Definition: Whataboutism

Word: Whataboutism

Definition: (noun): A rhetorical smoke bomb thrown by someone who has been caught red-handed. It is the act of defending a mistake by citing a different, completely unrelated mistake.

A whataboutism is a suggestion that a wrong isn't wrong because of another wrong. This is a type of fallacy that often begins with the words "what about ..."

Whataboutism suggests that two wrongs make a right. If we accept whataboutism arguments, then nothing can be deemed wrong, as long as we can think of examples of things that are worse.

Whataboutism is when you justify doing something wrong because of some other supposed wrong.

Essay and Examples:

 Welcome to the digital age’s favorite sport. Forget basketball or billiards; the national pastime of the Philippines is now Whataboutism. 

It is the magical art of never having to say you’re sorry—or even that you’re wrong—by simply pointing a finger at someone else who is also, coincidentally, a disaster.

Whataboutism (or whataboutery) is an informal logical fallacy and propaganda technique that deflects criticism or accusations by raising counter accusations of different, often irrelevant issues.

Instead of defending against an accusation, it shifts the focus by using "but what about...?" to dodge accountability, distract from the subject, or imply hypocrisy.

Examples are often seen in the podcast of Christian Esguerra, Ronald Llamas, or Chris Tan. 

While knee-deep discussing a very important political issue ... ang mga DDS kung naiipit na uses this ploy para makaiwas sa discussion and accountability by saying: "Kayo na ang maging presidente ..."

Or they can say:"Eh di ikaw na ang matalino?" 

Example:

Imagine, if you will, a heated discussion about the crime statistics in Davao City.

Person A: "I’m a bit concerned. Statistics show that Davao City has a surprisingly high number of reported crimes, including theft and physical injuries. 

I thought it was the safest city in the solar system?" 

The whataboutist suddenly sprang up from nowhere: "Oh, so now you’re an expert on Davao? WHAT ABOUT Quezon City? 

Have you seen the snatching there? It’s basically an Olympic sport! 

And WHAT ABOUT the 1980s? Manila was basically a live-action zombie movie back then!

Why are you talking about the crimes in Davao when WHAT ABOUT the time your cousin forgot to pay the money he owed? Ha! Checkmate"

Check this scenario:

Loyalist: Your idol is a Tsina-dor ... I almost die laughing with his phony Tsekwa accent.

DDS: What about your idol  ... he is also a Chinador. They are always rude to our Chinese visitors. If they get mad ... they will invade us ... thanks to your Chinadors, their rhetoric has successfully encouraged them to come even more.

The Hierarchy of Whataboutist Responses

When You Are Caught...	The Whataboutist Escape Route
Stealing Government Funds	"What about the Yolanda funds? Isali natin sa usapan!"
When impeachment was dragged & delayed	"What about the Chiz?" He misunderstood forthwith
Being involved in ghost projects	"What about the other ghost!" Ghost employees ... ghost students ... Ghost beneficiaries
Ignoring Maritime Laws	"What about the Fish in the ocean? Are they following the law?"

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The Beauty of the Fallacy

The genius of Whataboutism is that it requires zero brain cells but maximum lung capacity. 

You don't need to study law, geography, or ethics. You just need to keep a mental Rolodex of every bad thing that has ever happened in human history.

Are you being accused of a crime today? 

Just bring up a pirate attack from the 17th century. 

Are people questioning your "Confidential Funds"? Just ask them WHAT ABOUT the hidden treasure of Limahong.

In the world of Whataboutism, no one is ever guilty, because everyone is always "what-about-ing" someone else into oblivion.