Question:
What is the acceptable method on PS to point out that some-one is posting total gibberish?
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I usually say “I’m sorry but that’s total gibberish”.
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Make it about the argument and not the person.
BAD: You are talking total gibberish.
BETTER: That argument reads like total gibberish to me.
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@T_aquaticus has it right. Better yet, ask them to explain it. That either multiplies the gibberish for all to see, or clears up a misunderstanding or miscommunication that just looked like gibberish.
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Even better:
“Your argument doesn’t make any sense to me.”
“I completely don’t understand what you mean when you are using those words.”
The word “gibberish” is not forbidden here, but I think it’s a word with many negative connotations which may make the dialogue less, rather than more peaceful.
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I would use an SAT analogy, e.g.
your_argument:reason :: astrology:astronomy
(I’m sure there are better right-hand-sides but I lack the requisite creativity.)
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Incidentally, the SAT hasn’t used analogies for a very long time. It’s even been more than 10 years since the GRE abandoned them.
Wolfang Pauli: It’s not even wrong.
Of course, you probably shouldn’t go full Pauli.
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One of my Favs
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Of course, if you can’t even get to step one, there will be problems.
Sometimes the other person doesn’t really want to talk WITH you, their only goal is to talk AT you.
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