my brother and I were discussing the impact that reviews of music, films etc have on the individual. We discussed whether or not it is possible for the individual to formulate an independent opinion without the impact of what you have read having some bearing. What do others think?
2006-08-24 22:05:04 · 16 answers · asked by dazzla 1 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music
i agree
2006-08-24 22:07:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fact that you ask this question suggests it is possible. By asking the question, you are asking what influences are there on my opinion. Then you are able to judge whether these influences are affecting your opinion, or just steering your opinion.
There is a subtle difference, as steering your opinion just helps you get to where you would have ended up quicker. If you know it is going on, you can then make a judgement as to whether your opinion is being bent.
All opinions are biased. They are the opinions of the person who is making the opinion, who has had many influences over their lifetime. The opinion is independent if the person who makes the opinion is able to understand the impact of their opinion, the influences on the making of their opinion, and they have the strength of character to stand up against bullying and "extreme leaning on" in situations where your opinion is being sought to be a specific answer.
Of course what you read has an impact on your opinion if it is relevant. However, your opinion remains your opinion whether you change it or keep it the same. Your opinion is not always static, and can be modified when you have more information available (such as further reading).
When many people are involved in formulating a group opinion, this can cause great concern if you do not agree with the group concensus. You have to judge whether you might be better off disassociating yourself from that group due to your opinion being so very different from the concensus (or policy line).
For example Clare Short's resignation and Robin Cooks, were examples where opinions deviated greatly from the consensus in the Iraq War. Their actions indicated strength of character to stand up for their beliefs. It may not have won them any glory, but it does win respect for the person and their opinions.
2006-08-25 05:24:09 · answer #2 · answered by James 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Too often I have found I love stuff that got bad reviews or hate something that people rave about. I don't care about other peoples opinions in terms of what I have not experienced yet myself. Once my opinion is formed then sometimes I may compare to others. Reviews should be ignored or taken with a grain of salt so to speak. Many people however like to be a part of the crowd and cannot form an independant opinion at all as they might suddenly be different.
2006-08-25 14:54:40 · answer #3 · answered by palmmute333 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An opinion independant of what? only if you can form an opinion independant from the way you think will it really be an independant opinion, but then what would be the point? I would say no, no one can seperate themselves that much from themselves to accomplish this, and if you could you would kill your own identity so thinking would be pointless. i quess you got to be happy with what you got to be happy with. don't strive to be unique and original because that will not help you, rather understand others better so you can understand yourself better, and if you don't have an independant opinion, that doesn't make you a sheep.
2006-08-25 07:47:58 · answer #4 · answered by fishpaste 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think that for some it is possible, however there are a lot of people who give in to music reviews, thats y artists always complain if they get a bad review. i find that most of the time the reviews are misleading
2006-08-25 05:14:42 · answer #5 · answered by alexio 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I was given a few CDs by a friend to check out. Three of them were by artists I'd never heard before; and one of these had some appeal to me, so I've listened to it a few times, and occasionally play it again. I'm not crazy about it, but there's a space in my life for it. I told my friend my views on it, and he went quiet for a while. I asked him if he disagreed, and he replied: "No. It's just that I've never heard that said. But now that you mention it, it's true isn't it?"
2006-08-25 05:13:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is utterly impossible. When we live in such an integral society where our opinions and attitudes are shaped by family, friends, religion and the media I doubt very much that are opinions are purely are own.
2006-08-25 05:49:10 · answer #7 · answered by caramel05151138 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No,I would have to listen to the music or watch the film myself and come to my own conclusion.As a film buff myself i often find that critics are wrong.
2006-08-25 05:16:39 · answer #8 · answered by Mark ABC 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can always not read the reviews until you form your own opinion.
2006-08-25 05:08:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
u know u have ur own taste so no matter how good the reviews are u know whether u like it or not...whether ur brave enough to admit it is a different question
2006-08-25 05:39:58 · answer #10 · answered by sangwhich 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i do not think one can form an independent opinion cuz one's way of thinking is dynamic--it is a product of the constant convergence of ideas the individual is exposed to--so everything will ultimately affect one's way of thinking
2006-08-25 05:16:36 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋