• KingJalopy @lemm.ee
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    24
    ·
    11 months ago

    There was nothing rhetorical about the question. He asked a question. Rhetorical doesn’t mean anything about getting to the point quickly. It means a question that doesn’t need an answer.

    • cameron_vale@lemm.ee
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      1
      arrow-down
      32
      ·
      11 months ago

      A rhetorical question avoids getting to the point because getting to the point is not the point of rhetoric. The point of rhetoric is emotional effect. Therefore when swift and easy arrival at the point is eschewed (a moment’s google), and an emotional effect is clearly evident, then rhetoric is clearly the point.

      Tangentially, consider the phenomenon of “smugnorance”.

      • KingJalopy @lemm.ee
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        20
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        11 months ago

        And his question wasn’t beating around the bush. He literally just asked a question. It wasn’t rhetorical. Just because you say it’s rhetorical doesn’t make it rhetorical. Rhetorical.

        • cameron_vale@lemm.ee
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          1
          arrow-down
          31
          ·
          11 months ago

          And repeating your thesis sways me not at all.

          Have you tried whacking yourself in the head with a rock?

          • KingJalopy @lemm.ee
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            22
            ·
            11 months ago

            Yeah but it led to me having this conversation with you so I’m not going to recommend anyone else try.