"Imaginary people want X"

[baby_mouse]

This seems like a comparatively new meme in politics, the whole "Imaginary demographic wants... (what we are going to do anyway)" thing.

1. So what? Why should the rest of us put up with garbage that this alleged demographic wants?

2. Where are the spokespeople for these demographics? Why is it always a politician telling us what these mysterious people want, where are they? Why can't they tell us themselves what they want?

3. Why are these demographics always so *vague*? "Sober, serious people"... WTF? Sober, serious, WRONG people, I think you'll find...

[Mythsaje]

1. The shadowy, deluded minority...

You know, batshit crazy, EVIL people.

[BlooInBloo]

2. People and their imaginary demographics are funny....

... Sorta like DUers wondering who in the world supports Clinton, based on the fact that DU or other self-selected polls show little support for her.

[scarletwoman]

3. There's no analogy there. DU poll respondents are not an "imaginary demographic", they clearly exist

in the empirical sense. Therefore, to refer to the demographic of DU poll respondents who do not support Sen. Clinton is to refer to an actual demographic.

Likewise, there also exists a demographic of Clinton supporters, both on DU and in the outer world. They are not imaginary, either, and I don't know anyone who disputes that. Decry and bemoan, certainly, and wonder at the validity of certain polls -- with good reason. How can anyone NOT look at what our corporate media deigns to dish out to us the rabble with anything LESS than a jaudiced and skeptical eye?

After all, it is this very same media which has brought us this technique of citing "imaginary demographics" in the first place.

sw

(edited to correct some grammar)

[BlooInBloo]

4. Yes there is.

[scarletwoman]

5. "Yes, there is" And? I explained my argument, aren't you going to explain yours? (nt)

[BlooInBloo]

6. There's no point. You're gonna disagree with anything that implies I'm right....

EDIT: Because you already "know" I'm wrong, therefore any evidence I adduce in favor of my "error" must also be mistaken.

[baby_mouse]

7. Well, that neatly absolves you of the responsibility to provide any evidence, doesn't it?

This a discussion board, not a series of soapboxes along a path in a public park. You have to support your opinion with reasoning and facts. Asserting that your opponent won't believe what you say makes it look suspiciously like you don't KNOW what to say.

[scarletwoman]

8. No. I only disagree with illogic. If you have logic to present, I will judge it on its own merits.

Anyway, all I was asking was if you would care to be more specific in regard to which part or parts of what I wrote you apparently wished to refute.

But if you want to close your case there, that's fine, I'll move on.

sw

[scarletwoman]

9. k & r -- you are making an EXCELLENT point! And it IS infuriating!

And I also want to make up for getting up a rather lame sub-thread, I don't want to see your point getting lost or your thread highjacked.

sw

[baby_mouse]

10. It's totally meaningless drivel!

It's gibberish! And people FALL for it! You spend any time analysing the content of the "this ummmm.... sort of person wants, surprise, surprise, just MAGICALLY what turns out to be useful for us politically" thing AT ALL and it falls over pathetically and kicks its legs in the air! It's totally content-free, every time! As a debating tactic it's possibly the most appallingly transparent sort of smokescreening propaganda you can get, and they do it ALL THE TIME!

It's SO annoying. I'm glad you agree with me.

And don't worry about teh sub-thread. I think *that particular* issue is going to be cropping up like a fresh batch of zits for a few days yet...

[rucky]

11. not all marketing is based on research.

neocons create their own realities.

And I want to meet the 5th dentist who didn't recommend sugarless gum for their patients who chew gum!

[baby_mouse]

12. Well, really they just relabel the extant reality to make it look like they control it.

Now all the people who already supported the war and those who believe "staying the course" has any meaningful value will be walking around also thinking that they are "sober and serious" and will now go around telling everyone how sober and serious they are. That's all this nonsense is for, slotting a few comfy adjectives over the idiots' useless belief system to make them feel comfy a bit longer. They'll parrot it like robotic parrots, completely oblivious to the fact that anyone with 2 brains cells to rub together can see that they're being flattered and duped.

I don't think he'll successfully convert any *genuinely* sober or serious people who hold the opposing position.