And by “opposing,” I mean “opposed to what you currently think/like/believe,” and not necessarily “new.”
For some things, like politics, science, and food (a thread on this is part of why I thought I’d post this), exposing yourself at least once to the other side is generally agreed on as a good thing. But what if it’s just about your favorite TV show or sports idol? Is there really any worth to hearing about how and why others don’t like him (and often, why you’re wrong for liking him)?
What do you go out of your way to get opposing opinions on? Are you somehow “close minded” for not pursuing others? If so, where do you (personally) draw the line?
I draw the line when I start getting upset just by reading about them. I have tried exposing myself to points of view more close-minded than my own (from racists and misogynists) over the years, to understand better how to fight them. But now I get frustrated and upset with those points of view very quickly, so I disengage much sooner than I used to.
But when I’m reading about a point of view that’s *more *open-minded than I am, it’s much less upsetting. I don’t mind reading about hardcore conspiracy theories and alien abductions and homeopathy. It’s easier to laugh at these kinds of ideas, and in a way I find them fascinating.
I like reading about alternate ideas, even when I disagree with them strongly. I read the original book “Scientific Creationism,” way back when. Hell, I joined the Flat Earth Society! I practice “High Weirdness by Mail.” I used to surf crank.net for giggles.
I also like reading about alternate ideas that fall into the realm of feasibility. I converse with people of different political views, different theological views, different aesthetic views. I love open discussions and debates, especially those where there cannot be any true “right answer.” e.g., is Star Trek better than Star Wars? Anyone who seriously holds either one to be objectively better than the other is a jack-knob…but the debate is loads of fun if you take it in the right spirit.
A sane person has to question his own values and beliefs now and then. Finding a place like the SDMB is a godsend.
I’ve always loved this line from Sports Night: “If you’re stupid, surround yourself with smart people. And if you’re smart, surround yourself with smart people who disagree with you.”
The point is to keep yourself challenged. If your opinions are sound, they will remain sound if you talk them out with people who think differently; if they’re not sound, then they should change anyway. Debate is how you sharpen the knife of opinion.
More agreement with Max. There’s always something to be gained from exposing yourself the the INFORMED opinions of people who disagree with you. There’s seldom anything to be gained from trying to understand people whose opinions are uninformed.
I think it’s very important to see how your beliefs fare against informed, intelligent people who disagree. Even though I’m pretty hardcore in my far-right beliefs and politics, I spend most of my time here because frankly, ya’ll are the sharpest bunch of lefties I’ve encountered in a while. A few of my beliefs have had to change in the face of your arguments and facts. That wouldn’t have happened had I only listened to my conservative friends.
I love having discussions with well-informed individuals who have opposing opinions if they (1) can make sensible arguments and (2) don’t simply rant.
I’ve got a great friend who is religious, and while I’m atheist, I much prefer discussing religion with him than with fellow atheists, because those discussions turn into “aren’t they dumb” where ones with my friend challenge both of us to examine and defend our views. It’s fascinating to see where we agree and where we differ, while respecting the other person’s right to look at the same facts and come to a different conclusion.
OTOH, I’ve decided that there will be no more brain cells will be wasted on the garbage spewed out of my uberconservative, Faux News addict BIL who truly believes “liberals” want to eliminate Christmas.
I always try to find out about arguments from the other side. That can be to seriously find out if there is any merit to them or to find out how to refute them. For example, I have read up on the websites of organisations that “promote adult-child love” (ie pedophilia). I had to walk away from the computer several times, but I wanted to know what they are arguing. Same with the opinions of people who oppose SSM & things like that. I want to know how they think.
On the side of seeing if the other side has any merit (not necessary at all for the above examples), in the thread on this board about the Falklands I was genuinely trying to find out which side’s arguments have the most merit. I thought that the information I had automatically received would be biased towards the UK. I have really sought the Argentinian side of the debate, but I can’t see the merit in their arguments. Not done with that yet though, so any new info is still welcome!
I do the same with regards to debates of sex and gender theories. I read Louanne Brizendine’s book “The Female Brain”, found it pretty ridiculous and read up on Rebecca Jordan-Young & Cordelia Fine, found out the positions of Simon Baron-Cohen and popular authors such as John Gray. Though I know what I think, I will continue to read what I can on both sides.
I guess I try. I think you can never be unbiased, but you can try to find out as many opinions on things as you can.
A lot depends upon how open the “opposing opinion” is to new ideas and how much effort they have put into their opinion relative to me.
For example, I have put a lot of thought over years and years into my opinion about religion and I don’t see the point of discussing that topic with the brand new convert who shows up on my doorstep. I’ve given dozen’s of variations a chance and don’t need to investigate some tiny variation that one person who has spent a few minutes reading a Chick tract thinks is new and different.
On the other hand, I’m don’t follow politics that closely and it is ever changing. Most opinions I will listen to once, listening for the ring of truth. Plenty of times I’ve had my opinion changed by someone pointing out a fact if didn’t know.