Why do you have opinions? Why do you have this world view? - What convinces people?

[Cherryno]

People are convinced by the following subconscious realization: "if we all coordinate on this cultural narrative [if we all buy into this memeplex; become part of this egregore], my status will go up'"

Do you recognize yourself in this statement?

 

[The Mass Shooter Ron Soye]

We are all meatbag computers being constantly reprogrammed and regurgitating output.

 

[Cherryno]

We are all meatbag computers being constantly reprogrammed and regurgitating output.

Very insightful thanks

 

[Queen Elizabeth II]

No.

I disagree with people because it makes my pee pee hard and I enjoy watching other people seethe.

 

[SSj_Ness (Yiffed)]

I'm simply correct about things. Most things, anyway.

 

[Chocolate Wombat]

For me it's more like "if I don't tell people at work what I actually think maybe I can keep my job long enough to retire."

 

[Ogg66]

My views are driven as far as possiable by facts and will change if presented with the facts that show the previous view as being wrong. I respect proper data not round and round link to our friends blogs 'truth' and will admit to having been wrong. In cases like work I do not talk about stuff as its not worth the hassle and live by the adage; Only an idiot never changes their mind.

 

[Maximultimate Gravy]

If most of my opinions didn't go against popular mainstream thought I likely wouldn't have found the Farms.

 

[Just A Butt]

My opinion is this is homogay and OP is homogay.

 

[Rome's rightful successor]

Is this an introduction to an Internet Historian incognito mode video?

 

[Shidoen]

There is a different timeline for every action despite the slimmest chances, even taking 1 second extra to step on the ground cause a different universe. Why do I believe this? The merge has to happen in one of these timelines. Also eldritch horrors beyond my comprehension.

 

[Unarmed Gunman]

Facts & logic. Also, when dealing with people it's always important to have an understanding of human psychology to use as a guide to why people be acting like people do.

 

[draggs]

Because that's why

 

[BelUwUga]

I recognize that statement would mostly apply to myself in situations I would consider to be my biggest character failures. Buying into a narrative simply for social status is something I abhor. I would actually argue that those your statement applies to don't really have meaningful opinions and worldviews. These are your theory-of-mind-lacking NPCs that receive input, apply no synthesis/critical thinking, and regurgitate an output identical to the input. Everything begins and ends for these people with their feelings and perceived status. If you are ever in a managerial/leadership role in an organization you will quickly grow to loathe these types. If you don't, perhaps some introspection is warranted to ensure you're not one of them.

These are the types that end up embezzling from the company to afford status symbols. They will circle the wagons around their friend group to conceal abhorrent behavior. They will actively obstruct normal business or needed improvements simply because it involves someone they dislike. They're a malignant cancer in the organizations they join and they will absolutely kill them if they are not promptly identified and excised.

 

[Osmosis Jones]

Social status? No. I'm further alienated by my views. I do it because I have standards for myself.

 

[ToroidalBoat]

The freakshow of the 2020s so far has taught me that it may be a good idea to be skeptical of The Narrative™.

 

[gang weeder]

To some extent, this is a self-fulfilling prophecy, because when any views becomes popular or otherwise "succeeds," those who propagated it will inevitably gain in social status by some amount. Therefore, any advocacy on behalf of anything necessarily includes the possibility that the viewpoint will "succeed" and you will gain in status as a result. Meaning that anyone who advocates for anything can be credibly accused of advocating for it just due to a desire for muh social status.

Fortunately, in society as it current exists, it is very easy to tell who is a "status maxxer" and who is not. All you have to do is observe which people adhere to the cult of the Current Thing.

 

[Cherryno]

Meaning that anyone who advocates for anything can be credibly accused of advocating for it just due to a desire for muh social status.

I don't think it's that simple. Suppose there's your average trans twitter user named Alex who advocates for trans rights. Also suppose the year is 2040 and transsexuals are now seen as completely normal individuals, perhaps even interesting individuals thanks to the successful push for that change in society. Alex has, subconsciously or not, succeeded at elevating his status in society. He isn't seen as strange or weird by your average joe anymore, in fact, he's now seen as a cool trans person.

In this world, no one will accuse Alex of being a "status chaser". He simply (and genuinely) advocated for the normalization of transsexuals.

The same logic could be applied to supporters of communism. Suppose a radical leftist named Bob has been having economic difficulties and frustrations all his life, in part because he graduated from philosophy studies. Following the OP's statement, it could be explained that Bob strongly advocates for communism, because he subconsciously knows that "if we all buy into the cultural narrative of communism, my status will go up"

Indeed, because by abolishing economic hierarchy, Bob's status will go up (especially because the status of many others would go down, as he's socially under-average). As of right now, the image that Bob projects to most people is that of a loser with a useless degree and enormous debt. This is why Bob advocates for radical leftist views.

 

[BullDogsLipBrandClamjuice]

I try to just focus on things that bring me joy and leave the opinions to the blue check marks. Being that those are the only "correct" ideas

 

[Mayor Adam West]

I don't have opinions, I just parrot what the Church thinks.