FAWM: "Sanity Shanty"

Sanity Shanty

2 weeks ago by @gmcgath

Sanity Shanty

gmcgath

00:00

Liner Notes

The way things are these days, it's easy to fall prey to fallacious thinking, and I'm not excluding myself. Here's a shanty to remind of us of what to avoid. If it helps, imagine it being sung by a crew of Vulcans.

The tune is a typical shanty tune, but I don't think it's an exact copy of any traditional one.
#shanty

Lyrics

The Sanity Shanty
Words and Music: Gary McGath, Copyright 2025

Consider all your arguments.
Haul in the logic.
Make sure that all of them make sense.
Cast off the fallacies.

What feels good isn't always true.
Sometimes the truth will frighten you.

The noise that you hear from the crowd
Might sway you just because it's loud.

Watch confirmation bias, oh.
And do not get too pious, no.

Ad hominem you must avoid.
And don't let mockery be employed.

Don't use a straw man argument,
To duck a person's real intent.

Tradition's not the best of guides,
In judging where the truth resides.

An insult won't persuade a soul,
If you must spit, please use a bowl.

Watch post hoc ergo propter hoc,
Or you might get a nasty shock.

To argue in a circle's bad,
And it will make your listeners mad.

Do not employ hyperbole,
It's worse than courtroom perjury.

But arguments both fair and sound
Will keep your views on solid ground.

Comments

@namey 1d

This is very fun. And quite silly.

@gmcgath 3d

@jerrypettit Spock played an instrument variously called a lute, harp, or lyre. Shanties tend to be a capella, though.

@jerrypettit 3d

Ha! Great Vulcan Shanty! Trying to remember what they used for musical instruments--wasn't there a harp-like thing in an episode or two? Anyway...great song! ❤️

@nancyrostMod 4d

I love the juxtaposition of form and subject matter. Clever using the word "fallacies" with its "seas" sound in the refrain. Lots of great lines and great points being made here!

@janeg 5d

If they had to use logic, most politicians of today would be rendered speechless. I studied formal logic and wwish I saw a lot more of it. Haven’t the right kind of nets I guess.

@gmcgath 1w

@philkmills The song, like any good shanty, can be extended without limit.

@philkmills 1w

I like it. It's an excellent presentation of many questionable (but unfortunately frequently heard) tactics. I'm only sorry you didn't work in "no true Scotsman", a personal hot button. 😀