Changing your opinion

Who lives may learn.

Normal learning curve! Vide Geraldine's article in the local forum launch!

People are complex. Someone who's been jokey and lighthearted on one thread can show a completely different side to themselves on a serious discussion thread.

Agree ana
Just like real life, in fact.

It's happened to me a lot in real life. Someone suddenly says something that turns your whole idea of them upside down. Often in a good way, but sometimes, sadly, not.

This also happens with the visualisation of a person. They may suddenly say something and you realise they are not the age or as you had imagined. It is interesting as we only hear the voice in words so can not make the usual judgement we all do without realising. I think it is liberating.

petra

I know exactly what you mean. It's a good thing to see different sides to us to though, isn't it.

If you only saw an 'old witch' then that's probably what they are. If you see an 'old witch' that occassionaly hands out empathy and understanding from time to time then that is reassuring. If you only saw a 'fence sitter' then that's probably what they are. If you see a 'fence sitter' having a debate with conviction then that's a good thing.

The only acception is if you see a funny, humourous person that is what they are, you cannot take that away and certainly cannot give it to anyone.

We all have opposite political opinions, that's healthy. We all have various backrounds that is healthy too. As the saying goes 'The world is a great big friut cake and it wouldn't be as good without a few nuts in it'.

petra as has already been said we are complex but I like to think that some of us are not too stuck in our ways to change or modify an opinion if another person posts a convincing argument. I have been telling myself to start a thread about fixed views as we get older. Must get round to it on a day when I will be able to follow what is said.

Hope you are enjoying being on here.

It's true that you feel you 'know' someone after a while on a forum and then a comment makes you change your thinking. I think that is a good thing..life and people are not black and white...all affected by our personal experiences so respond slightly differently to the threads..be dull otherwise!

I think that I enjoy forums because I get to 'talk' to people with very different opinions to mine and I find that healthy! It does not happen much in my 'real' world. I have to check & think about my arguments, consider the ripostes I get and sometimes I might even change the way I think about something and sometimes my views are validated and made stronger!

Sadly, one of the things that does not translate too well in chat-rooms is, irony/sarcasm, especially with non UK-English speakers
In the 40 odd years I've been chatting on-line, I liberally use a LOT of smilies and other emoticons.... AND, I still have my American friends
Sapph

This is the kind of post that brings out the paranoia in^everyone^!

It's almost a thread about a poster started by someone not quite brave (or stupid) enough.

How did you chat on line for all those years before the Internet was invented? Not that I doubt your word, Sapphyr, I'd just like to know what was the fore-runner of the net.

Agree with you jo8
I don't think I want to know who the OP had in mind

I'm pleased to say that, since joining GN, I've changed my mind about many things. I am very grateful to those members that have helped me to become more broadminded and less judgemental.
Time to feed the cats

Oh I do!!!!!

Jo

I think that's your paranoia coming out.

sorry! [slaps bum I mean wrist]

It certainly won't be you, jane

Oh Petra,! Let us in on it. Being deleted is painless.

You mean I'm uniformly unpleasant Ana
There's paranoia for you

Don't be silly, jane!

I have been much influenced by things I have read on GN. But at the moment I am completely so am off to get another . Which will mean I shall be even more......

I wouldn't dream of "interpreting" the OP, but I do know that it is easy to fall into the lazy perspective of seeing a familiar name and thinking "left-wing crosspatch", "right-wing bigot", "gooey granny", "soppy sweetness", bad-tempered bat", "let's all be nice and and not say anything controversial" or whatever.