I will admit that I feel highly intimidated on here at times. Many people on here have such well developed opinions. I think it's good in a way though, as it challenges me to develop mine more.
I guess I'm sort of nervous about sharing my own opinions of things. Conversations about things can get heated. I admit I find it hard to read through an argument that I strongly disagree with and I consequently post very little comments due to that. I hate getting in arguments with people and I'd much rather just back out or admit someone is right if I find I'm not entirely sure what I'm talking about and the other person had made a point I can't [with evidence] contest.
Which is better - to back out if you're not entirely sure; to admit you don't know? Or to go ahead and argue for all you're worth?
And does anybody else hang back when they're about to post something, wonder if their post isn't well developed enough, or think that maybe what they're saying is just repetitive and will be boring to anyone reading it?
There are lots of times where I'll type a lot more than I'll actually submit. Today alone I've probably taken the time to write 15 comments that will never be seen by anyone becuase the thoughts were too racist, dirty, graphic, etc. Sometimes I'm too sarcastic for my own good.
Anyhow, I think it is better to admit you don't know because many users will take the time to explain whatever it is that you don't know. I know I have before (not for you, but others).
Nicholas Aden
Self-Promotion
ARGUE!
And don't feel intimidated. The great thing about ProU is that somebody can hate what you have to say, argue it with a passion, but then totally agree with you on a different point and in that post you'll be best friends.
No one is here to judge, per say. We may agree or disagree with our whole hearts, but as long as you're not degrading anyone, everybody respects what you have to say.
Say what's on your mind and in your heart. We'll listen. We may argue. But it's always fun to let it all out :)
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Even though you could just click my picture :) http://progressiveu.org/blog/burningexample
Thank you! That was very welcoming. And I've noticed that. People here generally have a nice attitude even if they're totally tearing apart what I'm saying. I guess I'm just used to forums where people think more like "If you disagree with me you're a piece of crap!" though I do see a few people on here that act that way and that really bothers me.
Lol yeah, I know what you mean.
Don't get me wrong, I kind of have a bad habit of attacking people... but only when they attack me. If someone says "you're retarded" I'll say "no I'm not, you're being an idiot and misunderstanding me" or something. It's probably not the best thing to do on my part, but don't worry... as long as you're not personally attacking someone, their comments will only be toward the subject you're writing about, not you as a person ;)
Have fun. I like arguing. I like agreeing. That's why I love this site.
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Even though you could just click my picture :) http://progressiveu.org/blog/burningexample
I'm okay with sharing my opinion and that's just me. There's some topics I'm not sure how everyone will react to, but it might be something they don't know and want to know. It's good to write about stuff you know AND might not know anything about. I google most of my stuff and write about it and by that I learn new stuff. Just write what you think people should know. Go for it!
I think it is better to admit that you don't know, you can learn more that way. If you just back out you don't learn anything and cut yourself off.
I just post whatever I feel like posting. Express yourself there will always be people who agree, people who disagree, think you're brilliant, or think you've lost your mind.
Don't argue; debate. Debate has no vested interest--the problem with a lot of users on ProgressiveU is that they have an extreme attachment to their beliefs. It's practically a moral sin for them to be wrong--and this tends to lead to a lot of irritable arguing and back-smack (and denial). (Well, that's actually not so bad here but it happens a lot otherwise.)
If you don't have a well developed argument, don't say anything. In fact, if you can't come up with one (and I don't mean brain-blocked--you really CAN'T come up with one that will stand its own ground, at all), that usually means the other person is correct, and you should listen to them.
If you're going to post your underdeveloped arguments, you're going to get ripped up or just ignored (your opinions, rather). That's how it works. But as long as you take everything in stride and lightly and understand that specific beliefs and opinions (I say SPECIFIC because having no belief or opinion tends to make you listless, boring, indecisive and unmoving) are about as valuable as dust bunnies.
We're all kind of a little delusional about our cute little dust bunnies, though.
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The 30 Day Reality Trial--join up!
Are people not reading your blogs?
your opinion and it is quite okay to not comment on something if you disagree with it but are not able to express why or how you disagree with something.
I think you make sensible and reasonable comments and maybe if you don't know but want to comment you should just say that you don't know much about the topic but you want to share your opinions.....
do not feel intimidated though, you have the ability to gain power through knowledge
"I leave my one and only grain of spiritual sand
to universal scales of humanity, all humanity...
forever is finding a solution to a solution." -Forever Begins, Common
http://www.progressiveu.org/231615-this-is-a-muslim-girls-plight
Think for a second: What do you have to lose? Pissing off someone on the internet costs you nothing like pissing off, say, a boss would. It costs you nothing to sharpen your debating skills here.
T.k.
I hang back and make sure I've thought through exactly what I want to say, and I'll edit and re-edit until it is exactly as I wanted it to be, especially if it's in reply to something that pissed me off or I am passionate about. I don't like to get into knee jerk reactions, so make sure it's what I want to say, not something I'm going to regret later.
I tend not to just give it up though. You only live once, might as well make it worth it and challenge yourself. Half the fun of blogging is being proven wrong.
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~Fallon~
"I stood
Among them, but not of them; in a shroud of thoughts which were not their thoughts" -Lord Byron
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Oh yeah, forgot to add--Socratic method (and irony) is the way to go. It takes a really long time in the form of comments, but it can really rip someone who doesn't have a solid argument apart (and you should have the insight to know when to use it). It's particularly good for morals and philosophy--but then you have to go back to the basics if you want to get anywhere.
Also, yes, I didn't like my environmental entry and it had several potential holes put through it (I'm not sure they were holes put through them or not, which is why I say potential). I also meant to post one on... uh. What was it again? Oh, right, political correctness. Then I realized: "Hey, this sucks. It has no oomph." And I scrapped it. The same goes for comments, as tempted as I am to be scathing... I just let it go and move on.
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The 30 Day Reality Trial--join up!
Are people not reading your blogs?
I never back out when I want to say something. I might not have all of the information I need to back myself up so I will tell you that I am not quiet sure about it.
You should never back out when you are about to say something. Be confident with yourself and people will respect you a lot more.
You should tell them your honest answers. Even if you do not know the subject well, tell your opinion anyway because at the end I'm pretty sure people will fill you in.
"I might not know the subject fully, but I think..."
At least you're putting something onto the table. There is nothing wrong when people try to argue with you. It will be a challenge and something that can help you improve your knowledge as well. It's a win-win situation. I used to be scared too. What if they don't get me? What if they have different views? What if they hate me because I wrote this? Then I realizes, forget it. I'm writing what I think is right. If someone takes their time to explain why my position is wrong, I will gladly except it. It's better than leaving myself in the dark, don't you think?
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http://www.mylot.com/?ref=truelife
Honestly... no. I am not ever intimidated. I have been trained to never be ashamed of my writing, because as long as I am communicating something useful and being honest, what I write is worth reading.
I also know that it is possible to be informed, and intellient, and interesting, and still have a life outside writing. It actually doesn't take very long, and it makes writing more enjoyable because you learn while you are at it.
You have an ability to recognize and communicate the "duh" thoughts that everyone thinks about but forgets that they thought. That is very special. Hone it.
Best of luck!
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"I always knew I wanted to be somebody. I guess I should have been more specific."
~Unknown