Lazy Proof Bias

A bias where one refuses to do any investigative work themselves but demands that others provide exhaustive proof, often moving goalposts to avoid ever being satisfied. Lazy proof bias is the cognitive engine of “do your own research” in reverse: the biased party outsources all intellectual labor to the opponent, then uses any gap in the opponent’s evidence as proof of weakness. It is a common tactic in bad‑faith online debates, where one side demands “sources” for every point while offering none themselves.

Example: “He asked for sources, she provided five. He asked for better sources, she provided three peer‑reviewed studies. He then asked for a meta‑analysis. Lazy proof bias: demanding endless work while doing none.”

Lazy Proof Bias by Dumu The Void March 29, 2026