The Denialists' Deck of Cards: An Illustrated Taxonomy of Rhetoric Used

[IChing]

The Denialists' Deck of Cards: An Illustrated Taxonomy of Rhetoric Used to Frustrate Consumer Protection Efforts

By Chris Jay Hoofnagle

February 9, 2007

Politics is the shadow cast on society by Big Business. --John Dewey




" Denialists use rhetorical techniques and predictable tactics to erect barriers to debate and consideration of any type of reform, regardless of the facts. He has identified five general tactics used by denialists: "conspiracy, selectivity, the fake expert, impossible expectations, and metaphor.">>>>snip

The point of listing denialists' arguments in this fashion is to show the rhetorical progression of groups that are not seeking a dialogue but rather an outcome. As such, this taxonomy is extremely cynical, but it is a reflection of and reaction to how poor the public policy debates in Washington have become.

This taxonomy provides a roadmap for consumer advocates to understand the resistance they will face with almost any form of consumer reform. I hope to expand it to include retorts to each argument in the future>>>>snip

Arguments likely to be made early on in anti-reform campaigns are lower-level cards, progressing up to the face cards. "No Problem" is the two of clubs, "Stifles Innovation" is the six of hearts, "Fake Consumer Groups" is the ten of clubs, and "We'll Lose Money!" is the ace of clubs. "I hope the Denialists' Deck of Cards has been an entertaining critique,"


http://www.denialism.com/Deckofcards/deck.html

Interesting articles with historical inferences.