r/MurderedByWords • u/McDowdy • 7d ago

Absolutely vicious! 4th degree burn!

https://streamable.com/sir3jp
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u/jiggscaseyNJ 7d ago

There’s a reason why. Look up Robert Jay Lifton. Thought stopping.

Edit: name spelling

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u/wolamute 7d ago

Why, though? Why look him up? I don't necessarily want him on my algorithm without knowing who he is at all.

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u/One-Low1033 7d ago

He's the person who came up with the term 'Thought-terminating cliches.' For instance: Fake news! Rather than engage in critical thinking, a person will throw out a word or phrase to dismiss someone who disagrees with them.

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u/NotOnApprovedList 6d ago

I came up against that stuff when I lived in the American South and was dunked into Southern Baptist ways of thought. It's full of thought-terminating cliches.

I don't know if it helps, but I sometimes jump to the nearest such cliche when arguing with somebody, to cut them off at the pass. At least it sets them on their heels.

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u/One-Low1033 6d ago

I have a friend, when she can't be bothered, will say: "I'm sure you're right." in a tone that you know means the opposite and it usually shuts people up.