move the Sourcepost

The advanced technique of shifting the standard for what counts as an acceptable source after the initial source has been provided. First, they demand a source. You provide a mainstream news outlet. They say mainstream media is biased. You provide a peer-reviewed study. They say academia is corrupt. You provide government data. They say the government lies. You provide firsthand video evidence. They say it's deepfake. The sourcepost keeps moving because the real demand is not for evidence but for agreement, and no source will ever be acceptable if it contradicts what they already believe. Moving the sourcepost is the debate equivalent of running away while claiming you're still fighting.

Move the Sourcepost Example: "He demanded a source for climate change. She provided NASA data. He moved the sourcepost, saying NASA was part of the government and couldn't be trusted. She provided university research. He said universities were liberal. She provided international scientific consensus. He said scientists were in it for the grants. She asked what source he would accept. He said 'common sense.' The sourcepost had moved beyond the reach of evidence entirely."

by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal February 15, 2026

Moving the Sourcepost

The practice of constantly shifting source requirements—when a source is provided, demanding a better one; when a better one is provided, demanding a different kind; when that's provided, demanding something else. Moving the Sourcepost is the dynamic version of Source Sophism: the goalposts never stop moving because stopping would mean engagement. It's a tactic of infinite regress, designed to exhaust opponents and avoid ever having to accept a source as sufficient.

"She provided a study. 'Need something more recent.' She found a recent meta-analysis. 'Need primary sources.' She found primary data. 'Need independent verification.' She found independent studies. 'Need something from this specific journal.' Moving the Sourcepost: evidence as chase scene, proof as infinite regress. The post never stopped moving because stopping meant admitting she was right."

by Dumu The Void March 8, 2026