Apples and Astronauts
On a completely random note, I have become increasingly annoyed with the saying "That's comparing apples to oranges" as a way to discredit someone's point as being irrelevant to the current discussion. Why? Because comparing apples to oranges is a perfectly legitimate thing to do. There are many ways in which apples and oranges are very comparable. In fact, in the vast universe of things, ideas, and stuff, apples and oranges are much more alike than any other random pair of nouns.
This, in fact, does not in itself invalidate the saying. Properly used, it might even add a bit of depth to the argument, meaning something along the lines of "Yes, I see the point you are making here, and your comparison is valid in a lot of ways. However, I believe there is a subtle but meaningful difference between the two such that your point is being misapplied."
But that's not how people use it. The most common usage I hear is meant to say that the thing brought in as a comparison bears no resemblance to the topic under discussion. It's a good thing to point out, especially when talking to conservatives. But for fuck's sake, don't use the apples to oranges simile. Use something that's actually not alike. Like apples and astronauts. Because I said so.
But sometimes people do use it closer its proper meaning. But that makes it worse, because they aren't saying "Yes, that's a very reasonable thing to bring up, however..." What they really mean is "I want to frame this discussion in a very particular way which supports my point of view, and if I have to accept valid references to an external reality then my argument will fall apart, so fuck you." In this case, yes, I will insist on comparing apples to oranges, thank you. For instance, a bag of apples is much more effective for whomping idiots over the head with than a bag of oranges.
This, in fact, does not in itself invalidate the saying. Properly used, it might even add a bit of depth to the argument, meaning something along the lines of "Yes, I see the point you are making here, and your comparison is valid in a lot of ways. However, I believe there is a subtle but meaningful difference between the two such that your point is being misapplied."
But that's not how people use it. The most common usage I hear is meant to say that the thing brought in as a comparison bears no resemblance to the topic under discussion. It's a good thing to point out, especially when talking to conservatives. But for fuck's sake, don't use the apples to oranges simile. Use something that's actually not alike. Like apples and astronauts. Because I said so.
But sometimes people do use it closer its proper meaning. But that makes it worse, because they aren't saying "Yes, that's a very reasonable thing to bring up, however..." What they really mean is "I want to frame this discussion in a very particular way which supports my point of view, and if I have to accept valid references to an external reality then my argument will fall apart, so fuck you." In this case, yes, I will insist on comparing apples to oranges, thank you. For instance, a bag of apples is much more effective for whomping idiots over the head with than a bag of oranges.