My Opinion is Better Than Yours

Under the advisement of a fellow diarist, I recently began reading a bit of the Open Diary “Politics” Diary Circle. I may never look at the world the same again.

Now, honestly, what bothers me most about this isn’t that many of the arguments I read were simply stupid, although, admittedly, a lot of them were (really, we should bomb China?). However, what troubled me even more is just how strongly most of the diarists feel about their beliefs. It’s not so bad that someone thinks bombing China is a good idea, but that they think it and are so utterly convinced that they’re right.

My basic point is that, hey, we all believe crazy things sometimes. I know there are viewpoints that I would have vehemently argued at points in my life that were, at best, rather misguided and, at worst, just stupid. But what I came to understand is that forming your own opinion isn’t about simply deciding on a certain belief and then defending it to the death. That’s just choosing a preset opinion and fighting for it blindly. If you want to form an opinion, then, you allow your initial thoughts to evolve as you continue to become a more informed, mature person. And, occasionally, you might just have to admit that you were wrong about something.

In the end, it all comes down to acknowledging that there’s no way to have perfect knowledge of any situation. I don’t know everything. And you don’t know everything either.

I don’t really have much to say, but it’s been a long time since I didn’t read an entry after it was daaaaays old… so.. yeah… I thought I would. And… politics. I don’t like politics all that, really, so… nice entry. -K

I’m so passionate about politics, but your argument here is fundamentally flawed. The theories/ideas that people form *are* carefully evolved, but in accordance to upbringing (etc). People interpret information based on their own observations. So, logically, there isn’t anything wrong with bombing China (in the mind of that person), because their logic if fool-proof, to them.

Woah. Is that just me, or did I *totally* NOT make sense there? *grins*

Jenni!

July 24, 2005

I very much agree with this entry. This is a big problem in the world. No one can ever agree on anything because so many people are so close minded and won’t give any ideas a chance because they believe something different.

Ignorance~is~Bliss

thought id drop a line and say hey im still alive

I DO know everything, thankyouverymuch. *walks away dramatically*

heatherette

You sound almost mature here. Sheesh Matt you ought to be careful, you may actually start sounding wise.

heh. 🙂

I agree with you. 🙂 However, ‘dumb’ people aren’t smart enough to acknowledge that they might, just might, be wrong. 🙂 And anyone, no matter how intelligent they are, is just plain dumb if they can’t conceed that they might be wrong. 🙂

I agree. What’s the point of obtaining knowledge when you think you’re always right… I can usually at least agree with several points on the opposing side. Not to mention, you should KNOW and UNDERSTAND the other side of ANY debate… otherwise you speak for nothing. And there’s been plenty a time where knowledge and understanding has caused a change of mind on my behalf. Well said!

october rain

July 25, 2005

Agreed. Count on ol’ Matty to be the wise one ^_^