07/04/02: You Are Wrong

juju · 07-04-2002, 05:30 AM

One of the central things in my personal philosphy is to admit when you don't know something. Also, admit the possibility (however remote) that you might be wrong.

Those who do not subscribe to this philosophy include nearly all religions, and all cults.

If you're in a cult, nearly every question you can think to ask is answerable by the cult leader. They are like a God, in that no matter what you can think of to ask, some answer can always be given. This is intoxicating, like a drug. It's why people join cults. It's extremely scary to be ignorant, and it's calming and intoxicating to know that you have all the answers.

If you're in a group of others with the same philosophy, then so much the better. A feedback loop is created wherein you reinforce each other's made-up answers. Since there are lots of you, outsiders can be ridiculed as not being 'in the know'. Only people in X group really know what's going down.

The scary fact is that the truth is very slippery. Just admit that you might be wrong. Otherwise, you could end up in a cult of people who reinforce your ignorance.

Nic Name · 07-04-2002, 11:55 AM

Quote:

One of the central things in my personal philosphy is to admit when you don't know something. Also, admit the possibility (however remote) that you might be wrong.

So, I guess the title of this thread should have been I am wrong. Also, you might have phrased this as "One of the central things in my personal philosophy is to admit when I don't know something. Also, admit the possibility (however remote) that I might be wrong."

... but I could be wrong. ;)

juju · 07-04-2002, 02:04 PM

Hehe.. yeah, a common editorial mistake of mine. I actually meant me but for some reason I put 'you'. I've got to work on that.

Nic Name · 07-04-2002, 02:42 PM

No prob, man. It's understandable. In our communications with others there is more "You're wrong." than "I'm wrong." and that's the important point you are making in this thread. Good point.

Scred · 07-04-2002, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by juju
Hehe.. yeah, a common editorial mistake of mine. I actually meant me but for some reason I put 'you'. I've got to work on that.

So, what, you're saying you were wrong? :)

juju · 07-04-2002, 03:25 PM

I think it's more an artifact of writing like I talk. I don't do it much as I used to. I try to take the medium into consideration. But if we were face-to-face, I don't think anyone would have noticed. It's the hypothetical 'you' that doesn't really mean 'you' at all. People do it all the time face-to-face.

Bah.. the more I read that the more of a headache it gives me. :)

elSicomoro · 07-04-2002, 06:39 PM

Jag has a great sig line right now: "It takes a big man to admit when he's wrong, and an even bigger one to stay shut when he's right."

What did Ventura call organized religion? "A crutch for the weak-minded"? Well, I don't quite believe that...I don't think there is anything wrong with having faith in a higher power. But I do think there is some truth to it. You hear these stories about how cult members are brought in...they're vulnerable, in need of some guiding force in their life. It starts off slowly...the control and indoctrination build up until your whole reality is changed.

On religion as a whole, I think people forget two main principles:

--God is subjective, unable to be proven.

--Not everyone believes in God, Allah, or a god.

Sometimes, when you bring up politics and religion, you can bring out the best and worst in people.

Some say admitting wrong is a sign of weakness...fuck that. It's being human. I generally don't mind admitting it when it happens, even if it sucks.

07-04-2002, 05:30 AM	#1
juju no one of consequence Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Arkansas Posts: 2,839	07/04/02: You Are Wrong One of the central things in my personal philosphy is to admit when you don't know something. Also, admit the possibility (however remote) that you might be wrong. Those who do not subscribe to this philosophy include nearly all religions, and all cults. If you're in a cult, nearly every question you can think to ask is answerable by the cult leader. They are like a God, in that no matter what you can think of to ask, some answer can always be given. This is intoxicating, like a drug. It's why people join cults. It's extremely scary to be ignorant, and it's calming and intoxicating to know that you have all the answers. If you're in a group of others with the same philosophy, then so much the better. A feedback loop is created wherein you reinforce each other's made-up answers. Since there are lots of you, outsiders can be ridiculed as not being 'in the know'. Only people in X group really know what's going down. The scary fact is that the truth is very slippery. Just admit that you might be wrong. Otherwise, you could end up in a cult of people who reinforce your ignorance.

07-04-2002, 03:25 PM	#6
juju no one of consequence Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Arkansas Posts: 2,839	I think it's more an artifact of writing like I talk. I don't do it much as I used to. I try to take the medium into consideration. But if we were face-to-face, I don't think anyone would have noticed. It's the hypothetical 'you' that doesn't really mean 'you' at all. People do it all the time face-to-face. Bah.. the more I read that the more of a headache it gives me. :) Last edited by juju; 07-04-2002 at 03:28 PM.

07-04-2002, 06:39 PM	#7
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	Jag has a great sig line right now: "It takes a big man to admit when he's wrong, and an even bigger one to stay shut when he's right." What did Ventura call organized religion? "A crutch for the weak-minded"? Well, I don't quite believe that...I don't think there is anything wrong with having faith in a higher power. But I do think there is some truth to it. You hear these stories about how cult members are brought in...they're vulnerable, in need of some guiding force in their life. It starts off slowly...the control and indoctrination build up until your whole reality is changed. On religion as a whole, I think people forget two main principles: --God is subjective, unable to be proven. --Not everyone believes in God, Allah, or a god. Sometimes, when you bring up politics and religion, you can bring out the best and worst in people. Some say admitting wrong is a sign of weakness...fuck that. It's being human. I generally don't mind admitting it when it happens, even if it sucks. Last edited by elSicomoro; 07-04-2002 at 06:42 PM.

07-04-2002, 02:04 PM	#3
juju no one of consequence Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Arkansas Posts: 2,839	Hehe.. yeah, a common editorial mistake of mine. I actually meant me but for some reason I put 'you'. I've got to work on that.

07-04-2002, 02:42 PM	#4
Nic Name retired Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,930	No prob, man. It's understandable. In our communications with others there is more "You're wrong." than "I'm wrong." and that's the important point you are making in this thread. Good point.

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