# 27. Rhetorical manipulation ## 27.5. Methodology/Refinements/Sub-species ### 27.5.4. Content Manipulation #### 27.5.4.9. Red herrings Issues, phrases, or words meant to derail debate or opposition (also called a "manipulation of dimensions") and alter the outcome of an argument. Example: "There is no evidence that torture elicits usable intelligence, but lives are on the line, so we can't use other proven measures". ***Parent:** [[Content Manipulation]]*