This information is designed to start a different argument where there is more of a level playing field. This scenario is a red herring because the person who is being accused of not doing the dishes is trying to find a new piece of information that will distract the aggressor. One couple says “You never do the dishes!” The other says “What about you! You never take out the bins!” Today, we use the metaphor to explain any situation where someone tries to distract people from the true issue at hand. The strong smell of the herring fish to distract dogs from chasing rabbits. The smell of the fish would overwhelm the smell of the rabbits, putting the dogs off the scent. He put the strong-smelling fish out in the woods. The metaphor comes from a situation where Cobbett needed to distract some dogs from chasing rabbits in the English woods.Ĭobbett’s chosen distraction was strong-smelling red herrings (the fish!). It’s a metaphor used to refer to a distraction designed to confuse people from the issue at hand. The term “red herring” was coined by William Cobbett in 1807. You can make it happen and get the results you want by ignoring the red herrings.Conclusion Red Herring Fallacy Definition
It is up to you to take control of the issues and refocus conversations. No one can throw you off track unless you allow him or her to. The truth is that most people can change just about anything if they are really willing to. So what’s it going to take so that I can count on this report coming in on time?” In other words, it is a question of desire and commitment–not a question of ability. You could give me the report on time if you wanted to. If you asked the person, “ If I were able to give you a million dollars to give me the report on time, would you give it to me on time?” The person would likely say, “ Well, yes, but you don’t have a million dollars.” Your response would be, “ Exactly. Are you going to give it to me on time?”ģ. You said you would get the report to me by 3 p.m.
Question it using the Columbo method ,“ I’m confused. This technique is especially useful when people say things that they think will “get your goat.” Just ignore it and focus on the objective of the conversation.Ģ. Refocus the conversation to resolve the issue at hand. I am always late.” There is no need to comment. In the example, notice that there were no responses to the comment, “It’s just the way I am. Are you going to get the report to me on time by 3 p.m.?”ĭon’t allow yourself to get pulled down a dead-end road when a person uses a red herring. For example if someone says, “ It’s just the way I am. Ignore it and focus on the issue at hand. There are three ways you can handle the Red Herring:ġ. Therefore, we respond with what sounds like a real excuse…but of course, it is really a red herring. Many times we don’t really want to do something different – but it just doesn’t sound good to say it that way. In communication, a red herring throws the listener off track with phrases or comments that sound meaningful and important, but really just lead the conversation down a path of wasted time.Ī typical example of this is when people respond, “That’s just the way I am.” What does that mean? The person is predisposed or genetically wired to always do something a certain way? The truth is that people can do something different if they truly want to. A red herring is something that diverts attention from the basic issue at hand.
This response spirals the conversation down a different path because you are responding to their criticism of you, rather than the issue at hand. How often has someone said something to you that they know will bother you and send you down a diverted path? For example, have you confronted someone who has turned something in late? They may respond with an excuse. How many times has someone said something to you that made no sense? Have you ever asked someone something and heard their answer, only to walk away and think, “I don’t think they ever answered my question.”