This is horrible advice, really, don't do this. The first option is to ignore anything the person is saying and ramble on about something until they leave you alone. The second option is to act like an emotionless robot. If the person making these "attacks" at you is someone you have a vested interest in getting along with (co-worker, spouse, etc) you really owe it to yourself to not hide from them with these childish tactics and to just address the issue.
The article is addressing verbal "attackers". The issues at hand aren't really issues; as the author states, most of the time the attacker is just trying to get attention.
The methods suggested by the article are methods to avoid hostile language. I think most would agree that hostile language is no way to effectively resolve an argument. Of course, if it's about something "which you care profoundly", then of course you should take the issue on directly.
In the end, I think the article is good advice, especially against people you don't know that well.
Came here to say that. If I really don't care about the subject of the potential fight I just laugh at the person asking the question. "You didn't remember to turn on the dishwasher after you put the dishes in! Do you do this on purpose?!" me: "hahahah". Done.
