you agree, don't you?

[phosfate]

So the Side 7 thing is working out okay so far. Good feedback, with folks unfraid to say what they like and what the don't. Groovy. (Can you hear the 'but' coming up Broadway?)

Except there's a person who keeps phrasing critiques in the form of Bill Maher-style "don't you agree?" questions, which makes me want to get out the clown hammer. What am I talking about? Let's try an example, on a completely different subject. Here's the same opinion, stated four different ways. Which is the most annoying?

A. "The X Files sucks without Mulder!"
B. "I think that Mulder leaving ruined The X Files."
C. "Mulder leaving simply ruined The X Files, don't you think so?"*

Do you see what I mean? The first two are statements, while the third implies that the reader naturally agrees with the premise, as any right-thinking person would - really irritating, especially in a format that doesn't allow for reply.

*If anybody cares, I'm completely neutral on a Mulderless XF, but I dearly miss Morgan, Wong, and Morgan.

Comments

[moondog.livejournal.com]

ARG. I absolutely hate it when people automatically assume you *have to* agree with them. I mean, opinions are fine. They're good. They're great. Being an ass about it isn't.

[annlarimer.livejournal.com]

Eh. I don't even know if she realizes she's doing it - or worse, somebody taught her it's polite. But at best it's annoying, at worst it's patronizing and puts a bit I'M INSECURE neon sign over her head.