REEFER MADNESS!!!!!!

[LMNO]

This is also not a "gotcha" question.

What do you mean by a "gotcha" question?

Typically, it's a question where I already know the answer, framed in a way to look unbiased, but in fact traps and skewers the person for whom the question is intended.

For example, let's pretend I knew what the MA numbers were since decriminalization, and it showed a substantial decrease in criminal activity and drug use by minors, with strong implications that decriminalization was the primary cause (NOTE: AS STATED ABOVE, THE ACTUAL STATISTICS HAVE NOT COME BACK YET. THE PREVIOUS STATEMENT IS A HYPOTHETICAL).

To then ask RWHN about them as if I was unaware of the results would force him to admit, in his own voice, the positive effects of decriminalization.  And then I say, "Gotcha!"

[ñͤͣ̄ͦ̌̑͗͊͛͂͗ ̸̨̨̣̺̼̣̜͙͈͕̮̊̈́̈͂͛̽͊ͭ̓͆ͅé ̰̓̓́ͯ́́͞]

This is also not a "gotcha" question.

What do you mean by a "gotcha" question?

Typically, it's a question where I already know the answer, framed in a way to look unbiased, but in fact traps and skewers the person for whom the question is intended.

For example, let's pretend I knew what the MA numbers were since decriminalization, and it showed a substantial decrease in criminal activity and drug use by minors, with strong implications that decriminalization was the primary cause (NOTE: AS STATED ABOVE, THE ACTUAL STATISTICS HAVE NOT COME BACK YET. THE PREVIOUS STATEMENT IS A HYPOTHETICAL).

To then ask RWHN about them as if I was unaware of the results would force him to admit, in his own voice, the positive effects of decriminalization.  And then I say, "Gotcha!"

How do you determine whether a person is feigning ignorance versus maintaining skepticism that their own facts may be wrong or misinterpreted?

And there is no "forcing people to admit things" by asking questions. That's absurd. People decline to comment, contort their brain in fascinating ways, or answer the question they wanted to be asked ALL THE TIME. Police interrogators who beat people into signing confessions is a matter of "forcing people to admit things," not asking questions that you're free to avoid or criticize.

[LMNO]

Are you seriously saying you've never heard of people doing this?  

There's even a freakin' Wikipedia page for it.

I don't think we really need to argue whether or not the technique exists.

[ñͤͣ̄ͦ̌̑͗͊͛͂͗ ̸̨̨̣̺̼̣̜͙͈͕̮̊̈́̈͂͛̽͊ͭ̓͆ͅé ̰̓̓́ͯ́́͞]

Are you seriously saying you've never heard of people doing this? 

There's even a freakin' Wikipedia page for it.

I don't think we really need to argue whether or not the technique exists.

I've never heard of people doing this on message boards, no.

[The Good Reverend Roger]

This thread is like a big, red box, and you can put tools in it.   

[LMNO]

Are you seriously saying you've never heard of people doing this? 

There's even a freakin' Wikipedia page for it.

I don't think we really need to argue whether or not the technique exists.

I've never heard of people doing this on message boards, no.

Ok, so let's put in into context:

RWHN is essentially a one-man defender of Maine's drug policy.

I want to ask him a question about how MA's decriminalization is going in terms of the numbers reported.

If you put yourself in his shoes, that could sound suspiciously like some guy trying to corner him, or someone who was about to use specious arguments and figures that don't apply to the case at hand, trying to prove his ideas invalid; which has happened in this thread a few times.

However, I was being honest, in that I didn't actually know what the numbers were; and since he works in information-gathering circles, he would be the one to ask.

To indicate that I was being sincere and not duplicitous, I stated that it was not a "gotcha" question.  I was assuming that such a phrase would be understandable to most readers, who could make the leap and apply the term in this context.

However, I made an "Assumption" -- which, it appears, made an "Ass" out of "u".

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

This thread is like a big, red box, and you can put tools in it.   

[Dysfunctional Cunt]

This thread is like a big, red box, and you can put tools in it.   

  I think I took someone's screwdriver......

[ñͤͣ̄ͦ̌̑͗͊͛͂͗ ̸̨̨̣̺̼̣̜͙͈͕̮̊̈́̈͂͛̽͊ͭ̓͆ͅé ̰̓̓́ͯ́́͞]

Are you seriously saying you've never heard of people doing this?  

There's even a freakin' Wikipedia page for it.

I don't think we really need to argue whether or not the technique exists.

I've never heard of people doing this on message boards, no.

Ok, so let's put in into context:

RWHN is essentially a one-man defender of Maine's drug policy.

I want to ask him a question about how MA's decriminalization is going in terms of the numbers reported.

If you put yourself in his shoes, that could sound suspiciously like some guy trying to corner him, or someone who was about to use specious arguments and figures that don't apply to the case at hand, trying to prove his ideas invalid; which has happened in this thread a few times.

However, I was being honest, in that I didn't actually know what the numbers were; and since he works in information-gathering circles, he would be the one to ask.

To indicate that I was being sincere and not duplicitous, I stated that it was not a "gotcha" question.  I was assuming that such a phrase would be understandable to most readers, who could make the leap and apply the term in this context.

However, I made an "Assumption" -- which, it appears, made an "Ass" out of "u".

I still find your whole idea of "gotcha journalism" having anything to do with message boards pretty laughable.

"I WAS CORNERED ON THE INTERNET!"
 \

[The Good Reverend Roger]

ITT, HEELS DUG IN 3 FEET AND CLAWS EXTENDED.   

[LMNO]

I still find your whole idea of "gotcha journalism" having anything to do with message boards pretty laughable.

"I WAS CORNERED ON THE INTERNET!"
  \

Laugh all you want, you're still the only one who couldn't make the connection.

[The Good Reverend Roger]

I'm honestly puzzled, here.  Net is claiming that ambush-style questions are never used on the internet?

[ñͤͣ̄ͦ̌̑͗͊͛͂͗ ̸̨̨̣̺̼̣̜͙͈͕̮̊̈́̈͂͛̽͊ͭ̓͆ͅé ̰̓̓́ͯ́́͞]

I still find your whole idea of "gotcha journalism" having anything to do with message boards pretty laughable.

"I WAS CORNERED ON THE INTERNET!"
 \

Laugh all you want, you're still the only one who couldn't make the connection.

I asked not because I didn't understand, but why you thought that was relevant to a debate on the internet.

I'm honestly puzzled, here.  Net is claiming that ambush-style questions are never used on the internet?

Could you give me an example?

[Bruno]

[The Good Reverend Roger]

I still find your whole idea of "gotcha journalism" having anything to do with message boards pretty laughable.

"I WAS CORNERED ON THE INTERNET!"
 \

Laugh all you want, you're still the only one who couldn't make the connection.

I asked not because I didn't understand, but why you thought that was relevant to a debate on the internet.

I'm honestly puzzled, here.  Net is claiming that ambush-style questions are never used on the internet?

Could you give me an example?

No, I think I'd rather just laugh at you.  Like this ---> 

This is the most RIDICULOUS case of heel entrenching I've EVER seen on PD.  Congratulations...It's not every day that you see someone deny the existence of one of the best trolling techniques ever devised.