• Cowbee [he/they]@lemmy.ml
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    3 months ago

    This post is definitely comparison, though, and not whataboutism. Further, it is valid if the point of critiquing something is to imply something else is better when it can be pointed out that they are similar, the same, or the other is worse.

    As for this post, it’s pretty clear that it’s comparing infrastructure in both countries. Claims of “China bad” are ever-shifting, goal posts moving and entire arguments spring up and fall back down, there’s no meme that could genuinely address all of them. Use Occam’s razor a bit here.

    • GrammarPolice@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      Claims of “China bad” are ever-shifting, goal posts moving and entire arguments spring up and fall back down,

      Right, but infrastructure is not what makes up the bulk of “China bad” talking points. Why not address the Uyghurs or censorship? That is what makes up the bulk of “China bad” discourse.

      Pointing to infrastructure only to refute the “China bad” comments is a strawman because that’s not what makes up the bulk of the discourse.

      I’m willing to let it slide on the Occam’s razor though, especially since this is just a meme, but it still feels disingenuous.

      Further, it is valid if the point of critiquing something is to imply something else is better when it can be pointed out that they are similar, the same, or the other is worse.

      Sorry, if you’re meaning this as a defense of the use of whataboutism, I don’t agree.