Talk:Shifting burden of proof

relocated original notes to this page -- the later addition is an effective condensation of the argument and easier to follow. -- --Bob Burton 20:09, 7 Sep 2004 (EDT)

-- When a master manipulator wants to get someone else to do something unreasonable, sometimes the manipulator will say that the unreasonable thing is how the particular thing is always done. Actually the more I think about it, this is maybe not exactly shifting the burden of PROOF, but it is very effective at shifting the "burden" of who is being "deviant," or who FEELS a "burden" of being a social "deviant."

The unreasonable request (what the manipulator wants) is (usually also) deviant from normal procedures. But amazingly, the master manipulator says something like "This is how they've always done it for me before," which in effect shifts the obviousness of who and what is being "deviant." They play on a sense of social responsibility to not be deviant, to what is expected, even if it is totally unreasonable as well as outside of normal protocol.

I think this must be a very common trait that goes around in our society. This is because too many people are too familiar with this sort of manipulation.

If someone knows of a better place for me to move this comment, please let me know and (if I deem it appropriate) I will gladly do so.