My Mood vs. The World

[mrlich]

So I like to flatter myself by thinking that I keep a pretty neutral eye on the world. I understand that I am often a moody guy and that colors many people's view of a given moment in time, but I fancy myself above that. I like to think that - given my (cursed) ability to 'walk a mile in someone else's shoes' I tend to see things with a fairly unbiased mind.

I would like to point out here that I am not, under any circumstances, trying to say that I react neutrally to all situations and experiences - simply that I see them so.

Is this naive of me? Is it ignorant to think that I am the rare exception to the rule here? Am I not alone? Do you (either of the two or so folks who read this ;) ) think that you're able to see the world this way?

Here's the simple truth: I think that I'm being foolish. I think that I do have a greater propensity for not allowing personal bias to color my view of a given experience, but that this isn't enough. "Better than most people" does not equal "the ability to be unbiased". I think that I am swayed by my personal opinions.

Okay, you're thinking, so what's so earth shattering about this?

Absolutely nothing. I'm just thinking 'out loud' as it were.

Comments

[ms-violet.livejournal.com]

I don't know, but you can bring your bias over here. It's midnight and the white trash teens next fdoor just started a shouting match.

[mrlich.livejournal.com]

Actually, you're not far off. I find myself more often than not feeling like I need to be more biased after the fact. I oten feel like I should let my own opinion stand more firmly, but I argue that idea right out of my own head because I see the other side(s) of a scenerio so clearly that I don't want my own bias to influence others.

Why's that you ask? Couldn't tell you.

[mrlich.livejournal.com]

I always loved the "What's the H stand for?" question:

Hoover?
Harold?
Hank?

[ms-violet.livejournal.com]

Even Jesus would go Hitler on their pasty white asses.

[ms-violet.livejournal.com]

Honey.

[xtingu]

Dr. Psychiatrist Knapp says: Sounds like a throwback to a childhood where you always aimed to please, lest you get pounded. It's almost like you were afraid to have your own opinions, so you tried super-sonic-extra-hard to understand the opinions of those around you in an effort to see where they were coming from.

In the best light: This is noble and beautiful, and has given you the insightful ability to walk a mile in another's shoes, as you said. This is also why you are the incredibly sensitive and thoughtful observer that you are. It's why you don't want to see anyone hurt, uncomfortable, or even on the receiving end of a confusing conversation (I do that too-- think of the diner waiter last night). On the other hand, in the worst case, it could make you appear that you have no opinions of your own, only the opinions of loud opinion-crammers around you.

Let yourself be heard, loud and clear. You're a big dude with big, loud, magical thoughts. We, your faithful minions, crave them! We know how we feel-- we don't need you to reflect that back at us. We want to know how you, Matt, specifically, honestly and truly feel. Don't be afraid of that.

The mark of a true love (whether that's a loving friendship or a loving, um, love) is that they accept you even if they don't agree with you. We've got your back, yo.

[tongodeon.livejournal.com]

You might be trying to say that you're objective. There's a difference between objectivity and bias.