i have never been one to be known for not expressing my opinion and lately there have been so many topics just screaming out for my comments. and when i do, i "speak" off the top of my head, which usually means i am reacting from an emotional point of view. while i try to maintain a degree of logic and sanity, there are times i may overstep some of the boundaries which could be better defined if i put some thought and research into what i wish to put out there, and there have been occasions where i have been proven incorrect or inaccurate in my assertions. in those moments, i tend to feel like somewhat of an ass.
i never have minded being wrong if someone can honestly and factually point out the "where" and "why", but it's the person who can bring those to bear, and not just the one's who say "you're wrong because i said so", that i will answer to and will earn my respect. nobody likes to be wrong, especially when you go into it being relatively sure that you are in the right. but when expressing an opinion, there is seldom a "right" or "wrong". and that's where my nipples get twisted.
maybe it's because i'm still relatively new at this whole thing. maybe it's because i still maintain a modicum of naivete thinking that people who want to engage in an intelligent conversation will still abide by a certain code of conduct. well, naive little me has found out that intelligence has a way of getting lost when the the internet is shrouded in anonymity and the "courage" that that instills in some people. it was something i was reminded of recently, and quite rudely, got slapped back into the "real world" of on-line postings. during an exchange, i mis-typed a word and SUDDENLY it was all about my typo and how ignorant i was. no longer interested in the original topic, it now turned to my typing ability, my writing style (you've noticed i tend to not use capital letters (or os it capitOl...i never could keep that straight?), my over-all intelligence. and in the end, resulted in the age-old, time honored response "just fuck off", when all else has failed and they could no longer come up with much of anything else to criticize.
to be honest, it has made me hesitant to voice my opinion at times, especially when i see postings by some "voices" i recognize from comments of the past. but i cannot let people intimidate me and prevent me from being myself and speaking my mind. they'll always be out there and i can't expect everyone (anyone?) to agree with what i have to say. in fact, it now comes as somewhat of a surprise when i'm NOT slammed for something i've said (but believe me, i proof read very carefully). i'll just have to develop a tougher hide. if i have things to say, they will be said and, if you disagree or don't like it... to repeat what was so eloquently said to me....
"just fuck off!"
Totally understood. The spelling and grammar natzis take over when they have nothing else to offer. Come back with something about their acute ability to concentrate on the minutia and totally dismiss the context. I have learned to avoid certain pages which seem to attract the Internet-brave and loonies. I also try - TRY - to pick my battles. Frankly, some articles are simply not worth it, nor are some people. The Internet is a constant reminder that we definitely NOT an intelligent species.
ReplyDelete