NationStates Jolt Archive

Why does it seem that most days here on NSG, posters ignore conditional switches in debates? The switches like: "if", "but" and "however".

Why is it if I use the word "if" to say I agree should certain conditions be met yet those conditions weren't met so I can't agree, some people assume that I am completely disagreeing?

Anyone else find that some posters (not naming any; it happens on all sides) just ignore the fine nuances of semantics, thus ignoring the meaning?

Here's a generic example:

I would agree with that if it wasn't so biased.

I've seen people ignore the intended meaning and take it to mean:

It's biased so I don't agree with it.

Anyone else notice this or am I losing my mind... (or both since I know people like options).

Here's a generic example:

I would agree with that if it wasn't so biased.

I've seen people ignore the intended meaning and take it to mean:

It's biased so I don't agree with it.

Well you see, it's like this...

Your statement "I would agree with X if it wasn't so biased." indicates that you would agree with X if things were a little different, which suggests that you do not currently agree with X. Your stated reason for not currently believing in X is that it is, in your words, "so biased".

I therefore see it as really quite reasonable, given the example shown, for a reader to conclude that you don't agree with X because you see it as biased, because that's what you said


Anyone else notice this or am I losing my mind... (or both since I know people like options).
I do agree with the spirit of your post (I think). There are a lot of readers who will seemingly ignore the finer nuances of certain phrases. On the other hand, it is perhaps the case that many posters simply do not have the linguistic tools - i.e. a seriously in depth knowledge of written English - to pick up on some things. As I've said many times before, that sort of error is the kind of thing that I always make myself ignore, since I myself am as monoglottal as they come.

Of course, maybe you are losing your mind. Or maybe I am. :)

Of course, maybe you are losing your mind. Or maybe I am. :)

Thanks. :) That does help. I guess it down boil down to interpretation of the meaning.

Perhaps we're all going a little insane.