... issues and tissues with a touch of the spicy from the spirit hag ...

 

 

There are many things of which it is possible to become enraged over in this clusterf*ck of a world. I myself must admit that, whilst I try to generally be a tolerant and reasonable person, I cannot stand to be around people who can’t accept a point of view other than their own.

 

The world seems full of these ‘opinion attackers’, always lurking somewhere, ready to pop up out of the grass at you to give you a frank talking-to because you believe in astrology or read trashy novels or support gay marriage or whatever.

 

Their fragile egos simply will not allow a statement to be aired that contradicts their own views without their feeling it necessary to launch a tirade about ‘why you’re so wrong’.

 

I have long believed that it is a sign of intelligence to be able to entertain an idea without necessarily subscribing to it, and making others uncomfortable by shitting all over their opinions is not what I consider to be the mark of a worthwhile mind.

 

Still, they persist. They see someone reading a horoscope, for example, and can’t wait open their big fat traps and shout ‘YOU DON’T ACTUALLY BELIEVE IN ALL THAT SHIT, DO YOU ?’ as if it’s obvious to them (and everyone else) that you’re some kind of gullible moron.

 

Any response generally worsens the situation.  Saying, ‘no’ would, obviously, appear stupid, and saying ‘yes’ merely further invites the embarrassing barrage that is certain to follow.

 

These people are uninterested in discussion. They do not wish to hear your reasons or understand your motivations. They just want you to agree with them. And if you don’t, it is clear that they will then regard you as an idiot.

 

When ‘opinion attack’ happens to you, all you can do is look on the bright side: if a complete fool is disagreeing with you, that should serve as an affirmation that your views were probably right to begin with.

 

 


Comments
on Nov 21, 2005
YOU DON'T ACTUALLY BELIEVE THIS SHIT, DO YOU??

I'm sorry, but *your* opinion about opinion attackers is WRONG.

on Nov 21, 2005
I couldn't agree with you more. I've recently moved and perhaps I can attribute my current situation to the fact that I haven't found a lot of close friends yet, but it seems that I am surrounded by people who think they know better than everyone else. It's a pet peeve of mine; and nothing makes me seethe more than when I am attacked by one of these 'empty-minded belittlers' (to quote Robert Heinlein). If I actually challenge one of these attackers with a "is there some reason you feel the need to talk to me that way" I'll either get a "I was just kidding, GOD!" or better yet, "yeah, only a moron reads the horoscopes". (Or similar)

Sometimes I think violence really is the answer. This is, of course, why I don't carry a gun.

Great article.
on Nov 21, 2005
If I actually challenge one of these attackers with a "is there some reason you feel the need to talk to me that way" I'll either get a "I was just kidding, GOD!"


yes, when you point out their bad behaviour, it's your fault that you can't take a joke, handle sarcasm, are too literal...
yes, carrying a gun is the perfect way to end the topic at hand... hehehe.

splendid, Mig, splendid.
on Nov 21, 2005

It's always wise to consider the source...hehe.

indeed, sabrina, my love. i should add that one should only take the advice i have offered if one is certain that they are the victim of 'opinion attack' and not just shitty that someone disagrees with them hehe.

YOU DON'T ACTUALLY BELIEVE THIS SHIT, DO YOU??

arrrrrrrggghhh, UboB, naughty ! naughty !

"I was just kidding, GOD!"

ugh, cordelia, i hear you !. those are the worst kind of opinion attackers. not only do they launch attacks without thinking, they're also too cowardly to back up their statements when challenged.

when you point out their bad behaviour, it's your fault that you can't take a joke, handle sarcasm, are too literal...

yesssss, nicky !. i totally agree. rather than take the blame for their thoughtlessness, they choose to blame you for having 'no sense of humour'. the bastards !

mig xxx