Journal: A Matter of Perspective

Sometimes this website bugs the hell out of me. I don't know why I come back, but for some reason I do. I think it's a sickness. I know that one might say "If you don't like it, go somewhere else!"

I guess I do know why I come back. The site is exceptionally educational. Sure, there is a lot of incorrect information. But if you read through, it's usually pretty easy to sort through the crap to find the gems. I've learned a tremendous amount from the discussions on quantum physics, and I think I've improved my job skills as a SysAdmin by reading advice/thoughts/comments from experienced IT guys.

So what irritates me? It seems that 90% of this site's posters have yet to achieve the revelation that other people can be completely reasonable and intelligent and still not agree with them. (Did that sentence suck or what?)

Don't like Macs and admit it? You'll be assaulted on every side. You'll be told how Macs are actually cheaper or how a single button mouse is proof of its superior user interface. There is not one negative you can say about a Mac without getting a response telling you how that negative is actually a positive or how it's still better than a PC.

Try saying anything positive about the United States. You will get a flood of replies telling you how that is not actually true and that you are simply a victim of (generally right-wing) propaganda. Apparently, the US is the worst country no matter what specific evil we are looking at.

Don't believe in global warming? You bought into propaganda.

Creationist? Propaganda.

The evidence that supports the views of person A is dismissed as propaganda or FUD by person B, and vice-versa.

Both, person A and B will believe ANYTHING that supports their views, no matter how ridiculus and will dismiss anything that opposes their views, no matter how damning. If pressed hard with damning evidence, the discussion degrades into "Well, it's still better than ..."

And at the end of the discussion, you look back and think "Wow, that guy is an idiot. He has been totally deceived by ... even though the evidence is clearly against that view." Want to know that the other guy is thinking? THE SAME DAMN THING!

What the bloody hell makes you sure that you are right and he is wrong? How do you know that you haven't bought into the other sides's propaganda? Sure, you've investigated for yourself. SO HAS HE! Is it so shocking that two intelligent people can come to different conclusions from the same data?

My point is simple. Most of us come into these discussions with the goal of convincing others that our viewpoint is correct. When everyone comes in with that goal, nothing is accomplished. It's just a bunch of yelling.

Instead, try to come into discussions with the goal of learning about opposing views. Try to view them with an open mind and attempt to improve yourself by increasing your knowledge on the subject. Your goal is to improve yourself and your opinions by seeing other's views. Maybe, just maybe, you'll discover that you were wrong about something.

Remember: changing your opinion is not a bad thing. It doesn't make you wishy-washy or a flipflopper. It makes you a better person.