Can you quote a straw man?
Apr. 5th, 2020 03:25 pmThere are two groups of people that present me with an awkward dilemma. I think both groups are misbehaving, but I can't address either of them without the other believing I am harming them.
Group 1: "It's inappropriate for you to quote things people say without their permission or where they might not expect it or be upset by it, even if you don't name them or give any information with which a reader of the quote might reasonably narrow down the source of the quote to one person."
Group 2: "I believe the position you're arguing against is a straw man, because you can't or won't give me any or enough real examples of people defending it. Based on this belief, I am going to label you a bad actor, because the harm of your tactics outweighs the zero benefit of defeating that nonexistent position."
I would appreciate advice on tackling this dilemma.