Table of Dirty Tricks

Table of Dirty Tricks
Unit VIII Assignment: Table of Dirty Tricks

Name and Number of Dirty Trick Decision-making Leading to Use How You Would Detect the Trick How You Might Counter the Trick
#5 Appeal to fear When the manipulator is trying to represent themselves as protectors of the people against threats (even when not possible) I would be able to detect this trick when authorities say certain groups are dangerous. My counter for this trick would be by acting and sounding that I have no fear on what the manipulator says.
#6 Appeal to pity (or sympathy) When people do not want to take responsibility for their actions. I would be able to detect this trick by seeing how people feel sorry for themselves and try to gain sympathy. My counter for this trick would be that I understand their situation, but that gives them no excuse to take responsibility.
#8 Appeal to tradition or faith (“the tried and true”) When the manipulator is implying that the opponent will destroy these traditions and faith. I would be able to detect this trick by seeing how they manipulate their faith and values. My counter for this trick would be staying true to my beliefs.
#10 Attack the person (and not the argument) When the opponent is making reasonable arguments, the manipulator ignores those arguments and instead finds a way to attack the opponent personally. I would be able to detect this trick by observing/listening to the manipulator’s name-calling of the opponent. My counter for this trick would be ignoring the name-calling and focusing on the reasonable argument.
#11 Beg the question When the manipulator is trying to “prove” a point he will assume it in the first place. I would be able to detect this trick by paying close attention to the words the manipulator uses when they are articulating “facts”. My counter for this trick would be by researching the topic and not believing what the manipulator says are “facts”.
#12 Call for perfection (demand impossible conditions) When the manipulator has no intention whatsoever to allow X to happen he will use this kind of maneuver. I would be able to detect this trick byobserving the impossible conditions set by the manipulator. My counter for this trick would be by stating the conditions are impossible to meet.
#17 Create a straw man When a manipulator is trying to make their opponent look bad at the same time they are making their case look good. I would be able to detect this trick byrecognizing the way the manipulator twists the opponent’s words to make them look bad. My counter for this trick would be reemphasizing my reasoning and the meaning behind it.
#18 Deny or defend inconsistencies When the manipulator is caught in a contradiction. They will try to deny or defend the contradiction. I would be able to detect this trick by paying close attention when the manipulator is caught in a contradiction they will say “I didn’t really say that!” or “The world is changing, and we must change with it” My counter for this trick would be by calling out the manipulator’s contradictions and inconsistencies by bringing them to the surface.
#19 Demonize their side, sanitize yours The manipulator will use “good” words to characterize their side but use “negative” words for their opponent. I would be able to detect this trick by listening to the positive and negative words behind the real motives of the manipulator. My counter for this trick would be by questioning the real motives and if they put what they say to practice.
#20 Evade questions, gracefully When the manipulator is facing questions from an audience. I would be able to detect this trick byobserving how the manipulator does not answer the direct question and uses jokes to evade it. My counter for this trick would be to ask the question again to make sure the manipulator stays on topic.
#23 Ignore the evidence When the manipulator is trying to avoid having to consider his own mind because it threatens his belief system or vested interests. I would be able to detect this trick by acknowledging how the manipulator ignores evidence when it attacks their beliefs. My counter for this trick would be by providing enough evidence to prove a point.
#25 Attack evidence (that undermines your case) When manipulators cannot successfully dodge consideration of evidence that does not support their case. I would be able to detect this trick byconsidering the evidence that is being attacked by the manipulator. My counter for this trick would be by proving the evidence is in fact real and the manipulator is only attacking the evidence since it undermines their case.
#27 Use the hard-cruel-world argument (to justify doing what is usually considered unethical) When someone does something considered unethical they will try and justify by saying “It’s a hard-cruel world” I would be able to detect this trick when a manipulator makes it seem we are being forced into a situation we wish we could avoid. My counter for this trick would be to confront the manipulator and give a different opinion that is ethical and possible.
#30 Make your opponent look ridiculous (“lost in the laugh”) When the manipulator sees a view threatening they will use a good joke to get the audience to laugh at the opponent’s view. I would be able to detect this trick by seeing if the manipulator is trying to make their opponent look ridiculous. My counter for this trick would be laughing with the manipulator and just brushing it off.
#33 Rewrite history (have it your way) When the manipulator is telling a story about the past they will feel free to distort the past in whatever ways they believe they can get away with. I would be able to detect this trick by looking up the “fact” and checking if it is accurate with history. My counter for this trick would be researching the topic and the history of the topic to make sure all the facts are true and not distorted.

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