[MD] Knockouts

[Michael Hamilton]

This is from the blog of Scott Adams, cretor of Dilbert
(http://dilbertblog.typepad.com/the_dilbert_blog/2005/12/index.html)

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The problem with debates on the Internet is that there's no objective
way to judge who won – no equivalent of a knockout. In fact, there's
not even a word that means knockout when you're talking about an
exchange of ideas. But there should be. I recommend using the word
"knockout."

I always consider myself a winner by knockout whenever someone
distorts my point to something ridiculous and then argues against the
ridiculous thing. That seems like an acknowledgement that my real
point is unassailable. Why else would someone need to invent a whole
new point to argue against?

Knockout!

Likewise, when anyone brings into the debate Hitler, or the slippery
slope, or guilt by association arguments, I consider that a victory by
knockout too. And if someone ignores a simple and direct question,
that's the cleanest victory there is.
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This is a useful subject to consider, and I think Adams is pretty much
on the mark, with the exception of Hitler. Considering that
Hitler-ishness is something that only happens in the past strikes me
as dangerous. However, we should obviously scrutinise any analogies to
Hitler very carefully before recognising them as relevantly similar.

Regards,
Mike