First off, don’t get it twisted. In no form or fashion am I trying to indoctrinate anyone who graces these pages. I try to impart information as I come across it and to provide evidence to back my convictions. Most importantly, I wish to promote dialog. In no way am I trying to convince anyone of anything they are in no way prepared to accept. It’s all theories. Science, opinion and current events are full of theories whether myopically viewed and attempted to be made cohesive or accepted as undisputed dogma. I mean shit, how many years was Pluto considered to be a Planet?
That said, let me just state this as plainly as I can--if you’re having a conversation about politics, celebrity, policy or some other form of pop culture and you end up in an argument with your friend or an acquaintance because they don’t agree with you, then you’re an asshole.
It is immature to become angry with another person’s opposing arguments and it is weak to resort to personalizing the conversation when you’re obviously defeated mentally. If a person has more information, facts and logic than you do, then agree to disagree and make a mental note to arm your limited and sluggish mental arsenal. Accept that you’ve been outmatched and gracefully withdraw from a heated discussion before you do something stupid like exhibit a display of emotion or call someone out of their names all because you feel as if the person is trying to convince you of something or change your mind. That doubt is yours and yours alone. Your faltering in your beliefs may actually be common sense—run with it! Don’t fight progress and don’t fight you friends while discussing strangers. It might actually do you some good to listen instead of doggedly defending a losing battle. Let me be clear here, your battle may have merit, it’s just that you’re a poor representative for the cause.
There is no honor in attempting to make a person feel inadequate because you’re frustrated and stumped for a cohesive response. Do not make the mistake of believing, that turning a general conversation into a personal attack makes you the victor. Every strong-willed, mature and intelligent person in the room may laugh at your witty jokes, but in the back of their minds, they know you are dim-witted and have reduced yourself to court jester instead of philosopher.
There is nothing wrong with being outmatched from time to time. I have been known to concede to a valid point and to have changed my mind on a topic if someone has stunningly bested me with their mental acuity. That scenario moves me to further research or consider that particular angle. There is nothing wrong with not knowing everything.
Since most conversations are based on opinions, you should be mature enough to acknowledge that someone may have a differing opinion than yourself. Said person may have done more research to back up their opinion. If you know you’re not committed to providing substance to your opinion, then shut the fuck up when you’re bested and blame yourself for being unprepared. Your frustrations lie in your inabilities; your shortcomings, your lack of commitment to know of intimately, what it is you’re defending.
I write this because I’ve come to realize that I don’t always converse with the sharpest mufuckas and have been accused of trying to change a person’s mind when I speak. In conversations with people, I make it a point to acknowledge that they are entitled to their opinion, but my convictions still lie in the other ballpark because of A, B, or C. Generally, when a person just says “just because” or something to that effect, I cease trying to clarify my stance and let the conversation drop. Why? Because mature and learned people have a reason for thinking their thoughts. “Just because” is the answer of a person either brainwashed or ill-equipped to process the enormity of their positions. Why bother trying to break through such barriers?
It’s always prudent to come into a conversation with your convictions but surely most people know you should also come to a conversation with an open mind. There are a myriad of facets to any given thing. Again, no one knows everything and most conversations are based on a position or opinion. I’m not a politician and have no worries of being called a flip-flopper. If a concept crosses my path that makes more sense; something I haven’t thought of, I could embrace it with some research. Neither party has to be right, unless it’s based on undisputed fact of course. So to me, there is no pressure. I have no problem coming to the person at a later date and saying, “Hey, you know what we talked about the other day? Well, I see your point.”
I know I’m silly to expect people to check themselves. It’s the same people that laud your astuteness when they agree with you, that will turn on you like rabid dogs if they don’t. If you ever wondered if you fit into the category of the Conversationally Retarded, then ask yourself why you become angry or frustrated with people who disagree with you. Ask yourself why you find another’s disagreement personally reprehensible. If it is ‘just because’ and not because they’ve come across as condescending and down-right offensive, then you, my dear, are socially retarded and should take great pains to remedy the situation before someone slaps the shout out of you just because you’re stupid!
That said, let me just state this as plainly as I can--if you’re having a conversation about politics, celebrity, policy or some other form of pop culture and you end up in an argument with your friend or an acquaintance because they don’t agree with you, then you’re an asshole.
It is immature to become angry with another person’s opposing arguments and it is weak to resort to personalizing the conversation when you’re obviously defeated mentally. If a person has more information, facts and logic than you do, then agree to disagree and make a mental note to arm your limited and sluggish mental arsenal. Accept that you’ve been outmatched and gracefully withdraw from a heated discussion before you do something stupid like exhibit a display of emotion or call someone out of their names all because you feel as if the person is trying to convince you of something or change your mind. That doubt is yours and yours alone. Your faltering in your beliefs may actually be common sense—run with it! Don’t fight progress and don’t fight you friends while discussing strangers. It might actually do you some good to listen instead of doggedly defending a losing battle. Let me be clear here, your battle may have merit, it’s just that you’re a poor representative for the cause.
There is no honor in attempting to make a person feel inadequate because you’re frustrated and stumped for a cohesive response. Do not make the mistake of believing, that turning a general conversation into a personal attack makes you the victor. Every strong-willed, mature and intelligent person in the room may laugh at your witty jokes, but in the back of their minds, they know you are dim-witted and have reduced yourself to court jester instead of philosopher.
There is nothing wrong with being outmatched from time to time. I have been known to concede to a valid point and to have changed my mind on a topic if someone has stunningly bested me with their mental acuity. That scenario moves me to further research or consider that particular angle. There is nothing wrong with not knowing everything.
Since most conversations are based on opinions, you should be mature enough to acknowledge that someone may have a differing opinion than yourself. Said person may have done more research to back up their opinion. If you know you’re not committed to providing substance to your opinion, then shut the fuck up when you’re bested and blame yourself for being unprepared. Your frustrations lie in your inabilities; your shortcomings, your lack of commitment to know of intimately, what it is you’re defending.
I write this because I’ve come to realize that I don’t always converse with the sharpest mufuckas and have been accused of trying to change a person’s mind when I speak. In conversations with people, I make it a point to acknowledge that they are entitled to their opinion, but my convictions still lie in the other ballpark because of A, B, or C. Generally, when a person just says “just because” or something to that effect, I cease trying to clarify my stance and let the conversation drop. Why? Because mature and learned people have a reason for thinking their thoughts. “Just because” is the answer of a person either brainwashed or ill-equipped to process the enormity of their positions. Why bother trying to break through such barriers?
It’s always prudent to come into a conversation with your convictions but surely most people know you should also come to a conversation with an open mind. There are a myriad of facets to any given thing. Again, no one knows everything and most conversations are based on a position or opinion. I’m not a politician and have no worries of being called a flip-flopper. If a concept crosses my path that makes more sense; something I haven’t thought of, I could embrace it with some research. Neither party has to be right, unless it’s based on undisputed fact of course. So to me, there is no pressure. I have no problem coming to the person at a later date and saying, “Hey, you know what we talked about the other day? Well, I see your point.”
I know I’m silly to expect people to check themselves. It’s the same people that laud your astuteness when they agree with you, that will turn on you like rabid dogs if they don’t. If you ever wondered if you fit into the category of the Conversationally Retarded, then ask yourself why you become angry or frustrated with people who disagree with you. Ask yourself why you find another’s disagreement personally reprehensible. If it is ‘just because’ and not because they’ve come across as condescending and down-right offensive, then you, my dear, are socially retarded and should take great pains to remedy the situation before someone slaps the shout out of you just because you’re stupid!
