[InCityDreams]

>I understand that it's merely an analogy, but it's not a good one.

Are there any good ones? I find that people introduce an analogy...it is discussed, another 'contradictory' analogy is introduced....and eventually someone has 'won' the argument referring to something completely unrelated, and thereby have 'won' the original argument, by default.

My boss is particularly good at his :-) To me, its a form of gaslighting.

As soon as i hear "But what if...?", or "it's as if...", I refuse to budge, and simply ask "Are we talking about 'the original subject', or 'Blacksmiths'? If it's the latter, let's talk about Japanese swordsmanship first, then the history of European metallurgy first - just to be on the same page."

Often used at the same time is the No True Scotsman fallacy.

Set ridiculous boundaries on the analogy, ignore the fallacies, and the original subject soon gets re-discussed. It's amazing how many people actualy find that uncomfortable.