Whataboutism — When Your Brain Gets Played
Has this ever happened to you? When a journalist asks a government spokesperson about rising civilian casualties from drone strikes, the spokesperson replies: 'What about the thousands killed by terrorist organizations? Why don't y.
Also known as: Tu Quoque, What-about-ery, The Appeal to Hypocrisy, And You Are Lynching Negroes
What's Actually Happening
Whataboutism is a diversionary tactic where someone responds to an accusation or criticism by pointing to a different, often unrelated issue rather than addressing the original point. It creates a false equivalence between two situations to neutralize criticism without ever engaging with its substance. The technique was heavily used during the Cold War by Soviet officials deflecting Western criticism by pointing to racial segregation in the United States.
It exploits the audience's sense of fairness and consistency, making them feel that criticizing one side without equally criticizing the other is hypocritical. This shifts the emotional burden from the accused back onto the accuser.
Real Talk: You See This Every Day
Social Media Version
When a journalist asks a government spokesperson about rising civilian casualties from drone strikes, the spokesperson replies: 'What about the thousands killed by terrorist organizations? Why don't you cover that with the same intensity?'
In Real Life
Extremely common in political debates and press conferences, where officials deflect scandal questions by pointing to opponents' past behavior. Also widespread in online discourse and social media arguments.
Your BS Detector: How to Spot It
Acknowledge the deflection explicitly: 'That may be worth discussing separately, but right now we are addressing X. Can you respond to the specific issue raised?' Insist on addressing topics sequentially rather than in parallel.
- ✓ Check: Is the argument actually addressing the point?
- ✓ Ask: What evidence is being presented?
- ✓ Notice: Are emotions doing the heavy lifting instead of facts?
The Challenge
Next time you see this in the wild — a comment section, a news article, a political speech — pause and name it. "Whataboutism." You don't have to say it out loud. Just notice it. Once you start seeing it, you can't unsee it. And that's the whole point.
Part of the TellDear Teen Book — criticalthinking.guide