Navigating a Whackadoodle World: A Prologue

A Whackadoodle discussion in which my student challenges me to teach her about A River Worth Riding: Fourteen Rules for Navigating the River of Life. If you have entered this story in the middle, click here for the table of contents. _______________ “I think that we need to start talking more about your rules, and … Read more

Do I need a Website? Should I Sell Stuff or Build Followers?

A Whackadoodle lesson in which we answer a Dear Navigator question: Do I need a website? Do I concentrate on selling stuff, or on building a list of followers? __________ “We have another one,” she informed me, busting passed my door. “Another what?” I asked, following her. “Another question from a blog follower,” she said, … Read more

Satirical or Ironic: Political Essays Have Power

A Whackadoodle lesson about the difference between Satirical and Ironic essays, with political examples of each. Including The Garlic’s Exclusive Interview with the Governor. “I’m supposed to write a satirical essay for my English 101 class,” she told me as soon as our lesson began. “Zowy,” I said. “Your teacher is quite ambitious.” “How do you … Read more

How Deflection Works: A Whackadoodle Logic Lesson

deflection and logic

A Whackadoodle logic lesson in which we discuss how people use deflection to win arguments; sometimes by just talking people to death. “So how does deflection actually work?” she asked me near the end of our lesson. “It’s when instead of engaging the argument, you deflect to something else. You basically change the subject. If … Read more

Reductio ad Absurdum: I Have no Cookie Jar

reductio ad absurdum

A Whackadoodle lesson, prompted by my student, regarding reductio ad absurdum arguments and how they are not logical fallacies. Including an excerpt from George Conway’s satirical essay about Trump and cookies. She pulled out her phone and began typing before speaking, “I think that I have found the perfect example of reductio ad absurdum for … Read more

Ranked Choice Voting: Lessons a Kindergartener Understands

ranked choice voting

A Whackadoodle discussion that explains ranked choice voting, and caucus voting, in a way that even a kindergartener can understand. “So I’ve been thinking,” she said as she put her school books back into her backpack. “Good, good,” I couldn’t help but tease. “Thinking is good.” She sent me one of her dirtiest looks before … Read more

A Reductio Ad Absurdum Argument: Cats v. Women

A Whackadoodle logic lesson, in which I explain why reductio ad absurdum is not a logical fallacy, despite the many websites that claim it is; including a slightly R-rated example of how reducing an argument through ridicule actually works. “Okay,” she nodded. “But I still get confused, is reductio ad absurdum a logical fallacy or … Read more

How to Not Piss Off Your Prospects: Part Two

A Whackadoodle discussion on what happened when my early morning telemarketer called me back, and I offered to send him a link to the article he’d inspired. If you haven’t read it already, you should probably click here to read Part One before you read Part Two. An nearly true story by Lynn Marie Sager … Read more