Why do we have to be right?

[orgaelin]

Part of the driving force behind the very existence of this forum and all our multicoloured debates is the need to have a right idea and to share it with others to gain acceptance and spread the idea.

WHY?!

Why is it that we have a need to have ideas and make other people share them as much as possible?

One of the ways of looking at it is with the idea of Memes, which is a theory (you can read plenty about it on the net) which describes thoughts and ideas by relating them to genes and survival-of-the-fittest.

Basically, our mind 'gives birth' to an idea and we nurture it, then send it out into the world to reproduce itself. If the idea is strong, it will override peoples' other ideas and be spread further and faster than a weaker idea. And then of course, not all ideas will be compatible with all people, occasionally giving rise to mutation, like someone twisting our ideas.

So that is a good way of modelling the process... but it still doesn't explain *why*!

I mean, we all do it. We have our opinions and we come on here with the express intention of getting other people to agree and share our opinion. We want to convince everyone. Why?!

[carriew]

I dont feel I have to be right.

if others agree thats just a bonus.

I try to make sure that the other person understands my take on it and you can kinda tell when someone undrestands you. the reason I argue with people in fact is becasue most times they are the ones trying to do the convincing. and I like to see that light bulb go off when something finally makes sense to them.

I will also admit to being wrong which i suspect isnt done too frequently around here. But shocker I have been wrong before and I am certian it will happen again.

and the final reason I will argue you a point is because you cannot understand fully IMHO anything untill you hear every argument or possibility for and against whatever you happen to be discussing.

I do not believe I know everything so I am always OPEN to discuss anything if not just for the knowledge I may gain from the exchange.

[Prometheus]

I agree with these sentiments. Especially on theist/atheist and rep/dem issues. I often find myself just having to refuse to take a stand because I don't know enough to form a valid opinion. I would rather be uncertain then wrong. But that's just me - a lot of people here don't have the guts to admit that they don't have the capacity to form a significant opinion.

[lsbskins1]

I would venture this theory. It is very close to an evolutionary process. The idea is the child we try to nuture, not only for our individual survival, but for species survival as well. Imagine we did not have the drive to pass on ideas. No small-pox vaccine, no understanding of the very concept of germs or democracy or writing or the wheel. We are driven to pass them on because it aids in our survival. Just as in every helpful or beneficial thing, we can go to extremes and cause a good thing to be bad, but the thing (a desire to nurture ideas) is not bad in and of itself.

[orgaelin]

This is interesting Isbskins... I guess what you are saying suggests that communication in terms of language perhaps evolved alongside the urge to communicate ideas? In other words, why speak if you've nothing to say?! (I wish some people would pay attention to that question! )

Prometheus and Carriew, I agree with you both about being open minded, and not pinning yourself down to a specific view to the exclusion of all other possibilities. And yes, you can definitely tell when someone understands what you mean!

That's another rewarding part of spreading your ideas I think... think about a time when you've tried to explain something you've thought long and hard about to someone who didn't have the capacity or interest to understand, and compare that with a time you've found someone who totally gets what you mean, and fires back new ideas for you to think about too. The latter is a wonderful feeling, right?

Got to go. So much to say, so little time! :(

~ Org.

[SoccerfreakAB2]

Quote by: orgaelin Part of the driving force behind the very existence of this forum and all our multicoloured debates is the need to have a right idea and to share it with others to gain acceptance and spread the idea. WHY?! Why is it that we have a need to have ideas and make other people share them as much as possible? One of the ways of looking at it is with the idea of Memes, which is a theory (you can read plenty about it on the net) which describes thoughts and ideas by relating them to genes and survival-of-the-fittest. Basically, our mind 'gives birth' to an idea and we nurture it, then send it out into the world to reproduce itself. If the idea is strong, it will override peoples' other ideas and be spread further and faster than a weaker idea. And then of course, not all ideas will be compatible with all people, occasionally giving rise to mutation, like someone twisting our ideas. So that is a good way of modelling the process... but it still doesn't explain *why*! I mean, we all do it. We have our opinions and we come on here with the express intention of getting other people to agree and share our opinion. We want to convince everyone. Why?!

If you ask me, it's part of evolution. Our bodies aren't the only things evolving--but also what we think. That is technology. You described it perfectly above. And why evolution? Because that's part of nature, part of existence. If there was a definition for existence, evolution should be in it. The growing intelligence of the mind and body.