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Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly  I'd be willing to agree with Lisa that every single member on this website is a died-in-the-wool animal-lover and animal advocate in some form or fashion. We gather here to enjoy the passion, respect and admiration we all have in common for animals, particularly dogs, but we discuss many subjects and it keeps this site more than interesting - it's addicting!
But I always wonder why some members here, when others disagree with their position in any debate on this wonderful site, seem to frequently take the position that the other party - never themselves - is being close-minded or stubborn - should they disagree on any well-known subject(s) without having checked out yet another article, book, lecture or media event on any well-known, well-covered subjects that have been in the public sphere for years, "hashed and rehashed" in many forums of our lives. Has anyone noticed how quickly that "close-minded" accusation is thrown around on Yorkietalk when good, otherwise intelligent people disagree?
Must someone take the very steps another member is urging before they can ever be allowed to rightly and justifiably hold their own opinions and beliefs on any well-known, well-covered subject in the public arena or might their own research and scholarship just as readily qualify them for holding opinions every bit as timely, informed and enlightened as anyone else's, having used their own methods and disciplines for investigation, systematic study and analysis of any subject?
I don't get the requirement to 'watch what I've watched' or 'read what I've read' or 'attend this lecture as I've done' and then I might allow you to come to your own opinion on the issues at hand, especially when the ideas and arguments are all so well-known by all but the exceptionally incurious. It's kind of insulting to presuppose one's own methods for gaining information and insight are the sole resources available on any of the many subjects we discuss here. |
Jeanie I think that this is such an insightfull and well worded post. Thank you for giving me some more to think about.
I am bolding that particular part of your post to talk about, although many parts of your post I do agree with and or consider.
I really get what you are saying here, and it is such a very valid point. I speak only for me, but on some topics (of course not all topics), for eg: like is this dress cute, or should I have this leash or that leash, I like to see informed opinions. We all develop opinions, we are humans afterall. And you know the saying, opinions are like a*ss*ho*les we all have one. Personally I am very interested in what informs a persons opinion. Links to research to learned articles help me to not only understand their opinion, but also to expand my own learning/knowledge. Their experience the range and depth of their experience is also another factor, and obviously that can't be linked to anything publically available.
Thanks Jeanie for posting your thoughts, that has given me much to think about.