Hi there, internet commenter.
You've been sent a link to this video
because someone is concerned that you might not
be arguing your case to your utmost ability.
They're concerned you might have used a fallacy
to make an important point, thus defeating your own claim.
The fallacy they're concerned you might have used
is the ad hominem attack.
Ad hominem criticism is where, instead of criticizing
the argument or ideas of the person
with whom you are conversing, you
criticize the person themselves and, in so doing,
claim you have also criticized their argument.
And boy, is this one popular.
Ad hominem criticisms are not always
but are very frequently fallacious.
Wrong!
Unless the character or actions of the person making
an argument are directly related to the matter at hand,
criticizing them and not their ideas is a fallacy.
Ad hominem attacks are the bread and butter
of political advertising.
Criticizing a candidate and saying
that because their character is bad,
their ideas and policies are also bad.
(MOVIE ANNOUNCER VOICE) John Smith literally
hates little children.
And so his ideas about salmon fishery safety regulations
are wrong.
Dead wrong.
A related fallacy is tu quoque, where
it is argued that a person making an argument
has behaved in a way inconsistent
with that argument.
Their behavior might be inconsistent,
but it doesn't necessarily make their argument wrong.
For example, it's really important for fast food
restaurants to be clear about the salt, fat,
and sugar content of their food, doubly so because of how cheap
it is.
Obesity is a real problem in America.
What business do you have asking companies
to disclose this stuff?
I saw you eat two Big Macs and drink 34 ounces of Hi-C Orange
Lavaburst yesterday.
This is an ad hominem tu quoque attack.
Mike argues for the presence of certain dietary information.
And Straw Mike says that, based on his behavior,
he lacks the authority to do so.
Straw Mike's response doesn't at all
approach the point Mike is making, though.
Mike is arguing that if certain dietary information were widely
available, it's possible that an effect on obesity would occur.
Ad hominem attacks make it so the person being attacked
suddenly has to defend their character and not their ideas,
when, in fact, their character has no bearing
on the conversation whatsoever.
And also, it's mean.
You seem like a nice person.
No need for insults.
I hope this description of the ad hominem attack
has been helpful.
Happy conversing.