I've often refrained from expressing strong opinions, despite having them. With age, I’ve realized that most people struggle to accept differing strong opinions, perhaps due to their definitive nature, which can resemble religious beliefs. Instead of engaging in constructive discussion, many immediately adopt a defensive stance, attacking the opinion holder rather than addressing the argument itself.
The principle of "Strong opinions, loosely held" from Farnam Street resonates with me as it advocates for a balance between conviction and openness. It encourages continual evaluation of one’s opinions, ensuring they are refined and fact-based. This principle helps keep my composure when confronted with opposing views.
The essence of this reflection is to underscore the importance of having strong, well-considered opinions for success in any endeavor. These opinions, while firm, should be open to challenge. They shape our human identity, and individuals with strong opinions often leave a lasting impression on us.
However, possessing strong opinions and voicing them are distinct matters. Unlike many, I believe it's not necessary to share all opinions, especially those likely to ignite heated debates devoid of rational discourse. Topics like religion and politics, closely tied to personal beliefs, often evoke emotional responses rather than rational discussions. Sharing such opinions online almost certainly invites a barrage of emotional reactions.
At this juncture, you might ponder the difference between an opinion and a belief. While I could easily look up definitions, I prefer to formulate a well-thought-out opinion on this matter.
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This text was edited using ChatGPT (Prompt: Edit the following text for grammar, clarity and brevity while keeping the tone the same.). You can read the original writing here and get a sense for why I will pay anything for this tool.
The principle of "Strong opinions, loosely held" from Farnam Street resonates with me as it advocates for a balance between conviction and openness. It encourages continual evaluation of one’s opinions, ensuring they are refined and fact-based. This principle helps keep my composure when confronted with opposing views.
The essence of this reflection is to underscore the importance of having strong, well-considered opinions for success in any endeavor. These opinions, while firm, should be open to challenge. They shape our human identity, and individuals with strong opinions often leave a lasting impression on us.
However, possessing strong opinions and voicing them are distinct matters. Unlike many, I believe it's not necessary to share all opinions, especially those likely to ignite heated debates devoid of rational discourse. Topics like religion and politics, closely tied to personal beliefs, often evoke emotional responses rather than rational discussions. Sharing such opinions online almost certainly invites a barrage of emotional reactions.
At this juncture, you might ponder the difference between an opinion and a belief. While I could easily look up definitions, I prefer to formulate a well-thought-out opinion on this matter.
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This text was edited using ChatGPT (Prompt: Edit the following text for grammar, clarity and brevity while keeping the tone the same.). You can read the original writing here and get a sense for why I will pay anything for this tool.