7 ms·

So the word "fanboy" is not an accurate term to describe anyone or the level of discourse about a subject? You think that everybody on this website is engaging

by adgar 14y ago

So the word "fanboy" is not an accurate term to describe anyone or the level of discourse about a subject? You think that everybody on this website is engaging in rational, high-minded discourse? It's easy to assume every mind is a willing convert. It takes a realist to understand that many minds are already made up based on bullshit and bad logic and you will never change those minds. You're just as closed-minded as the "fanboys" I decry. Don't take the easy way out.

eridius 14y ago
"fanboy" is a cop-out term that means that you aren't willing to accept that someone else has a different experience and opinions than yourself. By using the term "fanboy" you are very clearly signaling that you are discounting anything and everything the "fanboy" says. This is the textbook definition of close-minded. Far more often, the person slinging the word "fanboy" is the person who refuses to accept new ideas, to accept that other people's differing opinions may be just as valid as their own. This is what close-minded is. And quite often, the person who is tarred with the word "fanboy" is in fact quite rational and has good reasons for their opinions, and may very well be open to differing opinions. But you'll never find out because you immediately labelled them as a "fanboy" and shut down the discussion. And thus, the simple rule. Anyone who uses the word "fanboy" is not worth listening to.
- adgar 14y ago
  > Far more often, the person slinging the word "fanboy" is the person who refuses to accept new ideas, to accept that other people's differing opinions may be just as valid as their own. Go read an Apple enthusiast forum. Or an Android enthusiast forum. You want to pretend fanboys don't exist, go ahead. But there are people who have no interest in evaluating how they have formed their own opinions and will spout anything they are told is the "party line." These people exist in politics, they exist in technology, and they are the ones who need to be filtered out, because they add zero value to discussions. Call them "fanboy," call them a "party hack," but suck it up and admit that THEY EXIST and giving them any time is a detriment to people who actually think.

by adgar 14y ago

eridius 14y ago

"fanboy" is a cop-out term that means that you aren't willing to accept that someone else has a different experience and opinions than yourself. By using the term "fanboy" you are very clearly signaling that you are discounting anything and everything the "fanboy" says. This is the textbook definition of close-minded. Far more often, the person slinging the word "fanboy" is the person who refuses to accept new ideas, to accept that other people's differing opinions may be just as valid as their own. This is what close-minded is. And quite often, the person who is tarred with the word "fanboy" is in fact quite rational and has good reasons for their opinions, and may very well be open to differing opinions. But you'll never find out because you immediately labelled them as a "fanboy" and shut down the discussion. And thus, the simple rule. Anyone who uses the word "fanboy" is not worth listening to.

adgar 14y ago
> Far more often, the person slinging the word "fanboy" is the person who refuses to accept new ideas, to accept that other people's differing opinions may be just as valid as their own. Go read an Apple enthusiast forum. Or an Android enthusiast forum. You want to pretend fanboys don't exist, go ahead. But there are people who have no interest in evaluating how they have formed their own opinions and will spout anything they are told is the "party line." These people exist in politics, they exist in technology, and they are the ones who need to be filtered out, because they add zero value to discussions. Call them "fanboy," call them a "party hack," but suck it up and admit that THEY EXIST and giving them any time is a detriment to people who actually think.