The recent dust up surrounding a video had nothing to do with a video. It has everything to do with respecting other people’s opinions. We should all be able to agree to disagree on issues and we should also be able to debate merit rationally rather than using closed ended statements that do not open up dialogue. In this case, it simply happened to be the worst case scenario played out for all to see and all reacted exactly the way that was expected. Not as the expectation of a fortune teller, but the human nature response of being told what and how to think.
No one really cares if you like or dislike something, but at least have the courage to allow the opinions of others to be heard. Regardless of right or wrong, there are a lot of very bright and intelligent folks that read and comment in blogs, and it is very important to allow their input to lend to the conversation– in doing that we reach the point of excellence. It is in diversity and controversy that we rise to the next level of understanding.
This writer doesn’t need a shepherd, I have plenty of those already. What I really hope for is a group of peers that lend to the conversation to elevate my own understanding as well as their own. It is that moment when you begin to believe your own hype that you cease to grow, you fail the test of acceptance and tolerance, and become the paradigm you despise most- even worse, your credibility falters. There is a lesson in this for all of us- to put ego aside, stick to the facts, provide great content, and allow the opinions of others to be heard, right or wrong. Let the readers decide their own way forward.
