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Nially_Bob's avatar

Do you place conviction in the majority of your vocalised or written opinions?

Asked by Nially_Bob (3844points) August 29th, 2009
13 responses
“Great Question” (2points)

I remember, not too long ago, my parents telling me that as a child I bothered them constantly by asking innane questions only to look apathetic when being told the answer. I feel this trait has remained sturdily fastened onto my personality over time in so much as I adore learning and discussion but remain bored by objective ‘certainties’. Such has also caused me to develop a firmly implanted fascination with the methodology with which others construct their perspectives and the reasons behind their desire to hold onto such perspectives.
When entering a debate I have observed such passion and willpower on the part of those attempting to defend what they believe yet I find it difficult to simulate such things as I merely follow the opinion I have developed most recently and accept that it may be (and all too typically is) incorrect. Yet I much prefer this, I would rather have everything “up in the air” then assuredly established if for no other reason than recreational value.
All rambling aside (I apologise, it’s a bad habit) my question is whether I am in the majority or minority in this regard? Do most place conviction in what they say and write or are they simply communication what they currently think to be true?

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Answers

gailcalled's avatar

Do you mean “Do I believe what I say and write?” Yes, I do. Do I like short and clear sentences? Yes, I do. Do I know what a “firmly implanted fascination” means? No.

hungryhungryhortence's avatar

If I’m being serious then yes, I mean what I say usually won’t bother saying it unless I have some knowledge or experience. All this I do with convinction but never ruling out my way is the only way or is always right. I leave myself open to learn new things but Pluto not being a planet anymore still irks me.

dpworkin's avatar

Certain stuff I know a lot about. Certain other stuff I have experienced over and over in 60 years of life. Certain stuff I have a passing but sufficient knowledge of. Certain stuff (like issues around psychology, and the disabled) I both know about and am passionate about. I hope I am never closed to the possibility that I might be wrong. Sometimes I just like to goof around.

filmfann's avatar

Sometimes I say something funny, and people think I have a serious intention behind it.
Sometimes I just say something I think is funny. I don’t mean anything by it.

.

Pull my finger.

Nially_Bob's avatar

@gailcalled Do you believe everything you say and write? I previously apologised for my tendency to ramble. A “firmly implanted fascination” is a fascination that one has possessed for some time and is unlikely to ‘go’ anytime soon.

Nially_Bob's avatar

Edit to the Sub-Text: ...are they simply communicating what they currently…
‘sighs’

gailcalled's avatar

As in “I have been fascinated by this for a long time”? Try using the active voice. It will keep you from sounding slightly muddled, which is different from rambling. I change my mind and my opinions from time to time, but when I say or write something, I believe it at the moment. Like now.

And I need someone to laugh at what I say or write in order for me to believe it is funny.

ABoyNamedBoobs03's avatar

to be quite honest, I’ve been rather numb to most things for the past couple years.

I’ve always been able to see both sides of everything, I like, and dislike almost every subject one can have a conversation about. I sympathize with virtually everyone, and often times this makes me feel like I really don’t have an opinion on the topic either way, because in most instances I find that both options are equally “right” or what have you in separate and unique ways. I suppose what I’m saying is, I come off as indifferent to a lot of people. A friend will get in an argument with someone, tell me about it, and then regret the choice because I tell them what the perspective is of the person they’re scorning.

And there are honestly, very few topics I feel earnest conviction towards, because as said earlier, I often see the right and wrong in every issue.

YARNLADY's avatar

I tend to believe in myself, and since I have a history of being correct more often than incorrect, I do “defend” my position most of the time. I hate being “wrong” and when I am shown where I am wrong, I have been known to change my opinion.

I sometimes “defend” a position in jest, but usually people can’t tell the difference.

Zuma's avatar

After more than 20 years of formal education, I have rather substantially grounded positions on basic things (god-no god, social equality-inequality, human dignity-submission to authority, etc.), nonetheless, I do still find issues at the margins where I am open to persuasion.

Darwin's avatar

I don’t write lies or things I consider to be lies. I do write about truth and facts, or things I consider to be such. However, I am always open to learning new things and may adjust my world view accordingly.

evelyns_pet_zebra's avatar

I try to answer from a position of knowledge. I will use anecdotes to convey a certain opinion, but know that anecdotal evidence is not true evidence at all. I am a dyed-in-the-wool skeptic, and I want answers that ring true, not answers that feel good. When someone says “I believe in God because I cannot imagine a world without a god” I know that it is an opinion based on feeling, not on fact. That isn’t good enough for me.
I won’t write outright lies, and sometimes, I get my facts wrong, but I will take correction and criticism as long as it is not malevolent. Sometimes though, I am just a dick, and it stems from Fluthering while not feeling my best. I usually try to remedy my grumpy asshole comments with a heartfelt apology.

I am also quite an ornery guy with a tongue deeply implanted in my cheek. I love a good laugh and will make a snarky comment just for the thrill of it. I try not to be intentionally mean, but sometimes, humor doesn’t work very well in a textual environment.

Blondesjon's avatar

Be rest assured I most certainly do just that.

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