Listening to Reason Through Argument: Is the Rhetoric of Whataboutism Persuasive?

[DISCLAIMER]

*Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985) spoilers contained herein.

The matriarch of the family that invited me to live with her from the children’s home in which I resided said something along the lines of, “You’ve watch too much TV!” She wasn’t incorrect, because, as a latchkey kid, I was practically raised by the television while my mom worked.

One of my favorite shows was Pee-wee’s Playhouse, a children’s comedy television series starring the late Paul Reubens (Paul Rubenfeld), who grew up in a Jewish family, as the childlike Pee-wee Herman that ran from 1986 to 1990 on Saturday mornings. I adored the zany show!

For example, throughout my life, I’ve recalled Laurence Fishburne’s character, Cowboy Curtis, from an episode in which he taught the audience how to make “ice cream and cake puddin’.” Essentially, one combines ice cream and cake, stirs it profusely, and eats the liquefied result.

People with whom I’ve shared the subjectively delicious recipe haven’t shared my fondness for the dessert. Also, people object to Reubens’ legal history (reported “indecent exposure at an adult movie theater” and being “falsely charged Reubens with owning child pornography”).

I’m able to separate the art from the artist, so Rubens’ legal history doesn’t taint my favorable perspective on Pee-wee Herman. Therefore, I continued enjoying Pee-wee’s representation on TV and in movies, such as his adventure comedy film Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985).

There’s a scene in the flick in which the antagonist, Francis, is unable to persuade Pee-wee with irrational (not in accordance with both logic and reason) rhetoric. The absurd dialogue thusly plays out:

Francis: Morning Pee-wee.

Pee-wee: Hello, Francis.

Francis: Today’s my birthday, and my father said I can have anything I want!

Pee-wee: Good for you and your father.

Francis: So, guess what I want.

Pee-wee: A new brain!

Francis: No. Your bike.

Pee-wee: [erupts with laughter while dramatically falling to the ground]

Francis: What’s so funny, Pee-wee?

Pee-wee: It’s not for sale, Francis!

Francis: My father says everything’s negotiable, Pee-wee.

Pee-wee: I wouldn’t sell my bike for all the money in the world—not for a hundred billion, million, trillion dollars!

Francis: Then, you’re crazy!

Pee-wee: I know you are, but what am I?

Francis: You’re a nerd!

Pee-wee: I know you are, but what am I?

Francis: You’re an idiot!

Pee-wee: I know you are, but what am I?

Francis and Pee-wee simultaneously and repeatedly: I know you are, but what am I?

Pee-wee: I know you are, but what am I? Infinity!

Francis: No, I’m not, you are!

Pee-wee and Francis mimicking one another: No way. Knock it off! Cut it out!

Francis: Oh, shut up, Pee-wee!

Pee-wee: Why don’t you make me!?

Francis: Why don’t you make me!?

Pee-wee: Because I don’t make monkeys, I just train ‘em!

Francis: Pee-wee, listen to reason! C’mon!

Pee-wee: Shh! I’m listening to reason.

Screenshot of Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985), property of Warner Bros., fair use

I view Francis’ view as irrational. Specifically, I provide many psychoeducational lessons on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) in my blog. Often, this method of teaching involves the matter of thinking or believing which is rational (in accordance with both logic and reason).

Here, “logic” is the interrelation or sequence of facts or events when seen as inevitable or predictable, and “reason” is a statement offered in explanation or justification. For instance, a modus ponens syllogism uses the following logical form: If p, then q; p; therefore, q.

If Francis’ dad said that his son could have anything he wanted for his birthday (p), then Pee-wee absolutely must sell his beloved bike (q). Francis’ dad said that his son could have anything he wanted for his birthday (p). Therefore, Pee-wee absolutely must sell his beloved bike (q).

Although this moral and ethical proposition follows logical form, I argue that this sort of moral absolutism isn’t reasonable. Thus, I consider this syllogistic view as that relating to irrationality. Nevertheless, I have little doubt that at least one person on this planet disagrees with my outlook.

Noteworthy, my worldview is subjective (characteristic of or belonging to reality as perceived rather than as independent of mind). Thus, not everyone agrees with what everybody else deems as rational or not. No matter how you may’ve been misled, not everyone is equal in our outlook.

Furthermore, a rational view for one person may not be considered rational by members of a group. Thus, I imagine Francis would maintain that his argument was rational. For context, one source states:

An argument is one or more premises—sentences, statements, or propositions—directed towards arriving at a logical conclusion. The purpose of an argument is to give reasons for one’s thinking and understanding via justification, explanation, or persuasion.

As a series of logical steps, arguments are intended to determine or show the degree of truth or acceptability of a logical conclusion. The process of crafting or delivering arguments, argumentation, can be studied from three main perspectives: through the logical, the dialectical, and the rhetorical perspective.

That source referenced two terms, persuasion and rhetorical, which are worth further examining. If you’ll continue reading (p), then you may learn something (q). You’ll continue reading (p). Therefore, you may learn something (q). According to one source:

Persuasion or persuasion arts is an umbrella term for influence [the power or capacity to cause an effect in indirect or intangible ways]. Persuasion can influence a person’s beliefs, attitudes, intentions, motivations, or behaviors. Persuasion is studied in many disciplines.

Rhetoric studies modes of persuasion in speech and writing and is often taught as a classical subject. Psychology looks at persuasion through the lens of individual behavior and neuroscience studies the brain activity associated with this behavior.

History and political science are interested in the role of propaganda [ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one’s cause or to damage an opposing cause] in shaping historical events.

In business, persuasion is aimed at influencing a person’s (or group’s) attitude or behavior towards some event, idea, object, or another person (s) by using written, spoken, or visual methods to convey information, feelings, or reasoning, or a combination thereof.

Persuasion is also often used to pursue personal gain, such as election campaigning, giving a sales pitch, or in trial advocacy. Persuasion can also be interpreted as using personal or positional resources to change people.

Herein, I aim to persuade (i.e., influence) you to use rational thoughts and beliefs rather than cognitive functions which relate to irrationality (e.g., Francis’s irrational argumentation with a call to reason that wasn’t at all reasonable). Now, consider that another source states:

Rhetoric is the art of persuasion. It is one of the three ancient arts of discourse (trivium) of classical antiquity, along with grammar and logic/dialectic. As an academic discipline within the humanities, rhetoric aims to study the techniques that speakers or writers use to inform, persuade, and motivate their audiences.

Rhetoric also provides heuristics [involving or serving as an aid to learning, discovery, or problem-solving by experimental and especially trial-and-error methods] for understanding, discovering, and developing arguments for particular situations.

The rhetorical style (i.e., art of persuasion) used in this post may or may not be effective. Just as people with whom I’ve shared the “ice cream and cake puddin’” recipe weren’t persuaded to try the dessert, you may not relate to the Pee-wee’s Big Adventure example I’ve used herein.

Ergo, allow me to offer another logical and reasonable argument that you may find persuasive. I recently listened to episode #2497 of Joe Rogan’s podcast in which he spoke with marketing professor Gad Saad, who’s uniquely skilled in rhetorical persuasion and argumentation.

Quickly, forgive me a childish joke. Person X: How do you know that Gad Saad is Jewish and his family fled from Lebanon? Person Y: I don’t know. How? Person X: Oh, don’t worry. He’ll let you know within five minutes of any conversation about virtually any topic! [rimshot]

Presumably, with the murder of right-wing political activist and media personality Charlie Kirk, and given the reported medical issues experienced by right-leaning psychologist, author, and media commentator Jordan Peterson, Saad may step in to influence younger right-wing voters.

As a matter of disclosure, on several occasions within my blog, I’ve favorably mentioned Saad, who grew up in a Jewish family. As an example, in Unicornia I acknowledged Saad’s ability to effectively provide reason through argumentation, as I found his rhetoric to be persuasive.

However, after the October 7 attacks (a series of coordinated armed incursions from the blockaded Gaza Strip into the Gaza envelope of southern Israel, said to have been carried out by Hamas in 2023, and likely subject to Israel’s Hannibal Directive), I’ve stopped listening to Saad.

Personally, it’s difficult to overlook Israel’s terroristic response to the October 7 attacks, as I maintain that both Israel and the United States (U.S.) have plausibly engaged in genocide, ethnic cleansing, and war crimes since the unfortunate event. Saad apparently doesn’t concur.

For now, I’ll set aside the allegation that Saad is or has been a member or asset of Mossad (the national intelligence agency of the State of Israel). I’m no fan of spooks (intelligence operatives and assets), though I don’t wish to allow questionable accusations to blur my rational view.

Instead, for a good faith examination of Saad’s rhetoric, I’ll rely solely on his rhetorical argumentation. While there were many instances of irrationality expressed by Saad during the Rogan episode, I’ll focus solely on whataboutism. For context, one source states:

“Whataboutism” or “whataboutery” (as in, “but what about X?”) refers to the propaganda strategy of responding to an accusation with a counter-accusation instead of offering an explanation or defense against the original accusation.

It is an informal fallacy that the accused party uses to avoid accountability –whether attempting to distract by shifting the conversation’s focus away from their behavior or attempting to justify themselves by pointing to the similar behavior (which may be true or false, but irrelevant) of their opponent or another party who is not the current subject of discussion.

From a logical and argumentative point of view, whataboutism is considered a variant of the “tu quoque” pattern, which is a subtype of the ad hominem style of argument [appealing to feelings or prejudices rather than intellect; marked by or being an attack on an opponent’s character rather than by an answer to the contentions made].

The communication intent is often to distract from the content of a topic (red herring). The goal may also be to question the justification for criticism [a critical observation or remark] and the legitimacy, integrity, and fairness of the critic, which can take on the character of discrediting the criticism, which may or may not be justified.

Common accusations include double standards, and hypocrisy, but it can also be used to relativize criticism of one’s own viewpoints or behaviors (A: “Long-term unemployment often means poverty in Germany.” B: “And what about the starving in Africa and Asia?”). Related manipulation and propaganda techniques in the sense of rhetorical evasion of the topic are the change of topic and false balance (also called “bothsidesism”).

To make a rational argument, I now thank you for forgiving me a brief departure back into the realm of Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. Therefore, I invite you to consider that one source states:

When you were a kid, there was no better comeback than “I know you are, but what am I?” (The eloquent “I’m rubber and you’re glue” is a closely related second place.) While some of us have moved past the classroom, others still revert to this type of retort, now called whataboutism — and if you’re not aware of it, you can get drawn into an argument that’s not even mature enough for kindergarten.

When arguing with Pee-wee, Francis used a number of ad hominem attacks (i.e., crazy, nerd, and idiot). These are irrational labels while generally indicate that an interlocutor has lost the argument. Such unproductive behavior, driven by an unhelpful attitude, deserves to be mocked.

Consequently, Pee-wee used an irreverent communication technique by reverting to whataboutism when repeatedly saying, “I know you are, but what am I?” Exhausted by his inability to effectively persuade his opponent, Francis then said, “Pee-wee, listen to reason!”

To the astute audience member, there was no worthwhile reasoning offered by Francis. Instead, he merely relied on a logical – though unreasonable – modus ponens syllogistic belief. If I want your bike (p), then it must be mine (q)! I want your bike (p). Therefore, it must be mine (q)!

During his discussion with Rogan, Saad unfavorably used a similar rhetorical approach. For context, the following dialogue unfolded when discussing Middle Eastern affairs:

Saad: Columbia University, under Edward Said… do you know who that is, Edward Said?

Rogan: No.

Saad: Edward Said was a, kind of, pro-Palestinian guy [based!!!] who was a, kind of, a big shot in their political science department. All of his teachings At Columbia University were… rather skewed, in terms of being anti-Israel. And so, the students that come out are going to be a product of what we taught them. It’s not surprising that they’re all wearing keffiyeh.

Rogan: And you think this directly because of funding, and not because of what they’ve seen—the horrors of what’s happening in Gaza?

Saad: Well—

Rogan: ‘Cause I think that’s what’s turned most people that have no affiliation with any university… ‘cause it’s not all university students that are reacting the way they’re reacting. They’re reacting, because of what you could see when you see Gaza.

Saad: Right.

Rogan: I mean, it’s obliterated!

Saad: It’s true, but [i.e., whataboutism incoming] we can go back to a time before October 7th, and I can point you… the difficulties that I faced at Concordia, not being able to walk around on campus freely, also held true before October 7th.

Quickly, forgive me another joke. Person X: How do you know that Gad Saad apparently continues fleeing oppression? Person Y: I don’t know. How? Person X: Oh, don’t worry. He’ll let you know at some point of any conversation about virtually any topic! [rimshot]

Did you identity Saad’s rhetoric of whataboutism? Rogan clearly identified that people objected to what they observed in Gaza (i.e., Palestine). Saad then immediately shifted into whataboutery by evoking his own victim mentality, apparently having fled Lebanon, and now Canada.

Of course, as a gifted rhetorician does, Saad continued his attempt at persuasion. Not only was I unconvinced by his irrational argument, I was pleasantly surprised to hear Rogan use disputation of Saad’s bloviating propaganda. Specifically, the following dialogue continued:

Rogan: Could you illuminate me on this Syrian thing?

Saad: Yeah. So, when this… when the, uh, but I—

Rogan: I’m only vaguely aware of what happened.

Saad: Sure. So, uh, there was a civil war that was started in Syria, I think, in 2011. Uh, that where the various Islamist groups were trying to overthrow Bashar al-Assad. And as a result of that dynamic, innumerable people—Muslim-on-Muslim—were completely ravaged, and to the tune of about 600,000 [which is numerable]. Okay? So, let’s, let’s, let’s put that here. So, so let’s not call that whataboutism, because you could easily say, “I am angry whenever it is—”

Rogan: But it is whataboutism, because we were specifically talking about Jew hatred—Jew hatred in this country being ramped up post-October 11th, er, October 7th. I mean, it is whataboutism, because we, we could address that.

Saad: Yes.

Rogan: But this is one particular thing, one particular moment in history that has caused this extreme reaction—this anti-Israel sentiment [which, for the record, maintaining an “anti-Israel” position isn’t the same as embracing an anti-Jewish or “Jew hatred” argument].

Saad: The guy in Iowa, who has never heard of the Middle East, but got rightly upset at what he saw in Gaza… why wasn’t that guy, if, if he is an honest purveyor in his moral calculus of any innocents being killed—I’m asking you, I pose that question to you—when he sees the thousands and thousands Yeminis that were killed—the children that were eradicated, much more than the tune of whatever happened in Gaza. Every single individual, let me go on record, every—

Rogan: You talking about the drone bombing in Yemen? What are you talking about?

Saad: There are many, many, uh… there are many, many different ways by which Yeminis have died as a result of the conflicts in Yemen. There are huge number of people that were killed in the fight between Sudan and the South Sudanese. I mean, really, in the many hundreds of thousands, right? So if I am just an Iowa guy who my, my moral calculus operates according to the following rule. Whenever I see innocent people being killed [p], it drives me crazy. I am outraged [q]. Therefore, if that’s the rule by which I navigate through the world [x], I will look at the October 7th victims and say, “Those Jews didn’t deserve this. I’m pissed” [y]. I will look at the Gazans that were killed, who were innocent, and I’d say, “Those Gazans did not deserve this.” So far, so good?

Rogan: Yeah.

Saad: We agree?

Rogan: Okay.

Saad: I will look at the Syrians and say, “That is not right.” I will look at the Ukrainians that were being butchered endlessly by Putin, and say, “That’s pissing me off.” And on and on.

Rogan: Right.

Saad: But, if it would appear that my calculus is abiding by the ‘no Jews, no news’ mechanism [a], then I have a right to say, “How come you’re focused only on when, it seems, that the mean Israelis are killing the beautifully peaceful Palestinians, and your moral outrage never gets invoked—across all the panoply of much greater disasters around the world [b]. Why is that?

Were you able to spot Saad’s irrational rhetoric that was steeped in whataboutism? The professor was initially asked about Syria. Rather than attributing to Israelis any of the violence that occurred, he stumbled his way through an argument about “Muslim-on-Muslim” conflict.

Then, perhaps in an attempt to come across as persuasive, when Rogan correctly identified that portion of the conversation as relating to whataboutism, Saad propped up a straw man argument (i.e., guy in Iowa who’s apparently too ignorant to know about the Middle East), and attacked it.

When one constructs one’s own imaginary argument, rather than confronting the topic at hand, one is afforded any luxury irrationality has to offer. Thus, Saad steered from Syria to Gaza, then Yemen, over to Sudan, then to Israel’s October 7th attacks, and finally to Ukraine and Russia.

For your convenience, I demonstrated Saad’s logical argumentation that used syllogistic form (i.e., p and q, x and y, and a and b). Nevertheless, his rhetorical whataboutism was unreasonable. Therefore, I consider Saad’s obfuscation of the topic as little more than an irrational argument.

For a dash of flare, Saad adorned his straw man argument with ad hominem rhetoric (i.e., “the mean Israelis are killing the beautifully peaceful Palestinians”). Moreover, I was tickled to hear the professor claim that “innumerable people” died in Syria, then claim that it was “600,000.”

Saad’s argument was as absurd to me as Pee-wee Herman saying to Francis, “I wouldn’t sell my bike for all the money in the world—not for a hundred billion, million, trillion dollars!” In any event, listening to reason through argument, is the rhetoric of whataboutism persuasive?

I doubt it! It appears as though my departure from Saad’s online content was a rational move, as the professor continues trotting out his usual I’m-a-Jew, I’m-a-victim, I’m-being-oppressed, Israel-can-do-no-wrong shtick that may be logical, though isn’t something I consider reasonable.

All things examined, I harbor no ill will against “The Gadfather,” as Saad has been called. As well, I find it somewhat of a relief that Saad may be the foreseeable replacement for Kirk or Peterson, as it’s difficult to imagine Ben Shapiro or Erika Kirk influencing young voters.

At least Saad makes attempts at plausibly convincing arguments, even if they don’t stand up to rational assessment, as many other well-accepted right-leaning figures are apparently unable to do. That is, unless one’s willing to discuss Nick Fuentes. Are you? Are you truly ready for that?

This may be the reason Saad is moving from Canada to the U.S. If young voters are persuaded by Fuentes, without worthy contenders (p), then Republicans are in trouble (q). Young voters are persuaded by Fuentes, without worthy contenders (p). Therefore, Republicans are in trouble (q).

At any rate, I don’t vote, I call out irrationally terroristic behavior of both Israel and the U.S., and I exercise my right to free speech by speaking against oppression, so I have no genocide, ethnic cleansing, or war crime blood on my hands. How about you? But, but, what about…?

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

References:

AJFF. (2023, August 2). Remembering the Legacy: Paul Reubens and the Heroic Journey of Milton Rubenfeld. Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. Retrieved from https://ajff.org/article/remembering-legacy-paul-reubens-and-heroic-journey-milton-rubenfeld

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2023, November 15). Intellect. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/intellect

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Double standard. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/double-standard

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Manipulation. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/manipulation

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Persuasion. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/persuasion

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Trial-and-error learning. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/trial-and-error-learning

Gunner, J. (2022, May 31). What about ‘whataboutism’? Dissecting the term. YourDictionary. Retrieved from https://www.yourdictionary.com/articles/whataboutism

Hollings, D. (2026, April 18). A component of DEIA antisemitism. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/a-component-of-deia-antisemitism

Hollings, D. (2024, July 18). A principled stance on free speech. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/a-principled-stance-on-free-speech

Hollings, D. (2024, July 9). Absolutistic should beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/absolutistic-should-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2023, September 13). Acceptance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/acceptance

Hollings, D. (2023, October 15). Ad hominem. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/ad-hominem

Hollings, D. (2026, February 8). Adaptive and maladaptive emotions and behavior. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/adaptive-and-maladaptive-emotions-and-behavior

Hollings, D. (2025, September 24). Animalistic instinct: Just because it seems right doesn’t mean it is. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/animalistic-instinct-just-because-it-seems-right-doesn-t-mean-it-is

Hollings, D. (2026, February 10). Are you outsourcing your ability to think critically? Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/are-you-outsourcing-your-ability-to-think-critically

Hollings, D. (2024, November 24). Automatic thoughts and beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/automatic-thoughts-and-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2025, April 22). Bad ideas deserve to be mocked. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/bad-ideas-deserve-to-be-mocked

Hollings, D. (2024, March 22). Based. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/based

Hollings, D. (2025, November 17). Bloodbending: A moral and ethical dilemma regarding control. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/bloodbending-a-moral-and-ethical-dilemma-regarding-control

Hollings, D. (2026, March 3). Blowback and knock-on effects: Subjectivity of beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/blowback-and-knock-on-effects-subjectivity-of-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2025, October 31). Circular argument. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/circular-argument

Hollings, D. (2026, April 24). Confounding variables in behavioral experiments. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/confounding-variables-in-behavioral-experiments

Hollings, D. (2023, May 15). Cognitive reframing. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/cognitive-reframing

Hollings, D. (2025, October 3). Control and influence: A soft center and coated in a candy shell. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/control-and-influence-a-soft-center-and-coated-in-a-candy-shell

Hollings, D. (2024, October 27). Correlation does not imply causation. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/correlation-does-not-imply-causation

Hollings, D. (2024, September 14). Crazy. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/crazy

Hollings, D. (2026, January 18). Cultivating character… right now. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/cultivating-character-right-now

Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer

Hollings, D. (2025, May 16). Eff the logic. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/eff-the-logic

Hollings, D. (2024, December 30). Empowerment. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/empowerment

Hollings, D. (2025, February 11). Ethnic cleansing. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/ethnic-cleansing

Hollings, D. (2026, April 12). Excuses, explanations, and justifications. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/excuses-explanations-and-justifications

Hollings, D. (2025, December 13). Explanation and justification. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/explanation-and-justification

Hollings, D. (2023, September 8). Fair use. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fair-use

Hollings, D. (2024, May 17). Feeling better vs. getting better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/feeling-better-vs-getting-better-1

Hollings, D. (2024, January 27). Genocide. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/genocide

Hollings, D. (2023, October 12). Get better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-better

Hollings, D. (2024, April 13). Goals. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/goals

Hollings, D. (2024, July 7). Heuristics. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/heauristics

Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/

Hollings, D. (2026, March 15). Hypocrisy: What is said matters less than what is done. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/hypocrisy-what-is-said-matters-less-than-what-is-done

Hollings, D. (2025, January 26). Ignorance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/ignorance

Hollings, D. (2022, November 8). Information overload. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/information-overload

Hollings, D. (2024, September 26). Interpreted reality. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/interpreted-reality

Hollings, D. (2024, October 29). Invalid rhetoric. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/invalid-rhetoric

Hollings, D. (2025, May 18). Irreverent communication: Use of sarcasm, snark, and cynicism. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/irreverent-communication-use-of-sarcasm-snark-and-cynicism

Hollings, D. (2026, March 11). Just the facts. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/just-the-facts

Hollings, D. (2025, March 4). Justification. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/justification

Hollings, D. (2025, October 13). Knowledge, wisdom, understanding. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/knowledge-wisdom-understanding

Hollings, D. (2022, November 10). Labeling. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/labeling

Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching

Hollings, D. (2023, January 8). Logic and reason. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/logic-and-reason

Hollings, D. (2025, November 8). Logical consequence: Does it consequentially follow? Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/logical-consequence-does-it-consequentially-follow

Hollings, D. (2026, March 7). Mind, body, and soul. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/mind-body-soul

Hollings, D. (2025, March 16). Modus ponens. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/modus-ponens

Hollings, D. (2023, October 2). Morals and ethics. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/morals-and-ethics

Hollings, D. (2024, September 27). My attitude. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/my-attitude

Hollings, D. (2026, April 26). Negative, but healthy anger and aggression. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/negative-but-healthy-anger-and-aggression

Hollings, D. (2026, March 18). Objective morality and moral absolutism. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/objective-morality-and-moral-absolutism

Hollings, D. (2026, April 4). Objective reality. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/objective-reality

Hollings, D. (2024, May 11). Of sticks, stones, rubber, and glue. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/of-sticks-stones-rubber-and-glue

Hollings, D. (2024, April 22). On disputing. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-disputing

Hollings, D. (2023, September 3). On feelings. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-feelings

Hollings, D. (2023, April 24). On truth. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-truth

Hollings, D. (2026, April 19). Outcome: Victim mentality and playing the victim. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/outcome-victim-mentality-and-playing-the-victim

Hollings, D. (2025, December 29). Paradoxical intention: Doing the opposite. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/paradoxical-intention-doing-the-opposite

Hollings, D. (2025, April 9). Perception, action, and will. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/perception-action-and-will

Hollings, D. (2025, September 9). Personal responsibility and accountability. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/personal-responsibility-and-accountability

Hollings, D. (2026, May 9). Political violence: Freedom’s got a shotgun. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/political-violence-freedom-s-got-a-shotgun

Hollings, D. (2025, May 3). Predictability of logic. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/predictability-of-logic

Hollings, D. (2026, March 18). Prejudice vs. discernment: Bias. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/prejudice-vs-discernment-bias

Hollings, D. (2025, November 13). Problem solving in regard to anger: How to eat an elephant. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/problem-solving-in-regard-to-anger-how-to-eat-an-elephant

Hollings, D. (2026, March 8). Propaganda: War Machine. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/propaganda-war-machine

Hollings, D. (2024, January 1). Psychoeducation. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychoeducation

Hollings, D. (2024, May 5). Psychotherapist. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapist

Hollings, D. (2022, March 24). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-rebt

Hollings, D. (2025, August 13). Rational versus irrational thoughts and beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-versus-irrational-thoughts-and-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2024, January 1). Rational vs. irrational. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-vs-irrational

Hollings, D. (2026, April 9). Real Terrorism: Operation Eternal Darkness. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/real-terrorism-operation-eternal-darkness

Hollings, D. (2024, December 5). Reasoning. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/reasoning

Hollings, D. (2023, October 16). Red herring. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/red-herring

Hollings, D. (2024, June 30). Righteous indignation. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/righteous-indignation

Hollings, D. (2026, March 5). Rules-based order: Rules will vary. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rules-based-order-rules-will-vary

Hollings, D. (2025, December 31). Sanctum: A focus on irrationality. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/sanctum-a-focus-on-irrationality

Hollings, D. (2026, April 28). Self-motivation: Trying to motivate the unmotivated. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-motivation-trying-to-motivate-the-unmotivated

Hollings, D. (2026, May 12). Separating the art from the artist: Shamone, hee hee. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/separating-the-art-from-the-artist-shamone-hee-hee

Hollings, D. (2026, February 24). Skepticism: I doubt it. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/skepticism-i-doubt-it

Hollings, D. (2025, December 24). Some people advocate walking. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/some-people-advocate-walking

Hollings, D. (2025, January 5). Spooky business. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/spooky-business

Hollings, D. (2023, October 16). Straw man. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/straw-man

Hollings, D. (2025, October 19). Surprise and embarrassment. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/surprise-and-embarrassment

Hollings, D. (2023, October 17). Syllogism. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/syllogism

Hollings, D. (2025, September 19). The cat pissed on George. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/ the-cat-pissed-on-george

Hollings, D. (2025, October 22). The construct. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-construct

Hollings, D. (2025, February 28). To try is my goal. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/to-try-is-my-goal

Hollings, D. (2024, February 6). This ride inevitably ends. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/this-ride-inevitably-ends

Hollings, D. (2023, July 16). Unicornia. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unicornia

Hollings, D. (2025, September 28). War crimes: A rational course of action. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/war-crimes-a-rational-course-of-action

Hollings, D. (2024, September 26). We’ll start from that premise. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/we-ll-start-from-that-premise

Hollings, D. (2023, October 10). When others don’t share your worldview. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/when-others-don-t-share-your-worldview

Hollings, D. (2026, March 8). You are not your beliefs or ideas. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/you-are-not-your-beliefs-or-ideas

Hollings, D. (2026, May 8). You cannot vote your way out of oppression or comply your way out of tyranny. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/you-cannot-cote-your-way-out-of-oppression-or-comply-your-way-out-of-tyranny

Hollings, D. (2024, November 5). You’ll enjoy yourselves. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/you-ll-enjoy-yourselves

Klett, L. M. (2026, April 20). Jordan Peterson ‘still very sick’ amid neurological battle, daughter says: ‘This year has been Hell’. The Christian Post. Retrieved from https://www.christianpost.com/news/jordan-peterson-still-very-sick-amid-neurological-battle.html

PowerfulJRE. (2026, May 12). Joe Rogan Experience #2497 - Gad Saad [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/6jdaXp0iwtw?si=BNBpN95d64UecpeH

Remiorz, R. (2016, October 30). Montreal professor known as ‘The Gadfather’ argues against political correctness. Toronto Star. Retrieved from https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/montreal-professor-known-as-the-gadfather-argues-against-political-correctness/article_5cc8ef29-7a7f-5243-9599-8d158fd5339e.html

Schwartz, B. (2025, June 16). The real Pee Wee. Book and Film Globe. Retrieved from https://bookandfilmglobe.com/film/the-real-pee-wee/

Shout! Studios. (2025, June 14). Tons of Fun | Pee-wee’s Playhouse | Full episode | Paul Reubens | Cult comedy [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/n3B8UxwsWUw?si=1_RsumcJKIoPR1R-

Weiss, B. (2024, October 27). Gad Saad survived war in Lebanon. He’s warning about one in the West. The Free Press. Retrieved from https://www.thefp.com/p/gad-saad-lebanon-war-antisemitism-trump

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Argument. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Bashar al-Assad. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashar_al-Assad

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Ben Shapiro. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Shapiro

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Charlie Kirk. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Kirk

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Dialectic. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialectic

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Edward Said. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Said

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Erika Kirk. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erika_Kirk

Wikipedia. (n.d.). False balance. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_balance

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Gad Saad. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gad_Saad

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Gaza envelope. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaza_envelope

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Gaza Strip. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaza_Strip

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Good faith. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_faith

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Grammar. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammar

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Hamas. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamas

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Hannibal Directive. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hannibal_Directive

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Informal fallacy. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Informal_fallacy

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Islamism. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamism

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_bombing_of_the_Gaza_Strip

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Joe Rogan. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Rogan

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Jordan Peterson. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_Peterson

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Keffiyeh. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keffiyeh

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Latchkey kid. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latchkey_kid

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Laurence Fishburne. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurence_Fishburne

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Logic. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logic

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Mossad. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mossad

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Nick Fuentes. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Fuentes

Wikipedia. (n.d.). October 7 attacks. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_7_attacks

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Pau. Reubens. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Reubens

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Pee-wee Herman. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pee-wee_Herman

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pee-wee%27s_Big_Adventure

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Pee-wee’s Playhouse. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pee-wee%27s_Playhouse

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Propaganda techniques. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda_techniques

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Rhetoric. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhetoric

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Rimshot. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rimshot

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Syrian civil war. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_civil_war

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Trivium. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trivium

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Tu quoque defense. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tu_quoque_defense

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Vladimir Putin. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Putin

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Whataboutism. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whataboutism

Zeitlin, A. (2026, May 6). The ‘Gadfather’ makes an offer he hopes you can’t refuse. Jewish Journal. Retrieved from https://jewishjournal.com/culture/arts/books/388547/the-gadfather-makes-an-offer-he-hopes-you-cant-refuse/