# Why do you voice your thoughts/opinions? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 12, 2016, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-voice-your-thoughts-opinions/742946 "2016-01-12T18:45:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DeepLiquid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deepliquid/32/14893_2.png) [@DeepLiquid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeepLiquid)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-voice-your-thoughts-opinions/742946/1 "2016-01-12T18:45:52Z")
I understand everyone has an opinion, I also understand it is your “right” to express it; my question is why do you express it? Are you hoping to change someones views, find common ground, validate your process, degrade someone else, create an open dialog? I ask because recently I’ve been subjected to others uninvited/unwelcome opinions and it got me thinking about why they felt the need to share their thoughts and opinions, what they hoped to gain from it. Why they believe their opinion has any relevance. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-voice-your-thoughts-opinions/742946/2 "2016-01-12T19:05:45Z")
> [@](#): > > why do you express it? Just to hear myself yammer. OK, more seriously: Although I sometimes get caught up in the whole “[someone is wrong on the Internet](https://xkcd.com/386/)” thing, I think the main reason is that I want to see how good my ideas and arguments really are. And I can’t find that out by just shadowboxing with them in my mind; the only way is to put them out here where **Bricker** or **Scylla** or someone else can take potshots at them. And while it wasn’t my motivation by any means, I think having to argue succinctly here has made me a much better writer, which has been valuable professionally. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-voice-your-thoughts-opinions/742946/3 "2016-01-12T19:20:58Z")
Multiple reasons: to test myself and my opinions, to explore ideas, to find out why those who disagree feel the way they do, to find out if I might be wrong about something, to try and fight ignorance and sway the undecided and other lurkers, to show a WRONG person how WRONG they are (:))… but mostly it’s because _argument is fun_. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-voice-your-thoughts-opinions/742946/4 "2016-01-12T19:24:51Z")
If I don’t say some things my head will explode. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-voice-your-thoughts-opinions/742946/5 "2016-01-12T19:25:35Z")
Because they are good opinions, and I worked really hard at them, and I’m proud of what I’ve done. ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-voice-your-thoughts-opinions/742946/6 "2016-01-12T19:45:02Z")
Just so I can be contrarian. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-voice-your-thoughts-opinions/742946/7 "2016-01-12T19:55:02Z")
Because you asked. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-voice-your-thoughts-opinions/742946/8 "2016-01-12T20:03:48Z")
I’m sorry, were you not looking for an argument?.. ---
**Author:** ![Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/do_not_taunt/32/2968_2.png) [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-voice-your-thoughts-opinions/742946/9 "2016-01-12T20:07:05Z")
The most intentional, conscious reason is to work out my opinions more thoroughly. I’ve had several posts in various stages of completion when I realized that the argument didn’t really work, or I went to look up a fact and realized I was wrong, or various other things. I actually like that - I think it sharpens my thoughts. However, there are numerous other reasons that really do factor into posting from time to time: frustration, irritation, desire to share a humorous thought, someone is wrong on the internet, etc… ---
**Author:** ![DeepLiquid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deepliquid/32/14893_2.png) [@DeepLiquid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeepLiquid)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-voice-your-thoughts-opinions/742946/10 "2016-01-12T20:07:52Z")
The recent circumstances I was alluding to happened in person, but it does bring up the question regarding forums. Forums exist for the sole purpose of expressing your thoughts and opinions, I should have been more clear in my post. Although I am curious why people choose to participate in forums, personally I enjoy the back-and-forth, but not necessarily all out argument. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-voice-your-thoughts-opinions/742946/11 "2016-01-12T20:10:40Z")
In my mind, the only way to really learn/remember something is to teach it. So when I learn something new or have a new way of thinking about something, I share it with other people. This ways, I’m reinforcing that new information… and if I happen to be wrong in some way, I’m likely to get feedback from other people explaining just how I’m wrong. Also, I have a problem with people repeating information that is just plain flat-out wrong. There is lots of room for opinion on all kinds of issues, but don’t tell me something that’s just plain untrue and expect it to go unchallenged. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-voice-your-thoughts-opinions/742946/12 "2016-01-12T20:16:58Z")
Forms exists for the sole purpose of filling in data. Forums, on the other hand, are excellent for gladiator fights. Message boards are for consistently sending the wrong message. No one knows why we keep trying. ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-voice-your-thoughts-opinions/742946/13 "2016-01-12T20:21:24Z")
So people can learn from my wisdom. And, so I can learn from their wisdom. ---
**Author:** ![DeepLiquid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deepliquid/32/14893_2.png) [@DeepLiquid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeepLiquid)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-voice-your-thoughts-opinions/742946/14 "2016-01-12T20:36:31Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Forms exists for the sole purpose of filling in data. > > Forums, on the other hand, are excellent for gladiator fights. > > Message boards are for consistently sending the wrong message. No one knows why we keep trying. Derision carries more weight if it’s applied before the correction. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-voice-your-thoughts-opinions/742946/15 "2016-01-12T20:51:22Z")
> [@DeepLiquid](#): > > Derision carries more weight if it’s applied before the correction. What, no allowance for bathroom brakes? Sheesh… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![DeepLiquid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deepliquid/32/14893_2.png) [@DeepLiquid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeepLiquid)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-voice-your-thoughts-opinions/742946/16 "2016-01-12T21:51:26Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > What, no allowance for bathroom brakes? Sheesh… 😉 “Breaks” and no. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-voice-your-thoughts-opinions/742946/17 "2016-01-13T00:31:56Z")
In person, a lot of opinion-pushing is group dynamics. If the group is mostly religious / atheist / leftist / rightist / etc, they can spout their opinion as proof of who’s an insider and who’s an outsider. With political opinions there’s enough assortative living that many people can honestly say that 100% of their neighbors vote as they do as far as they’ve ever been able to learn. I’ve certainly lived in districts that actually vote 90/10 & members of that 10% were very hard to find. Meanwhile it seems like every member of the 90% is loudly voicing their opinions so all can hear. After all, since everybody agrees with them, what’s wrong with crowing? ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-voice-your-thoughts-opinions/742946/18 "2016-01-13T01:30:22Z")
> [@DeepLiquid](#): > > I understand everyone has an opinion, I also understand it is your “right” to express it; my question is why do you express it? Are you hoping to change someones views, find common ground, validate your process, degrade someone else, create an open dialog? I want to educate the public on many issues in general and reverse sexism in particular. I also like talking to people. Expressing any unpopular opinion is a crime against Social Justice, but at least it gets attention. ---
**Author:** ![DeepLiquid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deepliquid/32/14893_2.png) [@DeepLiquid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeepLiquid)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-voice-your-thoughts-opinions/742946/19 "2016-01-13T01:32:58Z")
> [@CCitizen](#): > > I want to educate the public on many issues in general and reverse sexism in particular. I also like talking to people. > > Expressing any unpopular opinion is a crime against Social Justice, but at least it gets attention. So, hyperbole is your weapon of choice? ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-voice-your-thoughts-opinions/742946/20 "2016-01-13T01:40:54Z")
> [@DeepLiquid](#): > > So, hyperbole is your weapon of choice? Sometimes. I am working on a new YouTube channel. Crimes against Social Justice are dealt with by Social Justice Enforcement. There are no definite laws or penal codes. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-voice-your-thoughts-opinions/742946.md?page=2)