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On some level this response seems sane, but the more I think about it the more insane it is. Are we seriously questioning why someone wants to share their opin

On some level this response seems sane, but the more I think about it the more insane it is. Are we seriously questioning why someone wants to share their opinions on a topic? Are we actually clueless as to what they get out of it? Is telling them they should instead spend a great deal of time following a completely unrelated pursuit our solution? "Hey, I'm having a hard time expressing myself while feeling safe from (as I see it) arbitrary harassment, and managing vectors for imagined retributions" "Go decompile donkey kong" ...right

lukebitts 4y ago
> Are we seriously questioning why someone wants to share their opinions on a topic? Are we actually clueless as to what they get out of it? Yes, feel free to explain why that’s insane. It seems absolutely normal to keep things to yourself
- theelous3 4y ago
  There is no way this is a good faith question. As someone delivering their opinion on the internet - surely you can explain why someone would like to deliver their opinion on the internet.
  - lukebitts 4y ago
    I personally don’t get anything out of sharing my opinion on the internet, I do it out of reflex and I actually have been taking measures to stop doing it. So no, not asking in bad faith.
    - gnomewrecker 4y ago
      [flagged]
  - peruvian 4y ago
    I wasted a decade+ on my life arguing online all day. I see what coldpie says. It is legitimately a pointless waste of time. Obviously I am still on HN so I still do it, but I definitely feel it's futile and it's a guilty pleasure. But even here, I've lurked or posted for many years too and I can't recall anyone changing their opinion on anything.
    - ashwagary 4y ago
      I dont think mental jousting is completely devoid of value depending on the topic. The benefits are just difficult to measure. Even if you haven't changed opinions, you may have helped take down strawmen or aid others in steelmaning.
- freedom2099 4y ago
  The possibility to have a healthy debate on any topic is the root of progress!
  - lukebitts 4y ago
    Fair enough, though I would argue it’s impossible to have a healthy meaningful debate on “the internet” (by which I mean reddit or any social media)
    - freedom2099 4y ago
      Sadly true
coldpie 4y ago
"A rule of etiquette -- in business, at the dinner table, at the barbershop and elsewhere -- is 'never talk about religion or politics.' These subjects are highly contentious and usually result in heated argument instead of general agreement. 'Never discuss religion or politics with those who hold opinions opposite to yours' has been cited in print since at least 1840. 'Do not discuss politics or religion in general company' is from 1879." https://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/new_york_city/entry/never_talk_about_religion_or_politics_etiquette_rule https://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/new_york_city/entry/nev... I think we will somehow survive as a society without hearing this dude's thoughts on incest. And yes, I think people would be better served spending their time on hobbies than arguing politics on the Internet.
- theelous3 4y ago
  The person is not walking in to business meetings arguing the ethics of incest. Clearly they understand this given their declaration of a throwaway. I think it's also probably safe to say they're not delivering these opinions as non-sequiturs. If there is some news article posted for discussion about incest, and I showed up to say "I don't like incest", I doubt I'd find anyone telling me about references to > 1840, The Corsair, “The Letter Bag of the Great Western,” pg. 775, col. 1 But look what seems to happen at the inverse? Make of the opinion what you will, but bashing the engagement is a bit rich. OP is just giving the outsiders perspective to the hivemind. It's worth hearing now and then imo.
  - Izkata 4y ago
    > OP is just giving the outsiders perspective to the hivemind. It's worth hearing now and then imo. Sometimes it can even be fun. I've gotten a surprising number of upvotes with no supporting comments in the past on here, presumably from others too afraid to speak up.
- Hizonner 4y ago
  You're on Hacker News saying people shouldn't talk about politics? Either you're badly lost, or you don't recognize politics even when they hit you over the head.

lukebitts 4y ago

> Are we seriously questioning why someone wants to share their opinions on a topic? Are we actually clueless as to what they get out of it? Yes, feel free to explain why that’s insane. It seems absolutely normal to keep things to yourself

theelous3 4y ago
There is no way this is a good faith question. As someone delivering their opinion on the internet - surely you can explain why someone would like to deliver their opinion on the internet.
- lukebitts 4y ago
  I personally don’t get anything out of sharing my opinion on the internet, I do it out of reflex and I actually have been taking measures to stop doing it. So no, not asking in bad faith.
  - gnomewrecker 4y ago
    [flagged]
- peruvian 4y ago
  I wasted a decade+ on my life arguing online all day. I see what coldpie says. It is legitimately a pointless waste of time. Obviously I am still on HN so I still do it, but I definitely feel it's futile and it's a guilty pleasure. But even here, I've lurked or posted for many years too and I can't recall anyone changing their opinion on anything.
  - ashwagary 4y ago
    I dont think mental jousting is completely devoid of value depending on the topic. The benefits are just difficult to measure. Even if you haven't changed opinions, you may have helped take down strawmen or aid others in steelmaning.
freedom2099 4y ago
The possibility to have a healthy debate on any topic is the root of progress!
- lukebitts 4y ago
  Fair enough, though I would argue it’s impossible to have a healthy meaningful debate on “the internet” (by which I mean reddit or any social media)
  - freedom2099 4y ago
    Sadly true

coldpie 4y ago

"A rule of etiquette -- in business, at the dinner table, at the barbershop and elsewhere -- is 'never talk about religion or politics.' These subjects are highly contentious and usually result in heated argument instead of general agreement. 'Never discuss religion or politics with those who hold opinions opposite to yours' has been cited in print since at least 1840. 'Do not discuss politics or religion in general company' is from 1879." https://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/new_york_city/entry/never_talk_about_religion_or_politics_etiquette_rule https://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/new_york_city/entry/nev... I think we will somehow survive as a society without hearing this dude's thoughts on incest. And yes, I think people would be better served spending their time on hobbies than arguing politics on the Internet.

theelous3 4y ago
The person is not walking in to business meetings arguing the ethics of incest. Clearly they understand this given their declaration of a throwaway. I think it's also probably safe to say they're not delivering these opinions as non-sequiturs. If there is some news article posted for discussion about incest, and I showed up to say "I don't like incest", I doubt I'd find anyone telling me about references to > 1840, The Corsair, “The Letter Bag of the Great Western,” pg. 775, col. 1 But look what seems to happen at the inverse? Make of the opinion what you will, but bashing the engagement is a bit rich. OP is just giving the outsiders perspective to the hivemind. It's worth hearing now and then imo.
- Izkata 4y ago
  > OP is just giving the outsiders perspective to the hivemind. It's worth hearing now and then imo. Sometimes it can even be fun. I've gotten a surprising number of upvotes with no supporting comments in the past on here, presumably from others too afraid to speak up.
Hizonner 4y ago
You're on Hacker News saying people shouldn't talk about politics? Either you're badly lost, or you don't recognize politics even when they hit you over the head.