It seems self-defeating, this habit or imposed culture on keeping the peace of a conversation, never daring to correct or offend. Sometimes there is no possible way to say You are so, totally, absolutely wrong. without being accused of trying to start an argument or debate, as though it is a very bad thing. Its often conflict where things become clarified, where the silent and opinion-less have an opportunity to realize that some opinions are, in actuality, quite extreme and harmful. Debate, when properly following respect for valid sources (usually something more rigorous than wikipedia), rhetoric (ex:no name calling) and logic (ex:keeping on subject) can be refreshing and informative. If you hold all your opinions as absolute, then you are no longer learning. It is in the environment of supposed politeness that some really erroneous ideas take root and spread, to a point that it becomes, for example, climate change versus climate skeptics. When its really a case of : climate change versus vested-interest-opinion/propaganda-and-their-trusting-followers. By holding the short-term peace, we lose the long-term tranquility that makes our society possible. As an ancient Chinese saying goes: Surround yourself with people who agree with you, and die a surprised tyrant. (Like Gaddafi)
Posted on: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 22:52:27 +0000
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