The Inability to Hear Another Point of View

[tinkerbellandpeterpan]

What is this particular trait?

I just can't figure out why a person would be bothered to post on a message board if they aren't interested in hearing opinions or responses. There are plenty of times I have that I have an initial opinion about something, but then others express a contrary opinion and I think "hmmm...I didn't think about it like that...perhaps that has some merit" and I consider a different point of view or not and I think "that's nuts...I'm definitely right" LOL.

I'm always curious about people who post on message boards assuming it will be an echo chamber. If you know people like this or have some useful insight I'd be delighted to hear about it because I just flat out don't get it and wonder what's the point of posting if you don't expect to spur a discussion. Message boards would be rather boring if everyone just posted "agreed or same" underneath the original post. Frequently the posts are about mundane or trivial topics that no one really cares that much about so I find myself not understanding why it is so frustrating if someone doesn't agree with the original poster.

 

[china mom]

I totally disagree with everything in this post and I am offended that you even brought it up

 

[Karin1984]

I am utterly confused about these two threads.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/the-art-of-being-disagreeable.3926000/#post-64952555

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

I just can't figure out why a person would be bothered to post on a message board if they aren't interested in hearing opinions or responses. There are plenty of times I have that I have an initial opinion about something, but then others express a contrary opinion and I think "hmmm...I didn't think about it like that...perhaps that has some merit" and I consider a different point of view or not and I think "that's nuts...I'm definitely right" LOL.

Some just like to hear themselves talk. Others want to hear support for whatever bad idea they came up with.

 

[soccerdad72]

This ought to go well...

 

[StageTek]

What is this particular trait?

I just can't figure out why a person would be bothered to post on a message board if they aren't interested in hearing opinions or responses. There are plenty of times I have that I have an initial opinion about something, but then others express a contrary opinion and I think "hmmm...I didn't think about it like that...perhaps that has some merit" and I consider a different point of view or not and I think "that's nuts...I'm definitely right" LOL.

I'm always curious about people who post on message boards assuming it will be an echo chamber. If you know people like this or have some useful insight I'd be delighted to hear about it because I just flat out don't get it and wonder what's the point of posting if you don't expect to spur a discussion. Message boards would be rather boring if everyone just posted "agreed or same" underneath the original post. Frequently the posts are about mundane or trivial topics that no one really cares that much about so I find myself not understanding why it is so frustrating if someone doesn't agree with the original poster.

I'm sure you can figure it out.

Many people want to give their opinion, their "truth" and their point-of-view even when they aren't open to the opinion, "truths" and point-of-views of others. You aren't one of those people and it IS frustrating - but you can figure it out.

The reason some people post on a messageboard isn't to spur a discussion but to express their own opinion. Again, not why YOU post but surely you can understand why people are different.

It can really be frustrating.

 

[starvenger]

I totally disagree with everything in this post and I am offended that you even brought it up

I disagree with your post and the original post as well.

(side note: We need a sarcasm font on this board)

 

[Karin1984]

I disagree with your post and the original post as well.

(side note: We need a sarcasm font on this board)

But... but... the ground rules say we cannot be sarcastic on the Dis.

 

[Disneychick13]

It’s just people who live in an echo chamber. They surround themselves with people that agree with them. They follow people on social media that agree with them. They read and watch media that agrees/reinforces their viewpoint. So when anyone challenges them, they can’t hear it and will reject any information you present that might give a different view. And it’s not even a particular group of people (like say from a political standpoint). You can usually tell who they are on social media because they like to “block” people and call posters “trolls”. That’s kind of all you can do if you are not open to other viewpoints. I know people in real life like that. Most are really good people. But man you can’t have any kind of discussion of controversial topics or they lose their mind!

 

[BayouQueen]

Of course, some people are just stubborn. But I think by the opinions they hold some people build a self-image of themselves and feel connection with certain groups. If they change their opinion, maybe they feel kicked out of their special clique.

Does that make sense? Some people just seem to need to fit into a certain “category.”

Personally, I’d rather keep an open mind.

 

[pigletto]

I love a good open thought provoking discussion. Though I find that these are more and more rare online these days.

Mostly because we are polarized politically. It takes real strength to listen to someone with an opposing viewpoint and try to find common ground with them. I’m not always good at it myself though I’m trying these days because I think it’s the only way to find some unity and start healing the divide we are all feeling.

 

[MIGrandma]

I don’t mind a difference of opinion, everyone has the right to how they think about everything. It would be a boring world if we all thought alike. It’s when someone gets nasty that it goes too far.

 

[Kitty 34]

I disagree with your post and the original post as well.

(side note: We need a sarcasm font on this board)

I use this with my once in awhile sarcasm.......

What does sarcasm font look like???

 

[starvenger]

I use this with my once in awhile sarcasm.......

What does sarcasm font look like???

It's usually a courier-type font

 

[sam_gordon]

I love a good open thought provoking discussion. Though I find that these are more and more rare online these days.

Mostly because we are polarized politically. It takes real strength to listen to someone with an opposing viewpoint and try to find common ground with them. I’m not always good at it myself though I’m trying these days because I think it’s the only way to find some unity and start healing the divide we are all feeling.

Definitely agree. I'd rather have a discussion with someone I disagreed with than talk about songs with the word "song" in them. Some people apparently don't understand that it IS okay to disagree with someone, AND it's ok to say so.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

On the flip side, why do people give their opinion about more than what the OP asks for, especially when they ask a very specific question? i.e We're a family of 4 and staying at our favorite resort POP and just want to know when the buses start picking up in the morning? You would think that you would get simple answers. LOL
You will see posts like "family of 4 in a value room I could never do that, have you looked at a MOD or renting points?" OR "we hate using the busses you should use Uber... and then that just opens the door to more opinions that are off the OPs subject. LOL

 

[tvguy]

On the flip side, why do people give their opinion about more than what the OP asks for, especially when they ask a very specific question? i.e We're a family of 4 and staying at our favorite resort POP and just want to know when the buses start picking up in the morning? You would think that you would get simple answers. LOL
You will see posts like "family of 4 in a value room I could never do that, have you looked at a MOD or renting points?" OR "we hate using the busses you should use Uber... and then that just opens the door to more opinions that are off the OPs subject. LOL

Replies are known as "threads" for this very reason. They weave here and there and everywhere. However, I would find that a reasonable and helpful response that could be things the OP never considered.

 

[sam_gordon]

On the flip side, why do people give their opinion about more than what the OP asks for, especially when they ask a very specific question? i.e We're a family of 4 and staying at our favorite resort POP and just want to know when the buses start picking up in the morning? You would think that you would get simple answers. LOL
You will see posts like "family of 4 in a value room I could never do that, have you looked at a MOD or renting points?" OR "we hate using the busses you should use Uber... and then that just opens the door to more opinions that are off the OPs subject. LOL

I think part of that is people want to help. To use your example, they don't know if the OP knows about the option of renting points or using Uber, so they want to suggest it because it worked so well for them.

Others want to come off as "know it alls".
Others want to spark a discussion.

 

[Karin1984]

I think part of that is people want to help. To use your example, they don't know if the OP knows about the option of renting points or using Uber, so they want to suggest it because it worked so well for them.

Others want to come off as "know it alls".
Others want to spark a discussion.

I probably do this a lot on the Disneyland Paris board. I am one of the few AP holders/frequent visitors and DLP is a different kind of park than the US ones. So usually I start asking questions or add a lot of things that are different over here.

 

[DCLMP]

I don’t mind a difference of opinion, everyone has the right to how they think about everything. It would be a boring world if we all thought alike. It’s when someone gets nasty that it goes too far.

Unfortunately, it usually tends to get nasty. Why some people think they are going to change someone's values, opinions, or political beliefs is beyond me.