Opinions You Just Don't Understand

[Something Amyss]

Every opinion that doesn't align with my own.

I disagree, therefore I don't understand.

Now, if I might be serious for a moment: the opinion that all opinions are created valid. Things like the opinion that the Earth is flat or Auschwitz was like a water park for Jews (if you doubt that last bit is real, go look up Prussian Blue before they discovered pot).

You are entitled to your opinion, but that does not make it equally valid as, say, one backed up by facts. And for that matter, you can back up any opinion worth a damn with something. If you have an opinion with no reason, then it's not worth the air burned in speaking it.

That doesn't mean all opinions can be backed by fact. A lot of opinions are subjective, but they're built on something. If your reasoning could be equally valid if replaced with "because ponies," reconsider your opinion.

 

[deleted+75193]

DELETED

 

[Hagi]

I don't understand popular evolutionary psychology. You know, the type usually related to gender roles and such.

There's simply so many assumptions one has to make.

Assuming there haven't been any real changes in humanity for the past hundred thousand years.
Assuming human psychology is largely unaffected by environmental factors.
Assuming cavemen hundred thousand years ago did indeed live in a firmly structured society.
Assuming every single person, without exception, is driven by the exact same small number of easily understandable instincts.

There has to be some point, when you're dealing with something that's supposed to be scientific, where you think to yourself, gee couldn't this be bullshit?

 

[Relish in Chaos]

I don't understand how some people think that the first Fullmetal Alchemist anime is better than the second one. The first one is overly depressing and angsty, butchers most of its characters (e.g. Rose & Mustang, especially in the film for the latter), is chock-full of plotholes, has too much bullshit filler, and has a piss-poor ending. The second one is adapted directly from the manga (which, IMO, is a masterpiece), has much better storytelling, is more balanced in terms of how light and dark it is, better character motives, better characters such as Olivia Mira Armstrong and Lin Yao (as opposed to bland-as-fuck Frank Archer and reducing Kimblee to nothing more than a batshit guy who likes to see things blow up), and finishes with a much cleaner ending.

I'm honestly willing to wipe my memories of the 2003 FMA anime from my mind, since I will only ever accept Hiromu Aralawa's original story as Fullmetal Alchemist.

 

[Bucky01]

The Walking Dead season 2 being good TV. Season 1 is average, season 3 is great, but Christ, season 2 drags on for hours with nothing happening. I wouldn't be surprised if it could've been made in half the episodes if they tried. All that happens in that season is insufferable characters act like morons on a farm. It's 12 episodes of nothing except for stupid characters being angry at other stupid characters.

i heard somewhere (can't remember where exactly so don't hold me to it )that because of the success of the first season they were forcibly given more episodes for the second season right before production, which they had no idea what to do with and so they went nowhere fast for the most part of the season as they now had to fill in this blank space. still hardly excuses for why the season was so bad.

I do not understand why people lie peanut butter. It is a very strange substance. It tastes okay, buy moreover it looks really weird, has a weird texture and does not really taste like peanuts. I am not sure what it tastes like but considering that is it full of sugar and fat it should taste better than it actually does. I will stick to my nutella when it comes to sandwich spreads as it is the far superior option.

i found that peanut butter surprisingly blends well when thickly mashed in with Vegemite in a toast sandwich (an Australian spread if you are unfamiliar with its name) the peanut butters smooth blend mixed in with pockets of the Vegemite tang as the peanut butter's blandness soften the Vegemite's tang kick. why i am bothering to share this i have NO idea

OP: people who are overly obsessed with bubble wrapping their children from any and every possible danger. in the long run it never works out, especially for the kid.

 

[hooblabla6262]

Personally I don't understand how people view drug taking as morally bad.

I think that, so allow me to explain:
Because it's downright inresponsible behaviour, and drug users burden society massively through crime both directly and indirectly related, as well as healthcare expenses.

That's for instance why drug users tend to deny the inherent risks of drugs (for instance the pothead lobby denying marijuana causes schizofrenia), because otherwise it means they're risking becoming a massive burden, just to get high, and that's extremely selfish and therefore immoral.

When I'm working my arse off for little more than a minimum wage, it just strikes me as downright obscene when someone comes in to complains for hours that his social security benefits is already used up and he still needs to purchase more weed, and that he needs to remain clean in order to get free housing, while I pay a skyrocketing rent for a single room appartment, just before picking up a medication subscription for more pills a week than my entire family pops in a year.

Really, working in a drug user aid centre is truly enlightening about these things.

This is the topic that gets me everytime. I can't help but get involved.

The amount of misinformation that gets thrown around is ridiculous, such as marijuana causing schizophrenia.
The amount of issues that are caused due to the drug war are staggering compared to those actually caused by drugs.
The negative stereotypes associated with drug users absolutely annoys the crap out of me.

If you ever saw me walking down the street, you would not think "there goes a drug user". I look and act just like a "normal" person. Hell, I'm usually better dressed and more hygenic. I have a job, a girlfriend, a good relationship with my family. All that good stuff.
The key is educating yourself on the real effects and consequences of drugs, and practicing moderation.
Drugs don't need to make people bad or stupid. People are already there.

 

[Broax]

I can't understand why adult women (AND MEN!!!) like the twilight movies. I can understand a mild guilty pleasure... Ok, we all have those. But to really think it's a good movie just baffles me! I really tried to watch it once so I wouldn't be one of those cynic bastards who don't know what they're talking about but I had to stop midway otherwise I'd vomit!

I can't understand why so many Americans seem to fear free healthcare while defending assault weapons with arms and teeth (nothing against Americans, just stating a fact).

I can't understand why people enjoy, defend and actively promote bullfighting in my country (Portugal) while are hypocrites enough to condone dog and cock fighting (for example).

I can't understand why people insist Lil Wayne can play guitar... He can't!!!

I can't understand why programs like "Jersey Shore", "Toddlers and Tiaras" plus any other program like that (we also have a couple of those here in Portugal) have ANY ratings at all let alone being such a smashing hits!

I can't understand hipsters (specifically the whole "I only liked them before they were cool" attitude).

I can't understand why parents insist on blaming violent media for their kids being such horrible brats instead of blaming themselves (as parents)!

Related to the last topic, I can't understand bullying and more important: The passive stance parents take while watching their horrible brats being horrible excuses for human beings.

There are a lot of things I can't understand... Sometimes I just think I hate the world...

 

[StriderShinryu]

I share the opinions on piracy (not okay), smoking (not a good idea if you care about yourself or those around you), and racial/sexual discrimination (just stupid).

I'll jump in, though, with my own opinion that I can't believe others don't agree with: Zombies are overused to the point of being mind numbingly boring (and, at this point, they actually hurt any media they're used in).

 

[Phasmal]

I've said it before, but I do not understand the idea of `emasculation` at all. It grates at me, because I always had people telling me I was less of a girl because I was a `tomboy`, but that pretty much stopped when I grew up. But I still see grown men judging other dudes for liking `girly/gay/sissy` stuff. What kind of weak-ass man has to police other men for their manliness?

I also don't understand the people who look down on me for not ever trying smoking or drugs. `But everyone should try it once!` is a weird argument. I've never tried drugs because mental instability runs in my family, but I'd rather not say that to people I know, because of all the misconceptions about mental illness. So even if my reason is `I'm just not curious about it`, accept it.

 

[Theminimanx]

why is it that only (and correct me if I'm wrong) Germans admit to liking mayonnaise with their fries instead of ketchup?

We here in the Netherlands love us some mayonnaise too, though ours seems to have less fat. I can't stand ketchup with my fries for the life of me though.

OT: The idea that sexual content is "corrupting the children". Kids don't pay attention to that stuff. They don't see breasts as "OMG, TITTIES!", they just see them as another part of the human body. This only changes when they hit puberty, at which point they will be thinking of this stuff regardless of how much exposure they had to it. There's a reason you can go back to a show you watched as a kid and go: "Wow, I never noticed all these innuendos".
The only exception is an outright sex scene, and even then it'll only be innocent curiosity (and probably a fair amount of disgust, considering how gross this stuff actually is when you think about it) on the kids part.

EDIT: Okay, lemme rephrase that. As far as I know (which, admittedly, isn't a lot), when kids DO buy it, it's because they hear that boobs are awesome, not because they're actually turned on by it. At least I bloody hope not.

 

[Helmholtz Watson]

You do realize the Charlie Brooker quote is a joke, correct? It's not meant to make people seriously think that homophobes seriously think of gay sex all the time. It's nothing more than satire.

I know it can be difficult to read sarcasm on the internet (I'm not trying to sound like an asshole, it seriously can be difficult at times), but that one is clearly satirical in nature.

Well then, my mistake. I couldn't tell if boots was serious or not.

Well it is a joke, but there is some truth to it. The University of Georgia did a study and men who you would classify as homophobic, well let's just say they "enjoyed" gay porn more. Here's the study if you're curious.

http://my.psychologytoday.com/files/u47/Henry_et_al.pdf

Here's a video if you don't want to read.

So..what about people who just don't like seeing men make out? What would you call those people then, because clearly from what you have showed me "homophobic" isn't the proper term,and if anything it seems that homophobia is Ego-dystonic Sexual Orientation [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ego-dystonic_sexual_orientation].

 

[AlbertoDeSanta]

Snip.

Not being the devil's advocate or anything but what's the specific reason you think eating human flesh or incest is bad? I've seen peaople cite several reasons for each, so it seems there is some difference on what they are basing it on, so I'm just curious to find see what's the prevalent trend, that's all.

It's really because they're both a crime against Nature. But Incest, for me at least, is just the most disgusting thing you could do. It's just a thing that I have. Having sexual attraction to a member of your own family is just so unnatural that it just goes beyond that line. I will say, however, that Cannibalism doesn't cross it as far. But cannibalism is far more situational. If you eat human flesh because you prefer the taste, you should probably be jailed. If you have to eat it for survival, and your odds of survival outweigh the other persons who you are going to eat, then I'd say you could justify it. But incest could never be justified. Not to me at least. Mainly due to those close links in genetics, and even the risk of having malformed, fucked-up, disgusting babies. It sickens me that anyone would ever put a child in that situ0ation.

Really big Snip

I'd say that little video there is an interesting video to watch. Yeah it was nice, and really not sickening. I just suppose that Incest is one of those things that I've been taught from a young age to frown upon, and then I've just gained it as my own view. It's something that you could try and justify, but I'd still find it sickening. Cannibalism, you could pretty much justify to me. A good example was a court case back in the 1800's in England that I had to learn about in my Legal Studies class. It involved four men stranded on a boat, and after a few weeks the youngest was severely weak and almost dead. Two of the guys murdered him (Much to the dismay of a third) and then they all (Even the third) feasted on his flesh. It was for survival. Some would say that it is still wrong, but I'd argue that it's incredibly just, as three lives were saved through the death of one. Not saying I support cannibalism, but If I had to choose between Eating my families hands or Incest, I'd probably be in a weird situation.

 

[AlbertoDeSanta]

Oh crap, it double posted. Well this can't be good. Just ignore this and move along.

 

[chozo_hybrid]

ANYONE who gets offended at any joke and then issues a complaint about it.

Agreed, it's joke. It's not made to offend, it's made to make you laugh, if you don't like it then pretend you didn't hear it and get on with your day.

Spoiler: I believe Stephen Fry had an opnion on it and others, but this seems to fit well enough.

Why Bronies aren't just called My Little Pony fans like the opposite gender that like it, it's as silly as the whole Girl Gamer thing that people seem to get up in arms about. You're stating you like something and what gender you are and have created a title for yourselves, but when the ladies do it with games or other things, it's attention seeking. Why? I just don't get it.

 

[mattttherman3]

That the educated believe in god. Like my parents. Makes no sense to me. Also, there is this little gem: I can criticize someone for almost anything else except a religious belief and get no grief for it. But even suggest that god isn't real or that evolution is FACT? Watch the fuck out!!!!

 

[DoPo]

I can't understand why people enjoy, defend and actively promote bullfighting in my country (Portugal) while are hypocrites enough to condone dog and cock fighting (for example).

I guess it's because they don't see them as equal. It's not really a hypocrisy, unless they say "All animal fights are bad" and then turn around and ask to watch a bullfighting tournament.

I can't understand why parents insist on blaming violent media for their kids being such horrible brats instead of blaming themselves (as parents)!

Heh, that's easy.


Now give this sort of attitude...20-30 years. There you go.

I also don't understand the people who look down on me for not ever trying smoking or drugs. `But everyone should try it once!` is a weird argument.

It's a different way to say YOLO. Admittedly, I've heard "You should give everything a try" more often, but still. And yes, it is a weird argument. Argh - I've seen the perfect rebuttal, I think it was a webcomic...but I can't find it right now, might have been a quote from somebody. Anyway, it went to say that "You should try everything"/YOLO attitude is always about partying and such but never applied to Maths or anything else that's actually useful. You only live once...so why not picking up a new skill?

snip

OK, gotcha.

CAPTCHA: narrow-minded
How...ironic there, CAPTCHA. Are you mocking us?

 

[DoPo]

OT: The idea that sexual content is "corrupting the children". Kids don't pay attention to that stuff. They don't see breasts as "OMG, TITTIES!", they just see them as another part of the human body.
[...]
The only exception is an outright sex scene, and even then it'll only be innocent curiosity (and probably a fair amount of disgust, considering how gross this stuff actually is when you think about it) on the kids part.

Well, my friend - one of us had a weird childhood. I recall having conversations with a friend of mine how good boobies looked and how much we liked them. Later on we even tried renting an adult movie (not porn but rated...dunno what 16+ or something. It was supposed to have some mildly nude scenes or something) but we were shot down. The person at the video rental place somehow managed to foil our brilliant plan of "Pretend we don't know what it's about and we're getting it for dad", to this day I cannot see how they did it. We cannot have been more than 10 at this point.

And I recall my curiosity at the sex scenes wasn't entirely innocent and there was no disgust either. Not that I really actually got what happened, mind you, but it looked interesting and I wanted to see more of it. Probably partly because I was not supposed to.

 

[Woodsey]

"Affirmative action is not discrimination or racism".

Seriously, that is just 1984-style 'doublethink'. How racists who endorse discrimination like that can look at such a statement and not realise the contradiction truly astounds me.

Probably because they've thought about the subject without grossly over-simplifying it in an effort to push an "Anti-racist? You're just anti-white!"-style of argument.

OT: The whole "just leave your brain at the door and enjoy it" defence of shit films and games. And not stuff that's so bad it's good, just stuff that's plain-old shit. 'Dumb' action movies don't actually have to have unfunny one-liners and poorly directed action, chaps. You are allowed to ask for genuinely witty dialogue and some well-filmed explosions.

 

[Eddie the head]

So..what about people who just don't like seeing men make out? What would you call those people then, because clearly from what you have showed me "homophobic" isn't the proper term,and if anything it seems that homophobia is Ego-dystonic Sexual Orientation [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ego-dystonic_sexual_orientation].

I? So? I don't understand? Homophobic means you hate gay people for whatever reason. That study just said that you are more likely to be gay if you are homophobic. Not that all people that are homophobic are gay. I never said that, and the study never said that.