The right to irresponsible speech.

[Jayhawker Soule]

We live in an amazing time. Books are readily available, and the internet provides ready access to a wealth of information. And yet, with all this newfound wealth, it is remarkably common to see people enthusiastically promote opinions on topics about which they remain steadfastedly uninformed.

No one doubts the right to irresponsible speech, but the underlying communication is clear: 'As far as I'm concerned, this topic does not warrant the effort involved in even the most modest inquiry'. I suspect that this speaks more to the value of the opinion than the value of the topic.

Never must the church tire of reminding men that they have a moral responsibility to be intelligent. [MLK]​

 

[Ozzie]

We live in an amazing time. Books are readily available, and the internet provides ready access to a wealth of information. And yet, with all this newfound wealth, it is remarkably common to see people enthusiastically promote opinions on topics about which they remain steadfastedly uninformed.

No one doubts the right to irresponsible speech, but the underlying communication is clear: 'As far as I'm concerned, this topic does not warrant the effort involved in even the most modest inquiry'. I suspect that this speaks more to the value of the opinion than the value of the topic.

Never must the church tire of reminding men that they have a moral responsibility to be intelligent. [MLK]​

Does "responsible speech" require a footnote? Is speaking one' mind ever responsible? How so?

 

[YmirGF]

...it is remarkably common to see people enthusiastically promote opinions on topics about which they remain steadfastedly uninformed.

... and yet, we are expected to be respectful of that steadfastly uninformed opinion. I would rather expect that the respect should be scaled to the level of accuracy involved.

I suspect that this speaks more to the value of the opinion than the value of the topic.

It is always somewhat stunning when one runs into those who never seem to never let facts inhibit their thinking. Why is it reasoable to blather on and on about the nature of pixie dust rather than present an assembled audience with glittering handfuls of said pixie dust?

 

[Bathsheba]

We live in an amazing time. Books are readily available, and the internet provides ready access to a wealth of information. And yet, with all this newfound wealth, it is remarkably common to see people enthusiastically promote opinions on topics about which they remain steadfastedly uninformed.

No one doubts the right to irresponsible speech, but the underlying communication is clear: 'As far as I'm concerned, this topic does not warrant the effort involved in even the most modest inquiry'. I suspect that this speaks more to the value of the opinion than the value of the topic.

Hey Jay, dig the mini-rant - confirmation bias blows, I get it. I want to recommend a book that will give you a more nuanced view of what you are encountering. Amazon.com: The Thinker's Toolkit: 14 Powerful Techniques for Problem Solving: Books: Morgan D. Jones Even if you just read the comments, it should expand on your limited conclusion.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

Most people live their lives very happily with out gathering too many facts.

You chose a girlfriend or wife on physical attraction.
A car on its street cred.
a house on its district.
school and college subjects on what you find easiest.
a Job or career on the first good offer.

Why should what we write on a forum be any different?:faint:

 

[Bathsheba]

Most people live their lives very happily with out gathering too many facts.

You chose a girlfriend or wife on physical attraction.
A car on its street cred.
a house on its district.
school and college subjects on what you find easiest.
a Job or career on the first good offer.

Why should what we write on a forum be any different?:faint:

Great point Terry, it really shouldn't be surprising when we take common behaviors into consideration.

 

[Buttercup]

No one doubts the right to irresponsible speech, but the underlying communication is clear: 'As far as I'm concerned, this topic does not warrant the effort involved in even the most modest inquiry'. I suspect that this speaks more to the value of the opinion than the value of the topic.

If your comments are regarding a person stating an erroneous point as fact, perhaps they didn't feel the need to investigate because somehow they 'learned' that tidbit from a supposedly reliable source and assumed it's truth....happens all the time.

Now, if you're making that comment because people argue repeated false/limited information after being told they're wrong, that is dumb.

Surely you don't expect people to know everything? Could you explain your complaint further?

 

[Reverend Rick]

Rosie O Donald and Rush Limbaugh come to mind.

 

[Willamena]

Why should what we write on a forum be any different?

Maybe because the opinion expressed represents you.

 

[Willamena]

Rosie O Donald and Rush Limbaugh come to mind.

Oddly, so does Ronald McDonald.

 

[Willamena]

We live in an amazing time. Books are readily available, and the internet provides ready access to a wealth of information. And yet, with all this newfound wealth, it is remarkably common to see people enthusiastically promote opinions on topics about which they remain steadfastedly uninformed.

So what's new? (about this age)

No one doubts the right to irresponsible speech, but the underlying communication is clear: 'As far as I'm concerned, this topic does not warrant the effort involved in even the most modest inquiry'. I suspect that this speaks more to the value of the opinion than the value of the topic.

Never must the church tire of reminding men that they have a moral responsibility to be intelligent. [MLK]​

You give the Internet and library access far too much credit, either that or Internet discussions far too much. Google turns up a hundred hits, 95% of them irrelevant opinions or porn related, and the library is a journey away. Getting facts is far too much effort for a response on an Internet forum.

 

[Scuba Pete]

Ah Jay...

the internet has proven what was once merely a paradox: A million monkeys on a million key boards CAN write a novel.

But in reality, forums are best when there is controversy. Controversy can not exist if we all possess the same knowledge and/or understanding. Part of the controversy lies in the differing perspectives of what evidences we accept/reject as well as the various disciplines involved.

Add to this the varying motives for frequenting a forum:
Some come to evangelize.
Some come to troll.
Some come to argue.
Some come to debate.
Some come to have fun.
Some even come to learn.
Most come for more than one reason.

In any conversation, it is best to know your audience. This forum is no different. Yes, it's hard not to cast your pearls before swine, but it's best if we give them the benefit of the doubt until such time as they erase all doubt. Then it's time to hit the "Ignore the Troll" button. I usually have one or two people on ignore at any given time. It saves my sanity and keepss me from wasting my time on those who are truly destitute when it comes to intelligence or tact.

 

[gnomon]

We live in an amazing time. Books are readily available, and the internet provides ready access to a wealth of information. And yet, with all this newfound wealth, it is remarkably common to see people enthusiastically promote opinions on topics about which they remain steadfastedly uninformed.

No one doubts the right to irresponsible speech, but the underlying communication is clear: 'As far as I'm concerned, this topic does not warrant the effort involved in even the most modest inquiry'. I suspect that this speaks more to the value of the opinion than the value of the topic.

Never must the church tire of reminding men that they have a moral responsibility to be intelligent. [MLK]​

Sometimes, I am one of those people. It is at those times I find I just don't want to let go of what I want to be.

So then I look in a mirror and scream WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! DOGGIE!:slap:

 

[Guitar's Cry]

There is no uninformed opinion.

 

[Reverend Rick]

There is no uninformed opinion.

But unpopular opinions are dismissed and ridiculed. I guess everyone would rather be popular and be told how to think.

If we applied the popular opinion that is current to the past, we would all be speaking japanese or German right now.

 

[Ozzie]

There is no uninformed opinion.

Nor is there any uninformed "value of a topic".

 

[Guitar's Cry]

But unpopular opinions are dismissed and ridiculed.

This is often true...

 

[Guitar's Cry]

Nor is there any uninformed "value of a topic".

Right. Nor, an uninformed "value of a post/poster."

 

[Ozzie]

Right. Nor, an uninformed "value of a post/poster."

So we come full circle

 

[Quagmire]

Yes, irresponsible speech is annoying.

It's amazing how someone can devote their lives to educating themselves, aquire a stunning vocabulary, achieve perfect spelling and grammerical skills,...and still have nothing to say (over and above whining because someone else might).