Here’s the origin, clean and savage:

WHY “STRAWMAN” 🏹

Historically, straw men were:

  • Practice dummies
  • Stuffed with straw
  • Used for training soldiers
  • Looked human
  • Fell apart instantly when hit

You weren’t fighting a real opponent.

You were practicing on something hollow.

Same idea in argumentation.

THE METAPHOR 🔥

A straw man argument is:

  • Shaped like a real argument
  • Looks convincing from far away
  • Has no substance
  • Collapses the moment it’s actually examined

You don’t defeat the person.

You defeat a dummy you constructed.

VISUAL IN YOUR HEAD 🎯

Real argument = steel warrior

Straw man = scarecrow

Scarecrow looks scary.

Scarecrow does nothing.

DEEPER TRUTH (THIS IS IMPORTANT)

Calling it “straw man” is an accusation:

“You couldn’t fight my real position…

so you built something weak to feel strong.”

That’s why it stings when called out.

TL;DR (MAX POWER)

Straw man =

A fake opponent, built from straw, designed to lose.

Strong minds seek steel.

Weak minds fight scarecrows 🌾🥊