Why do you feel it's important to express your opinion?

[Villages PL]

I don't mean opinions pertaining to helping someone with a personal problem.
I mean opinions on the important current events of the day. We have all done this many times over the years. Are we getting somewhere with it or getting something out of it? In what way are we/you better off for having done so?

Is giving your opinion a prescription for delaying the onset of dimentia? If you're going to get Alzheimer's, the seeds for that have already been planted, so good luck with that.

Are you going to save the world with your opinions?

Are you going to help stop the other guy from poluting the world with his/her dumb, uninformed, wrongheaded opinions? And without you he might prevail?

Perhaps you don't have any plan and it's just a strange compulsion/obsession? Are you on the board 2, 3, 4 or 5 hours per day? How many posts have you racked up?

Does it give you a feeling of self-worth? 15 minutes of fame?

If you die tomorrow, who's going to defend "right from wrong"? And if it doesn't matter, why are you here today?

Other reasons?

[Golfingnut]

Wow, I have over a thousand posts. Thank you and I will slow down.

[JB in TV]

I'd like to believe that when I express my opinion on a public forum, I am asking for either verification of my opinion, or asking for an opposing view point I hadn't considered. Those who know me say while I do have opinions, I am also open to other peoples view points and have often (well, perhaps sometimes) changed my opinion.

Regarding post count...I never look at mine...I was "involved" in another heavily trafficked forum and there were a few posters who made it a point to discuss and try to out post each other. I found it childish, at best.

[ijusluvit]

Goodness sake, his one's an easy question.

When we dialogue with others about substantial topics, the responses we get are often enlightening and different from what we were thinking. That can expand our mind and we can learn and grow.

That's a good thing.

[CFrance]

Goodness sake, his one's an easy question.

When we dialogue with others about substantial topics, the responses we get are often enlightening and different from what we were thinking. That can expand our mind and we can learn and grow.

That's a good thing.


Amen. And simple. Why must every little thing be picked apart to death? Maybe people just enjoy communicating with each other.

[graciegirl]

Amen. And simple. Why must every little thing be picked apart to death? Maybe people just enjoy communicating with each other.

I love the folks who speak right into my heart. I smile when I see their avatar.

We may not always agree politically, but it doesn't keep me from just loving them.

And some of them feel warm toward me.

It's just sittin' and a talkin' like most seniors have always done.

[kittygilchrist]

if I don't say turn on the lanai lights so the newly hatched frogs can catch more insects, who will?

[asianthree]

because you can

[justjim]

I read and listen to learn and I express my opinions to validate what I learn. I think if we are really honest as to why we express our opinions it's because most of us want to see who agrees or disagrees with us. However, occasionally we don't care!

[Uptown Girl]

I don't mean opinions pertaining to helping someone with a personal problem.
I mean opinions on the important current events of the day. We have all done this many times over the years. Are we getting somewhere with it or getting something out of it? In what way are we/you better off for having done so?

Is giving your opinion a prescription for delaying the onset of dimentia? If you're going to get Alzheimer's, the seeds for that have already been planted, so good luck with that.

Are you going to save the world with your opinions?

Are you going to help stop the other guy from poluting the world with his/her dumb, uninformed, wrongheaded opinions? And without you he might prevail?

Perhaps you don't have any plan and it's just a strange compulsion/obsession? Are you on the board 2, 3, 4 or 5 hours per day? How many posts have you racked up?

Does it give you a feeling of self-worth? 15 minutes of fame?

If you die tomorrow, who's going to defend "right from wrong"? And if it doesn't matter, why are you here today?

Other reasons?

Is this a list of things you have pondered concerning your own personal motivations or style? How have YOU answered your own questions, VillagesPL?

If this was meant for others and not you, then I will oblige:

I tend to keep my opinions of current world events private and subscribe to the notion that others be allowed to think or believe as they choose.

[pooh]

Sometimes we give our opinions in the hope that others will agree with us. Other times we give our opinions hoping to influence others, swaying their thoughts, hoping they will see that we are indeed right.

As for why people post lots, we really have no clue and it shouldn't be of any importance to us. Individuals' circumstances change from day to day. Some days they may feel like spending time with their cyber family on TOTV, other days, different things keep them busy.

My opinion and I'm sticking with it....:D

[DougB]

I really have no opinion.

[SALYBOW]

I love the folks who speak right into my heart. I smile when I see their avatar.

We may not always agree politically, but it doesn't keep me from just loving them.

And some of them feel warm toward me.

It's just sittin' and a talkin' like most seniors have always done.

We all love you Gracie!:smiley:

[billethkid]

Standing and being counted for what one believes with pride, concern, helpfully, constructive dialogue in pursuit of one's personal beliefs.

Nothing oblique or between the lines or with oblique intent.

No more. No less.

A social adhesive needed by most of us.

Btk

[jblum315]

Many many years ago my father told me there are three things you don't talk about except with family. They are religion, politics and money. He left out sex since no one talked about it in those days. I have found it to be a sound policy.

[senior citizen]

Goodness sake, his one's an easy question.

When we dialogue with others about substantial topics, the responses we get are often enlightening and different from what we were thinking. That can expand our mind and we can learn and grow.

That's a good thing.

I do believe you've said it "in a nutshell".......I agree with you totally.

This is the "connected generation" of younger folks and we seniors are right up there along with all of them...........especially since we are retired with time for more contemplation......

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,

An aside to the o.p.

I do believe that using your mind can keep your brain sharp.....although true dementia has many causes and is not always hereditary.

They've done a survey in Sweden whereby the Viet Nam era deserters to Sweden who did hashish, are now coming down with dementia/Alzheimers.

[gomoho]

We are human beings and have the need to share our beliefs and opinion with other human beings. This is how we share and hopefully learn. And yes, I do believe even if the seeds of Alzheimers have been planted keeping one's mind sharp may just delay those seeds from sprouting too early.

[Patty55]

They've done a survey in Sweden whereby the Viet Nam era deserters to Sweden who did hashish, are now coming down with dementia/Alzheimers.

Whoa, what a BUZZ KILLER.

[Villages PL]

I really have no opinion.

Yes, you do.....:) (You just don't realize it yet, give it some time and it will come to you.)

[CFrance]

I really have no opinion.

Yes, you do.....:) (You just don't realize it yet, give it some time and it will come to you.)

I believe that was a subtle joke. I could be wrong.

[l2ridehd]

We voice our opinions about current events because we are a free people and have that right. There are many examples in history where people were not allowed to say what they think and the results were terrible.

In the late 30's the Germans had the "Brownshirts" a national police of thugs who suppressed free speech and arrested and beat those who spoke out against Hitler. The results were the Holocaust.

Tiananmen Square Massacre in 1989 is another example.

The killing fields in Cambodia is another

I can make a list of over 100 if you like. Today we have the right to express our opinions on events that surround us. If we choose to be like sheep and led to where ever our fools in power want to take us, then I pity us.

We speak out because we can. And I for one never want to give up that right or see those that I disagree with lose that right.

[Madelaine Amee]

We voice our opinions about current events because we are a free people and have that right. There are many examples in history where people were not allowed to say what they think and the results were terrible.

In the late 30's the Germans had the "Brownshirts" a national police of thugs who suppressed free speech and arrested and beat those who spoke out against Hitler. The results were the Holocaust.

Tiananmen Square Massacre in 1989 is another example.

The killing fields in Cambodia is another

I can make a list of over 100 if you like. Today we have the right to express our opinions on events that surround us. If we choose to be like sheep and led to where ever our fools in power want to take us, then I pity us.

We speak out because we can. And I for one never want to give up that right or see those that I disagree with lose that right.

:BigApplause::BigApplause:

[rubicon]

The OP question is so broad that there are a number of permutations applicable . As we all are aware we are all entitled to our opinions but we are not entitled to the facts. So an important element of an opinion is to try and be factually correct.

I lived in a state where I found a good percentage of the population were as I termed it polite but less than honest. I mean nothing can be solved without open and honest discussion. so as a society we render an opinion as a means of education staking out our position on a matter. sharing ideas, etc.

As I stated before in my family we were required to discuss politics and religion but we stayed away from recipes (I'm kidding). what was required was that you better be able to defend your position. My brother has always been a nudge so he would often take an opposing position just to debate.

In today's society that is no longer possible because we are so polarized which explains the political correctness ploy intended on refusing to communicate. As citizens we have seen the consequences in all of our institutions and especially in our government

I always speak my mind trying to remain civil, diplomatic and open to new thoughts and ideas. I do so on a one to one, writing my opinion to editors, members of congress, etc As one poster was wise to point out in some culture you are not allowed to express your opinion. In such a culture I would die

[Taltarzac725]

I came on TOTV in July of 2007 looking for a new place to vent about frustrations with my project about making practical resources for victims/survivors of crimes more accessible which a Villages Daily Sun reporter Gary Corsair covered to a very limited extent and with many errors and omissions back on May 28, 2007 in the Neighbor to Neighbor section. We had already been living in the Villages for two years by then having moved here in late June of 2005.

I had tried Findlaw's boards which the Sysop (Systems Operator) had told me was a very good venue for this Project (around 2001 through 2005)when I first started in 2001 or so but I soon attracted one of the nastiest and cleverest trolls who frequently made extremely sophomoric posts. He posted to pretty much everything I did with personal attacks going after every from my sex life, personal and family's safety, mental health, and anything else he could come up with to harass, annoy, and irritate me. This went on for four years or so. The troll turned out to be a defendant in a white collar crime case in Chesterfield County, Virginia who was very angry with me and others on Findlaw's boards who would not supply him with the court cases he needed to argue his case which it sounded like he was doing on his own (i.e. without a lawyer). He was very friendly with his regular account but would post with a new alias and use it to make extremely outrageous comments. It did take me years to figure out his Mr. Hyde split personality like online. Probably to the entertainment of many people. And, very much a huge headache to the Findlaw sysop who had to look for a myriad of aliases probably posted from various places.

I try not to bore people too much with this project and only mention it on occasion on TOTV. It is very important to me. Leveling the playing field for survivors/victims of crimes, defendants who may be innocent, etc. seems to me to be something that the Founding Fathers would have strongly agreed with as they were often self-made men who needed all the access to practical information they could get. Their survival often depended on it.

Neighbor to neighbor though is a good description of my feelings towards TOTV. I post on a variety of topics and value the opinions of others-- as long as they are thoughtfully presented with a certain degree of courtesy and maturity. Hate it when it becomes something you might find a on junior high school bathroom wall as it often did (and does) on various other web-sites.

And I am not competing with others to see who can make the most posts, get in the last word, or whatever.

[jean1954]

Well said!

[Bucco]

For me, the important thing is that any opinion expressed be YOUR opinion, based on your own reading and research, and NOT simply the mouthing of another.

With today's 24/7 cable, we listen but never check to see if what we heard was true. Under those conditions, and by ignoring all other input, we become an empty slate and a pawn.

[Madelaine Amee]

For me, the important thing is that any opinion expressed be YOUR opinion, based on your own reading and research, and NOT simply the mouthing of another.

With today's 24/7 cable, we listen but never check to see if what we heard was true. Under those conditions, and by ignoring all other input, we become an empty slate and a pawn.

Well said! I am forever returning emails that are so obviously ridiculous and asking the sender "do you ever check the facts before sending this junk", for which I am becoming (in their eyes) an enemy of the State.

[CFrance]

For me, the important thing is that any opinion expressed be YOUR opinion, based on your own reading and research, and NOT simply the mouthing of another.

With today's 24/7 cable, we listen but never check to see if what we heard was true. Under those conditions, and by ignoring all other input, we become an empty slate and a pawn.

That's why verification sites like Snopes.com are a good idea for people without time or inclination to do research. You can check your facts before
posting.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Amen. And simple. Why must every little thing be picked apart to death? Maybe people just enjoy communicating with each other.

That was pretty much my opinion when I read the OP. How is this any different from people getting together and chatting.

[Bucco]

That's why verification sites like Snopes.com are a good idea for people without time or inclination to do research. You can check your facts before
posting.

For me, just reading all sides of an issue. Reading newspapers of ALL slants, not just mine. Doing research and either ignoring bias presentations or insuring I balance them...ie., if I read the right view, insure I study the left view before determine how I feel.

I very seldom rely on ANY TV for current events....all have a bias

[Villages PL]

I believe that was a subtle joke. I could be wrong.

I assumed he was joking so I decided to do the same. Jokes are no fun if you have to explain them. Talk about picking everything apart. :-)

[Villages PL]

Many many years ago my father told me there are three things you don't talk about except with family. They are religion, politics and money. He left out sex since no one talked about it in those days. I have found it to be a sound policy.

I think some people would like to add food to that list.

[Villages PL]

Amen. And simple. Why must every little thing be picked apart to death?

That's a good question. Most of the topics on this board, especially the most exciting ones, are topics that get picked apart to death. For example, Martin vs Zimmerman, mass shootings, gun ownership issues, good pope/ bad pope, just to name a few.

Basically, we're both asking the same question. On this thread, I inquired about motives -why we do what we do. And you're asking why must every little thing be picked apart to death. That's what usually happens on every thread.

So far, neither one of us has said explicitly that we think it's "good" or "bad". We're just asking "why".


Maybe people just enjoy communicating with each other.

There's nothing wrong with communicating as long as it's enjoyed and done respectfully. But it doesn't always work that way, judging by the many threads that have recently been shut down.