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

3 points by dhruvtv 12 years ago | 4 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.

anigbrowl 12 years 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.

innocentpixel 12 years ago |

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

AznHisoka 12 years ago |

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

digipaper 12 years ago |

You DO realise this is used IRL too?