whataboutist

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[–] 8 points 3 years ago* (3 children)

Pedantery ahoy, but I'll take your question at face value.

There is no such term, as nobody is a whataboutist. Whataboutism is a rhethoric tool.

While some rhethoric tools are always used intentionally, like jaq-ing and concern trolling. some are frequently (far from always!) used unconsciously because they just feel right:

Attack on character, sealioning, whataboutism, appeal to authority, argument to moderation, fallacy of the beard, false dilemma, false equivalence, kettle logic, et cetera.

In my experience, the answer to your question is "usually not".

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  • [–] [S] -3 points 3 years ago (2 children)

    There is no such term

    Whataboutist: troll who uses whataboutism.

    Now there is such a term:-)

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  • [–] 1 point 3 years ago (1 child)

    Whataboutery is a much better term than whataboutism. And doesn't lend itself to mischaracterisation as a personality trait rather than a fallacious style of argument.

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  • [–] [S] 1 point 3 years ago

    Whataboutery is a much better term

    Never heard it, though...

    mischaracterisation as a personality trait rather than a fallacious style of argument.

    Probably both. At least the people I've seen using it have done it regularly.

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