5 ms·

So where exactly do you draw the line between "whataboutism" and asserting similarities?

AnimalMuppet 5y ago
Whataboutism is not "compare and contrast". It's "shut up" or at best "look at the wookie". Not every "let's look at what other countries do" is whataboutism. One-line "X does Y" almost always is. (Longer posts can also be, but the one-liner is a heavy signal.)
Tostino 5y ago
If there are actual comparisons between them, it's much less likely to be "whataboutism".
- guerrilla 5y ago
  This doesn't answer the question, it's literally begging the question by assuming there aren't such similarities.
toomanyrichies 5y ago
If someone wants to assert those similarities in a separate conversation, that's fine. Trying to derail an existing conversation about the actions of one country by mentioning actions of another country is a distraction at best, and arguing in bad faith at worst.
- avgcorrection 5y ago
  One man’s “distraction” is another man’s “broadening the conversation”.
  - toomanyrichies 5y ago
    Unless the person started the conversation, it's not theirs to "broaden".
georgeecollins 5y ago
The point is that if you disagree, counter the argument. Asserting similarities does not counter the argument. If I say: "Bob is bad because he steals apples." Saying "But you also steal apples!" does not counter the argument at all. It's changing the subject.
- FpUser 5y ago
  >"It's changing the subject." If you do in fact steal the apples then no. It is calling you a hypocrite and having little moral standing to talk about the subject because you lack the integrity. If you were genuinely concerned about the fact of stealing the apples you should be working toward the easiest way of reducing said theft. Namely stop doing it yourself and then start worry about Bob.
- LudwigNagasena 5y ago
  It counters the isolated demand for rigor and calls for consistency in application of moral principles.
- antifa 5y ago
  It correctly asks "why are we obsessed with Bob and only prosecuting crimes he commits?"

Whataboutism is not "compare and contrast". It's "shut up" or at best "look at the wookie". Not every "let's look at what other countries do" is whataboutism. One-line "X does Y" almost always is. (Longer posts can also be, but the one-liner is a heavy signal.)

Tostino 5y ago

If there are actual comparisons between them, it's much less likely to be "whataboutism".

guerrilla 5y ago
This doesn't answer the question, it's literally begging the question by assuming there aren't such similarities.

toomanyrichies 5y ago

If someone wants to assert those similarities in a separate conversation, that's fine. Trying to derail an existing conversation about the actions of one country by mentioning actions of another country is a distraction at best, and arguing in bad faith at worst.

avgcorrection 5y ago
One man’s “distraction” is another man’s “broadening the conversation”.
- toomanyrichies 5y ago
  Unless the person started the conversation, it's not theirs to "broaden".

georgeecollins 5y ago

The point is that if you disagree, counter the argument. Asserting similarities does not counter the argument. If I say: "Bob is bad because he steals apples." Saying "But you also steal apples!" does not counter the argument at all. It's changing the subject.

FpUser 5y ago
>"It's changing the subject." If you do in fact steal the apples then no. It is calling you a hypocrite and having little moral standing to talk about the subject because you lack the integrity. If you were genuinely concerned about the fact of stealing the apples you should be working toward the easiest way of reducing said theft. Namely stop doing it yourself and then start worry about Bob.
LudwigNagasena 5y ago
It counters the isolated demand for rigor and calls for consistency in application of moral principles.
antifa 5y ago
It correctly asks "why are we obsessed with Bob and only prosecuting crimes he commits?"