Strawmen are usually meant to be a misrepresentation of an opponent's argument that makes it easier to attack. For examples of strawmen being used, put the word "SJW" or "conservative" into the search bar of this godforsaken website.
Normally, an appropriate response is to call out the fact that this is a gross simplification in order to discourage the use of logical fallacies and promote basic fucking debate skills.
However, some people instead choose to become the Strawman Incarnate, in which they embrace every negative aspect of the opponent's grossly exaggerated characterization for the sake of "owning" them
For examples of this, see /pol/ on 4chan, or (insert bad thing the left did so I don't get dislike bombed by conservatives).
Normally, an appropriate response is to call out the fact that this is a gross simplification in order to discourage the use of logical fallacies and promote basic fucking debate skills.
However, some people instead choose to become the Strawman Incarnate, in which they embrace every negative aspect of the opponent's grossly exaggerated characterization for the sake of "owning" them
For examples of this, see /pol/ on 4chan, or (insert bad thing the left did so I don't get dislike bombed by conservatives).
Simplified example of Strawman Incarnate:
Person A: Side B is bad because they eat babies!
Person B walks out and returns holding a baby and a fork
Person B: I BETCHA FEEL STUPID NOW, HUH?!?
Person A: Side B is bad because they eat babies!
Person B walks out and returns holding a baby and a fork
Person B: I BETCHA FEEL STUPID NOW, HUH?!?
by PostTraumaticSwagDisorder May 09, 2025