That's My Opinion
By AnjaP
@Rollo1 (16676)
Boston, Massachusetts
July 11, 2016 2:11pm CST
It never ceases to amaze me that people who write on social media often write as if it's a given that you agree with them. Everyone must agree with them, they figure, because if they don't, they are morons and they wouldn't hang out with morons.
It's hard to discuss anything with someone who automatically assumes you're a moron because you don't automatically agree with him or her.
I think a much better approach would be to write as if you acknowledge that your statements are your opinions, if that is the case. That way, people can reply with their opinions, even if different.
I read a Facebook meme yesterday that reported some ridiculous statistics for some ridiculous statements on a poll by "Gallop". And even though the poster of this meme doesn't seem to recognize that there is no poll research firm called "Gallop" (it's Gallup), I am pretty sure she would consider me a moron for not agreeing with the findings of this imaginary poll. But I didn't tell her. I didn't tell her that it is spelled Gallup or that they don't poll people on such fantastical questions. I didn't even tell her that posting a meme with such blatant errors and skewed perspective makes her look like a moron.
Maybe that's the human condition. Obviously we think our opinions are correct or we'd change our minds, right? So, if we're right, the other guy must be wrong.
That's my opinion, anyway.
12 people like this
15 responses
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
12 Jul 16
@Rollo1 Cute. The problem is that there is a difference between facts and opinions, but not everyone is aware of this.
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
12 Jul 16
I don't think I have a problem with other people having different opinions. My problem seems to be that I often forget that not everyone knows what I know. I find it shocking that they don't. But not everyone reads much or has traveled much (except Barry @Asylum, of course).
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16676)
• Boston, Massachusetts
12 Jul 16
So, @ElizabethWallace, you belong to the "I am right because I know more than you, but sometimes I forget you're a moron" category. You know, it's like a trial - each side has expert witnesses. The expert witness for the prosecution will tell a different tale than the expert witness for the defense. They are both experts, they both know quite a lot of facts. The jury will get the benefit of two expert opinions that are completely different. Then each juror will decide to believe the expert who most closely validates the opinion that the juror held prior to hearing the expert testimony. Hey, I think I know everything, too. Doesn't everyone?
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
13 Jul 16
@Rollo1 I don't think I am always right. I know that there are vast areas where I have little expertise. I meant that when chatting with people, they sometimes go blank because they don't know something I thought was common knowledge. Turns out, it wasn't.
By the way, that isn't really how a trial works. I was on a jury where the trial lasted over three months. Both sides reveal information until the jury can see the truth of a situation. When three eye witnesses testified that they recognized two individuals that they knew well kill their loved ones, that pretty much revealed the truth. (Of course there was also a great deal of other forensic evidence.)
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
12 Jul 16
@Rollo1 Boy, that's sure the truth.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
11 Jul 16
I have noticed that many people see something crazy and dont go research it before they go wailing to the world~ ! Snopes, something people!
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
13 Jul 16
@MALUSE website that tends to do research on things going around on the net, helps to determine if it is true or not
Email to a friend Your email address Your friend's address Subject Body Check out this article Rumor has it. http://www.snopes.com/ Sent via snopes.com Send Submit A Rumor Go Go GO SharingNetflixPasswordsHasn'tBecomeaFelony 12K NEWS A number of outlets in
@Poppylicious (11134)
• United Kingdom
12 Jul 16
I never say 'in my opinion' {or worse, 'in my humble opinion'} because I'd like to think that people realise it's obviously my opinion and nothing else. Maybe I do give people too much credit for being intelligent and/or having common sense.
1 person likes this
@paigea (36143)
• Canada
16 Jul 16
I am glad you pointed out that Gallop was a spoof of Gallup; I didn't catch that right off.
I can't believe some things people have shown me that they read on the net. I keep saying, that info is just what a person dreamed up and posted; it isn't fact!
1 person likes this
@sunilparthan (6302)
• India
11 Jul 16
not in every case i think i am right, and also i will tell i am wrong if really i am. because we have to learn new things from others if don't know about that correctly. that's cool have a nice day.
1 person likes this
@Teep11 (7673)
• United States
11 Jul 16
Opinions are just that. Anyone can have one and anyone can state an opinion. I'm sure if I would view someone or others as morons because they've stated an opinion. The problem is if they're being hostile and rude about about their opinions an if they're opinions are threatening in anyway then those opinions to kept for a later date. Have a blessed day!
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16676)
• Boston, Massachusetts
11 Jul 16
I am not sure what a threatening opinion would be, though there may be people who make threats on social media. But I often have people being hostile and rude to me about my opinions, even though I try very hard to be civil when disagreeing with them. But some people can't take being disagreed with, they totally lose their cool.
@PatZAnthony (14749)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
11 Jul 16
We see so many have hard opinions on things that don't make sense. It is easier to ignore what they are saying than try to figure out where they are going with all that! No, you do not have to agree with anyone-
1 person likes this
@mom210 (9170)
• United States
29 Jul 16
Sometimes I wish I could get away with just duct taping their mouths to listen to me while I talk and they can do the same for me, although I am a good listener and it is not necessary. Many times if we could just stop for one minute and listen to each other, so much progress could be made.
@JudyEv (382038)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Jul 16
There are many who can't have a discussion or debate without losing their cool. Like you, I wouldn't be telling this person anything either. The worry is that there is so many out there who are so one-eyed it's possible to discuss anything with them - unless you agree with all they way.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
11 Jul 16
Walking away. I don`t give opinions because usually that is someone who wants to argue.
