[rayiner]

People often fail to make the distinction between a logical argument and a persuasive one. The qualifications of the speaker, for example, are irrelevant when analyzing a logical argument, but are quite relevant when analyzing a persuasive one (why should I trust this doctor's opinion?)

I've always felt that a better set of rules for internet arguments would be the Federal Rules of Evidence, which are explicitly rooted in the mechanics of persuasion.