My way isn't necessarily the best way mind you.* I just like
keeping a clear head so I can deal with issues at the time I
need to. Example: I have a lot of friends online and I have
family in person. Many of them are news hounds.* They love
staying up to date. Some have personal causes, personal
missions, things that are important to them. Now, how do *we*
find out about the news? The media.* They scour the world and
decide what will get people to view their news channel or buy
their newspapers.* Therefore, they pick the stories that will
cause the largest emotional impact in us and that is what we
find out about, because advertisers pay for the news, nearly all
of it. Just how it is. Now we have the news.* We don't hear
everything that's going on, because we can't.* Brainspace too
small, media too limited. Within my online friends and family,
the news filters through their brains, their opinions, their
feelings.* They don't tell me everything they see, because I
don't ask. But - if they feel it is *really important* for me to
know, they'll tell me. Since my friendships/family is valuable
to me, what's important to them, is important to me. So I
listen. Then I research.* First I learn more about their
opinion. Then I look for at least one opposing position, but
preferably I look for three or more perspectives. Typically I
only find two - theirs and their "opposite"; and sometimes the
opposing position is *very very difficult* to find.* Two isn't
usually enough, but if it's what I have to go with, then that's
what I go with. With multiple opinions in hand, I think through
the history of similar situations.* I try to go as far back in
history as i can, with the little I know. I take in to account
cultural differences, misunderstandings of language (the one for
Islam and Muslim is an interesting mistake Westerners make and
leads to great misunderstandings), etc. Then I form an opinion.
Once I've formed an opinion, I keep listening to whoever is
talking to revise my opinion if it's mistaken, but at least I
have something to contribute, because my friends will talk about
it and I like being friendly. I often take the opposite point of
view, if there were only two choices.* I try to find a 3rd point
of view when I can, if not more though. I do this to engage in
conversation , so that they can really have a chance to think
critically about their position.* I will know enough about a
different opinion to be intelligent, give a decent debate and
sometimes in the end, change my opinion to theirs. I do this,
because people like debating things they're passionate about.
And those that like to express an opinion and then RUN... I go,
"No - no no no no, you wait a minute here.* I listened to you;
listen to ANOTHER opinion that's not the same as yours". In the
end, I just want to make my coffee, eat, poop, take a nap. But
I'll debate.** I give friends what they want sometimes
agreement, but usually a challenge so they can figure out if
they *really* believe something or if they're just parroting,
because I believe that unchallenged opinions shared by many only
leads to trouble.* Every time.
