Do You Think You Have Become More Opinionated As You Have Aged?

steve2727

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No, the opposite. I was pretty opinionated when I was younger but in retrospect can see this was at least in part down to a Dunning Kruger effect. Years of trying to learn & keep an open mind have since made me realise just how fucking little I know about pretty much everything.

So I'm a lot more guarded and qualified in my opinions these days, because I don't wanna be that guy talking ignorant shite, it's not a great look...
 

Tight_N_Juicy

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My opinions used to be based on how I reacted to a circumstance emotionally. How something made me *feel*. I've learned to base my opinions on facts, and if those are unavailable I try to keep an open mind without coming to a conclusion.

I'm much more humble at this age than I was as an immature asshole.

Wisdom doesn't always come with age. In some ways, sure. But as technology advances and society evolves age doesn't always equal more knowledge. So I try to check myself when I'm assuming that I may be "right" because of my individual experiences as a human being on this planet.

So, I'm not more or less opinionated as I've gotten older... I've just gotten better at reaching those opinions.
 

LaFemme

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No, the opposite. I was pretty opinionated when I was younger but in retrospect can see this was at least in part down to a Dunning Kruger effect. Years of trying to learn & keep an open mind have since made me realise just how fucking little I know about pretty much everything.

So I'm a lot more guarded and qualified in my opinions these days, because I don't wanna be that guy talking ignorant shite, it's not a great look...
Pretty much. I was extremely opinionated when I was in my twenties and thirties. I’ve learned, there’s a hell of a lot I don’t know. I still hold strong opinions, but I’m a lot more patient and willing to listen to opposing points of view. I express myself quite clearly and openly when I need to.
 

rbkwp

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If you think you have, what is the influence in which you derive your opinions from?

Just today, I thought, I have become an opinionated old bugger :)


ssure do/am 70sd

aint it obvious i am much more of an arse uk/ass usa since uhmmmm...2007

tbh
i am sure,age equals changing opinions ha
 

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If you think you have, what is the influence in which you derive your opinions from?

Just today, I thought, I have become an opinionated old bugger :)
Yes. If I found kids in my yard I’d probably spray them with the water hose.
 

twoton

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I’m a lot more balanced and a lot less prone to shoot my mouth off. I’ve also learned there’s more value in working toward consensual solutions than there is in having staunch opinions.

However, my family tends to think of me as opinionated. Which is a little unfair, IMO.
 
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Yes, but not irrationally so. Reason drives my opinions.
 
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deleted116951

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More opinionated now simply because I've had more experiences to form opinions on than I did when I was younger. Probably feel stronger about my views now than back then but also wise enough to keep those opinions to myself.
 

kewlkid75

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I sure have and it is so awesome. I was so afraid to say what was on my mind.[like Sissy Spacek in Carrie], shy and quiet. People saw that and had a field day on me, because they knew I wasn't going to say anything. Now, I am older and I don't mind speaking out. My life experiences helped mold me.
 

rbkwp

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apart from
several years of ridiculing your state premiers re cv,locdowns and border closure 70sd

my opinion has,trebled

finally aftr 2 years,am hoping the citizens of australia,finally/really7 say,enough is e4nough ffs

march for usa movements,but not there/your own ff2
 
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NCbear

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Regarding those principles that I’ve thought about (and refined) for years, I believe in them strongly and think they’re best for me.

But questions of how to move toward a societally beneficial outcome makes me try to build a consensus that we can all live with—because I know not everyone thinks the way I do or has the foundational principles I have, and therefore there are often multiple routes toward a socially desirable goal.

For example, it’s obvious that early childhood care and education is critical to later development and growth into engaged, participating citizens. But should a government leave that responsibility to the child’s family, to its community, or to a statewide or national program of some kind? And if the latter, how should we collectively pay for such a program? And who has the greatest authority over what children are taught in such a program?

There are advantages and disadvantages associated with all possible paths forward. Realizing that has made me in some ways less overtly/openly opinionated, because I’ve learned over the years that my typically liberal perspective doesn’t always lead to The One Best Way.

NCbear (who’s a staunch advocate for my way of thinking but who recognizes that there are many ways of thinking on this rotating sphere charging though space)
 
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Number 9

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I don’t really think I’m more opinionated on as many subjects and I’m much more relaxed and open minded on most subjects. I like to consider others views because it can bring me to a greater awareness. God knows my thought process is fallible.

There are opinions I’ve held for years that seem much more rooted and they haven’t changed and I would go so far as to say they are callused over.

Over all I like the idea of conversations that challenge me change my way of thinking. So often as a young man my opinions were more of an emotional response rather than careful consideration and objective thinking.

I’ve come to learn that life is much more interesting when you free your mind from restraints and allow all the possibilities. It’s fear that keeps us prisoner.
 
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seventiesdemon

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Yes. If I found kids in my yard I’d probably spray them with the water hose.
Don't think I would if I knew they were neighbourhood kids and well behaved. We used to cross through eachothers yard growing up, shortcuts to the shops, friends places etc...but those were the days when everyone knew everyone, before phones and tech. People took the time to get to know the neighbours.
 
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seventiesdemon

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I don’t really think I’m more opinionated on as many subjects and I’m much more relaxed and open minded on most subjects. I like to consider others views because it can bring me to a greater awareness. God knows my thought process is fallible.

There are opinions I’ve held for years that seem much more rooted and they haven’t changed and I would go so far as to say they are callused over.

Over all I like the idea of conversations that challenge me change my way of thinking. So often as a young man my opinions were more of an emotional response rather than careful consideration and objective thinking.

I’ve come to learn that life is much more interesting when you free your mind from restraints and allow all the possibilities. It’s fear that keeps us prisoner.
I had older people say things, or expressed their opinions to me when younger and didn't think much of it, or thought what planet are you on old person :) But as I've become older, some of what they said comes back into play and isn't far from the truth.

Yes, my opinions have changed through the years, softened here, understood, mellowed out. I think as social media has grown, peoples opinions have become more public. LPSG is no different, forums never existed like these 25 years ago. Sometimes it is a good thing, but also, it has become ridiculous at times.
 
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