I've seen this a few times--people preceed a disagreement with "This is just my opinion". These five little words allow them to make statements against which no one can say anything or question in anyway because the statement was "just my opinion." Thisis a sneaky, underhanded ploy which effectively puts an end to reasonable discussion of the issues and topics. Someone might here argue that they are not intentionally trying to do this when they say something is just their opinion. It's not about intentions. It's about effects.

I've also seen people diverting honest discussion by taking things personally. Someone makes a statement and the other person takes it as a personal attack and starts defending him/herself rather than dealing with the issue at hand. This is the primary way that we go off topic and threads tend to veer off into circular, go-no-where arguments.

Can we stop this?

In a sense every comment made is someone's opinion. Thus if someone makes a statement they should be able to support or defend it.

In a sense every comment made is someone's opinion. Thus if someone makes a statement they should be able to support or defend it.
True. A lot of times people use the fact that they are stating an opinion as a shield. Instead of suporting and defending their statements they say "That was just my opinion" and take offense if anyone challenges their statements or asks for clarification. That is not fair play.

I agree totally, that this statement hides duplicity. I was once taught that the "Devil's Doctrine is hidden within opinions".

If people were to focus more on learning and spreading the TRUTH about things, instead of how they feel about things, the world would be a far more enlightened place.

PEACE

Interesting point. If someone wants to be argumentative however, they are going to be just that. Maybe another way to look at it would be to say that is a way to avoid confrontation. I dont know, its just my opinion.

Interesting point. If someone wants to be argumentative however, they are going to be just that. Maybe another way to look at it would be to say that is a way to avoid confrontation. I dont know, its just my opinion.

I agree with Earftones, people who are trying to be argumentative will do just that. They'll nitpick whatever a person has to say regardless, so sometimes people have to let them know they don't see themselves as an authoritative speaker, they're just giving an opinion. Some people nitpick people's post just to draw attention to themselves and others are really trying to share an "opinion" Amazing how black folks can get stuck on five harmless words and make an issue out of it.

True. A lot of times people use the fact that they are stating an opinion as a shield. Instead of suporting and defending their statements they say "That was just my opinion" and take offense if anyone challenges their statements or asks for clarification. That is not fair play.


Worrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrd ! :yo:

I feel you on the need for clarification. It is sometimes hard to read the emotion with letters on a screen. The emphasis on certain words and attitudes are sometimes created by the reader. Now I have seen posts where it is obvious that someone is shouting. All Caps and such. But how can you tell it is a personal attack with those 5 words? Not being difficult here. But the truth is the truth, there is no denying that, but dont we all have an opinion about that truth?

I feel you on the need for clarification. It is sometimes hard to read the emotion with letters on a screen. The emphasis on certain words and attitudes are sometimes created by the reader. Now I have seen posts where it is obvious that someone is shouting. All Caps and such. But how can you tell it is a personal attack with those 5 words? Not being difficult here. But the truth is the truth, there is no denying that, but dont we all have an opinion about that truth?
This is where clarification comes in. I'm not saying those five words are an attack. I am saying they are used to keep people from voicing disagreements and sharing knowledge.

For instance if someone says something and then tacks those five words on it I may then proceed to show how my opinion differs from theirs. That's when the person says "I'm just voicing my opinion. Why are you nitpicking?" In this way they have voiced their opinion but denied me the right to do the same. That's why I say this is not fair play.

It's never the words but how the words are used that creates a problem. Words cannot be used in an inimical way and continue to be thought of as innocent little words.

This is just my opinion, but usually my opinions are always better than other people's opinions.

This is just my opinion, but usually my opinions are always better than other people's opinions.
In your buni--I mean er--opinion:D

I've seen this a few times--people preceed a disagreement with "This is just my opinion". These five little words allow them to make statements against which no one can say anything or question in anyway because the statement was "just my opinion." Thisis a sneaky, underhanded ploy which effectively puts an end to reasonable discussion of the issues and topics. Someone might here argue that they are not intentionally trying to do this when they say something is just their opinion. It's not about intentions. It's about effects.

I've also seen people diverting honest discussion by taking things personally. Someone makes a statement and the other person takes it as a personal attack and starts defending him/herself rather than dealing with the issue at hand. This is the primary way that we go off topic and threads tend to veer off into circular, go-no-where arguments.

Can we stop this?

Hello Sister River ... :wave:

I don't agree with your premise.

Just because someone prefaces what they say with ... "in my opinion" ... or ... "this is just my opinion" ... does not mean those words can't be challenged, or that they are trying to be sneaky or underhanded.

It's interesting to me, that you'd take this position, just from reading a few words.

I have used this phrase many times, in an effort to insure anyone reading, that my words and thoughts are my opinion alone, and not those of the community. One could easily think that because "Destee" says something, she's speaking for the entire community ... which is rarely, if ever, the case ... and i just wanna reiterate that.

I'm sure the above is only one exception. I can imagine many reasons why folk may include those words, and none of them would have been what you suggested! :)

Just goes to show, that we never really know what a person's intent really is ... until we give them a chance to voice their opinion in full, and even then, it's sometimes necessary for time to pass in order to see the bigger picture.

Hmmmm Sister River ... i'm not with you on this one ... but that's okay !!! :)

Love You Sister!

:heart:

Destee