False Balance - FT#118

False Balance - FT#118

Author: Jim & Mark February 21, 2023 Duration: 1:42:23

In the one hundred and eighteenth episode we explore the False Balance Fallacy, starting with Trump suggesting Russia and Ukraine should just negotiate, US ambassador to Canada claiming she believes both climate change and not climate change, and Presidential candidate Nikki Haley bothesidesing the Civil War.

In Mark's British Politics Corner we look at Steve Hilton arguing both experts and non-experts have equally valid views on Brexit, Garry Kasparov pointing out the dangers of false balance and Emily Maitlis describing how it's done at the BBC.

In the Fallacy in the Wild section, we check out examples from Dara O'Briain, Good Night and Good Luck, and Horrible Bosses 2.

Jim and Mark go head to head in Fake News, the game in which Mark has to guess which one of three Trump quotes Jim made up

Then we talk about the revelations from the Dominion lawsuit against Fox News.

And finally, we round up some of the other crazy Trump stories from the past week.

The full show notes for this episode can be found at https://fallacioustrump.com/ft118

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Ever find yourself in a conversation where something just sounds off, but you can't quite pinpoint the flawed reasoning? That's the territory Fallacious Trump explores, though it stretches far beyond a single figure. Hosts Jim & Mark have built this podcast around a simple, potent premise: using glaring public examples, primarily from Donald Trump's rhetoric but also pulled from UK politics and everyday pop culture, to dissect the formal logical fallacies that shape so much of our discourse. Each episode isolates one specific fallacy-like ad hominem attacks, false dilemmas, or appeals to emotion-and breaks down how it works. You'll hear the actual clips and statements, followed by a clear explanation of why the logic fails. It’s not just about identifying these tricks in others; the discussion always turns toward practical self-defense. Jim & Mark dig into the psychology of why these fallacies can be so persuasive, offer advice on how to avoid using them yourself in heated debates, and suggest effective strategies for countering them when they’re deployed against you. This makes the show a unique blend of current events, philosophical logic, and social commentary, delivered with a mix of exasperation and wit. For anyone looking to sharpen their critical thinking and navigate today’s chaotic news and culture landscape with a more discerning ear, this podcast provides an engaging, often darkly humorous toolkit.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 220

Fallacious Trump
Podcast Episodes
Accident Fallacy - FT#126 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Duration: 1:32:16
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Duration: 1:26:42
In the one hundred and twenty second episode we explore Factoid Propagation, starting with Trump claiming there were more votes than voters in Detroit, and that Biden left $85 billion worth of military equipment in Afgha…
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Duration: 1:31:53
In the one hundred and twenty first episode we explore Assuming a Tell, starting with Trump claiming he knows when Dick Cheney's lying and how to tell if a ballot is fraudulent.In Mark's British Politics Corner we look a…
Iron Man Fallacy - FT#120 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:00
In the one hundred and twentieth episode we explore the Iron Man Fallacy, starting with Trump citing border security as his reasons for shutting down the government, and failing to let Hugh Hewitt Iron Man his claim that…
Morton's Fork - FT#119 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:42:49
In the one hundred and nineteenth episode we explore the Morton's Fork Fallacy, starting with Trump suggesting journalists would complain whether the White House had Covid tests or not, and Mike Lindell claiming Democrat…
If By Whiskey - FT#117 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:35:59
In the one hundred and seventeenth episode we explore the If By Whiskey Fallacy, starting with the Trump Administration trying to change the definition of sex and science, then Don Jr twisting Joe Biden's words and a ran…