Like people who email me and tell me I have no business being on Yahoo because I am only 16 and still in high school. Do you think they are intimidated by the fact that I am graduating early from high school, that I am in AP classes, and I am thinking about Pre-Med for a major in college? Or do you just think they are being ignorant and don't want me here because I understand what they're saying and that I'll speak up if I don't agree with them. Isn't that kind of juvenile?
2007-09-02 03:22:47 · 25 answers · asked by Senator D*L*P™ 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Anyone who has said this to you is truly deluded. You young people are our hope for the future. You have every right to express your opinions. And you have the greatest stake in the future of our nation.
So keep on being involved, be sure you register and vote when you are old enough, and don't ever ever stop standing up for what you believe in!!
2007-09-02 03:26:52 · answer #1 · answered by ash 7 · 8⤊ 1⤋
I'm 60 but I don't email people and I don't feel that being 16 exempts you from your right to an opinion. No matter what our age, we have all had different and varied life experiences.
It could be that some people remember that while they were in high school, they were very opinionated, but also remember that they hadn't ever yet been responsible for their own lives or that of their own family which has a major effect on our attitudes and goals in life.
You sound like you are very goal oriented and possibly possess more maturity than the average 16 year old. Also, people who are professionals or are working toward that status in a chosen career are apt to view things far differently than those of us who just work for a living at whatever fits the bill at the time.
Its really no different than people who say all democrats are the same or all republicans are the same. Some people feel that all 16 year olds are the same. Also, as you age, you will change your attitudes over the years just like all of us have. Life is every bit an educational experience as any formal education. Its just that formal education helps to rationalize that experience.
Many people disagree with each other on Yahoo. That's the beauty of it. Just refuse to be intimidated.
2007-09-02 10:48:40 · answer #2 · answered by BekindtoAnimals22 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
It may not necessarily be your age versus intelligence that is causing the issue. Not to sound like "some old guy", but there is a fine line between intelligence and wisdom.
You can have all of the intelligence in the world and still not have wisdom, you can have all of the wisdom in the world and still not have intelligence.
Intelligence is knowledge gained from focused teaching and learning exercises. Wisdom is the knowledge gained from life and experience.
All too often those with a lot of wisdom discredit those with a lot of intelligence. The assumptive being that because you pay more dearly for wisdom than for intelligence, that the insights derived from wisdom are more valuable.
The corollary that you are seeing is between age and perceived wisdom, and not just a question of whether or not you are intelligent.
To make a quick and easy equation about how wisdom and intelligence differ, here's an example and how it works.
Should you become a doctor you will at one point or another be in a crisis situation. You will need to make numerous decisions based upon what limited information you can gather and be prepared for any situation that arises. From the perspective of the patient, who would you rather have, a less intelligent doctor that has more wisdom, or a very intelligent doctor with very little wisdom?
You'd want the doctor with more wisdom, their decisions will be second nature and they will be better able to handle the crisis situation with fewer problems, because they know their choices are correct and will have a good idea of what to expect should the decision be the wrong one.
The doctor with more intelligence is still a good doctor, but will be plagued with self-doubt and will be more likely to become overwhelmed with a situation in which they are not sure their conclusions are correct.
2007-09-02 10:47:09 · answer #3 · answered by cyber_phobic 3 · 7⤊ 1⤋
It has little to do with age primarily. Some are merely afraid to have their long-held beliefs and moral systems challenged.
Life experience is not always the best indicator of someone's overall level of intelligence and ability to use their judgement. There are those well in their "golden years" whom are regarded as "wise," yet continue to make the same mistakes repeatedly in their lifetime by their inability or unwilllingness to change, whereas there are those relatively young and not as experienced but are otherwise highly intelligent, clever, and are able to easily adapt to this ever-changing world.
The only thing truly constant in nature is change, and those who are unable or unwilling to change will find themselves left behind and their existence would be rendered, in a sense, obsolete.
2007-09-02 14:30:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Actually, people these days tend to be intimidated by anyone with a brain, especially if that person provides cogent, logical opinions. Age might have something to do with it,but if so, I think that is because yahoo has age restrictions on some of it's services. I faced the same thing when I wrote letters to my Congress people, newspapers, and even some class assignments (opinion papers) when I was in your shoes. Ouch, it hurts to sound like my mother..."When I was your age." I wouldn't expect the bias to change. I am an eclectic, independent thinker, and even todaywhen I submit opinions to my local newspaper's opinion line, I am subjected to name calling, people who either can't read or who deliberately twist what I write, etc. but barely ever receive an intellectual argument in response. Society today does not tolerate an independent exchange of ideas, dialog or debate. One thing I learned very quickly in grad school (especially because I have a propensity for playing the devil's advocate), self-proclaimed liberals support freedom of speech, etc., as long as you agree with them. If you don't, the name calling and shouting begins. The philosophy becomes- he who shouts loudest wins.
Long winded way of saying- don't let the thinking impaired interfere with you. Keep growing and opining, if for no other reason than to drive them crazy...and you might even get one or two to think. Sincere congrats on all of your achievements...and, sorry for the soap box.
2007-09-02 10:43:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 1⤋
No not intimidated...
Some people get irritated with young people because a lot of them come off as know it all's and only offer half baked ideas, some are so juvenile they just rant and call names (some adults do too by the way), and some people do not want young impressionable minds reading some of the garbage some of the less desirable people write...then there's just the jerks...take your pick, and I hope you don't end up with stalkers on here like most of us do.
2007-09-02 10:43:41 · answer #6 · answered by Erinyes 6 · 5⤊ 1⤋
You go, girl! I agree with Ash. You are smart, interested and have a lot going for you, and you just need to ignore anyone who puts you down. It says nothing at all about you and speaks volumes about them. Keep moving forward towards your goals and keep being intellectually curious, and you will be a huge success no matter where life takes you.
2007-09-02 12:40:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
i don't think most 'old' people resent young people, or at least i don't. you are the future of our nation and i take pride when i see a young person express interest in politics and the future of our nation. many are interested in having 'fun' and do not take interest in anything other than themselves.
i know in my youth, i was politically active but i also know that through the years my views have changed based on experience and knowledge of history. the more you learn they more you see things are never black and white and that there are always two sides of every issue who points deserve consideration and have merit.
the word 'ignorant' has some become negative when it in fact mean that one is unaware of all the facts. Ignorance is a lack of knowledge and means that we all should seek knowledge.
we go through stages based on our experiences. you must realize that things you feel strongly about today may shift tomorrow as others thing take their place on your list.
keep seeking, keep leaning, keep you zeal for knowledge and i wish you luck in whatever you decided for you future.
respect those who have differing opinions IF it is based in thought and experience for you may learn a new aspect of the issue that changes your viewpoint or you may affirm you current stance is the correct one for you.
just keep an open mind but don't be swayed by one person's opinion but seek facts from many sources.
2007-09-02 10:47:25 · answer #8 · answered by ? 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I don't know much about age intimidation on Yahoo, but here, in the real world, it is a problem to some. For you, I don't think it's because you're 16; I think that just some people are easily intimidated by someone else who may be smarter or makes more sense than themselves, and the ego has a hard time accepting that it comes from someone much younger than themselves.
2007-09-02 10:31:43 · answer #9 · answered by tramps3 3 · 5⤊ 3⤋
They are probably not intimidated by your intellect, but I can see them getting fed up with opinions that don't have much basis in life experience. Someone may be older than you and not as intelligent, but based on the wording of your question (and it seems you have a high opinion of yourself) many may find you pompous and ignorant about affairs in the world with which you have had little dealings.....
2007-09-02 10:49:09 · answer #10 · answered by Cookies Anyone? 5 · 5⤊ 1⤋