Whack-A-Fallacy: An Engaging Game for the Election Season

Introduction

Whack-a-Mole, a popular arcade game from Japan that's been around for almost half a century, is a familiar sight to many. In this game, players use a soft mallet to knock down moles or other figures that pop up from various holes on the game cabinet. There are numerous versions of this game available online.

As we approach the election season, it seems like an opportune time to introduce a new variation, Whack-a-Fallacy. This game requires a screen for watching speeches and press conferences, a pen or pencil, a notepad, and a timer. The objective is to identify fallacies during political events. Here's how you play: write down the fallacies you're looking for on your notepad, tune into a political event on your TV or phone, start the timer, and mark a tally every time you spot a fallacy from your list.

Common Logical Fallacies

To help you get started, here are some common logical fallacies that politicians often use to sneak illogical arguments into their speeches.

The Ad Hominem Attack

This is a frequently used tactic, especially in heated political debates. The speaker ignores the actual argument and instead launches a personal attack on their opponent. This can also be targeted towards groups of people with similar ideologies or goals. Watch out for this one to score points in the game.

Red Herring

This fallacy is used when the speaker tries to divert attention from the main topic. It's often used by someone who is losing an argument and wants to change the subject. Keep an eye out for this tactic and you'll rack up points quickly.

The False Dilemma

This fallacy involves presenting only two options when there are actually several. Politicians often use this tactic to instill fear. "Vote for me or America will become a dictatorship" is an example of a false dilemma.

Appeals to Celebrity Authority

This is a subcategory of the appeal to false authority fallacy. It's common and easy to spot when a celebrity endorses a product or a political candidate. Keep an ear out for this fallacy to increase your tally quickly.

Bandwagon Fallacy

This fallacy involves the belief that if everyone else is doing something, then it must be the right thing to do. Politicians often use this tactic to claim they speak for all Americans. Be wary of this fallacy to avoid being tricked into jumping on the bandwagon.

If you're interested in adding more fallacies to your list, a quick online search for "logical fallacies" will yield results like the straw man fallacy, circular reasoning, and slippery slope, among others.

Conclusion

While the game of Whack-a-Fallacy is a fun concept, the real purpose is to encourage careful listening to what politicians are saying. We may not be playing a game, but we might be getting played.

Bottom Line

This game serves as a reminder to critically analyze the speeches and promises made by politicians. It's important to recognize fallacies and not be swayed by them. What are your thoughts on this? Do you think this game could help in discerning truth from political rhetoric? Share your thoughts and this article with your friends. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.