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Sealobo · Mar 30, 2011, 01:08 PM

"Anything is possible"

Today a young man tried to win a debate with me using exactly that. I didn't have the heart to tell him to go **** himself. I hate it when people pull that "anything is possible" nonsense when they don't actually know wtf they're talking about.

I argued that something can't be done, and he said you don't know that because this world is amazing and anything is possible; we haven't exhausted all possibilities looking into things.

He said he believes some people can communicate directly to dogs at an intellectual level, as in knowing what the dogs are thinking precisely.

What should I tell him next?

Eug · 01:13 PM

Woof wuf woof ruff.

imitchellg5 · Mar 30, 2011, 01:17 PM

In the words of Jeremy Clarkson: "If you believe something will happen, it WILL happen."

The Final Dakar · Mar 30, 2011, 01:23 PM

What the dog is thinking precisely: "I wonder what my balls taste like?"

Laminar · Mar 30, 2011, 01:52 PM

Then ask for objective proof that those people exist.

subego · Mar 30, 2011, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar

What the dog is thinking precisely: "I wonder what my balls taste like?"

I'm pretty sure most dogs are past the "wondering" stage.

subego · Mar 30, 2011, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by Eug

Woof wuf woof ruff.

DiMaggio?

Sealobo · Mar 30, 2011, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by Laminar

Then ask for objective proof that those people exist.

He would then say you can't prove by contradiction; not being able to find something doesn't mean that it doesn't exist.

i think there is an issue with the burden of proof. he got it all mixed up. he makes a claim and by saying that "anything is possible" and the burden of proof (or disproof) is now with the others who challenge his claim.

so i guess it's called (blind) "faith" and no one can argue with that?

The Final Dakar · Mar 30, 2011, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by subego

I'm pretty sure most dogs are past the "wondering" stage.

They're so dumb they keep forgetting. Or think it can change.

SpaceMonkey · Mar 30, 2011, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by Sealobo

He would then say you can't prove by contradiction; not being able to find something doesn't mean that it doesn't exist.

i think there is an issue with the burden of proof. he got it all mixed up. he makes a claim and by saying that "anything is possible" and the burden of proof (or disproof) is now with the others who challenge his claim.

so i guess it's called (blind) "faith" and no one can argue with that?

Sounds like a perfect candidate for this:

How To Have A Rational Discussion � Thought Catalog

SpaceMonkey · Mar 30, 2011, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by Eug

Woof wuf woof ruff.

What's that? Timmy's stuck in a well?

iMOTOR · Mar 30, 2011, 02:44 PM

Statistically speaking, some dogs wonder what their balls would’ve tasted like.

turtle777 · Mar 30, 2011, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by Sealobo

What should I tell him next?

tell him: if "Anything is possible", prove it. Go f$&@ yourself.

-t

subego · Mar 30, 2011, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar

They're so dumb they keep forgetting. Or think it can change.

I think it's very sweet your dog doesn't want you to know the truth.

SSharon · Mar 30, 2011, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by turtle777

tell him: if "Anything is possible", prove it. Go f$&@ yourself.

-t

If anything is possible he should be able to prove that his theory is flawed.

freudling · Mar 30, 2011, 06:13 PM

The argument you're having, in the way you're approaching it, is hopelessly unscientific.

How do you really answer these kinds of questions?

An experiment to test the hypothesis.

That's it.

Waragainstsleep · Mar 30, 2011, 06:21 PM

Tell him that you know exactly what he is thinking most of the time and when he asks you what hand him a sheet of tissue paper and tell him its on here.

If he is dumb enough to point out that nothing is on it, or comes back with anything inane, annoying or stupid. Apologise and tell him that what he thinks isn't quite on there yet, he needs to go wipe his ass with it first.

olePigeon · Mar 30, 2011, 06:40 PM

ghporter · Mar 30, 2011, 08:59 PM

"Anything is possible" in cartoons. For proof, ask the brilliant speaker of this statement to put his elbow (either one) in his ear (either one). Take pictures-it'll be fun to post 'em on YouTube. This is NOT possible-there is no mechanical way short of removing the arm at the shoulder, for anyone to put their elbow in either ear. This single counterexample disproves the statement.

Or just walk away from the brilliant speaker, shaking your downturned head and muttering about idiots and opinions... It's going to have the same effect.

brassplayersrock² · Mar 30, 2011, 11:54 PM

I'd tell him nothing, and just move on. If that doesn't work, and he keeps dogging you, then say "I can prove that you can do a solo moon mission ala the honeymooners."