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A long time ago (a few hours) in a classroom far, far away (a few miles), I had a conversation with a man named Mark.  Minutes later, I documented my thoughts on this conversation.

I was having my semi-regular argument about how poor an actress Dakota Fanning is just a few minutes ago.  Today, it was with Mark Davis, Junior English Instructor who I hold in a somewhat high esteem.  It was very disappointing to me that he hasn’t the judgement to see that where Dakota Fanning is, a movie is not.

But far more disappointing than that is the way he declared victory in our argument.  He used what I consider to be a very poor, very weak technique.  I have always held a very hostile attitude towards this technique.  It’s a cheap and unfair way to win an argument.  When you use the same simple fact to win every time, what’s the point of arguing at all?  Every single debate ends the same way: “I’ve got more experience than you, and so I know more, and so you’re wrong.”  It’s a ridiculous attitude on the very surface, but it’s even more insane if you look at what’s really being said: “I’m older.  You aren’t worth a damn.”

It just isn’t true, and try as I might, I can’t avoid being frustrated at this concept.  I may be younger than you, but I’ve been around just as long — indeed, longer — than Dakota Fanning!  I have seen her just as much as you!  My opinion is just as valid as yours!  Even if I hadn’t been here to see the start of Fanning’s career, I have had just as much opportunity to research it, and to watch the movies that were created before my time.  Moreover, I should have just as much a right to free speech as you.

It’s the same way with every subject.  The same essential argument: I’m older.  But you know what?  It just doesn’t matter.  Because if your argument is so weak that you have to pull that card, then I’ve already won.