Sam had posted about 10 blogging pet peeves. This got me thinking about a few more that I have. Then I realized that I could actually dedicate several posts to the ones I would add, because I can’t leave them as one liners.
I decided to narrow it down to one, because I feel like it insults my intelligence. I hate when people use generalizations, and then go and insult my intelligence by telling me that their generalization is a generalization by adding a “BOCTAOE.”
First off, if a person is too stupid to understand that a gerealization is generally true, and not universally true, then they are likely too stupid to know what “BOCTAOE” means. Also, if the exceptions are so damned obvious, then why should it be necessary to point out that there are exceptions?
I don’t get the point of insulting the majority of readers, who are smart enough to understand the nature of a generalization, for a few pinheads that have no concept of it. If I were to make a generalization, and some dimwit got offended and sent me an angry email telling me about how my statement wasn’t true, because it doesn’t fit for them, I’d be hitting the “report spam” button very quickly.
Do you want readers too stupid to get the point of a generalization? I don’t. I don’t care one bit about the opinion of someone that stupid. I question the ability to even read of anyone too dumb to recognize that there are exceptions to the “rule.”
Here’s a clue, if you feel the need to point out that you’re an exception to the rule, then it probably means that the generalization is generally true, or you wouldn’t need to point out that you are an exception. It would simply be disregarded as a moronic assertion. This is why I like to use the phrase “the exception that proves the rule,” rather than “the exception to the rule.” The fact you feel the need to point out that you don’t fit the template proves the template is accurate.
Unless, of course, you’re too stupid to recognize the difference between a faulty generalization, and an accurate one.

13 responses so far ↓
1
Sam
// Mar 2, 2006 at 6:31 pm
I would generally agree with you on this topic (BOCTAOE).
Kidding, there are no exception; those people ARE retards.
2
Sam
// Mar 2, 2006 at 6:32 pm
Oh, and thanks for the linkage.
3
FIAR
// Mar 2, 2006 at 6:52 pm
Of course. Thanks for giving me topic for a post.
4
von
// Mar 2, 2006 at 11:23 pm
uhh…I don’t know what BOCTAOE is. I think you are saying that I’m stupid. Back later, I have to go and send you some nasty hate mail…
5
von
// Mar 2, 2006 at 11:32 pm
BUt Of Course There Are Exceptions!!! I get it.
ixnay on the atemailhay…
6
FIAR
// Mar 3, 2006 at 12:31 am
You forgot the word “obvious”
7
fmragtops
// Mar 3, 2006 at 9:26 am
I’m a walking stereotype. I’m not an exception to anything.
8
Dr. Phat Tony
// Mar 3, 2006 at 3:30 pm
Does that make you an exception to the regular populace who aren’t walking stereotypes?
9
fmragtops
// Mar 3, 2006 at 4:56 pm
Damn, foiled again!
10
FIAR
// Mar 3, 2006 at 6:05 pm
Doc got you good on that one, FM.
11
jimmyb
// Mar 5, 2006 at 5:45 pm
I am under Sam’s evil spell now.
Look for me over at her place soon.
If one doesn’t know what something is, there is this thing called google…
(AcronymFinder.com ain’t bad, either).
12
FIAR
// Mar 5, 2006 at 6:02 pm
Jimmy, why can’t you just stay on your own blog? Why must you attempt to rule the world by posting on every blog there is?
Heh. J/k.
13
fmragtops
// Mar 6, 2006 at 12:59 pm
You’re not j/k. He really does post on every blog in the dodecahedron. Imperialist swine. j/k
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