Post: #1

I have recently found myself turning off podcasts and other things I used to listen to when they come to topics that I disagree with (oftentimes, topics that are discussed here). Generally, it gives me a headache hearing people talk without anyone even slightly challenging them. However, I have been thinking about this, and I'm wondering if I'm fostering ignorance within myself by refusing to listen to others perspectives, or if I'm actually just making a better use of my time by not listening to things that frustrate me? I'm sure with the amount of blue pill to neomasculinity converts we have around here, a lot of you guys are still hearing blue pill ideals spouted out. Do you ignore these, or force yourself to listen to attempt to find reason in the chaos?

Post: #2

If I disagree and have heard it before, I tune it out, since it's already been processed for its validity. If I disagree and haven't heard it before, I listen intently.

Post: #3

You can look at it two different ways, both of which you mentioned.

-You're being ignorant and should give full attention to opposing ideals.
-You're wasting your time listening to typical blue pill ideals or other things that you know you oppose.

I think if you know enough about something to know for sure what your opinion is, then you shouldn't feel bad not listening to opposing opinions.

Post: #4

I try to remain open to hearing persuasive new viewpoints and not putting myself in an echo chamber, but I think it's easy enough to tell when you have absolutely nothing to gain from hearing somebody out.
Although there is probably utility in studying the beliefs and talking points of people you're ideologically opposed to. I'm not much for debate (I gave up on that one with my family and friends years ago) though, so I don't really bother.

Post: #5

Depends on the topic. With things like feminism, gender roles, and general RP stuff that we discuss on here the real question is: How many of our opponents are presenting their cases in a logical and calm manner? Very few, if any. There is no point in listening to these shrieking idiots, because they can only speak from emotion.

On things like politics, social sciences and the like, I can sit down and read/hear out an opposing viewpoint, unless it's something completely extreme that I know is just too ridiculous to deserve a listen. I have read Chomsky, for instance and I disagree with him on a lot but he at least makes his case in the classic sense: intro, provide evidence, conclusion.

Post: #6

In general no, but in practice usually yes.

On most topics, the people who disagree with me are either not smart or informed enough to teach me anything of value or just have such different preferences that there is no point in listening to them.

On some topics, the people who disagree with me often have very interesting things to say and can often teach me something so I still listen to them. Outside of the natural sciences and economics, I can't think of any topic in which I bother to listen to the opposition.

Post: #7

What's the point in debating someone when I already know my ideas are correct?

Nine times out of ten the person trying to debate with me is one of the following:
1. A person with zero real world responsibilities.
2. A student

I don't see or understand the point in debating with someone like this. Why? Because their opinion frankly doesn't matter. When you don't have skin in the game your vote and opinion doesn't matter. That includes anyone who on government dole.

I try not to place myself in an echo chamber but instead one that is completely silent. On facebook, I block out all of the annoying left feminism crap. The best part? I only see posts about kids being born, reunions, birthdays, and things that actually matter and not knee jerk trending BS.

I will debate with someone who does have skin in the game. That includes the business owner, the CEO, the machinist, the soldier, the plumber, etc.

Post: #8

I am less interested in being right and more interested in figuring out the thought processes of others, so I enjoy talking to feminists and trying to ascertain how they arrived at their strongest beliefs. I'm a fucking weirdo though, so I can see why you hate listening to things you don't agree with. I actually thought this side of the internet was insane until I met mikecf, clint Barton and Vaun and realized there was really something valuable to be gleaned by learning from the men here. So I am all for opposing viewpoints. Listening to this side of the net has taught me more than I can account for and it was all for free.

Post: #9

If I hear stuff that I know I disagree with and it's not in a social setting, then I turn away from it. The reason being that your brain sucks up information like a sponge and these theories will pollute your straight thinking to an extend, pulling you back to the blue pill side of life. From a neuropsychiological perspective, you're brainwashed all the time by all the info you pick up during your life and the only thing you can do about it is to choose which info you give attention to. That's why I deliberately "brainwash" myself by selectively listening to podcasts/audiobooks and reading material that I know I want to make part of my belief system.
I do enjoy however listening to/watching debates between disagreeing parties - this way it's easier to stay on course while at the same time making sure that you haven't disregarded valid points that might make you want to alter your opinion about something. Also, it's pretty fun knowing you're right and witnessing someone with convictions similar to yours destroy someone who disagrees (see /thread-47747.html ).

Post: #10

delete

Post: #11

I really don't see the point in debating as most people are idiots. If they are not idiots then they will usually be able to see my side of the debate (before it becomes a debate) and respect and appreciate it, as I am a logical objective thinker.

Post: #12

Now yes... I am 37 so with age comes experience

before I used to get mad and I would try to fight against stuff I didn't agree with, eventually life showed me the way (I have realized now that we're here temporarily so there is no point in wasting the little time we have here on trivial shit)

Now I just ignore it and focus on my inner peace and being happy!

Post: #13

Life is too short to try to convince people of everything (or even much).

Post: #14

It's a good thing to listen to opposite opinions, as long as those people have a mininum of respect for you too.

I noticed that many SJW quickly block you when you say something they disagree with however. Those people state they are open minded, but is this really the case?

Post: #15

Sometimes. I've heard the arguments about the things I care about so many times that there's rarely anything new to learn from them. On rare occasions people with opposing viewpoints bring up something I haven't heard before that's partially true, but when I research it I find that most of the time they're trying to use it in a dishonest way to give their lies more credibility.

Post: #16

The problem I usually face is not the differing opinion, but the way it is presented. It is tiring and frustrating debating someone who believes that his words are given more credential if he shouts or tries to cut me off while I am speaking. So I've learned to listen, but not to hear. I look at them, nod, agree and steer the conversation towards something mundane - like current events, sports, weather and etc.

The best way I've found to avoid talking with someone about volatile themes is such: if I am talking with a man I question him about his work, hobbies, desires so he starts talking about himself and if I am talking with a woman I usually complement them on something they are wearing, something charitable they did, some aesthetic or music sense and how'd they get it. Gets their egos up which makes them forget any kind of possible political, religious, social theme they might have had on their mind. And I must say that it works 90% of the time.

But I like to read about beliefs that are contrary to mine. Books at least give me the option to put them down and think about the content. Somebody shouting in my ear… not so much.

Post: #17

I tune out most stuff, especially when it comes from the media. The reason to ignore it is because it really isn't an argument. It is propaganda meant to indoctrinate. Most people never have an original thought, so are most likely repeating the propaganda that they heard somewhere else (the echo chamber). If I come across something I disagree with, and it is a sincere argument using facts and logic, then I am open to considering it.

Post: #18

I listen to people's counterarguments.

Say somebody is on the wrong side of an issue.

No prob. If I present something that counters their claim, and they change the subject or move the goal post, I stop listening to them.

They're dishonest and unworthy of my continued attention.

WIA

Post: #19

I used to be an NPR junkie and prided myself on being well-informed. Now I hardly ever pay attention to the "news" anymore. I realized that 95% of it is just not relevant to me.

Post: #20

(05-26-2015 01:15 PM)RexImperator Wrote:  I used to be an NPR junkie and prided myself on being well-informed. Now I hardly ever pay attention to the "news" anymore. I realized that 95% of it is just not relevant to me.

The more I listen to NPR the more I listen that it’s very SJW in thinking. I listen to the news on it then I switch it off.

Here’s the thing about most people..,my brother works in retail and I’ve always worked in a professional environment. Nearly everybody I’ve ever worked with has a college degree and is at least reasonably intelligent. My brother told me that the average person in the street is very basic and doesn’t know shit about anything. He deals with people from all walks of life on a daily basis.

The problem with many people who’ve been to college is that they’re too politically correct. The only people I ever come across who keep it real are blue collar guys. They’re more fun to hang out with and aren’t afraid to say stuff.

Post: #21

I ignore media I dislike and avoid things I disagree with or find disagreeable. Life's too short to hang around them all the time.

But I never ignore people I disagree with on here. I have no one on ignore.

G

Post: #22

What do you guys do about the topics you haven't formed a complete opinion on yet?

Depending on the topic, I find this is a mixed bag. Sometimes I will listen to different sides of an issue, even if I'm listening to people who I disagree vehemently with on other issues. Many times, I find the people who I disagree with on certain issues have nothing to teach me about new issues as well.

e.g. I'll listen to many sides on things like criminal justice reform.