Moving the Sensepost

The advanced tactic of shifting the criteria for what counts as "sensible" after your opponent has already demonstrated that their argument meets the previous criteria. First, they call your argument nonsense. You explain it clearly. They move the sensepost: "Well, it's still nonsense because you didn't address X." You address X. They move again: "It's nonsense because your tone is wrong." You adjust your tone. They move again: "It's nonsense because I don't like you." The sensepost keeps moving because the real claim is not that your argument is nonsensical but that they don't want to accept it, and no amount of sense-making will overcome unwillingness. Moving the sensepost is how people maintain the illusion of rationality while being completely irrational.

Moving the Sensepost Example: "She explained her position clearly. He said it was nonsense. She explained again, with examples. He moved the sensepost: 'Nonsense because you're using examples, not data.' She provided data. He moved again: 'Nonsense because your data is from biased sources.' She provided multiple sources. He moved again: 'Nonsense because I've decided nothing will convince me.' The sensepost had moved beyond sense entirely, into the pure territory of refusal."

by AbzuInExile February 16, 2026

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Moving the Bullpost

The practice of shifting the criteria for what counts as "bullshit" after your opponent has already demonstrated that their argument meets your previous standards. First, you call their argument bullshit. They provide sources. You move the bullpost: "Those sources are bullshit." They provide different sources. You move again: "Your interpretation of those sources is bullshit." They explain their interpretation. You move again: "The whole field is bullshit." The bullpost keeps moving because the goal isn't to evaluate truth—it's to maintain the position that the other person is wrong, no matter what. Moving the bullpost is the favorite tactic of people who have decided that reality itself is bullshit when it doesn't agree with them.

Moving the Bullpost Example: "She cited a peer-reviewed study. He moved the bullpost: 'Peer review is bullshit.' She cited government data. He moved again: 'Government data is bullshit.' She cited his own past statements. He moved again: 'I was wrong then, and that's bullshit too.' There was no source, no evidence, no argument that could satisfy him, because the bullpost was not about evidence—it was about maintaining the position that she was wrong. She stopped trying. He declared victory."

by AbzuInExile February 16, 2026

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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

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Moging

When someone makes another person look worse by comparison — just by standing next to them. They look so good, the other person looks bad. It’s not an accident. It’s moging.

Comes from the slang “mog”, meaning to overpower or outclass visually.

Examples:
• “He brought his girl to the function but got moged instantly by a great looking guy that took his girl.”
• “That fit is crazy fire. You’re definitely moging everyone in this hallway.”

by Sam_Reezy June 1, 2025

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