Um, forgot the actual the content :)
Why do we bother holding them?
Asked myself this question today, after my opinions had been getting me into trouble and offending people here, as usual.
I couldn’t come up with an answer that actually justified me holding opinions on anything much, beyond matters that directly concern myself personally.
Bothering to form and express opinions on politics, ethics, social issues, foreign affairs and indeed any contentious subjects that don’t personally involve oneself, and in which one has no control or influence over the outcome of any events, all seems completely futile, especially if it ends in avoidable conflict when expressed in mixed company.
It would seem the urge to form opinions on such topics evolved in the days when humans lived in much smaller social groups, when the individual would have wielded more personal influence and carried weightier responsibility, and indeed been more affected by the opinions of others when embodied in group policy. But these days holding and expressing such opinions is more a matter of social interaction of no real consequence, apart from possibly damaging friendships for no sensible reason.
So I’ve now vowed to dispense with opinions on any topics that don’t directly and actively involve myself, and even then, to keep my views to myself unless their expression proves absolutely necessary.
The only exceptions I’ll make is when the expressed opinion is uncontroversial and possibly helpful – e.g., positive opinions about matters of taste, or people’s creative efforts, and other minor and constructive expressions of personal judgement that actually add to the social value of conversation.
I couldn’t come up with an answer that actually justified me holding opinions on anything much, beyond matters that directly concern myself personally.
—
Because every person wants to have a voice and an opinion can articulate your level of understanding, awareness, level of knowledge, an opportunity to challenge others or express why you concur. An opinion can also express a need and why you have a need by expressing your opinion but not limited to.
Plus voicing an opinion is an opportunity to make others aware of your voice and level of understanding of the world from your perspective and also a basic human right.
We hold that we appropriately hold many
opinions about many things, and leave it to yous to decide whether they fall under 1. or 2. above.
“Shedding opinions is as good for mental health as shedding pounds is for the body.”
- G.J. Bubblecar, from his upcoming book Freedom Refound, The Joy of an Opinion-Free Life
Bubblecar said:
“Shedding opinions is as good for mental health as shedding pounds is for the body.”- G.J. Bubblecar, from his upcoming book Freedom Refound, The Joy of an Opinion-Free Life
oh piffle …have as many opinions as you please. Wield them wisely. :)
monkey skipper said:
Bubblecar said:
“Shedding opinions is as good for mental health as shedding pounds is for the body.”- G.J. Bubblecar, from his upcoming book Freedom Refound, The Joy of an Opinion-Free Life
oh piffle …have as many opinions as you please. Wield them wisely. :)
I’m now quite joyfully beginning to have no opinion on most matters, and it’s my opinion that having no opinion on most matters is a fine feeling indeed :)
Has the potential to take one back to at least some of the mental freedom of childhood, while at the same time being a more realistic response to one’s place in the scheme of things.
Bubblecar said:
monkey skipper said:
Bubblecar said:
“Shedding opinions is as good for mental health as shedding pounds is for the body.”- G.J. Bubblecar, from his upcoming book Freedom Refound, The Joy of an Opinion-Free Life
oh piffle …have as many opinions as you please. Wield them wisely. :)
I’m now quite joyfully beginning to have no opinion on most matters, and it’s my opinion that having no opinion on most matters is a fine feeling indeed :)
Has the potential to take one back to at least some of the mental freedom of childhood, while at the same time being a more realistic response to one’s place in the scheme of things.
Well … you are entitled to that opinion!!! :D
”“I have no opinion on the matter” is perhaps the most powerful affirmation of personal freedom that an individual citizen can make.”
- G.J. Bubblecar, from his upcoming book Freedom Refound, The Joy of an Opinion-Free Life
>Why do we bother holding them?
people hold positions on all sorts, just walking requires it, for example
transition said:
>Why do we bother holding them?people hold positions on all sorts, just walking requires it, for example
Our POV changes at every step.
roughbarked said:
transition said:
>Why do we bother holding them?people hold positions on all sorts, just walking requires it, for example
Our POV changes at every step.
not in general sense maybe, but certainly it’s a dynamic thing
transition said:
roughbarked said:
transition said:
>Why do we bother holding them?people hold positions on all sorts, just walking requires it, for example
Our POV changes at every step.
not in general sense maybe, but certainly it’s a dynamic thing
A photographer should grasp the suggestion though. ;)
They’re like arseholes.
Peak Warming Man said:
They’re like arseholes.
Just Shut Your Stoma
… waiT
“The opinion-free individual will be assailed by the earnest activists of all sides – the whining woke, the raucous right, the sectarian preachers of every creed and cult. But he will stand firm and proudly state: You have no power in my house; your fads and prejudices will never cancel my right to hold no opinion.”
- G.J. Bubblecar, from his upcoming book Freedom Refound, The Joy of an Opinion-Free Life
Bubblecar said:
Why do we bother holding them?
because we, as individuals, find stuff (even stuff that does not directly affect our lives) interesting and we like to discuss it with others
because we, as individuals don’t really care what other people think and want to impose our way of thinking on others
because opinions help to solidify our position in society and help us to identify other like minded individuals
because ego…
I just stumbled on this – strangely relevant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUmHABnk9FY
diddly-squat said:
I just stumbled on this – strangely relevant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUmHABnk9FY
I nearly switched off when he was going on about how much better it was in the good old days, but I didn’t, and it was worth watching.
I don’t know how effective his approach is, but it’s worth thinking about.
As long as you are prepared to kill for your opinions, that’s fine by me.
wookiemeister said:
As long as you are prepared to kill for your opinions, that’s fine by me.
Well that isn’t my opinion.
roughbarked said:
wookiemeister said:
As long as you are prepared to kill for your opinions, that’s fine by me.
Well that isn’t my opinion.
wookiemeister said:
roughbarked said:
wookiemeister said:
As long as you are prepared to kill for your opinions, that’s fine by me.
Well that isn’t my opinion.
Opinions are meant to be strong and inflexible
wookiemeister said:
roughbarked said:
wookiemeister said:
As long as you are prepared to kill for your opinions, that’s fine by me.
Well that isn’t my opinion.
Opinions are meant to be strong and inflexible
That’s why I said what I said.
roughbarked said:
wookiemeister said:
roughbarked said:Well that isn’t my opinion.
Opinions are meant to be strong and inflexible
That’s why I said what I said.
No wiggle room ?
wookiemeister said:
roughbarked said:
wookiemeister said:Opinions are meant to be strong and inflexible
That’s why I said what I said.
Are you absolutely sure about that?No wiggle room ?
correct.
roughbarked said:
wookiemeister said:
roughbarked said:That’s why I said what I said.
Are you absolutely sure about that?No wiggle room ?
correct.
> I’ve now vowed to dispense with opinions on any topics that don’t directly and actively involve myself, and even then, to keep my views to myself unless their expression proves absolutely necessary.
Please don’t. I thrive on listening to different opinions. So much so that I’ve now joined the /r/crazyideas subreddit.
Where when someone posts a crazy idea, I try to top it with one of my own.
Fascinating that you describe where opinions come from. I hadn’t thought of that.