Can't think for myself?

[DrFaroohk]

I saw a family guy once where two of the characters were arguing about something or other, and every time one of them made a point, Peter would say "well now I agree with you." and keep flip flopping back and forth, finally saying "Ima too stupid to think for myself!" or something like that.

The back and forth was a bit much, but otherwise I took a bit of offense to that. It's not about being too stupid to make up your own mind, it's about being open minded enough and intelligent enough to hear and understand other people's view points. And if I'm for a particular position, and someone else makes a good argument for it, I'm a reasonable enough human being to see it from their side of things and maybe understand things a bit better. That doesn't make me stupid.

[ExRetailDrone]

Being understanding of the differing sides of an argument and being able to respect others' views is a hell of a lot different than just randomly agreeing with the viewpoint that was heard most recently. Understanding and agreement are not necessarily the same thing. I can understand why people are against abortion, but that doesn't mean I agree with and hold to that viewpoint myself.

[Amanita]

I sometimes feel this way. A lot of the time when it comes to debates, I can see where both sides are coming from, and understand points both sides are making.

I remember seeing a 9/11 themed felt sculpture somebody had made online, and at first I thought it was in poor taste. But then I read the thoughts and comments of other people, including the artist. And I changed my mind. The artist hadn't made the sculpture as a joke, she had made it as a 3D take on a drawing her husband had done, using a childlike style to depict the same event. And she refused to commercialize it by selling it, or making copies for sale. And according to some of the commentators, the piece in question bore a striking resemblance to many drawings which actual children had done. There was also quite a discussion going on about different people's coping mechanisms- for some people, dark humour is a form of coping with awful things, for example. Or for some people, something simple and childlike can help make something comprehensible.
After reading all that, I changed my mind, deciding that the sculpture in question wasn't so bad after all. If somebody else did a similar piece with the express intention of making fun of 9/11 victims, I would feel differently. Because to me, intent of the artist (when known) does play a part in how I view a piece.

[Andara Bledin]

The back and forth was a bit much, but otherwise I took a bit of offense to that.

I'm curious as to why you would take offense to a cartoon charicature who constantly proves that he's an utter imbecile admitting that he has no ability to make his own decision on something?

It's satire; it's not supposed to be realistic.

^-.-^

[DrFaroohk]

Well the way the joke was seemed it was a jab at someone like myself, who doesn't just agree with the most recent opinion heard but I am open to new ways of thinking. I might agree with point A, but then someone explains point B to me in a different light where it makes more sense. It's called being intelligent.

[Andara Bledin]

Peter is a moron. He's quite specifically not intelligent, so anyone who was intelligent taking offense over how he's portrayed is just looking for reasons to be offended.

^-.-^

[Evandril]

A moron and someone with an open mind might both change their minds repeatedly...but for FAR different reasons. Making fun of the idiot doing so because they can't think for themselves shouldn't reflect on someone who is *actively* thinking for themselves...and on that note, how often do you change sides as each point is presented? Acknowledge each point, but change sides? Guessing it's more likely you let the arguement finish, then, based on the information given, make up your mind...unlike Peter's constant swapping sides.