Andre Hartslief
“Are you the architect of your own destiny?”
Controversy and Buzz The more we differ from one another, the more we are alike because controversial issues do two things. First, controversy makes things more interesting to everyone to talk about. You don’t need me to tell you how boring it will be if everyone has exactly the same opinion, so a little bit of dispute keeps discussion stimulating and alive. Only when different sides get to air their views can debate, encourage conversation.
Controversy, however, at the same time, also generates discomfort. For instance, have you ever tried to talk about abortion at a crowded party? Probably not. It’s just way too uncomfortable to discuss there. Especially if you don’t know the people, you won’t want to offend them, right.
It is critically contested, but people do care deeply, about what others think of them, so because of this, they would rather not talk about highly controversial topics to avoid rubbing others up the wrong way. What then, does that say about conversation and controversy? Well, just this, my research shows that some controversy actually boosts buzz, while, too much of it, on the other hand, diminishes it. Highly controversial issues, therefore are less likely to be discussed.
Finally, it also depends on who people are talking to, as we’re more comfortable discussing controversial topics with friends because they already know us well enough. They will not judge us, based solely on that one conversation. Even if it did go a little bumpy, our friends still stick with us.
?☀ CLICK HERE–10 MOST CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES
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Do you fear confrontation when mentioning controversial issues?
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Yes
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No
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Truth seems to have “many sides” when it comes to complicated topics…
It’s not a “earth is round” kinda straight forward “truth” at time …
Hello Alibb, since the truth has many sides, should uncomfortable discussions about truth be hidden or discussed?
There are times when telling the truth (being less honest) is and isn’t permissible. There is this proverb that says about a person who does not occupy himself/herself with truth, “A golden nose-ring in the snout of a swine, a beautiful woman bereft of reason.”
So, when you detect a person is lost in understanding and does not want to be found, better not even considering throwing pearls to them. 😉
*Edit Lost of understanding (no logic, no common-sense… etc…)
Thank you, Country Mama, for returning to my discussion, in my pursuit of attaining clarity and understanding. Your point is understood and taken, however, in the absence of such yet to be determined qualities, IE until it was discovered that it was indeed “a pig with a golden nose ring, etc or a beautiful woman bereft of reason,” Certain prior dialogue was required, do you agree?
My entire point is that it’s not so much the result of the research, (the truth), but rather the pursuance of that fact, which is the part that is so hotly or voraciously contested. And, quite often the degree of voracity during the search, gives rise to sayings like, “where there is smoke, there is fire.” ?
No worries. My close friends discuss this way…
Yesterday at the swimming pool park, we talked about different topics as they came to our minds. And in many different ways, perspectives, understanding and points of view — we, in each our own hearts, concluded with solutions of our own (or questions to inquire more about) based on the truth of the matter, agreed, disagreed, enjoyed each other’s company.
Those quotes above are idioms or analogies to illustrate and prove a point. Besides, don’t you agree that I’m enjoying your “çompany”? 🙂
Undoubtedly! And I, yours, from the onset.?
There are a few who choose to disagree no matter what the topic. I avoid them wholesale. (lol).
Now, is that not a fact? Thank you, Grace, for your brief but a most illuminating response.
Depends on the situation and who is involved.
Absolutely Carol, have you noticed, that the people who are the least likely to handle the unadulterated truth, are usually the ones who say, “Tell me everything, I can handle it.”
A lot depends on who you are talking to, but then you don’t know who to avoid unless the topic comes up.
Hello Pamela, I have to agree with you, and mentioned it, saying, finally, it also depends on who people are talking to, as we’re more comfortable discussing controversial topics with friends because they already know us well enough. They will not judge us, based solely on that one conversation. Even if it did go a little bumpy, our friends still stick with us. Also the last part of your comment I agree with, Afterall, how will we know who to avoid unless the topic comes up. Julius Caeser had to die to learn that he had overstepped his mark with his dearest friend Brutus. Thank you. PS. I hope that terrible smoke from Aussie had blown away and that you can all breathe freely again I always worry about you when I get bad news about tropical storms and earthquakes from the South Pacific and New Zeeland.
Thanks Andre, the fires in Australia don’t affect us in New Zealand but you do worry about it as I have relations and some friends there.
I feel sorry for anyone in the world who has bad fires…
We had news reports over here that Australia’s smoke from those bad fires was affecting New Zeeland as well. Sorry, I thought there was a problem in NZ because of the smoke. One can’t trust the news anymore these days. here is the link: https://youtu.be/IzNXix9Vvl8
I also have family in Oz and worry about them.
Well, you may see my Sky Sunday, part 2, where the fires of Australia does affect Auckland but it is really mild compared with what they are going through and I wish I could help but cant do anything.
Ours was an Orange Sky and darker than usual at 3 in the afternoon.
Would you believe it takes 4 days by boat to reach Australia from the Tasman?
Yes, the smoke really does affect my asthma but it is not life threatening.
The statement was that Truth can never be controversial, but that depends entirely on what you mean by Truth!
One lesson I remember from my schooldays – on the subject of literary criticism – was that Truth is many-sided. In other words, there are many ways of being right as well of being wrong. I can agree with you more in some respects than in others, while at the same time not dissenting from your overall conclusion.
My mistake in a school essay had been to be dogmatic – to insist on my view being the only only one that was acceptable. That was when a wise teacher made the statement that I have quoted, and I have always remembered it and tried to apply it.
Thanks, John I get your point, thanks for elaborating. An example, a wise old friend once shared was this. He held up a box of matches and asked several of us in the discussion to write down what we saw, IE. not, “I see a box of matches.” but rather what image or view each one had. Well, as you can gather, there were vastly differing descriptions, for instance, from my viewpoint, I could not see the brown striker panel, etc. There were several views of the truth, the truth being, that, it was a box of matches. We laughed at the example but it was a worthy lesson learned about the many faces of the truth.
Reminds of the parable, the Blind Men and the Elephant.
Ah, yes! John Godfrey Saxe’s Indian idiom, as I recall it went something like this, the blind men and an elephant comes from India. It is about a variety of truths and mistakes. It is also about the need for respect, communication and the need to consider different perspectives. It makes the point of values gained through observation and bias. Thank you
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It was from our classic readers my children and I read at home.
I don’t avoid truth. You can’t really avoid truth. It’s not like a lie. You can avoid actually avoid a lie. But I do avoid pointless arguments where the person has no intention of coming up with a resolution or solution. They’re not trying to reason at all. They’re not being reasonable. They just want to argue in order to gender strife, hatred, animosity, and all such negativity. Those kinds of discussions weary me. They serve no constructive purpose.
Hello Cmoneyspinner, I agree with you, such an activity would be pointless and I don’t think you’ll find any of us people on this page, yourself included engaged in such an idiotic group, much less to post comments on it. Thankyou.
I always teach my children, and myself, to always stay very close to, and never depart from growing inquiring minds and use their minds. Discipline their inquiring minds and exercise their thinking brains so that it does not hurt anymore when they try to use it. Such as, addressing controversial issues.
Truth has, and has always been, one absolute side of a verified premise— proof and evidence-based.
While fallacy has many sides —red herring, ad hominem attack… etc… to avoid answering inquiring minds who want to get to the bottom-line with truth.
Really nice on my take.
Thanks, CM, I like your reasoning and your overall conclusion that truth is the one absolute side of a verified premise. Lucky children to have a mom who applies the voice of reason as her point of departure.
Yes, thank you. Someday our young ones will carry on their own journey and they will face and encounter issues in life that may challenge their values, morals and character we. As the old sages say, “Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it comes the issues of life.”
Oh, absolutely, I concur, without any doubt, “To thine own heart be true.”
I want to be in your class Mama. We need more of you out there!
Hahaha! My adult children say that I’m ‘”outdated.” They don’t realize that it’s Truth that keeps our earth in good shape and well preserved for something greater to come. Don’t you think so, too? 🙂
Hello Kim, thanks for taking a standpoint on this topic. P.S. Praying for you guys in Australia, sorry about the massive loss of life and property through the fires. I have family over there.
I believe Truth can never be controversial.
Really? Truth is many-sided, and people will take different sides.
In the discussion, around the subject of controversy, John, I, as always respect your views, would you kindly elaborate on your statement?
The statement was that Truth can never be controversial, but that depends entirely on what you mean by Truth!
One lesson I remember from my schooldays – on the subject of literary criticism – was that Truth is many-sided. In other words, there are many ways of being right as well of being wrong. I can agree with you more in some respects than in others, while at the same time not dissenting from your overall conclusion.
My mistake in a school essay had been to be dogmatic – to insist on my view being the only only one that was acceptable. That was when a wise teacher made the statement that I have quoted, and I have always remembered it and tried to apply it.
Well said, Indexer! There really isnt much to elaborate on here. You and Country Mama have said what I wish I had to words to say… Thank you.
I think we agree on that score, Witty. However, if the truth is laid bare, while we are in or mortal state, (now,) the truth can have dire or painful consequences, and I explained that in my article I mention, that by being too direct, the result can have an opposite effect. Was being “brutally” honest not the reason why God’s son preferred to speak in parables, IE. com- parables?