Hilberting

Hilberting is an internet discussion group term referring to the common practice of erecting Straw Man arguments to score points off other members. When hilberting, one specifically misquotes, quotes out of context, or makes a misleading summary of another's position, and then scores popularity points by attacking that manufactured position. It may even involve attacking someone for an opinion they have condemned (in text which one has removed.)

For example, the statement "Murder is taken for granted in this country, and I condemn it utterly," might receive the hilberting response "What kind of murderous person are you to say that 'Murder is taken for granted in this country'? On the contrary, I believe murder should be condemned utterly!"

See Also

• Usenet
• Newsgroup
• Internet troll
• Internet sock puppet
• Godwin's Law