imported post
Dreamer wrote:
open4years wrote:
I know the difference between calling someone stupid and calling the idea stupid. But I respectively disagree that calling an idea stupid is okay. I feel that is a crude way of telling someone that you differ in your opinion or "I disagree."
Calling an idea "stupid" that is not well thought out, contrary to reality, baseless in fact or contrary to truth is NOT the same as "disagreeing" with it.
If someone says that a 1969 VW Bettle is a better car than a Ferrari Testarosssa, that is a comment that someone could very easily disagree with, and it is not stupid. Such a claim can be backed up with facts, rational justifications and proof. Old Beetles are more reliable, easier to
maintain, cheaper to purchase, and MUCH more efficient machines in general.
However, if someone says that a 1969 VW Bettle is a FASTER car than a Ferrari Testarosssa, that is just plain stupid. Such a claim is absolutely baseless, untrue, and flies in the face of rational, provable fact.
And calling such a claim stupid is NOT wrong. It may be hurtful, rude, or
mean, but it is not wrong. The truth can never be wrong. Truth can hurt--it can damage one's ego if one is emotionally invested in an untruth--but truth is never "wrong".
Can you honestly say that someone calling YOUR idea stupid doesn't bother you? That is not what I call "constructive criticism." There are ample words in the English language that should allow one to phrase their disagreement in a more civil manner.
My response to such claims is tempered by (and weighed against) intellectual abilities of the person making such a claim.
If someone could make a cogent argument to back up their claim that something I say is stupid, then I'll take that for what it is--a rational assessment of the intelligence, practicality, and utility of my original statement.
If a person making such a claim supports their claim with ad hominem attacks, irrational arguments, provable falsehoods and emotional
propaganda, then I will dismiss such a claim as the intellectual tripe that it is.
You see, the prudent response to such a claim, by a rational, intelligent person, is to assess the claim in the context of the person making it--NOT to internalize it as a direct personal statement. Internalizing statements made as part of rational discourse is a symptom of lack of
intellectual rigor, and indicative of irrational attachment to concepts that
may or may not be true.
And I still maintain that if something walks, looks, and quacks like a duck, there is no sin in calling it a duck, no matter how fervently the duck believes that it is a swan. Sure, the duck's feelings may be hurt when it finds out that it is, in fact NOT a swan, but truth is truth. Feelings are not the issue when discussing the truth. Truth is the issue..
Sometimes, an idea is so egregiously ill-formed, poorly thought out, and
potentially dangerous that it is, on it's face, just plain stupid. And calling out a stupid idea for what is it is NOT wrong. Sometimes, it's the only way to wake people up..
Grok?
"How many fingers am I holding up now, Winston?"
In regards to someone saying a VW is faster than a sports car, first of all that is not an idea, so it shouldn't be called a stupid idea. What was said was the person making a statement, not an idea.
Saying: "You're wrong." would be appropriate. Then you can state the facts to support your statement that they are wrong. I would say: "That isn't right. Calling an idea stupid just doesn't sit right with me. One might feel since you called their idea stupid, that you think they are stupid
Starting a discussion with "that idea is stupid" is a poor start that will most likely result in conflict. That is not conducive to our desire to promote open carry. Is it that hard to say either: "I feel differently and this why...." or "that idea (or statement) is wrong. Allow me to tell you why."
I grew up with a very cruel father who was very emotionally and verbally abusive. I vowed that I would never be that way and that I would treat people with respect. There have been times that I know for a fact that the other person is wrong, yet I will say: "Maybe I'm wrong but...". and I would share the facts and they will see that I was correct.
I get no joy from hurting others, in any way. I've apologized, when there is an arguement and it was the other person who started it and was totally wrong. I may be viewed as a whimp, but the friendship wasn't ended over my friend's lack of the ability to admit that he/she was wrong.
My life experience has shown me that many people are incapable of admitting their wrong. Even more are incapable of saying: "I'm sorry. I have friends and family that I've never heard them say those words and they probably never will. Even if the other person is being a total a-- , and started the arguement, was yelling, etc., I might say: "I apologize if I did anything to upset you.". Even if the other person is 100% wrong and responsible for the arguement.
If they are using a hateful tone, saying hateful things, yelling, etc., I don't do likewise. I can tell you that it is much harder to take my approach and it takes maturity. But if you can get to that place in your life, you will be at peace as you see the whole picture.
What does it really matter if some one wants to think a VW is a faster car? You can share your opinion and facts, but if they still want to believe a VW is faster, let them.
That is all we can do here. I'm just trying to say that if we treat them with respect, even if they haven't earned it, let them share their point of view. We nicely tell them our point of view. If they have questions, answer them nicely even if it seems stupid to you.
If you reach a point where they haven't been won over to your/our point of view, thank them for coming and sharing their thoughts. That is MUCH better than their going back to their CC forum and saying all those OC people are very rude a-- h---- , just like I thought. If we treat them nasty, they will tell as many people as possible.
People in retail business and advertising, know this. It is supported by many studies that if a person was treated badly, at a store, they will tell many about their experience and will tell them to never go to that store. If they are treated okay, they will rarely share the experience with others. If they are treated great, they will tell some, but from then on, if someone mentions they need to buy some shoes, that person will share their great experience at that shoe store, and will highly recommend it and the other person is almost guaranteed to follow that recommendation.
What this shows is that if a person is treated poorly, they will tell MANY about it. If they are treated just okay, they will tell a few. If treated great, they will tell some and will continue sharing the experience and word of mouth will create a larger customer base.
But, if one person is treated badly , they will tell many. This can kill a business. I feel that we should treat everyone with respect. If it is someone, who is convinced in their beliefs and is just trying to aggravate us - don't let them! We don't HAVE to spend our time argueing with the troll and create a long thread to give him/her what they want.
The want us to get upset and argue with them, so they can send their friends to see what they created. We CAN, and should, rise above this behaviour. Sermon over, the collection plate is at the rear. Civil comments are welcome, but all we be treated as I wish to be treated.
One final comment: If you haven't read it, I posted earlier that I joined a CC forum and I made my first post there. The responses were very hateful and came close to calling me a fool. Why? I mentioned that I had a .22 in my pocket. Well, it seems they have a rule prohibiting posts about .22, or any mention of it.
The reason: They think that if they have posts about .22s, readers might conclude that the forum supports .22s for SD. It seems a bit silly to me, but I would have abided by that rule. It was the way that I was treated is why I will never go back. See, I had a bad experience and I have already posted twice about it.
Let's not do that to our guests and new members.