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I feel like that often on the internet everybody has an opinion about everything. Two years ago Twitter was full of virologists. Now everybody is an expert on Putin and Russias Gas economy. I find this annoying - let me have no opinion in peace. That is no criticism about you specifically having an opinion on several topic - this is a criticism of the mass of people pretending to know stuff about the mass of topics. It's statistically implausible to me.
So the solution consists of two parts:
  1. Stop compulsively taking a side. The word "compulsive" is a little strong here, but I think it fits. Because it's what I noticed about my own feelings when reading something controversial. And I think my day is just better if I tell myself to be chill about it. It's okay to not understand what's going on. It's okay to have an understanding for both sides and shrug your shoulders. It's okay to ask questions. It's okay to move on with your day without coming to a conclusion. You aren't dumb for admitting that you don't know enough about one thing.
  2. Stop assuming opinions of other people. I see so many trench warfares were both sides are arguing a straw man that doesn't exist on the other side. If you have a political hottake and somebody ask a question - don't assume he is a malicious troll from the "other side" trying to trick you into an argument. Maybe he just hasn't an opinion and is genuinely asking for better understanding.
Finally, let me give an example: We recently had a discussion about seed oils on SN. And people were opinionated. Some were talking about the chemical composition. Some statistics flew through the room here and there. And arguing about how many years/centuries we were using which fat. And even the word "propaganda" was used.... And i decided to say Idk 🤷🏻‍♀️ Whatever. I know little about nutrition and biology and chemicals. And I assume most people don't. Also it seems like a deep deep rabbit hole and probably really time intensive.
What are your (controversial) topics you have no opinion about?
Yes it's interesting how people form opinions so quickly and hold them so strongly. Especially with politics so many individual topics seem so arbitrarily divided in terms of what is considered left and right... and once you've chosen a side you have to tow the line on all unrelated topics, it frustrates me.
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My favorite new phrase that I've learned is "I don't know shit about fuck." It is especially useful when discussing the price of Bitcoin.
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"I don't know shit about fuck." -- Ruth Langmore
:)
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When talking to people, I find it useful to not have opinions on things and instead frame them as feelings. Most opinions are just rationalizations of feelings anyway, but it helps some people cope with disagreement if you aren't treating your POV as a fact.
That said, I don't have opinions on most big political issues: healthcare and global warming to name a few. I instead prefer principles: more individual choice is better than not and if your solution to some problem is to take choice from people, I will generally disagree with you.
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Lol you can see it so badly on bitcoin twitter, everyone needs to have a hot take, then a hotter take and it just becomes noise and group think. Sometimes its better to take a beat, think about it, maybe say I don't know
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Opinions are damaging.
Just keep following the crowd, sheep!
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The people following an opinion that they read about somewhere online without deep research into the topic are the actual sheep.
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I take that statement back: I have no opinion about people who form opinions quickly without deep research :) :) :)
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This pretty much sums up where "deep research" and "the science" seem to be headed.
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That's an opinion and I like it!
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