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How to lose

Seth Godin outlines eight ways to lose an argument online. They're pretty obvious, once you think about it. If you imagine someone employing any of these in person, you can see why they don't work to his benefit. He simply comes off as overbearing and obnoxious.

But you can read their use throughout the blogs and story comment fields. I've shortened them below, and it's worth reading the whole thing.

1. Have an argument.
2.Forget the pitfalls of Godwin's law.
3.Use faulty analogies.
4.Question motives.
5.Act anonymously.
6.Threaten to take action in another venue.
7.Bring up the slippery slope.
8.Go to the edges.

He includes his suggestions for ways to win an argument, too. My favorite: Smile.

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Posted by John Robinson on Monday, November 23, 2009 at 9:31 am

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lexalexander

November 23, 2009 - 11:33 am EST

That’s no way to lose an argument. Geez, only only Hitler would dictate ways to lose an argument. That’s like engaging Santa Clause as a behavioral consultant. You’re really just trying to sell papers here, aren’t you? I’m thinking the N.C. Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section would like to hear about this. Because if we let this go, what do we have next, Seth Godin and John Robinson lecturing us on how to type? Man, only U2 would raise an argument that lame.

Love,

Anonymous

SueP

November 23, 2009 - 12:01 pm EST

You know, the N&R Nazi-like over-interest in race-baiting is just an example of how, if you write that first article, all the rest will follow and soon enough, you're showing your true colors in trying to avenge the global newspaper circulation decline and before too long we're going to see you write that book you've been shopping and get it Palin-ized by inserting it as a free plastic-wrapped addition to the Sunday paper and I betcha all the commenters you've banned were right.