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Opinion

James Riley June 21, 2021 at 15:07 6750 views 28 comments
I’m in love with my own opinion, and I don’t want to be. I want a divorce. I want her to leave me alone. She follows me where ever I go. She intrudes. People say I’m entitled to my own opinion. So what? What am I going to do with her? What good has she ever done me? Why am I beholden to her, any more than someone else’s opinion? If I don’t abide her, that does not mean I have to abide another. Why should I? Let her go. At least give me some peace. Peace is freedom from opinion, especially my own. I think my opinion has interfered with my ability to enjoy life. I don’t think foregoing opinion necessarily subjects oneself to abuse or subjection by others. Is opinion thought? I don’t think so. I think I can think without opinion. I want to try. Why not?

Comments (28)

Down The Rabbit Hole June 21, 2021 at 15:44 #554547
Reply to James Riley

Sounds nice to me. Losing the ego?
Deleted User June 21, 2021 at 15:44 #554548
This user has been deleted and all their posts removed.
T Clark June 21, 2021 at 15:52 #554550
Quoting James Riley
I’m in love with my own opinion, and I don’t want to be. I want a divorce. I want her to leave me alone.


Thanks for the opportunity to pull out one of my favorite quotes:

To believe our own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men, -- that is genius. Speak your latent conviction, and it shall be the universal sense; for the inmost in due time becomes the outmost,--and our first thought, is rendered back to us by the trumpets of the Last Judgment.

When Emerson says "genius" he doesn't mean Einstein genius, he means our essence, self, who we are.
Manuel June 21, 2021 at 16:54 #554577
Yes, it's hard to find people who you disagree with that make good points. It can happen, but it's not easy due to one's bias, reflexive replies to talking points and so on. I guess speaking to someone whom you agree with on say, 50% of the issues, would be more fruitful than speaking with somebody with whom you disagree with on everything. One is more liable to pay attention to other points of disagreement if you know that you already agree on other subject matters.
MikeListeral July 06, 2021 at 21:29 #562313
opinion > ego > serotonin > power > survival

180 Proof July 06, 2021 at 21:35 #562321
Reply to MikeListeral :up: *grunt* ...
Ciceronianus July 06, 2021 at 22:13 #562339
Reply to James Riley
I'm not sure what you consider "opinion" to be, but if you're going to hold any kind of view about, or make a judgment regarding, most anything, you're going to have an opinion. You may withhold doing so in certain cases, of course.
jgill July 06, 2021 at 22:37 #562348
Quoting James Riley
I’m in love with my own shadow, and I don’t want to be. I want a divorce. I want her to leave me alone. She follows me where ever I go. She intrudes. People say I’m entitled to my own shadow. So what? What am I going to do with her?


Get out of the sun of introspection.

TheMadFool July 07, 2021 at 09:07 #562535
Fact is to Opinion as Pitch is to Timbre



James Riley July 07, 2021 at 19:18 #562807
Having said it out loud seems to have helped. While I still have opinion, I am certainly less enamored of it, it's easier to ignore it, and it's been somewhat liberating.

Next step, is "want." While I don't find myself wanting much, I do find that want seems to permeate the essence of life. Every direction I turn, there it is; even the idea of wanting to not want.

So, here I am:

1. I want to love my enemy. So far, no joy. I have made some headway, but there's a long way to go.
2. I want my opinion to leave me the fuck alone. I'm better. I find it is no longer my master.
3. I want to not want. Let's see how I can do with that. LOL!
Kenosha Kid July 07, 2021 at 19:25 #562813
Reply to TheMadFool I HATE THIS!!!

That is a fact. THIS IS TERRIBLE!!! is an opinion. The distinction is mere pedantry in my op- ah fuck it.
TheMadFool July 08, 2021 at 03:02 #563014
Quoting Kenosha Kid
I HATE THIS!!!

That is a fact. THIS IS TERRIBLE!!! is an opinion. The distinction is mere pedantry in my op- ah fuck it.


You have your opinions, others will have theirs. That's a fact. Whether people should be allowed to have opinions is a different issue - it begs for facts about opinions. Being what we are, full of opinions, we will opine on this issue as well. That's s a fact. Ergo, the fact is people will have opinions.

Are all these opinions facts?

No, in classical logic (categorical, sentential, predicate logics).

Yes, in paraconsistent logic and dialetheism.
NOS4A2 July 08, 2021 at 03:19 #563019
Reply to James Riley

Let it be known, friend. If it’s just, based on solid evidence, and can be expressed in a way that is a joy to read, add it to the noise. It might stand above other opinions.
jgill July 08, 2021 at 04:43 #563041
Quoting TheMadFool
Whether people should be allowed to have opinions is a different issue.


What agency would allow or disallow opinions and enforce their ruling?
TheMadFool July 08, 2021 at 05:01 #563049
Quoting jgill
What agency would allow or disallow opinions and enforce their ruling?


Hopefully none! I don't advocate regulation on opinions. I quite enjoy the subjective nature of opinions - not always though but on the whole, the benefits outweigh the costs. As I meant, each muscial instrument has something unique to offer when used to play a certain musical piece - that's something worth a thumbs-up! No?
baker July 08, 2021 at 09:02 #563125
Quoting James Riley
1. I want to love my enemy. So far, no joy. I have made some headway, but there's a long way to go.
2. I want my opinion to leave me the fuck alone. I'm better. I find it is no longer my master.
3. I want to not want. Let's see how I can do with that. LOL!

A crash course in Buddhism usually quickly results in a crash.
RogueAI July 08, 2021 at 18:45 #563348
Quoting jgill
Get out of the sun of introspection.


The unexamined life is worth living?
MikeListeral July 10, 2021 at 23:09 #564614
Reply to James Riley

you cannot be free of the desire and need for power in this lifetime on this planet

all living things have it

so how about instead of trying to overcome it you throw out the flawed spirituality that tells you that you should.
James Riley July 10, 2021 at 23:24 #564626
Reply to MikeListeral

My opinion, my wants, my hatred of my enemies, have all had what I perceive to be as an undue and dominant influence on my life, and I tire of it. So, rather than surrender to them, as some (you?) appear to be suggesting, I think I'll look for something other than the either/or, illogical two-valued orientation. I will seek to check, not to obliterate. I'll merely try to reign things in a little bit. That's not a flawed spirituality. However, as in all examples of oppression, release therefrom can result in some natural push-back. My opinion, my wants, my hatred of my enemies may have to stand down and take a back seat for a little bit.
MikeListeral July 10, 2021 at 23:35 #564632
Reply to James Riley

you have two choices in life
1- get more power and reap the rewards of that power
2- be passive and suffer the consequences

there is nothing wrong with power. just remember, one of the best ways to get more power is to make more friends.
James Riley July 10, 2021 at 23:38 #564633
Quoting MikeListeral
you have two choices in life
1- get more power and reap the rewards of that power
2- be passive and suffer the consequences


I disagree. Whenever someone (including life) gives you two choices, pick the third.
MikeListeral July 11, 2021 at 00:05 #564652
Reply to James Riley

pick the third?

ok while your busy trying to be spiritual and unique real reality is gonna pass you by

maybe your just a wimp who wants to make excuses
James Riley July 11, 2021 at 00:09 #564654
Quoting MikeListeral
maybe your just a wimp who wants to make excuses


LOL! Yeah, that's it. LOL!
MikeListeral July 11, 2021 at 00:13 #564658
Reply to James Riley

most religion and spirituality demonizes the desire for power

and a bunch of other behaviors which are perfectly normal

good way to screw up your self esteem
James Riley July 11, 2021 at 00:22 #564661
Quoting MikeListeral
good way to screw up your self esteem


Thank you for teaching me about religion, spirituality and self esteem.
MikeListeral July 11, 2021 at 00:25 #564664
Reply to James Riley

power needs love

and love needs power

one does not have to be reduced to get more of the other

there is nothing wrong with you. or having opinions or seeking power

pushing those down wont help you.

if you want more love dont push power down. just crank love up higher.

never go against anything inside you. dont create a war inside yourself.
fishfry July 11, 2021 at 00:28 #564665
Quoting James Riley
I’m in love with my own opinion, and I don’t want to be. I want a divorce.


My favorite bumper sticker: "Don't believe everything you think!"
MikeListeral July 11, 2021 at 00:46 #564675
Reply to fishfry

don't believe everything you think

-----------

there is no separate you that chooses to believe or not believe the mind

there is only the mind

and the mind needs outside information before it can change

cause and effect

not magic

which is why most self help doenst work