Depending on what frame of mind I find myself in I can by turns get offended by rebuff, mortified by public sleight , annoyed by misinterpretation , amused by clever riposte, thrilled by polite validation etc.. The thing I'm posting about today is with regard to the question that I'm sure we've all faced - whether to post or not (often can I be bothered to be offended / ignored again) especially in the face of an inflmatory thread or one wher we may hold strong opinions but little empirical or bookish knowledge.
Having just finished reading The Wisdom of Crowds by James Surowiecki I can now say with a resounding 'Yes' that we should participate. Its only be each of us having different opinions , sharing those opinions and then aggregating those opinions that we can express a collective wisdom. While this book is one angle on the wisdom of crowds (obviously crowds can also be utterly stupid and base but that's another story) it is illuminating in that it points out that no matter how outlandsih or seemingly stupid your position to others the fact that you hold it strongly enough to share it and add it to the pot of collective peer review makes it incredibally powerful - for example Hitler could have been stopped if his thoughts were publically debated before he was a dictator and we might have ended up with a powerful Germany with super roads and trains minus the gas chambers and SS. Here there is a collective backlash against the JWs and by definition religion in general but if those who wish to hold to religious ideas hold back then the forum is impoverished and vice versa. Also it helps me not to feel too upset when people get arsy since its just an idea that's being maligned Not a rejection of me (since all people really know about me is the very idea on the page.) As part of my partial enlightenment I apologise for those times when I've AHed people - sorry!
So share away - I don't have shares in the above book but I would if I could since its great.
Why its important to raise your voice even if its controversial
by Qcmbr 4 Replies latest jw friends
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Qcmbr
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The wanderer
Dear Qcmbr:
Why is it important?
Simply, to allow another perspective regarding the
subject matter. However, raising your voice during
controversial subject matter can be difficult in
particular if there is already an established
accepted philosophy.
In addition, to offer a different perspective is
seen by some as a "challenge" of sorts and it can
become quite combative.
In short, it takes a great deal of strength
to "go against the grain."
However, it is important for the reasons that you
gave regarding Hitler and such in your post.
Respectfully,
Richard -
Qcmbr
My wife has pointed out that one shouldn't raise one's voice when the garden needs work.
tata for now. -
changeling
I'm assuming that by "raising your voice" you mean to put one's 2 cents in, not actually shouting. That being said, I agree, all pionts of view are valid (at least to the one who holds them), and worthy of being expressed. It's only by hearing all thoughts and opinions that we can make our own mind up as to which opinion is best for us.
It sounds as you have been hurt or slighted my expessing yourself here on this forum. I'm sorry for that. Please don't take it personally, we all get picked on every now and then. No harm is meant.
I look forward to your voice being raised.
changeling
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Hortensia
if you genuinely believe in free speech, you are willing to let others speak, even if you despise their point of view. Censorship is disastrous, and silence is too.