> Ad hominem is another example of ignoring the message and nonsensically diverting attention to the messenger
I see how it ignores the message but disagree that it's nonsensical.
I agree with you in that whataboutism calls into questions the intentions of the messenger: You are accusing them of trying to derail the discussion instead of addressing their point at face value.
However, I think your analysis is practically bankrupt and overly idealistic since it fails to address how saying 'what about this' can be an effective tool to wave attention away, or try to discredit another argument or 'message' as you call them.
This is like saying every request made in a DDOS attack should be taken at face value. We should never question the broader intentions of the request
I see how it ignores the message but disagree that it's nonsensical.
I agree with you in that whataboutism calls into questions the intentions of the messenger: You are accusing them of trying to derail the discussion instead of addressing their point at face value.
However, I think your analysis is practically bankrupt and overly idealistic since it fails to address how saying 'what about this' can be an effective tool to wave attention away, or try to discredit another argument or 'message' as you call them.
This is like saying every request made in a DDOS attack should be taken at face value. We should never question the broader intentions of the request