Is it OK to not have an opinion?
Discussion
Got cornered at a party recently by someone i didn't know who wanted to know where i sat on the Transgender debate – did I think the court decision that "women" are only biological women was right or not.
They were a almost incredulous when i replied that i didn't know what was obviously a complex and emotive subject in any great detail, and therefore i had no idea whether the court's decision was, in my view, correct or incorrect.
They couldn't believe that someone doesn't have an opinion. Am I the only person left that can think "nope, i just don't know enough about this subject to comment on it"? Should I just create an opinion now and then vary it as i go along if i learn new facts?
This isn't about trans issues in particular, it could be any subject from Apple vs Android, Israel and Palestine, cream or jam first on a scone... it just seems that everything has to be divisive and you have to be in one camp or the other, with no quarter given to the opposition
They were a almost incredulous when i replied that i didn't know what was obviously a complex and emotive subject in any great detail, and therefore i had no idea whether the court's decision was, in my view, correct or incorrect.
They couldn't believe that someone doesn't have an opinion. Am I the only person left that can think "nope, i just don't know enough about this subject to comment on it"? Should I just create an opinion now and then vary it as i go along if i learn new facts?
This isn't about trans issues in particular, it could be any subject from Apple vs Android, Israel and Palestine, cream or jam first on a scone... it just seems that everything has to be divisive and you have to be in one camp or the other, with no quarter given to the opposition
It's absolutely OK to not have an opinion, or to say that you don't know/understand enough to have a firm or strong opinion on a subject. It's the only reasonable stance on a lot of things, although it does seem to be becoming rarer in a world where we have so much information (of varying quality) at our fingertips and lots of ready-baked opinion to go with it.
You see that here (and many other places) that cover general news, politics topics. Lots of posters making out like Renaissance Men (other gender terms are available...), holding court as insta-experts on whatever's in the headlines based on quick reads of Wikipedia and whatever authoritative-sounding redditor, YouTuber or Medium writer they've found.
On the trans issue specifically, while I do have a personal stance on the issue, it's a subject that I try to avoid talking about (online or in person). It doesn't directly affect me (I am neither transgender or a women...by any definition of either of those terms). I think one reason why it seems so binary (ha!) for so many people is that is a direct assault on their identity and right to exist as they wish. If you're a trans woman the court ruling basically denies you the right to live as you identify. While if you're a woman who is very attached to the socio-biological nature of womanhood then trans women are - as an identity, if not as individuals - a threat to your own identity, often hard-won and defined in opposition to the socio-biological nature of men.
For either of these groups it will seem almost impossible not to have an opinion - and a strongly-held one - about this issue and the current affairs surrounding it. Then there's the 'outer circle' of supporters on both sides who aren't directly affected by the issue but see it as the cutting edge of broader problems.
You see that here (and many other places) that cover general news, politics topics. Lots of posters making out like Renaissance Men (other gender terms are available...), holding court as insta-experts on whatever's in the headlines based on quick reads of Wikipedia and whatever authoritative-sounding redditor, YouTuber or Medium writer they've found.
On the trans issue specifically, while I do have a personal stance on the issue, it's a subject that I try to avoid talking about (online or in person). It doesn't directly affect me (I am neither transgender or a women...by any definition of either of those terms). I think one reason why it seems so binary (ha!) for so many people is that is a direct assault on their identity and right to exist as they wish. If you're a trans woman the court ruling basically denies you the right to live as you identify. While if you're a woman who is very attached to the socio-biological nature of womanhood then trans women are - as an identity, if not as individuals - a threat to your own identity, often hard-won and defined in opposition to the socio-biological nature of men.
For either of these groups it will seem almost impossible not to have an opinion - and a strongly-held one - about this issue and the current affairs surrounding it. Then there's the 'outer circle' of supporters on both sides who aren't directly affected by the issue but see it as the cutting edge of broader problems.
I am very careful about opinions myself. The issue for me is whether I have a proposed solution. For instance I can say and think poverty, crime, fentanyl are very bad things but I have no clear, constructive, affordable and practical solution.
Af for TG my own take is that peoples’ personal identities are their own and my conclusions are not relevant. I have a sense that this is an age- limited conclusion and not to be acted on for young people who might make irrevocable surgical decisions but after that it’s not my business.
Af for TG my own take is that peoples’ personal identities are their own and my conclusions are not relevant. I have a sense that this is an age- limited conclusion and not to be acted on for young people who might make irrevocable surgical decisions but after that it’s not my business.
2xChevrons said:
It's absolutely OK to not have an opinion, or to say that you don't know/understand enough to have a firm or strong opinion on a subject. It's the only reasonable stance on a lot of things, although it does seem to be becoming rarer in a world where we have so much information (of varying quality) at our fingertips and lots of ready-baked opinion to go with it.
You see that here (and many other places) that cover general news, politics topics. Lots of posters making out like Renaissance Men (other gender terms are available...), holding court as insta-experts on whatever's in the headlines based on quick reads of Wikipedia and whatever authoritative-sounding redditor, YouTuber or Medium writer they've found.
On the trans issue specifically, while I do have a personal stance on the issue, it's a subject that I try to avoid talking about (online or in person). It doesn't directly affect me (I am neither transgender or a women...by any definition of either of those terms). I think one reason why it seems so binary (ha!) for so many people is that is a direct assault on their identity and right to exist as they wish. If you're a trans woman the court ruling basically denies you the right to live as you identify. While if you're a woman who is very attached to the socio-biological nature of womanhood then trans women are - as an identity, if not as individuals - a threat to your own identity, often hard-won and defined in opposition to the socio-biological nature of men.
For either of these groups it will seem almost impossible not to have an opinion - and a strongly-held one - about this issue and the current affairs surrounding it. Then there's the 'outer circle' of supporters on both sides who aren't directly affected by the issue but see it as the cutting edge of broader problems.
A good and reasonable post. You sure you belong on PH? You see that here (and many other places) that cover general news, politics topics. Lots of posters making out like Renaissance Men (other gender terms are available...), holding court as insta-experts on whatever's in the headlines based on quick reads of Wikipedia and whatever authoritative-sounding redditor, YouTuber or Medium writer they've found.
On the trans issue specifically, while I do have a personal stance on the issue, it's a subject that I try to avoid talking about (online or in person). It doesn't directly affect me (I am neither transgender or a women...by any definition of either of those terms). I think one reason why it seems so binary (ha!) for so many people is that is a direct assault on their identity and right to exist as they wish. If you're a trans woman the court ruling basically denies you the right to live as you identify. While if you're a woman who is very attached to the socio-biological nature of womanhood then trans women are - as an identity, if not as individuals - a threat to your own identity, often hard-won and defined in opposition to the socio-biological nature of men.
For either of these groups it will seem almost impossible not to have an opinion - and a strongly-held one - about this issue and the current affairs surrounding it. Then there's the 'outer circle' of supporters on both sides who aren't directly affected by the issue but see it as the cutting edge of broader problems.
2xChevrons said:
It's absolutely OK to not have an opinion, or to say that you don't know/understand enough to have a firm or strong opinion on a subject. It's the only reasonable stance on a lot of things, although it does seem to be becoming rarer in a world where we have so much information (of varying quality) at our fingertips and lots of ready-baked opinion to go with it.
I remember a study a few years ago that showed that when people had access to the internet, they were much more confident in their opinions about stuff they didn't actually know much about. When we know we can go and find information about literally any subject, it gives us the confidence to present ourselves as being knowledgeable because we know we can quickly fill in the gaps in our knowledge, or at least convince ourselves we have.Whereas a bunch of people with no access to the internet were much more willing to say they simply didn't know enough to hold a position one way or another.
In short, when knowledge doesn't require effort, we're all convinced we're experts.
boyse7en said:
Got cornered at a party recently by someone i didn't know who wanted to know where i sat on the Transgender debate did I think the court decision that "women" are only biological women was right or not.
They were a almost incredulous when i replied that i didn't know what was obviously a complex and emotive subject in any great detail, and therefore i had no idea whether the court's decision was, in my view, correct or incorrect.
They couldn't believe that someone doesn't have an opinion. Am I the only person left that can think "nope, i just don't know enough about this subject to comment on it"? Should I just create an opinion now and then vary it as i go along if i learn new facts?
This isn't about trans issues in particular, it could be any subject from Apple vs Android, Israel and Palestine, cream or jam first on a scone... it just seems that everything has to be divisive and you have to be in one camp or the other, with no quarter given to the opposition
The correct answer of course, is to ask them their opinion. Then, if you want to have sex with them you agree, and if you don't like them you spend 20 minutes picking obscure faults with their argument.They were a almost incredulous when i replied that i didn't know what was obviously a complex and emotive subject in any great detail, and therefore i had no idea whether the court's decision was, in my view, correct or incorrect.
They couldn't believe that someone doesn't have an opinion. Am I the only person left that can think "nope, i just don't know enough about this subject to comment on it"? Should I just create an opinion now and then vary it as i go along if i learn new facts?
This isn't about trans issues in particular, it could be any subject from Apple vs Android, Israel and Palestine, cream or jam first on a scone... it just seems that everything has to be divisive and you have to be in one camp or the other, with no quarter given to the opposition
That's why I only ever argue with people on PH, none of you are bed worthy
On a serious note, the world would be a much better place if more people just admitted when they don't know stuff or don't have a strong opinion on a topic. Kudos to the OP.
hyperblue said:
They obviously had a strong opinion on the subject and wanted to bore you with their take on it.
Exactly this - I can spot these sort of folk a mile off and usually give them a wide birth or just say 'I don't really have a view on it' which often winds them up.Certain posters on here, one in particular, do the same via the forum.
2xChevrons said:
It's absolutely OK to not have an opinion, or to say that you don't know/understand enough to have a firm or strong opinion on a subject. It's the only reasonable stance on a lot of things, although it does seem to be becoming rarer in a world where we have so much information (of varying quality) at our fingertips and lots of ready-baked opinion to go with it.
Or in the words of Father Jack : Father Jack said:
That would be an ecumenical matter....
boyse7en said:
Got cornered at a party recently by someone i didn't know who wanted to know where i sat on the Transgender debate did I think the court decision that "women" are only biological women was right or not.
They were a almost incredulous when i replied that i didn't know what was obviously a complex and emotive subject in any great detail, and therefore i had no idea whether the court's decision was, in my view, correct or incorrect.
They couldn't believe that someone doesn't have an opinion. Am I the only person left that can think "nope, i just don't know enough about this subject to comment on it"? Should I just create an opinion now and then vary it as i go along if i learn new facts?
This isn't about trans issues in particular, it could be any subject from Apple vs Android, Israel and Palestine, cream or jam first on a scone... it just seems that everything has to be divisive and you have to be in one camp or the other, with no quarter given to the opposition
Knowing what you don't know is a sign of wisdom. Oversimplification and sweeping generalisations, which is what an awful lot of trans arguments involve, is a good indicator of worthless bullsThey were a almost incredulous when i replied that i didn't know what was obviously a complex and emotive subject in any great detail, and therefore i had no idea whether the court's decision was, in my view, correct or incorrect.
They couldn't believe that someone doesn't have an opinion. Am I the only person left that can think "nope, i just don't know enough about this subject to comment on it"? Should I just create an opinion now and then vary it as i go along if i learn new facts?
This isn't about trans issues in particular, it could be any subject from Apple vs Android, Israel and Palestine, cream or jam first on a scone... it just seems that everything has to be divisive and you have to be in one camp or the other, with no quarter given to the opposition
t.I knew a bloke who described himself as "holding strong opinions loosely" and he really did do that. He'd make the case for his point of view quite forcefully, but he also listened and was quite happy to change his opinion if someone could present a better argument. His ego was not on the line. He just wanted the group to make the best decisions and come to the clearest collective positions. It was very refreshing for me, but several of my less confident colleagues struggled with it.
Even if I have an opinion I often suggest that I don't know enough about it, and I'd be happy for them to explain BOTH sides of the argument so I could fully understand. Often you can get people to conceed that thier opinion might not be fully thought-out.
Even better if you can get them to convince themselves that they were in fact too judgemental.
The first time I tried this a groomsman at my niece's wedding in Ohio, starting trying to get me into his rant about Obama care, and comparing it to how st he believed the NHS was.
After explaining that I knew 70 million US citizens had no access to basic health care, and that all would doe if they got cancer, but that the same number of people in the UK could get free Cancer Treatment, just because those people that are currently working pay tax to pay for it.
Even better if you can get them to convince themselves that they were in fact too judgemental.
The first time I tried this a groomsman at my niece's wedding in Ohio, starting trying to get me into his rant about Obama care, and comparing it to how s
t he believed the NHS was. After explaining that I knew 70 million US citizens had no access to basic health care, and that all would doe if they got cancer, but that the same number of people in the UK could get free Cancer Treatment, just because those people that are currently working pay tax to pay for it.
durbster said:
I remember a study a few years ago that showed that when people had access to the internet, they were much more confident in their opinions about stuff they didn't actually know much about. When we know we can go and find information about literally any subject, it gives us the confidence to present ourselves as being knowledgeable because we know we can quickly fill in the gaps in our knowledge, or at least convince ourselves we have.
Whereas a bunch of people with no access to the internet were much more willing to say they simply didn't know enough to hold a position one way or another.
In short, when knowledge doesn't require effort, we're all convinced we're experts.
I will caveat this by saying I have no evidence to support it, but my instinct suggests that access to the internet means that they can easily find others who share their opinion. As such, the confidence to express an opinion comes more from the security of group validation than it does from any supposed ability to acquire knowledge. Those without internet access are without such a safety net, and so are more cautious about taking an uninformed stand.Whereas a bunch of people with no access to the internet were much more willing to say they simply didn't know enough to hold a position one way or another.
In short, when knowledge doesn't require effort, we're all convinced we're experts.
Just a guess though, so happy to be corrected.
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