Getting a perspective on one's perspective vs expecting VALIDATION!

@Gerry52, coming here with a mind open to change? Absolutely...

Funny you should bring this up. I have also seen this go the exact opposite. (I ran across it in my video browsing.)

A person brings up a theory and the majority opinion is against it. A few years later a company or well known individual produces the exact same idea and people rave about it.

EDIT: Sorry my post was off topic and didn't cover validation.

Gerry52 said:

There have been so very many times on this forum that I've seen people post an opinion & seem to be SHOCKED when the majority of responses differ from what they expected to get. Many times the response of the OP (original poster) has been "that's it, I'm DONE with this forum! " It's obvious to me that those people were expecting to be VALIDATED (a condition brought on by ego). I, personally, am much more interested in finding if my way of thinking & perspective on a given matter might be flawed in some way & hopefully have room for growth & change. That's not to say I don't have an ego (I've spent 58 years of my life performing, for what that tells you!). In my mind it seems that SOME people think FORUMS (a place for open dialogue & a chance to "adjust" one's perspective) should be like some social media & ONLY reinforce that particular person's viewpoint. I'm really glad I see the discussions & info I get on AGN as an opportunity to adjust & expand the way I see or feel about things. Also glad I learned in life that just because I SEE or FEEL a certain way about an issue doesn't make it GOSPEL!!! It's OK to change your mind or opinion WITHOUT being offended by others not VALIDATING YOURS. That's called GROWTH!

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I agree 100%.

I actually love when I see the different viewpoints. What I don’t like is when people seem to feel that a different viewpoint mean the other person is somehow defective, and resorts to name calling, denigration and generally personal insults.

It’s fine to disagree. I’ve been married for longer than most people have been alive. I still disagree with my wife on many things (I just don’t let her know about it all the time - after all, I’m not stupid ).

I like the guys who ask a question and won’t listen to anything until they get the answer that aligns with what they secretly want to hear. Some of you might remember that one dude who asked a million questions on here then argued with everyone. Guys shouldn’t take forum life too seriously. It’s knowledge and entertainment.

Gerry52.... where did the big bad internet do to you .... lol

I agree man, to many people are not looking for the "correct answer" they just want "their answer". I have been telling people for a while that it is easier to keep telling a lie than it is to admit to yourself that you were wrong. People don't want to be wrong about anything, it makes you feel bad. So keep pushing a lie until you get people who will agree and validate their view.

Most of the time after reading a few posts you will see what answer they are looking for. It is easier just to ignore the entire thread and move on, rather than waste your time and energy on such people.

@Gerry52 Precisely one of the reasons I took to this forum. In all of my ignorance or failure to comprehend things related to airgunning, most often there have been members who have been patient in helping me to better understand and/or showing me where I erred. As a result, some months ago I created a post of gratitude naming several of those members and you were one of them. There are many AGN members who have assisted me in learning and a handful that I consider friends. I also have watched many members reach out to others similarly. I think the discomfort that you speak of is derived from our egos. Good to check that at the door when entering these types of spaces, but as humans we all have our days. But this probably isn’t the place to come seeking validation. If that’s your bag it doesn’t take long to become evident.

Let’s all talk religion and politics. That way we can ALL agree!!....

Funny example -

Years back on a motorcycle forum, I argued with a guy that "apparently" owned a hot rod, bike shop in the UK.
He WAS of the opinion that the only way to tune an engine for different race conditions was with the fuel. More power needed, add fuel. Less power needed, less fuel.
Initially, and VERY politely I told him he was wrong. Fuel tuning is done by the atmospheric pressure (altitude)/ambient air temperature and humidity. The way to add and remove power for different track conditions was to add and remove ignition timing.

We argued this for over a year.

Finally I gave up and hope that he kept customers, because he didn't understand how to tune an engine.
A bit later, a couple of guys PM'd me and told me to look into his shops web site.

His web site now states that (paraphrasing here -) "he will alter the ignition timing to suit the customers needs for given race weekends"..!! Richening and leaning of the carburetion and or fuel injection calibration still available as required.

Made me laugh. I didn't contact him with any smartassed dyno results comments !

By comments made to my PM here, I've seen some of the same thing when "I" don't agree with with the follow the leader crowd here either. I don't mind change. I've spent most of my working life understanding the possible need for change, and the reasons...MANY are...afraid of change. Most are afraid to venture out on their own, experiment on their own. I've been lucky in work that has allowed me to do this. My car and bike hobby has allowed me to experiment, and find "other", possible new and better ways of doing things. I've been lucky in that way.
DON'T...necessarily...follow the leader !

I can and DO learn from others. But I also have enough common sense and mechanical background to have a pretty good idea in understanding when I read (or watch), B.S.

Shoot-on folks...

Mike

P.s. - And I really don't care if anyone follows or agrees with my thoughts. As long as you don't mind if you've changed my thoughts !!!