The Right to Express an Opinion....

[Sunstone]

“The problem with today’s world is that everyone believes they have the right to express their opinion AND have others listen to it.

The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!”

― Brian Cox

Does Cox make sense to you? Why or why not?

 

[Laika]

“The problem with today’s world is that everyone believes they have the right to express their opinion AND have others listen to it.

The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!”

― Brian Cox

Does Cox make sense to you? Why or why not?

It makes perfect sense. I'm less comfortable with the idea of making fun of an idea even if it is demonstrably nonsense. If you really want to convince someone to change their mind, it is better to laugh with them and help them relax rather than at them and put them on the defensive.

 

[Father]

All have the right to their Opinion. All have right to speak that Opinion. I would go as far to say as all have the right to a platform to express that opinion. trying to de platform someone is equal to silencing them.

But that does not mean one's opinion has to be respected.

 

[Kapalika]

“The problem with today’s world is that everyone believes they have the right to express their opinion AND have others listen to it.

The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!”

― Brian Cox

Does Cox make sense to you? Why or why not?

[irony] I'm not going to listen to that nonsense! It's so obviously false! A inept talking ferret could make a more coherent argument than that!

I mean, that's just my opinion about your opinion. [/irony]

Yes, it's a joke... but on the flip-side, like much satire there's a grain of truth somewhere there as well... specifically, that the tendency of the ignoring attitude can breed, well, ignorance. It's why we can continue to create strawmen... we never listen to the other side we are making fun of because humans will often, when set in their ways, not give the other idea a fair chance or take the time to have a real understanding of it.

 

[bobhikes]

“The problem with today’s world is that everyone believes they have the right to express their opinion AND have others listen to it.

The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!”

― Brian Cox

Does Cox make sense to you? Why or why not?

The problem for me is that you can't turn it off if the media picks it up and being that we 24 hour news cycle now they are going to pick it up, and keep jamming it down your throat over and over again. This new one about the deceased veterans is actually making me mad. I keep turning off the station or ignore the internet page if it is talking about it.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

“The problem with today’s world is that everyone believes they have the right to express their opinion AND have others listen to it.

The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!”

― Brian Cox

Does Cox make sense to you? Why or why not?

Of course. If we aren't free to express our opinions on the opinions of others, then we aren't fully free to express our opinions.

 

[Kuzcotopia]

I suppose we'd have to be specific about what a platform is.

To give a speech out in the woods on your own property is one thing. Giving a speech in front of city hall, or at the podium of a school auditorium, is a different matter.

The audience in a public platforms should have at least some say, one would think. There are extreme examples of outright advocation of violence we'd probably all agree on. . . and there are inocuous views we can also all agree on.

But there is going to be a bleeding edge of controversy somewhere.

I think having the debate over that bleeding edge is a good thing, a healthy thing.

The most unhealthy thing we could do is point at that debate, and make a self-righteous claim of "1st amendment!!" for cheap political points.

 

[Twilight Hue]

“The problem with today’s world is that everyone believes they have the right to express their opinion AND have others listen to it.

The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!”

― Brian Cox

Does Cox make sense to you? Why or why not?

Depends on forum rules and the discretion of its owners.

Rights are limited . ....... Bawww ha haha!!!!!!!!

 

[Valjean]

Should we be free to express opinions that others find upsetting?
Should we be free to act on such beliefs?

 

[David T]

“The problem with today’s world is that everyone believes they have the right to express their opinion AND have others listen to it.

The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!”

― Brian Cox

Does Cox make sense to you? Why or why not?

“The problem with today’s world is that everyone believes they have the right to express their opinion AND have others listen to it.

The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!”

― Brian Cox

Does Cox make sense to you? Why or why not?

Seems public nudity has become the norm, and boy is it ugly!!!!

 

[Quetzal]

“The problem with today’s world is that everyone believes they have the right to express their opinion AND have others listen to it.

The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!”

― Brian Cox

Does Cox make sense to you? Why or why not?

Sure, I think that goes without saying. This line of thinking is basic but it still surprises me that people believe their opinion deserves merit for the sake of it being their own.

 

[Sunstone]

“I respect you as a person too much to respect your ridiculous beliefs.” ― Johann Hari

 

[It Aint Necessarily So]

“The problem with today’s world is that everyone believes they have the right to express their opinion AND have others listen to it.

The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!”

― Brian Cox

Does Cox make sense to you? Why or why not?

I don't see that as "the problem with today's world." I don't see that as a problem at all. As Cox notes, opinions can be ignored or ridiculed (there are other options, but those are the ones named).

Ridicule is a great tool. It's much more pleasant than anger or even neutral criticism. Some of the best commentary comes from people like Bill Maher, Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, Trevor Noah, Seth Myers, and the late Bill Hicks and George Carlin

How about this? :

• "I don't like country music, but I don't mean to denigrate those who do. And for the people who like country music, 'denigrate' means put down.'" - Bob Newhart

 

[LuisDantas]

Does Cox make sense to you? Why or why not?

Definitely. Expression is a right. Being listened to is a privilege which should not be taken for granted.

Expression involves investing one's own time, interest and effort. Being listened to demands the attention of others, who will have competing interests of their own.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

“The problem with today’s world is that everyone believes they have the right to express their opinion AND have others listen to it.

The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!”

― Brian Cox

Does Cox make sense to you? Why or why not?

It reminds me of why the whole "controversy" currently surrounding the NFL is such hogwash. Those players have the right to do so, yet all these "individual right" Conservatives *****ing up a storm clearly don't respect the rights of others when it offends them. If anything, it proves that the "Liberals at UCLA and Berkeley" aren't the only ones displaying signs of "no dissension allowed."
But, the mark of things running smoothly is when we can accept the rights of others and not get up in arms about it. America is grievously failing at this right now.

 

[BSM1]

“The problem with today’s world is that everyone believes they have the right to express their opinion AND have others listen to it.

The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!”

― Brian Cox

Does Cox make sense to you? Why or why not?

He's certainly entitled to his opinion, but he may be on to something.

 

[Father Heathen]

Should we be free to express opinions that others find upsetting?

Even if you say "no", you're still expressing an opinion that others find upsetting, so it's a catch 22.

 

[Father Heathen]

“The problem with today’s world is that everyone believes they have the right to express their opinion AND have others listen to it.

The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!”

― Brian Cox

Does Cox make sense to you? Why or why not?

Yeah. I've noticed that a lot of people whine about their free speech somehow being violated when their views are met with criticism and ridicule, which isn't a form censorship, of course. It's just the other guy practicing their free speech as well.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Not all opinions are created equal and some rights are too easily abused.

 

[methylatedghosts]

“The problem with today’s world is that everyone believes they have the right to express their opinion AND have others listen to it.

The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!”

― Brian Cox

Does Cox make sense to you? Why or why not?

How I misread the thread title