Post by epicfail on Jan 26, 2008 13:33:07 GMT -5
All right, kiddies. It's time for a little lesson about respect.
Now, there are a lot of things I could say about this particular subject, but the one I want to focus on is debating.
Now, those of you who know me in person or have read any of my rants, know that I'm a very opinionated person and for the most part I know how to present my case without making an ass out of myself...for the most part.
What I hate is when a person brings up a topic to debate about, and then acts like a total a-hole about it. If you want somebody to agree with you about something, make sure you have your facts straight AND you fully understand the other side of the debate. And please, don't get mad if someone still disagrees with you after you've presented all your information. That's so immature.
Anyway.
One particular thing that's irritated me since about oh...I'd say maybe 5th grade, is when a teacher starts an open discussion about something that's particularly personal: Religion, politics, you name it, something everyone can have an opinion about that isn't necessarily correct (even though everyone THINKS they are. we'll just agree to disagree for now I'm getting to my point.) and then they go off and change the subject once it starts getting heated or somebody with a brain decides to share their ideas.
Ok. I'm gonna say this nicely. YOU CAN'T DO THAT, JERK. You can't open a discussion and then ignore ONE person.
Every teacher who's ever done that to me...I have no respect for. At all. If you're gonna bring up something that subjective, you have to consider the possibility that people are gonna get offended. This is why I tend to shy away from particular subjects when I'm talking to people.
Nobody knows how to debate anymore. It's completely lost its value. Sometimes when people debate they'll never come to an agreement and that's fine. The point is to share ideas so you don't end up an ignorant asshole and THAT is why you can't just change the subject when somebody tells you that your particular religion doesn't appeal to their sense of logic or something along those lines.
The thing about me is I'm NOT afraid of speaking my mind, but I know the right time to hold my tongue.
One of my best friends is basically my polar opposite when it comes to particular opinions. She's a Catholic, a republican, she's pro-life, anti-choice, against gay rights, and the list goes on. I personally hate George Bush, I think he's an asshole. I'm pro-choice and I think that gay people should be allowed to do whatever they want. I think that banning gay marriage would violate the separation of church and state. Does she know this? Yes. Have we discussed these subjects? Yes. Are we still friends? Yes.
See, here's the thing. Conversations can get tricky. We all know this. One slip of the tongue and you've completely lost your argument.
so all I really have to say in closing is I guess that if you have no problem being an asshole, then go ahead and be an asshole. But if you are a well-respected member of society and you like having friends then...don't be an asshole. Acknowledge that everyone has an opinion, not everyone will agree with you, don't offend anybody, know your facts, and have an open mind, don't turn away any ideas.
The end.
Now, there are a lot of things I could say about this particular subject, but the one I want to focus on is debating.
Now, those of you who know me in person or have read any of my rants, know that I'm a very opinionated person and for the most part I know how to present my case without making an ass out of myself...for the most part.
What I hate is when a person brings up a topic to debate about, and then acts like a total a-hole about it. If you want somebody to agree with you about something, make sure you have your facts straight AND you fully understand the other side of the debate. And please, don't get mad if someone still disagrees with you after you've presented all your information. That's so immature.
Anyway.
One particular thing that's irritated me since about oh...I'd say maybe 5th grade, is when a teacher starts an open discussion about something that's particularly personal: Religion, politics, you name it, something everyone can have an opinion about that isn't necessarily correct (even though everyone THINKS they are. we'll just agree to disagree for now I'm getting to my point.) and then they go off and change the subject once it starts getting heated or somebody with a brain decides to share their ideas.
Ok. I'm gonna say this nicely. YOU CAN'T DO THAT, JERK. You can't open a discussion and then ignore ONE person.
Every teacher who's ever done that to me...I have no respect for. At all. If you're gonna bring up something that subjective, you have to consider the possibility that people are gonna get offended. This is why I tend to shy away from particular subjects when I'm talking to people.
Nobody knows how to debate anymore. It's completely lost its value. Sometimes when people debate they'll never come to an agreement and that's fine. The point is to share ideas so you don't end up an ignorant asshole and THAT is why you can't just change the subject when somebody tells you that your particular religion doesn't appeal to their sense of logic or something along those lines.
The thing about me is I'm NOT afraid of speaking my mind, but I know the right time to hold my tongue.
One of my best friends is basically my polar opposite when it comes to particular opinions. She's a Catholic, a republican, she's pro-life, anti-choice, against gay rights, and the list goes on. I personally hate George Bush, I think he's an asshole. I'm pro-choice and I think that gay people should be allowed to do whatever they want. I think that banning gay marriage would violate the separation of church and state. Does she know this? Yes. Have we discussed these subjects? Yes. Are we still friends? Yes.
See, here's the thing. Conversations can get tricky. We all know this. One slip of the tongue and you've completely lost your argument.
so all I really have to say in closing is I guess that if you have no problem being an asshole, then go ahead and be an asshole. But if you are a well-respected member of society and you like having friends then...don't be an asshole. Acknowledge that everyone has an opinion, not everyone will agree with you, don't offend anybody, know your facts, and have an open mind, don't turn away any ideas.
The end.