Argumentum Ad Responsabilitatem

A form of Miranda Bias where one shifts responsibility for an argument, claim, or situation onto the opponent, typically by demanding they take responsibility for something they didn't cause or can't control. The fallacy lies in misplacing accountability—treating the person pointing out a problem as responsible for solving it, or the person documenting harm as responsible for preventing it. "If you're so concerned, why don't you do something about it?" becomes a way of deflecting criticism without addressing it. This fallacy allows those with power to avoid accountability by shifting attention to those without power, demanding that critics solve the problems they merely identify.

Example: "When she documented the environmental damage, the company responded with 'if you care so much, why don't you clean it up?' Argumentum Ad Responsabilitatem: blaming the messenger for the message."

by Dumu The Void March 16, 2026

Argumentum Ad Reum

A form of Miranda Bias where one treats the person making an argument as if they were the defendant on trial, demanding they prove their innocence or justify their right to speak. The fallacy lies in reversing the burden of proof—placing the person raising a concern in the position of having to defend themselves rather than the position they're criticizing. "What gives you the right to complain?" becomes a way of avoiding the complaint entirely. This fallacy is common in power-laden contexts where questioning authority is treated as itself an offense requiring justification.

Example: "He questioned the policy, and instead of addressing his points, they demanded he prove he wasn't just bitter about a personal grudge. Argumentum Ad Reum: treating the questioner as the defendant."

by Dumu The Void March 16, 2026

Argumentum Ad Objectitatem

A form of Objectivity Bias where one invokes "objectivity" as a magic wand to dismiss opposing views without engaging them. The fallacy lies in claiming that one's own position is simply objective reality while the opponent's is biased, ideological, or subjective—without demonstrating why this is so. "You're not being objective" becomes a conversation-ender, a way of positioning oneself as the neutral arbiter of truth while dismissing all alternatives as merely perspectival. This fallacy allows the speaker to claim the mantle of objectivity without actually doing the work of demonstrating why their view deserves that label.

Example: "He didn't argue against her interpretation—he just said she wasn't being objective, as if his own view was simply reality itself. Argumentum Ad Objectitatem: using the claim of neutrality to justify taking sides."

by Dumu The Void March 16, 2026

Argumentum Ad Veritatem

A form of Truth Bias where one invokes "truth" as a self-justifying warrant for their position, treating their claims as simply what's true and therefore beyond challenge. The fallacy lies in using the concept of truth to immunize one's views from examination—"I'm just telling the truth" becomes a way of saying "I don't need to argue, because what I say is simply reality." This fallacy shuts down inquiry rather than advancing it, positioning the speaker as the conduit of truth and all opponents as either deceived or deceivers. It's argument by assertion of virtue, not by evidence or reason.

Example: "She responded to every question with 'I'm just telling the truth'—as if saying it made it so. Argumentum Ad Veritatem: using the word 'truth' to avoid having to demonstrate it."

by Dumu The Void March 16, 2026

Argumentum Ad Realitatem

A form of Reality Bias where one invokes "reality" as a trump card, treating their position as simply how things are and any alternative as literally out of touch with reality. The fallacy lies in claiming direct access to the real while others are trapped in illusion, ideology, or wishful thinking—without demonstrating why one's own access is privileged. "You're not living in the real world" becomes a way of dismissing views one dislikes without engaging them. This fallacy allows the speaker to position themselves as the realist, the pragmatist, the one who sees things as they really are—while everyone else is merely dreaming.

Example: "He dismissed her policy proposals as 'not living in the real world'—never explaining why his preferred policies were any more realistic. Argumentum Ad Realitatem: using 'reality' as a cudgel rather than a standard."

by Dumu The Void March 16, 2026

Argumentum Ad Comitia

A form of Majoritarian Bias where one invokes majority opinion as proof of correctness, treating popularity as validation. The fallacy lies in assuming that because many people believe something, it must be true—or because most people support something, it must be right. "The majority supports it" becomes an argument-ending move, as if numbers could settle questions of truth or justice. This fallacy ignores that majorities have been wrong throughout history, that truth is not decided by vote, and that justice often requires opposing majority opinion. It's argument by crowd, not by reason.

Example: "When asked about the policy's ethical problems, he simply said 'most people voted for it.' Argumentum Ad Comitia: treating election results as moral justification."

by Dumu The Void March 16, 2026

Alsume Effect

The phenomenon in which a community around any given piece of media goes mad with shitposting after a long drout of any new content from the media. (At least any GOOD content) This process can be spontaneous or gradual.

Named after a reddit post on the Batman Arkham subreddit which kicked off it's now famous descent into insanity.

"The Alsume Effect hit the Team Fortress 2 community hard."

by Bob_Wire February 9, 2025