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From: leeper@mtgzz.UUCP (m.r.leeper)
Newsgroups: net.sf-lovers
Subject: So-called uninformed opinions
Message-ID: <1157@mtgzz.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 14-Sep-85 17:40:40 EDT
Article-I.D.: mtgzz.1157
Posted: Sat Sep 14 17:40:40 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 15-Sep-85 00:18:03 EDT
Organization: AT&T Information Systems Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 36


 >An uninformed opinion is no opinion at all.  If you dont
 >know what you're talking about, please try to do it quietly.

One of the regulars on the net has chosen this to be his signiture
line.  That is fine, he can say what he wants.  The line is witty and I
am in no way attacking the poster who uses it.  I would however like to
disagree with the philosophy itself.  Anybody's opinion is an opinion.
Whether that opinion really reflects reality or not is another matter.
It will depend in part on the holder of the opinion and upon his or
background.  The quoted line as far as I am concerned is one that
leads to elitism and stagnation.

A person expressing an opinion should make clear where he/she is
"coming from" so that the reader can better understand why the opinion
is held.  I am fascinated to know what newcomers to science fiction
think of the field.  Any field need fresh insights and one of the
hardest things in life is seeing ones own field as others see it.
I am not sure I even believe there such a thing as an uninformed
opinion unless it is a truly random guess.  There are just different
degrees and characters of informed-ness.  Some are more reliable than
others.

It takes some courage to express an opinion and risk getting into
conflict with someone who disagrees.  Not many people are willing to do
it.  Particularly because there so many people who identify informed
opinions with their own.

Sure, it never is a bad idea to express your ideas quietly, but also
express them clearly.  And if it is an opinion on a topic I am
interested in, express it in my direction.

				Mark Leeper
				...ihnp4!mtgzz!leeper

"This man wishes to be accorded the right of a sponge.  HE WISHES TO
THINK."