Arguing With Geeks 1

The Inverse Excess/Inadequacy Threshold — For any reasonable being too much explanation is by definition of a higher quantity than too little explanation. Where x is directly proportional to the reasonableness of a listener and N represents a number of points of evidence required to convince that listener satisfyingly, N - x represents a lower threshold beneath which the explanation is deemed insufficient while N + x represents a higher threshold above which the explanation is deemed belaboured. For some individuals however x carries a negative value such that N - x is actually higher than N + x. On these individuals of negative reasoning capacity no argument on the basis even of the most blindingly self-evident detail can be effective, as the amount of proof required will always be beyond the point at which the non-reasoner dismisses the whole argument on the basis of length alone.