Is it more effective just to call someone an idiot than to explain why you think they're wrong?

Answer 1

I prefer to point out where they're lying, and if they keep at it, to call them liars.

"Idiot" covers too many people to be effective.

I'd never call anyone names just because they disagreed with me. I do it because they're because they're lying. Now, if they're REALLY REALLY ignorant, I might call them names for that reason as well, though I think that since we're all wrong about lots of things, it takes exceptional ignorance to justify name-calling. But mere disagreement never justifies it.

Answer 2

LOL...

Deciding the question, "Is it more effective just to call someone an idiot than to explain why you think they're wrong?," depends a lot on how accurate your assessment of their intellect really is...

If you're really looking into the eyes of an idiot, you'd be just a well to call him an idiot since he probably doesn't have the brain power to understand a whole lot more anyhow - recall that from the bottom up, the IQ categories begin building upon the level of an Idiot, (Idiot, Imbecile, Moron... etc., on up to Genius.)

If you're dealing with someone of average brain power, you might want to reword you argument a tad and try a re-explanation of your position from the very beginning, (but use smaller words this time just in case you've pegged his thinking ability a shade on the higher side than it really is... Some people are just slow learners.) This may save you the trouble of a making a life-long enemy and the pain of receiving a month-long blackened eye.

Good luck.

LOL .... Hey, I just thought of something.... It wasn't me who provoked your interest in this question, was it? ... LOL

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.

Answer 3

In some caes, it's more effective to just call that person an idiot because there's no actual communication taking place and explaining things does nothing for that person and only makes me frustrated. So, by calling that person an idiot, he or she gets to still ignore me, but I'll feel better. I call that a win-win situation.

In other cases, it's better to explain why because, hey, he or she is listening and communication can happen, even if there is yelling involved. If we're lucky, there'll be some kung fu going on, too. Of course, that requires that I listen as well, but I can do that.

Answer 4

It lets them know that you disagree and that they should not waste their time in replying to you. I would much rather be called an idiot than have a long, drawn out explanation stating that I am incorrect and they are right. Why be polite and politically correct when two sides believe each other to be idiots. Harsh words often come from those who are not self-controlled and thus prone to do idiotic things!

Answer 5

Name calling simply makes the person doing it look ignorant. If all you can come up with is an insult, well that's not much.

It is much more effective to have a conversation about why you see things differently. Once you start putting someone down or attacking them over their beliefs, more than likely they are not going to listen to you.

Answer 6

No one should call anyone an idiot- that is not appropriate. Just because someone believes something differently. Yes, I agree explaining why we believe the way we do,is much better

Answer 7

No! You should take the time to explain, even if it is hard. Giving someone knowlege is always important. If you have trouble explaining yourself, just give someone your sources. (ie: books, people, internet?)

Dont call someone an idiot. They dont understand you in the first place, and you could lose your chance of convincing them because they may close their ears against you.

Good luck to you in any future situations as well.

Answer 8

It might be more effective for the person hurling the insult, because he doesn't have to waste energy justifying himself, but it does seem weak, the easy way out, like he doesn't have it in him to defend his own point. But who cares anyway; I only have to worry about impressing One, and He is already impressed with me in spite of myself!

I've learned that things are not black and white - there are other options besides just call them an idiot or waste energy defending my point - how about respectfully declining to engage in an endless argument? I'm learning that the hard way around here.

Answer 9

Idiots simply cannot understand that somebody might ever think that they are wrong.
So it is most effective to call him idiot and run away quickly in case his is taller and heavier than you.

Answer 10

Personally, when I see someone resort to name calling, anything they have to say after that becomes rather ineffective and I no longer take them seriously. Since I matured past that childish stage many years ago, I foolishly assume that others have also matured with age. I find it is more effective to speak with respect for others views than it is to lower oneself back to the infantile behaviors of their childhood.