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<blockquote data-quote="Fifth Element" data-source="post: 8756407" data-attributes="member: 48135">You see comments like this a lot in this sort of meta-discussion, so this post is not directed at you per se, since you're only expressing a very common idea.This idea is very reductive and unhelpful. The point of these discussions is not that someone should not be able to express their opinion, it's about how they express that opinion. That matters. Take responsibility for the way you choose to express what you're expressing.And moreover:That you have an opinion is trivial. We all have opinions.What that opinion is, is also generally uninteresting in itself, becauseWhy you hold that opinion is what matters. Especially since we're in a discussion forum. The only thing that can really be discussed is the reasoning behind an opinion, not the opinion by itself.And the fact is, many people hold many opinions that are based on misunderstandings, misinterpretations, ignorance, faulty reasoning, and let's face it, prejudice and bigotry.So if you hold an opinion for one or more of these reasons, it is entirely appropriate for others to point that out. The fact that it's an opinion does not shield it from criticism. Far too often in online discussions you see someone throw out their opinion, and then when it's challenged, retreat to &quot;It's just my opinion! I have a right to my opinion!&quot; Great. But if you express it in a discussion forum, expect it to be discussed. And if others point out why your opinion seems to be based on something other than facts and good reasoning, they're not violating your right to your opinion. They're just expressing theirs.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Fifth Element, post: 8756407, member: 48135"] You see comments like this a lot in this sort of meta-discussion, so this post is not directed at you per se, since you're only expressing a very common idea. This idea is very reductive and unhelpful. The point of these discussions is not that someone should not be able to express their opinion, it's about [B]how [/B]they express that opinion. That matters. Take responsibility for the way you choose to express what you're expressing. And moreover: [B]That [/B]you have an opinion is trivial. We all have opinions. [B]What [/B]that opinion is, is also generally uninteresting in itself, because [B]Why [/B]you hold that opinion is what matters. Especially since we're in a discussion forum. The only thing that can really be discussed is the reasoning behind an opinion, not the opinion by itself. And the fact is, many people hold many opinions that are based on misunderstandings, misinterpretations, ignorance, faulty reasoning, and let's face it, prejudice and bigotry. So [B]if[/B] you hold an opinion for one or more of these reasons, it is entirely appropriate for others to point that out. The fact that it's an opinion does not shield it from criticism. Far too often in online discussions you see someone throw out their opinion, and then when it's challenged, retreat to "It's just my opinion! I have a right to my opinion!" Great. But if you express it in a discussion forum, expect it to be discussed. And if others point out why your opinion seems to be based on something other than facts and good reasoning, they're not violating your right to your opinion. They're just expressing theirs. [/QUOTE]

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