Summary: when you use phrases such as "I believe", "I feel", or "I think", you are engaging in an emotional frame of mind. Arguing with someone at this point is a waste of energy and time.

Body: The Internet is rift with opinions, fake facts, and people spouting off anecdote (or "testimonials")as if it was proof of something true. Reddit, even more so.

You see it often on this site "don't take advice from a stranger on the Internet." For obvious reasons, this is true. However, what many don't understand (even in TRP forums) is that those exact messages spouted off by everyone in so many other places are opinions and hold zero weight. They speak with emotions to emotions. You, the person reading this now, are guilty. I am guilty. Everyone is guilty of this faux pas. This is a tool so ingrained into the English lexicon that many don't even notice when it is being used. This tool is like the screw driver in the feminist tool box; light weight, cheap, immensely useful, and everyone takes it for granted.

"I believe..." or "I feel..." or "I think"

These 2 words make any and all comments following null and void. "I think the movie is scary", "I believe that there is an issue between us", "I feel like we have a serious gender wedge gap in this country". Every time this phrase is used, the speaker is trying to pass their opinion off as fact or justification.

Watch the comment sections of any sub. See how many times this phrase pops up. Listen for these words the next time you engage in a debate. Facts are facts, opinions are opinions. You can say anything you want, but the moment "I believe" or "I feel" shows up, it's now an opinion. See how many times it shows up in your post history, try to comment without using it.

"Outrageous claims require outrageous proof." Don't put yourself in a position that forces the listener to provide the proof.

AWALT; do you know why MLM companies target women? It's because they are more likely to believe what is presented to them as fact. Testimonials and success stories play on their emotions and we all know how that works. It's easy to take things at face value when others believe and trust in that thing.

Skepticism, we are not taught this enough as children. So let this bit of information sink in, let it give you a chance to defend yourself when faced with such a situation.

As said by a wise-man, "that is, like, just your opinion man"

Let them know that what they are trying to pass as fact, is actually just their opinion.

Conclusion: Be aware when the conversation slips from a fact based debate to an opinionated argument, understand when to engage a comment and when to ignore it. By acknowledging the issue, you remove a significant part of its power from the conversation.

Edit: words