How do you view opinions that differ from yours?

I try to avoid using sweeping generalizations. I can't speak for everyone and I have no way of proving what all people will do, so it's better to use many or most when you are sure about the majority's tendencies. That being said, I completely understand what you are saying. Human beings have some inherent characteristics. Your final comment is interesting. Some people think that those with opposing views are stupid and others think that those who can't accept/respect opposing views are stupid. Perhaps, that's not at all surprising...

In some places it's absolutely imperative that people have differing opinions. In the technology industry, differing opinions and opposing ideas can fuel innovation, solve problems and support thorough testing. When it comes to technology, mistakes are made and issues are overlooked when group think sets in or members of the team are afraid to offer ideas/opinions freely. A delicate balancing act takes place in relationships and in team environments. People definitely adopt mechanisms, not always consciously, to handle disagreements. An amicable understanding needs to be reached with those that we are required to interact with, even if differences in opinion remain, in order to avoid animosity.

You have touched on some interesting ideas and made some excellent comments. Cheers.

I can understand someone getting upset when they feel offended. I find it interesting that you used the term "correct that person" instead of offer my opposing view. Just because you "feel" that someone is wrong, does not make it so. While terms like "racist" and "sexist" have negative connotations deemed by society to always be wrong, their application can be misleading. Finding statements "racist", "sexist" or "fallacious" is subjective and can differ from person to person. Statements can be taken out of context or outright misinterpreted. You mention that you "are never the type to debate". You certainly give me that impression and your own statements lead me to believe that you would rather judge. Judging others for their opinions, even if done in a friendly or nice way, isn't the same as if you "just respect that people will always differ in opinion". It's patronizing at best.

Perhaps I have the wrong impression? Maybe you would like to elaborate on previous comments or offer new views in order to convince otherwise? Maybe there is a chance that you didn't intend your comments to mean how they sounded or how they were interpreted?

Hi, yes, thanks for that. I did learn something from you. And I apologize if I seemed to have given the wrong idea. What I meant by "try to correct that person" was pertaining to the fallacious, and not the racist/sexist,etc. (I am really sorry).For a racist/exist/biased remark, I do would rather respect the opinion and yes, offer my opposing view. For the fallacious however, it could also be that the person stated something of a misconception about something for which I know the true fact about it, then that would be the time I will have to correct the person inorder for that person to distinguish fact from fallacy or superstition, or enlighten the person of which is actually scientifically true. Like for example, there's a funny belief here that being a peeping tom causes an eye infection called sty. That's a myth or a fallacy or even superstition. In that case, I will have to correct. But of course, that is only the simplest example I could think of. Hehe.

There is no need to be sorry. When someone presents falsehoods or attempts to mislead, then it is imperative to provide the proof to the contrary. This is easy to do when it comes to facts and certitudes. It is unfortunate that myLot doesn't employ a quote feature to assist members with this. Opinions are a much trickier subject. Opinions are often beliefs, not presented as fact, which may never have a definitive answer for or against.

These are very interesting comments. I have experienced the opposite when it comes to people from different regions. Oftentimes we approach problems in dissimilar fashions and have unique personalities and cultures. The current worldwide recession is a good example of our disparate views on how to handle this sizable difficulty. American methods have certainly been at odds with the Germans and French. Russian responses have a flavor of their own. The Chinese and Brazilians have successfully handled their economies in their own image before the recession reared its ugly head, and their recommendations for how to solve the crisis certainly aren't echoes from Washington or elsewhere.

MyLot brings together a large group of people from all over the globe who offer all sorts of different opinions and different perspectives. We are in agreement that this is where myLot gets its charm and it is what makes myLot so interesting. Thanks for responding.

Well...That's setting the bar awfully high, don't you think? Is it realistic to believe that anyone will be capable of pleasing everyone? Is it reasonable to set the standard based on the most sensitive of us? I happen to think that would make life terribly boring. It certainly would turn myLot into a place not worth spending any time visiting. If the unenlightened lot who lack high enough levels of education resort to the worst tactics and the poorest arguments, then it shouldn't be difficult for those with superior intelligence and better skills to discredit them. Attempts to stifle true debate or limit discussion is an indication of fear, a lack of confidence in one's own arguments and a lack of conviction. I agree that everyone is free to express their opinion. However, I don't believe that any qualifications or stipulations are necessary. With conditions imposed, are you truly free to express your opinion?

You have made an excellent point christian1. When you listen, you have the option to absorb new ideas and incorporate useful information into your own knowledgebase. It's up to the individual to decide what's important to them and you are not forced to accept another person's opinions just because you choose to listen. Welcome to myLot and thanks for sharing.

You have made an excellent point christian1. When you listen, you have the option to absorb new ideas and incorporate useful information into your own knowledgebase. It's up to the individual to decide what's important to them and you are not forced to accept another person's opinions just because you choose to listen. Welcome to myLot and thanks for sharing.

Well, it's great that you try to keep the peace. It's a different and completely valid approach to discussion. I don't believe that everyone's views, even everyone's views on myLot, are correct. Some people make factually incorrect, ill informed, or misleading comments. I don't think that there is anything wrong with debate and argument. They are good forms of mental stimulus and exercise. Debate and argument don't have to be equated with combat. I can understand why some people feel that way though. Cheers.

Yes I agree with you that debate is a good exercise for the brain. But others might interpret it as a fight so I try to be peaceful always.

Ciao!

Yep. If you value your rating, you have to be careful on myLot. Members aren't supposed to rate your comments negatively just because of a disagreement with the content, but they do.