(no subject)

[camwyn]

Is there an inverse of mansplaining? Where a man doesn't know a subject, but knows you do, and so asks you to explain it to him- and then keeps coming to you for further explanations on the subject even though it's been years since you last read it in any detail and aren't actually an expert in it and would really rather not be put in the position of justifying the subject's inner workings because you think the whole field is completely bugnuts, but the man is aware that you're the one who happens to know about it so he reflexively assumes you'll be able to give him an explanation?

(I should never have admitted to having read Ayn Rand in high school.)

Comments

[derien]

My first thought was that it could be awkward flirting. But, if you think it's bugnuts (and I agree!) I think you should say so. Because maybe he's a conservative trying to awkwardly flirt and hopes you'll come around to his way of thinking. And imho it would be best to discourage THAT as soon as possible. Or he wants you to reveal to him that his instinct that it IS bugnuts is correct. :)

[camwyn]

It's the 'confirm his instinct' one. I've described more than a few bits of Rand's ideas about how genuinely objectively logical people inevitably reach the same conclusions, some of her stuff about aesthetics and productivity and motivating workers, etc.... his response tends to be of the 'she sounds suspiciously like Stalin' or 'wow, that's a really Nazi way of looking at things' variety. I agree, and I've told him I agree, it's just that he keeps coming back to ask about other whackadoodle aspects of her philosophy.

I feel like I ought to have that flashing banner from the South Park episode about Scientology, the one that says "THIS IS WHAT THEY ACTUALLY BELIEVE".