====== J. N. Spoilsport ======

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[{{ :wiki:spoilsport2.png?nolink&200|J. N. Spoilsport in 2012.}}]

**J. N. Spoilsport** is a philosopher, scholar, public intellectual and the founder of [[Slow Club]]. Known for controversial views and uncompromising demeanor, Spoilsport rules with an iron hand, instills sophistry and pedantry, and is responsible for expelling at least 5 key members of Slow Club, including [[Mr. Porridge]].

===== Key beliefs =====

  * algebraic knowledge is irrelevant, because there are no identical objects
  * a perfect line can exist in an imperfect world
  * something is possible, unless proven otherwise

The latter point commits an informal logic fallacy known as argument from ignorance (argumentum ad ignorantiam). Obviously, at the very least there is a second option possible: something might, in fact, be impossible, while we are limited in our current ability to demonstrate it. Spoilsport argues that this may well be a fallacy in pure logic, but it could be a pragmatic course of action in cases where failure to act is deadly. A number of philosophers do not dispute this point, but object to Spoilsport's use of the more generic statement "something is possible, unless proven otherwise" as incorrect in general terms, to which Spoilsport countered that the statement is not universal, but merely denotes the possibility. The dispute is ongoing.

===== Controversies =====

J. N. Spoilsport has stirred a number of controversies. His rivalry with Mr. Porridge was a topic of much deliberation by the media. The dismissal of Mr. Porridge from the Slow Club board and then from Slow Club itself came as a shocking development. The most problematic aspect of the story was believed to be that the argument, used as a pretext to expel Mr. Porridge, was in complete agreement with Spoilsport's own belief that there are no identical objects.

Another controversy is the mystery of Spoilsport's initials. Nobody knows what they stand for, and the public was unable to secure access to Spoilsport's official papers. As if to tease the media, Spoilsport typically insists on being referenced as "J. N. Spoilsport", and has even sued a newspaper, which dropped the initials in an article.

J. N. Spoilsport's gender is widely believed to be a non-controversy and his coming out as a woman had been largely ignored by the media.