I look at the board and some of the opinions and I just despair. What is it with people today? It seems to me that in recent years people form opinions and never look at them again the opinion is set in stone and cannot be revisited. A perfectly reasonable argument would not even be considered because the opinion cannot be changed. I find this sad and hope I don't ever get this way I pride myself on listening to other people and am quite happy to learn and change my mind on a subject if someone is talking sense, of course I may also disagree at times but I will never dissmiss another person without listening to them and considering their point of view. Am I alone here in thinking that this is a new trend? I know there have always been people like this but it seems to me that the majority of people now think this way from the rich and the powerful all the way down to the common man or woman. Has society changed into non thinking robot that is driven by the media? Of course thread has been in part sparked by the Suarez threads but this is not directly about that subject so please keep it seperate.
I agree. A good example is the thread on Thatcher and my thoughts on socialism and 'Thatcherism' have completely changed.
Football is tribal, so some people are entrenched in their view by default, as they can't get beyond the need to defend their tribe & that therefore rules out any form of debate or chance of a change of heart. You are who you associate with & the media you allow yourself to be exposed to.
I understand it a bit more when it comes to footy but I have noticed it in almost every part of life so my point is more general.
It depends on the subject & the type of people that you're talking to. Their response will depend on their strength of feeling on the issue combined with their personality type. It's always been that way, the only change is the internet, as it allows people anonymity & is faceless.
I agree on the point about the internet it allows people to voice an opinion with little or no consequence, I think you may also be right that it has always been this way but I'm not sure. If someone has strong feelings on a subject and has educated themselves on the said subject then I understand and admire their stance, unfortunately it seems more common now that people take that stance on an opinion they have very little education in and they will still refuse to change their mind even in the face of facts or a greater knowledge.
Exactly. I have no shame in admitting when I am wrong, or if I change my opinion as a result of someone explaining there point clearly and with substance.
Unfortunately it seems that someone shouting how right they are without any substance is more likely.
We're an adversarial society. I mean look at how our Parliament is set up. The true idea of an opposition is to scrutinise government. That doesn't mean disagree for the sake of it but that's how it ended up. Neither main party would be be prepared to say in opposition that the government of the day has got a a good policy even if it was. Tribalism is a factor. I personally find it a sign of insecurity in ones beliefs. I mean take this forum: I'm confident enough as LFC fan to be able to agree with an opposition fan if their criticism of an aspect of my club is accurate. I may doubt their motives but that doesn't make their statement inaccurate. I also hear alarm bells when people start adding faceless "we" to support their beliefs. I mean come on, be man enough to hold your position without saying "and everyone agrees with me so there!" And I've said it before: faceless means not having to take into account somebody's feelings or seeing the signs we'd normally see physically yet at the same time having an awareness that your opinion is at risk of being dismissed or challenged by many many people. I'll admit I'm quite stubborn and it some times takes a lot to budge me from my opinion but I'll always get to the point where I say, enough we've both said our bit, aren't agreeing and that's that. I've never needed to insist the conversation isn't over until you agree with me. That would be a boring world.
It is probably the growth of the internet forum that is responsible for my point being highlighted but I've come across it so much lately within real life or on other media products (tv & the press) that I'm sure there is a change in society itself and this is something that is escalating.
You've probably just come up against more than your fair share of 'red' personality types of late mate. People haven't changed their make up, they've just got more opportunity to share their opinions.
Yeah I wonder if that is true. I like Franks post, he is an example of someone who has a strong opinion and will argue the point because he has considered the the right and wrongs of his opinion first.
John Barnes: "I've heard talk about him not playing for Liverpool again, which I think is ridiculous.""So Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona... they can sign him? But we can't have him?".................. John Barnes totally on the money again.This guy needs to be employed by the club a VERY bright guy I find it totally astonishing that fans on here wanna sell our best player by a country mile, to one or our rivals for less than his truth worth( if we sold him thats what would happen).Making them stronger and us weaker. Cluelless
Ah, but just because someone is considered in their judgement, doesn't automatically equate to them having come to the right conclusion. They may well be able to express their reasoning & therefore make a compelling argument as to why they are correct, but on a subjective issue, it's still merely an opinion. (that wasn't a pop at Frank btw)
Changing your mind all of a sudden is fickle but arguments should settle and distill, then over time as you muse, your opinion will adapt. I'm still convinced Rodgers is a Pretender though and nobody's instilled any argument I muse on at all.
I don't think people are saying you are wrong on the matter. Most of us just aren't going to make that judgement so early. Next season you could be proved right or you could be proved wrong. That is when I will make my judgement.
Yes, it is a fine line, you don't want to be a fence sitter or someone that just listens and changes opinions every time an argument is put to you.
