red herrings (Distraction)
A red herring is a logical fallacy that involves introducing irrelevant information to distract from the main issue or argument. This tactic can mislead an audience by shifting their focus away from the original topic, making it difficult to reach a clear conclusion. Red herrings are often used in debates, discussions, and even in literature to create suspense or divert attention.
In everyday conversations, red herrings can appear as unrelated anecdotes or tangents that steer the discussion off course. For example, during a debate about climate change, someone might bring up economic policies instead, which does not directly address the environmental concerns at hand. This diversion can confuse the audience and obscure the key points being discussed.