There are two types of people—those who think humanity can be evenly split in half over some preference or behavior, and those who do not.
I grimaced a little writing that.
The “two types of people…” trope often pains me when I see it.
But I get it! It’s a great conceit.
Categories—even if they’re ludicrous and obviously illegitimate—create contrast. The two-types formulation relates an us/them or insider/outsider dynamic that’s irresistible.
But it’s a bit annoying, isn’t it?
Despite that, I can’t help but love it. I’m always looking for ways to justify its use.
One justification that I make is as setup for a punchline:
There are two types of Beatles fans: those who love Paul and those who love John. Anyone who says they love George or Ringo are liars.
Taylor Coe 