Falsehoods & Distortions

straw man - misrepresenting an opponent's position or argument to make it easier to attack, usually by exaggerating, distorting, or just completely fabricating it.

- misrepresenting an opponent's position or argument to make it easier to attack, usually by exaggerating, distorting, or just completely fabricating it.
: The WH correspondent was questioning the competence of the withdrawal from Afghanistan, NOT the decision to withdraw from Afghanistan.

42:12: straw man

- misrepresenting an opponent's position or argument to make it easier to attack, usually by exaggerating, distorting, or just completely fabricating it.
: Youngkin said "Trump represents so much of why I'm running," NOT "So much of the reason why I'm running is because of Donald Trump."^[9]

08:37: straw man

- misrepresenting an opponent's position or argument to make it easier to attack, usually by exaggerating, distorting, or just completely fabricating it.
: Harris said that Pence and Trump have failed in their handing of the pandemic, NOT that the American people have failed in their handing of the pandemic.

1:19:32: straw man

- misrepresenting an opponent's position or argument to make it easier to attack, usually by exaggerating, distorting, or just completely fabricating it.
: Sanders is advocating for a policy to increase employee ownership in corporations, NOT for communism or an end to capitalism.

Interviews related to straw man

Dr. Louis de Sassure discusses the social mechanics of straw men and why they can be effective, even when exposed.

Producer: Michael Gordon and Jahnavi Akella
Published: January 21, 2021

Articles related to straw man

How straw men rely on the brain's tendency to take cognitive "shortcuts" and why they are so durable.

By: Jahnavi Akella
Published: November 19, 2021

analysis

latest interviews

CAN YOU IDENTIFY PROPAGANDA?

Want to help us continue our work? All donations are tax deductible.

Falsehoods & Distortions

straw man - misrepresenting an opponent's position or argument to make it easier to attack, usually by exaggerating, distorting, or just completely fabricating it.