NationStates Jolt Archive

I have enjoyed posting my opinions and arguing with others here in the General Forum. However, I wonder how rigid my thinking is in that I have never changed my mind because of someone else's argument.

Have you ever changed your mind or altered your thinking because of something someone else has posted?

A Japanese Zen Buddhist koan that addresses this topic:

Nan-in, a Japanese master during the Meiji era (1868-1912), received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen.

Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor's cup full, and then kept on pouring.

The professor watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself. "It is overfull. No more will go in!"
"Like this cup," Nan-in said, "you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?"

I am inerant. Any disimilarity between what I say, and the way the universe actually is, is an error in the universe. Thank you.

Nan-in fails to mention that an empty cup can just as easily be filled with crap.

Nan-in fails to mention that an empty cup can just as easily be filled with crap.


Are you saying zen is crap then?

I couldn't necessarily pinpoint a moment when my mind was changed by debating on the General forum, but, the General forumities - some of them - have confirmed my theory that ignorance breeds ignorance and that their are a lot more stupid people out there than I thought.

No, seriously though, the General forum debates and discussions I've been in have taught me patience and a bit of caution when getting heavy into topics of interest.

I couldn't necessarily pinpoint a moment when my mind was changed by debating on the General forum, but, the General forumities - some of them - have confirmed my theory that ignorance breeds ignorance and that their are a lot more stupid people out there than I thought.

No, seriously though, the General forum debates and discussions I've been in have taught me patience and a bit of caution when getting heavy into topics of interest.

That's true.

I have learned that it is easier just to make snarky comments than bother trying to reasonably differ with some people.

I also learned that some people think torture is cool.

I have learned that it is easier just to make snarky comments than bother trying to reasonably differ with some people.

I've learned how not to do that... because I don't want to get my nation deleted... I enjoy the game. ;)

I also learned that some people think torture is cool.

Yeah, I've also been questioned with topics I wouldn't normally talk about face-to-face necessarily with those around me. So, in that case, I think it's broadened my horizons in some respects and closed them in others.

I've learned how not to do that... because I don't want to get my nation deleted... I enjoy the game. ;)



Yeah, I've also been questioned with topics I wouldn't normally talk about face-to-face necessarily with those around me. So, in that case, I think it's broadened my horizons in some respects and closed them in others.


Well the trick with the snarky, is not to direct them at anyone. Just say something boneheaded to about it to no-one in particular. I laugh, even if no-one else does.

I don't believe I've ever even been warned. :)

I agree that people porbably let their hair down here a lot more than they would in RL, but sometimes I find what I find scary :(

No.

i've never changed my opinion based upon a NS post per say(i have a grand total of maybe 10-15 of them anyways), but i do learn to see things from other peoples POV.

i do try to keep an open mind though, as Confucius said(actual quote, not a joke quote):
"Ignorance is the night of the mind, a night without moon or star."

I agree that people porbably let their hair down here a lot more than they would in RL, but sometimes I find what I find scary :(

Definitely... some of this stuff is just sick.

Are you saying zen is crap then?

No, I'm merely pointing out the Master's flaw in requiring only an empty cup.

No... it would take a long while, coupled with lots of links and books and lengthy discussions to change my mind. And of course you would also have to believe what your telling me yourself.

Too often people debate not knowing what they're talking about....

Have you ever changed your mind or altered your thinking because of something someone else has posted?


Forgot to answer the question ... yes ... once or twice.

In a sea of vomitous rage, there are one or two lighthouses.

I became an anarchist because of this board, actually.

Yeah, posts have changed it.