an observation?

Question

I have noticed that in certain questions ( deep questions )
some will agree totally and some will strongly disagree

there seems to be the same type of people agreeing and disagreeing
I could place money on it sometimes , I know who will reply and in what way they will reply
for example
if I were to ask something as simple as
isn't the world beautiful
I know various people who will agree with that and in their answer tell all manner of ways in which the world is beautiful
and then others will strongly disagree and say what is wrong with the world

are our perceptions of things so black and white ?
do we either see the good in all or the bad in all ?
is this the biggest segregation in life rather than religion and politics etc ?
thoughts please ?

Answer 1

My biology teacher would say - it's because there are only two kinds of people in the world. Floaters and sinkers. Yes - this has a dual meaning.

Your floaters see everything in a positive light. Your sinkers, everything negative.

PS: Welcome back!

Answer 2

I've noticed the same, in others and in myself. I imagine its because the first thing we must decide after reading the question is whether we agree or disagree. That immediately divides us into two camps. Once we've made that choice, we justify our decision as we write our response. This causes the group to be increasingly polarized. The more difficult and complex the question, the more deeply we are polarized. If we were able to have a proper dialog, I imagine we would negotiate our way towards consensus. Because we're locked in this artificial question and answer forum, there's little room for subtlety. Because we only get one chance to make our point, we all have a tendency to really drive it home.

Answer 3

I think it depends on the person and their own experiences that shape their perceptions of the world. I can see the good and the bad in everyone but I conscience chose to focus on the good in people and in the world. If I thought just about the bad day after day it would make me too depressed and upset that I wouldn't be able to function properly.

I think the biggest segregation in life is still religion and politics.

Answer 4

I agree that most seem to follow this pattern, but I don't. I am more an Eastern thinker, and I don't believe that there is any such a thing as a black and white issue. I think in terms of positive and negative, not good and bad. I also think that nothing can be completely one way or the other. It is a similar way of acknowledging that every tree casts a shadow and that yin and yang exist in everything.

Answer 5

I'm not sure it's quite so straightforward, though I agree with you, there are many here whose answers are likely to go a particular way.

But like Diogenes I think perhaps we select questions we feel 'in tune with.' I know I do. I like deep questions and generally answer positively. I suppose it's a reflection of my personality and beliefs. Or at least one of the masks I wear.

But if it were a conversation, rather than just a one off answer, I'm sure I'd come across differently. Probably not as nice!
.

Answer 6

There are many levels of ideas here and people with different agendas and opinions, different world views.

When you say that some people see the good in all or the bad in all what you are referring to is perhaps a difference in personality: some people are optimists, some are realists, and some are pessimists.

Answer 7

Some people say life is bad because they've had a hard time of it. They don't realize that it will get better. Others have probably gone through a bad time then realized they could help make it get better and it did. Just my thought.

Answer 8

God's creation is beautiful. the Heavens declare His glory.
Society is corrupt and has perverted its own sense of logic

I see all in black and white. Where as people see gray, I see thin lines of black and white. And the lines are often bolded, almost never fine.

I wouldn't say this is a segregation. people get along, whether pessimistic or optimistic, depending on the situation.

Answer 9

There's all kinds of people. Most times on here they are black and white questions. This or that instead of offering a middle ground.

Answer 10

it all depends on the person

obviously if youre disgruntled in some way youre going to see the world as a dark, bleak craphole. if youre somewhat content there may be more singing birds and friendly white clouds.

it al ldepends on the individuals perspective.

Answer 11

Opinions are social creatures and tend to form like-minded herds. They support each other and live long lives, and the oldest ones are often most revered.