This seems to have been exacerbated by the internet, but I’ve noticed it irl too. I suppose I’m asking this because it usually frustrates me to hear this, so I’m hoping to gain an understanding and maybe look at it a different way. To me, it’s a very condescending and arrogant way to preface your comment or opinion, as it implies that anyone reading/listening to you does not possess the intelligence or discernment to understand (usually) simple concepts. Am I reading too much into this?
2 comments
You are reading too much into it, it’s a common figure of speech
i’m not positive that i understand the example you’ve provided but this sounds like a type of [straw man argument](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_man?wprov=sfti1). it’s a rhetorical strategy where a person creates a false premise to argue against that is easier to refute than the actual argument of their opponent. in your example, the person is suggesting that people “misunderstand” the motivation or explanation for something, rather than simply proving that their opinion is the one _correct_ answer.
another common example of a straw man argument online is prefacing a post with something like “i’ll probably take a lot of heat for this, but…”. by creating an imaginary group of people that would dislike a statement, they make themselves sound brave or unique for making the statement, and everyone who agrees believes they’re also brave or unique.