Online commenting cliché: "You realize that X = Y, right?"

3 pointsdhruvtv12y ago4 comments

Of late, I find this clichéd phrase "You realize that X = Y (or some non-obvious statement which might not even be correct), right?" appear in online comments a lot. I find it very toxic.

Example on HN:

https://www.hnsearch.com/search#request/all&q=%22you+realize%22+%22%2C+right%3F%22&start=0

https://www.hnsearch.com/search#request/all&q=%22you+do+realize%22+%22%2C+right%3F%22&start=0

"No, you presumptuous commenter, I don't realize that. If I did, I wouldn't have said it in the first place. You realize that, right? Why don't you just say X = Y and leave it at that?"

I know it's supposed to be clever, but the novelty has worn off and now it's just very annoying.

4 comments

anigbrowl12y ago

It's not great, but if one just says 'X = Y' and leaves it at that, then that often leads to complaints that one is being dismissive and glib. Some people really dislike being told they're wrong, even when citations and supplementary material is supplied for the argument. 'You realize..' can be snarky, but often it's an attempt to soften the blow.

innocentpixel12y ago

You realize that repeating something clever wears off the novelty and ultimately becomes just very annoying?

AznHisoka12y ago

You realize that's because people can't help but be egostistical, right?

digipaper12y ago

You DO realise this is used IRL too?

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse