General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAm I the only person who *hates* the statement "that's just my/your opinion"?
Far, far too often, I see "that's just may opinion" offered as a defence of a contentious statement, and "that's just your opinion" used as a passive-aggressive attack.
To be clear: anything you say is your opinion; anything I say is mine. It's tautological. But some opinions are objectively true, and some are objectively false.
"That's just my/your opinion" *never* adds anything to any debate, ever; it's silly and passive-aggressive, and it derails debates from talking about the issue at hand into talking about the people discussing it.
Zorra
(27,670 posts)Xipe Totec
(43,888 posts)quinnox
(20,600 posts)"Well I don't care what you think anyway, and furthermore, that's just your opinion!"
I usually see it on the internet when someone has lost an argument, and they are lashing out.
devils chaplain
(602 posts)And my response is similar to yours: "Of course it is. The difference is my opinion happens to be factually verifiable."
Another pet peeve of mine: "We'll just have to agree to disagree." Maybe I will on whether chocolate ice cream is better than vanilla; I'm not going to on whether or not the Earth is round or flat.
Donald Ian Rankin
(13,598 posts)Everyone is wrong about certain things, including people better and wiser than I am and people who I want to remain my friends, and certainly including me.
Unlike "that's just my opinion", "we'll just have to agree to disagree" is open, and clear. I think it's a good way of ending an argument on good terms, without admitting defeat.
treestar
(82,383 posts)That is just your opinion seem to undervalue your opinion.
Nye Bevan
(25,406 posts)I hate that.
Just saying.
treestar
(82,383 posts)Though I don't agree opinions can be objectively true or false. They may be based on little knowledge or disinformation. Disagreement about the facts can cause differences of opinion.
Look how people construct their opinions based on their underlying philosophies. Libertarianism is tempting for that reason. Once you get the basic premise, the answer to everything is there (so long as you don't think too much).
Populist_Prole
(5,364 posts)That and its even more lame cousin "I'm just saying".
"I'm just sayin" and "that's just my/your opinion" are most often used as a pathetic face-saving attempt when that person knows they're licked in a debate.
el_bryanto
(11,804 posts)If they are using it to avoid facts they don't like that it's pretty aggravating. If it is a situation where the facts aren't clearly known by either side or one in which the facts aren't known than i think it's more acceptable.
Bryant
Prophet 451
(9,796 posts)Partly because its redundant. Partly because it's so often used by creationists and climate change deniers.
Leme
(1,092 posts)You are goofy about this. I think you are goofy about this. That's a goofy idea. I think that's a goofy idea. In my opinion, I think that's a goofy idea.
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The last is the least assaulting, allows for the most leeway in possible differences and yet provides a solid point for both points under discussion.
Gormy Cuss
(30,884 posts)I wouldn't even call it passive-aggressive. It's only slightly less aggressive than saying your opinion is stupid.
Jamaal510
(10,893 posts)people say that just to avoid being flamed for posting a comment that may be either controversial or something supported by a minority of posters.
rollin74
(1,969 posts)betsuni
(25,367 posts)An example: An Australian on an international forum writes out of the blue, "Every American I've ever met is fat, loud and arrogant." All the Americans are thinking "What the ... why would anyone say that?" When someone points out that this isn't a very nice thing to say, we are given an "It's just my opinion!" The Get Out of Jail Free card to be offensive or to ignore reality and facts. I don't even use the word "opinion" anymore. It's ruined, like "awesome" and "epic."
Lex
(34,108 posts)Some folks need to be reminded of the difference (especially those drowning in Fox News and Right Wing Jesus-ness).
Donald Ian Rankin
(13,598 posts)I think the difference is often overemphasised.
In general, discussion consists of two people offering their opinions as to what the facts are.
2+2 = 4 is my opinion; it is also (I am pretty sure) a fact.
edhopper
(33,464 posts)I use it often. Sometimes I post something I know to be fact.
Global Climate Change is occurring or the Earth is 4 billion + years old are not my opinions, they are fact.
You won't see Congress act on Climate legislation or Creationist are fools who think the Bible trumps science are opinions.
Very different.
And there are times I make definitive statements that are opinion that sound like I am saying they are fact. So the disclaimer is a good addendum.
WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)Skittles
(153,104 posts)yes INDEED