A fallacy, extremely common in politics, where one artificially restricts the range of available options to a false dilemma—typically presenting a limited set of choices as the only possibilities, when others exist. The most famous form is TINA (There Is No Alternative), where a particular policy or system is presented as inevitable because "there's no other choice." Another common form is lesser-evilism, where one is told to support a flawed option because the alternative is supposedly worse—without considering whether other alternatives exist or whether the framing itself is manipulative. "We have to accept this austerity because there's no alternative." "Vote for this corrupt candidate because the other one is even worse." "Support this imperfect policy because the opposition would be catastrophic." The fallacy lies in the arbitrariness of the dilemma: the options presented are treated as exhaustive when they're not, and the criteria for what counts as "worse" are assumed rather than argued. The dilemma is arbitrary because it's constructed to foreclose rather than enable genuine choice.
Example: "She argued that we had to accept the surveillance bill because 'the terrorists win otherwise'—Arbitrary Dilemma Fallacy, presenting a false choice between surveillance and security while ignoring the possibility of security without surveillance."
by Dumu The Void March 17, 2026
Get the Arbitrary Dilemma Fallacy mug.The phenomenon where developers are urged to fulfill the deadline in gaming development, whilst at the same time still being unable to intuitively figure out the fastest way to finish making the game
With the launch date just weeks away, the developer team fell into a deadline dilemma, racing against the clock but still unsure how to tackle the remaining features.
by Emotional Cruiser October 12, 2025
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Kevin: Well it looks like you have to deal with The "They're Gay" Dilemma
Kevin: Well it looks like you have to deal with The "They're Gay" Dilemma
by Miner_man August 31, 2016
Get the The "They're Gay" Dilemma mug.The situation one faces when deciding whether or not to stroke and if so, for how long. It is usually present when another more important activity should supersede stroking, but one wants to make time for stroking nonetheless. It is more commonly encountered during the day (when one has more to do) than at night for those who are not nocturnal.
I resolved my stroker's dilemma by affirming to myself that it's a normal and healthy activity - like eating or sleeping. I'll catch the next train.
by goyo May 2, 2017
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Sarah had spent the best part of six months chained to the radiator in the cellar. Bubba Lou was plagued by the fisherman's dilemma. 'Do I kill it, or do I let it go?'
by manoftrent November 28, 2017
Get the Fisherman's Dilemma mug.The Savant's dilemma occurs when the only reliable method of receiving recognition for your work is to cease working on it, thereby letting the project or effort die.
This typically occurs as a younger person of abnormally high skill is transitioning through the ranks but has not yet been universally recognized for their contributions.
It is particularly likely when such a skilled person is placed on a project that includes more senior people of broader influence and visibility. The outperformer may have no real path to gain visibility since people not on the project will naturally assume the success of the project should be attributed mostly to the person(s) who already have greater visibility. As the outperformer contributes more and more to the project, a greater share of recognition is diverted away from them.
Once this situation occurs, it may be in the savant's interest to leave the project, and let it die. In doing so, the savant receives recognition in hindsight. By not leaving, the savant expands the misconception and hinders his or her career.
To avoid this, invisible savants should avoid being on projects from their beginning, unless they are given the senior role. They can join a troubled project mid-way through, even in a non-senior role, provided the state of the project is widely understood. Their addition to the project will prompt questions of "what changed", thereby giving them visibility in spite of the lack of official title.
This typically occurs as a younger person of abnormally high skill is transitioning through the ranks but has not yet been universally recognized for their contributions.
It is particularly likely when such a skilled person is placed on a project that includes more senior people of broader influence and visibility. The outperformer may have no real path to gain visibility since people not on the project will naturally assume the success of the project should be attributed mostly to the person(s) who already have greater visibility. As the outperformer contributes more and more to the project, a greater share of recognition is diverted away from them.
Once this situation occurs, it may be in the savant's interest to leave the project, and let it die. In doing so, the savant receives recognition in hindsight. By not leaving, the savant expands the misconception and hinders his or her career.
To avoid this, invisible savants should avoid being on projects from their beginning, unless they are given the senior role. They can join a troubled project mid-way through, even in a non-senior role, provided the state of the project is widely understood. Their addition to the project will prompt questions of "what changed", thereby giving them visibility in spite of the lack of official title.
What happened to project X, it sounded like it was going so well?
Bob left.
But he wasn't the lead on that, what's the problem?
Well, he's the one who actually was doing everything. He moved to project Y, which was a mess till he got there.
So it was the savant's dilemma?
Yeah, but at least he won't be in that situation again.
Bob left.
But he wasn't the lead on that, what's the problem?
Well, he's the one who actually was doing everything. He moved to project Y, which was a mess till he got there.
So it was the savant's dilemma?
Yeah, but at least he won't be in that situation again.
by theEngineerGuide August 5, 2018
Get the Savant's Dilemma mug.The issue when you butter one piece of toast and the butter melts but when you proceed to the second piece it has cooled leaving you with a brick of butter
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