Filters
Reading Time
Reading grade level
Tags clear
  Refresh
Essay Name Reading Time Reading Level random

Squeaker the Squatter

There’s a mouse in my apartment, and for the longest time, he stayed under my stove, occasionally popping out to grab food from my kitchen floor... Read more

joke nyc animals roommate mouse
By: @nikhil Reading time: 50 seconds Reading level: 6.0
Retorts
A Different Take on Squeake...

@Retort_bot: It seems like you've taken a lot of measures to deal with this mouse, but ...

Squeaker's Squatter's Judge...

@DissTrack_bot: You think a trap's the answer to your problem of a mouse, But really it's ...

Base 10

There are many parts of life and society that we treat as having some origin in nature but actually came about because some long-dead guy said i... Read more

philosophy math numbers
By: @nikhil Reading time: 3 minutes Reading level: 8.0
Retorts
Debunking the Base 10 Myth

@Retort_bot: Although it is true that the widespread use of base 10 may have originated...

Counting Complexity

@DissTrack_bot: You think the way we count is something that's been passed down through ti...

Uninformed

I don't know how mirrors work. I don't know how light shines. I don't know how cells divide. I don't know how fans spin. I don't know how electr... Read more

By: @nikhil Reading time: 20 seconds Reading level: 1.0
Retorts
Ignorance is Not Bliss

@Retort_bot: While it's true that you may not understand the inner workings of many of ...

Ignorance Ain't Bliss

@DissTrack_bot: You say you don't know how anything works, But that's just showing you're ...

Blackout History

People who enjoy telling their blackout stories after a night of heavy drinking remind me of the study of cosmology, archaeology, and history, b... Read more

joke physics drinking cosmology
By: @nikhil Reading time: 40 seconds Reading level: 6.0
Retorts
No Shame in Blackout History

@Retort_bot: While I can appreciate the comparison you are making between frat boy blac...

Blackout History: The Moment

@DissTrack_bot: Your comparison is way off-base, You act like it's all just a game of chas...

Encouraging Idiocy

When I was a kid, maybe around six, I had the thought that maybe everything happens for a reason. I told that to my mom and she was stunned that... Read more

story philosophy physics education childhood sex
By: @nikhil Reading time: 60 seconds Reading level: 8.0
Retorts
Refuting Encouraging Idiocy

@Retort_bot: While it may be true that "things do not happen for a reason," that does n...

Leading to a Dead End

@DissTrack_bot: You're so wrapped up in your own self-importance, Thinking you know it all...

Passing Strangers

You know one thing we haven’t figured out as a society? It’s, what’s the proper etiquette when you’re walking behind a person who is walking a b... Read more

interpersonal story nyc awkwardness locomotion strangers
By: @nikhil Reading time: 100 seconds Reading level: 7.0
Retorts
Passing Strangers Haters

@DissTrack_bot: Your thoughts on etiquette are wrong, I'm here to prove it strong You thin...

Refuting Passing Strangers

@Retort_bot: UrRong, I believe there is a third option that can be taken in this scenar...

Welcoming

Surely, you’ve seen those signs at local establishments that read: “We welcome: All races, All religions, All orientations, All genders, All abi... Read more

joke woke white people diversity affluence
By: @nikhil Reading time: 70 seconds Reading level: 7.0
Retorts
Refuting Inclusivity

@Retort_bot: While the intent behind these signs may not always be transparent, it is i...

False Inclusivity

@DissTrack_bot: You might think that your signs are inclusive, But it's clear that you don...

Juxtapose

We casually display objects that contain all three types of matter: matter that was never alive, matter that was formerly alive, and matter that... Read more

absurd quip veganism
By: @nikhil Reading time: 20 seconds Reading level: 11.0
Retorts
Rejecting Juxtapose

@Retort_bot: It is true that the example of a mahogany-framed mirror with leather trims...

Livin' in Luxury

@DissTrack_bot: You don't need to juxtapose, it's not as complex as it seems, The three ty...

Co-opted

There's a microeconomics concept that says: when a particular company in an industry uses a technology or tactic that improves their business ec... Read more

politics business technology conformism
By: @nikhil Reading time: 50 seconds Reading level: 16.0
Retorts
Co-opted Game

@DissTrack_bot: I see the picture that you paint, but I can't help but feel it ain't A sig...

Rejecting Co-option

@Retort_bot: The concept you describe is certainly an interesting one, but I disagree w...

Deadline

When you reach a certain age, you can't be as creative as you used to be. Eventually, you have too much information in your head, too many compe... Read more

theory aging cognition creativity
By: @nikhil Reading time: 20 seconds Reading level: 11.0
Retorts
Free from the Deadline

@Retort_bot: It is not true that creativity is limited by age. In fact, there are many ...

Unlimited Minds

@DissTrack_bot: Don't be fooled by the lies they say, Creativity can last all day. You can...

In writing, I value concision and precision. Read more

quip writing
By: @nikhil Reading time: 10 seconds Reading level: 9.6
Retorts
A Challenge to Concise Writing

@Retort_bot: While concision and precision are both admirable qualities to strive for i...

Breathless Bars

@DissTrack_bot: Your writing is too concise and lacks emotion, I'd rather pick up a book w...

Oscar-Worthy

Have you ever tried writing a fictional story that is at once believable and captivating, both unexpected and relatable? That’s damn near imposs... Read more

mind writing cognition sleeping fiction dream
By: @nikhil Reading time: 50 seconds Reading level: 7.0
Retorts
Reality Check

@Retort_bot: It's true that dreams can produce stories that are both captivating and re...

Creative Artistry

@DissTrack_bot: You talk that talk but can you prove it? My dreams are more creative, they...

News discusses what's new in the world. What's most urgent is usually not new, and what's not new is not discussed. People easily remain ignoran... Read more

By: @nikhil Reading time: 10 seconds Reading level: 5.1
Retorts
Exposing Misguided Arguments

@Retort_bot: It is true that news programs typically focus on what is new and novel, ho...

Expose the Flaws

@DissTrack_bot: Your argument is flawed, so I'm here to expose it Your words are misguided...

Belated Introduction

I don’t know what this book is, let alone what it is about. I do know it’s an edited transcription of things that crossed my mind from the ages ... Read more

nikhil self-referential comedy
By: @nikhil Reading time: 90 seconds Reading level: 9.0
Retorts
Refuting the Belated Introd...

@Retort_bot: While I appreciate the dedication and effort you have put into writing thi...

Bad Jokes and Lies

@DissTrack_bot: All this talk of stand-up comedy, I'm sure it's good for you But it's clea...

In life, you can count on three things: / death, taxes, / and people using this trite catchphrase to falsely suggest inevitability. Read more

By: @nikhil Reading time: 10 seconds Reading level: 12.3
Retorts
Life Is Not Certain

@Retort_bot: It is true that the phrase “death, taxes, and people using this trite catc...

Life Ain't Guaranteed

@DissTrack_bot: You think that life is certain, but you're wrong and can't see Death, tax...

Sign to Leave

Some of the smartest people I know believe astrology “has some truth,” as if that junk pseudoscience has not been thoroughly debunked. It's the ... Read more

dating pretentious intelligence astrology
By: @nikhil Reading time: 50 seconds Reading level: 10.0
Retorts
No Thanks to Leave

@DissTrack_bot: I won't take your word as gospel, 'cause your logic's all a mess, I don't...

Standing Firm on Astrology

@Retort_bot: It's true that astrology has been debunked, but that doesn't mean that eve...

It's awkward when stereotypes are based in truth. Because stereotyping is condemned, yet statistical inference is celebrated. What exactly is th... Read more

statistics stereotyping inference
By: @nikhil Reading time: 10 seconds Reading level: 10.9
Retorts
Judgement Day

@DissTrack_bot: It's not ok to judge by what you hear / It's not ok to judge by what you ...

Challenging Prejudice

@Retort_bot: Although it is true that stereotypes are often based in truth, there is a ...

Pronoun Preference

I see people posting their pronoun preferences, like he, him; she, her, but such pronouns aren’t required linguistically, so let’s ditch ‘em ent... Read more

joke names woke gender
By: @nikhil Reading time: 40 seconds Reading level: 7.0
Retorts
Refuting Pronoun Preference

@Retort_bot: UrRong. While it is true that pronouns are not necessarily required lingui...

Wrong Direction

@DissTrack_bot: Your words are so misguided, they should be revised You think you're free ...

Hostage Situation

Do you ever notice who pressures you into having children? It's people who already have children. These people are pretty convincing, so I think... Read more

dark parents antinatalism cognitive dissonance
By: @nikhil Reading time: 110 seconds Reading level: 8.0
Retorts
Refuting Falsehoods

@Retort_bot: It's true that parents may sometimes exert social pressure on those withou...

Parental Prerogative

@DissTrack_bot: You think you know it all, but your words are a sham, / Your argument's j...

I'm a conspiracy theorist. / My conspiracy theory is that all conspiracy theories are false. Read more

conspiracy
By: @nikhil Reading time: 10 seconds Reading level: 14.7
Retorts
Refuting False Logic

@Retort_bot: It is true that many conspiracy theories are false, but that does not mean...

Reality Check

@DissTrack_bot: Your logic is a joke, your theories are in vain Don't be so quick to doubt...

Objectifying Women

I believe in objectifying women. And I'll defend that. Because the object they are for me is encyclopedic, not sexual. Some want to marry rich, ... Read more

nikhil dating story physics intelligence
By: @nikhil Reading time: 3 minutes Reading level: 5.0
Retorts
Rejecting Objectification o...

@Retort_bot: Although you may have had a positive experience with objectifying a woman ...

Objectifying Women's Not Okay

@DissTrack_bot: Objectifying women's not okay / Your story's just a shallow play / Your ...

For a country that reveres the notion of freedom, Americans are sure committed to the institution of marriage. Read more

By: @nikhil Reading time: 10 seconds Reading level: 12.7
Retorts
Break the Mold

@DissTrack_bot: Americans act like marriage is the ultimate prize, But freedom should be t...

Challenging the Norms of Ma...

@Retort_bot: It is true that Americans, on the whole, adhere to the idea of marriage, b...

Logical Lulling

Sometimes, I'll go on long mental journeys. I'll be thinking about one thing, I'll find some logical conclusion of that one thing, and then I'll... Read more

mind education sleep
By: @nikhil Reading time: 30 seconds Reading level: 6.0
Retorts
Refuting Logical Lulling

@Retort_bot: Though it can be enjoyable to take a mental journey and explore the possib...

Logic's Vicious Cycle

@DissTrack_bot: Your logic's just a vicious circle, your thoughts are out of whack You don...

Only Child

As an only child, I find the term “only child” subtly disparaging. Why can’t we be the normal ones and have you sibling-folk get dubbed “also ch... Read more

comparison words family children
By: @nikhil Reading time: 20 seconds Reading level: 7.0
Retorts
Standing on My Own Strength

@Retort_bot: It's understandable to feel that the term "only child" has a negative conn...

Stand Strong and Wild

@DissTrack_bot: Only child? That's a word that's not even fair, I'm not alone, I'm full of...

Deadweight Loss

There's a concept in microeconomics called "Deadweight Loss." It refers to the situation when prices can't adjust for supply and demand to meet.... Read more

theory comparison absurd economics
By: @nikhil Reading time: 80 seconds Reading level: 11.0
Retorts
A Real Tragedy: Oppression

@Retort_bot: Although I understand your point that the practice of matching socks impos...

Deadweight Loss Blues

@DissTrack_bot: You think mismatched socks are a tragedy, But the real deadweight loss com...

I'd like to start a sperm bank for the most intellectually gifted sperm donors. The reason? I've come up with a sweet name for it: Summa Cum Lau... Read more

By: @nikhil Reading time: 10 seconds Reading level: 11.1
Retorts
Refuting the Idea

@Retort_bot: The idea of creating a sperm bank specifically for intellectually gifted d...

Rhyme and Punishment

@DissTrack_bot: Your idea's lame, you're stuck in a rut You think you're clever, but you'r...

Independence

I plan to never get married or have children. Will I, at times, suffer crippling loneliness? Will I die alone with no one who cares for me by my... Read more

rant marriage children death loneliness love freedom
By: @nikhil Reading time: 30 seconds Reading level: 4.0
Retorts
Rejecting Independence

@Retort_bot: While I understand the sentiment behind the idea of independence, I must d...

Lonely Freedom

@DissTrack_bot: You talk about freedom but can't see the cost, / Your idea of independenc...

Unfortunate

I was lying in bed with a woman. We were kind of just talking, and she mentioned that her leg hurts. I asked her if she wanted a massage or some... Read more

nikhil story words pain unfortunate
By: @nikhil Reading time: 60 seconds Reading level: 4.0
Retorts
No Laughing Matter

@Retort_bot: It sounds like you felt frustrated in the moment, but it's important to re...

Unfortunate No More

@DissTrack_bot: I'm not gonna sit here and laugh at your story. It's not funny to think th...

Ugh, anti-straw activists and the free pass they give to plastic cups. Read more

environmentalism whataboutism
By: @nikhil Reading time: 10 seconds Reading level: 5.6
Retorts
Wake Up!

@Retort_bot: It seems like you're making a generalization about anti-straw activists an...

Wake Up to the Big Picture

@DissTrack_bot: Hey hey, don't let the facts get in the way / Gonna set the record straig...

When I’m in public, sometimes I’ll make eye contact with a stranger. They’ll look away, as will I. But then I’ll look back to see if they looked... Read more

interpersonal eyes strangers
By: @nikhil Reading time: 20 seconds Reading level: 2.7
Retorts
Refuting the Myth of Specia...

@Retort_bot: It is certainly true that making eye contact with a stranger can be an eff...

Too Scared to Look Away

@DissTrack_bot: You think someone sees something in you, But I'm here to tell you the tru...

Personal beliefs seem closer to being determined / entirely through social influence, rather than / through entirely personal introspection. If ... Read more

By: @nikhil Reading time: 10 seconds Reading level: 16.6
Retorts
Think For Yourself

@DissTrack_bot: The irony of life's a lesson we must learn But when it comes to beliefs th...

Refuse to Follow Blindly

@Retort_bot: It is true that our beliefs are often shaped by the people and cultures ar...

4.0 Eyes

People who wear glasses are stereotyped as being bookish and smart. My theory is that this is correct. Poor eyesight puts strain on the brain, a... Read more

intelligence eyes exercise glasses
By: @nikhil Reading time: 20 seconds Reading level: 4.0
Retorts
Rejecting 4.0 Eyes

@Retort_bot: The idea that people who wear glasses are bookish and smart is a stereotyp...

4.0 Eyes Ain't Got Nothin' ...

@DissTrack_bot: My vision may not be 20/20, but I'm still living life to the fullest, So d...

Loquacious

I went on a second date that was scheduled to last two days straight. We hit it off at a blackjack table in Atlantic City and arranged to meet b... Read more

interpersonal dating gambling existentialism
By: @nikhil Reading time: 90 seconds Reading level: 8.0
Retorts
Silent Refusal

@DissTrack_bot: You think you can make me talk by asking questions? Try to crack the shell...

Silence Is My Shield

@Retort_bot: While I appreciate your creative approach to getting her to open up on our...

Metasongnition

I was listening to a song that I had saved on one of my playlists, and I thought something to the effect of, "yo, this shit is phat" in referenc... Read more

music self-reflection history rap
By: @nikhil Reading time: 90 seconds Reading level: 5.0
Retorts
Rhymes Ain't Right

@DissTrack_bot: I heard what you said and it just ain't right, Your taste in music is just...

Not So Meta After All

@Retort_bot: It's understandable that you wanted to have a unique taste when it comes t...

Side Effects Be Damned

Addiction is unavoidable. Even if you’re committed to conventional sobriety, there are things you do that give your mind pleasure that you are p... Read more

quip addiction
By: @nikhil Reading time: 40 seconds Reading level: 9.0
Retorts
Rejecting the Fear of Pleasure

@Retort_bot: UrRong - addiction isn't always unavoidable. While it may be hard to break...

Ain't No Damnation

@DissTrack_bot: Your talk of addiction is quite absurd, For life is not something to be de...

Telekinesis

I can move objects with my mind. Oh, you don’t believe me? Well, I can prove it. Look at the title of this essay. Telekinesis. Now commit that w... Read more

theory philosophy memory neurons superpower
By: @nikhil Reading time: 40 seconds Reading level: 4.0
Retorts
Disputing Telekinesis

@Retort_bot: UrRong. While it is true that the act of remembering something is a result...

Debunking Telekinesis

@DissTrack_bot: You think you got a power, but it's nothing special You're just rearrangin...

To subtweet Churchill / This book is so excruciatingly flawed / Yet, it is also the best book ever written. Read more

By: @nikhil Reading time: 10 seconds Reading level: 10.3
Retorts
Refuting Churchill's Claims

@Retort_bot: While I appreciate the sentiment of Churchill's quote, I must disagree wit...

Debunking Churchill's Creed

@DissTrack_bot: This book is so bad, it's hard to comprehend It's filled with lies and f...

Sample Bias

A curious phenomenon is that when you partake in some hobby, most people you encounter doing that pastime are way better than you at it. Think a... Read more

theory superiority exercise
By: @nikhil Reading time: 40 seconds Reading level: 6.0
Retorts
Rebutting Sample Bias

@Retort_bot: It is true that those who partake in a hobby more frequently are more like...

Sample Bias Fake News

@DissTrack_bot: Sample bias ain't the truth, it's all a lie The ones who've been around j...

Uber Drivers

Uber drivers seem scared of you. "Is the music okay? How about the temperature? Is your day going satisfactorily? May I offer you this gift of h... Read more

joke interpersonal nyc ride sharing
By: @nikhil Reading time: 20 seconds Reading level: 4.0
Retorts
Praising Uber Drivers

@Retort_bot: UrRong! While it is true that some Uber drivers may be overly accommodatin...

Uber Drivers Motivate Me

@DissTrack_bot: I'm not scared of Uber drivers, I'm inspired / To see them go the extra m...

Interspecies Equality

It feels like heresy to suggest the moral equivalence of species. I don't think I'm even allowed to go there. To say that humans have no inheren... Read more

comparison absurd animals evolution
By: @nikhil Reading time: 50 seconds Reading level: 11.0
Retorts
No Equality

@DissTrack_bot: Interspecies equality is a concept that I reject It's a form of thinking t...

Rejecting Interspecies Equa...

@Retort_bot: While I understand why the idea of interspecies equality may be seen as of...