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The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Debate & Discussion > Odd question, but how do you hold strong political opinions.
 
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Nessus
Dec 22, 2003

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CircleBoy posted:

Ultimately I voted for independence but it was by the narrowest margin in my head, I wasn't as heartbroken as many were by the result. But the result if anything has galvanized the pro independence side and people are getting involved in politics now more than ever, the result be damned, these people still passionately believe in their cause.

But seeing that just makes me wonder more and more. How do these people hold such strong opinions on issues? My stance on almost every major issue is "it's complicated and I don't know". Be it politics, economics, ethics, it's all so complex. And it's not from lack of interest. When something like this comes along I read up on it, but that just seems to make the matter even more complicated and hard to hold a view on. Combine that with the fact that almost every piece of information on a controversial subject is framed with bias to one side or the other and I just wind up more undecided than when I started whenever I try to read into things.

So, you guys seem as good as any to ask. How and why do you hold strong opinions on subjects? Or are you happy sitting on the fence?
I consider ideas, both as presented in theory and as implemented in practice. "It's complicated and I don't know" seems to me like a good answer to questions like "Now exactly how would you structure the tax code to encourage or cause greater income equality?" (For instance.) However I have yet to see any argument that has been convincing that the present system of income inequality is in any way good, or helpful, or should be preserved or increased. I have seen some arguments which have focused on things like 'well wages in the West have stagnated but in the third world they've increased greatly!' which changes very little.

You also have to look at your own ethical and moral beliefs. For instance I feel that the complete legal equality of sexes, races, religions and sexual identities is a very valuable and important thing, and would be worth doing even if (somehow) there was demonstration of economic harms that come from it (there is not, to my knowledge, any such, but I mean as a hypothetical.)

I honestly find your perspective baffling. What do you mean by gaining new information makes you more undecided due to the complexity of the matter? Do you expect to be able to magic out some optimal third-way solution for contentious and complex matters? At a certain point it is OK to make a decision, to choose a side; it doesn't mean you have to be an rear end in a top hat or go bludgeon the skulls of the other fellows.

* # ¿ Sep 27, 2014 22:41
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The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Debate & Discussion > Odd question, but how do you hold strong political opinions.