Bob Ross

But you might change someone's opinion or thoughts if those happen to include "Everyone else must think just like me!" I'm always happy to dive into the fray if for no other reason than I think it's important for people to realize that things that seem "obvious" or "self-evident" or "common sense" to them might not be to other, rational & well-reasoned people.


But you do seem to spend an awful lot of time starting new threads here in the 50+. Seems like a pretty fine line to me: Start Threads That I Think Will Cause Predictable Reactions versus Start Threads That I (presumably) Don't Think Will Cause Predictable Reactions. Meh, it's your time, carry on.


Well, there ya go. Don't do anything you don't enjoy. I hereby allow that luxury.

ahsposo 

Do I wear underwear under my shorts?
Which is better Shimano or SRAM? (missing of course the superior component brand)
Why would any one ride anything but a steel bike?

unterhausen

for some reason any thread that involves dogs always deteriorates. Mostly because someone always mentions their plan to shoot a rabid dog. And then a dog owner doesn't like the thought of their little fluffy getting shot. In fact, any thread about anyone getting in a wreck has a very good chance of getting heated. I always thought if a fellow cyclist gets injured that I should show some compassion for them, even if they were being an idiot. I usually wait to tell them what they were doing wrong until they ask "what did I do wrong?" This actually does happen on occasion, but usually people do know what they did wrong, if anything.

I urge anyone that's going to get upset by reading a thread to not read it. And if someone annoys you, put them on your ignore list. Makes this place a lot more tolerable and the mods' job a lot easier.

Robert Foster

I haven't noticed as many topics in 50+ that cause that knee jerk reaction simply by the topic, and if we have been here for any time we know what ones to avoid when we see them. It is the innocent topics that surprise us. Some simply can't seem to leave politics out of it and sooner or later the topic has to be locked. Of all of the sub forums this is normally the least political of those I have visited.

digibud

I was going to ask about those old farts in lycra that wear helmets and guns while riding in the street and listening to Rush Limbaugh on their iPods. Are you suggesting I don't start that thread?
Maybe I should just ask people if they thought it was a good idea to start such a thread...

KD5NRH

Whiney roadies getting passed by triathletes.

Robert Foster

good idea.

My favorites are, Passed team Garmin on my Next MTB with road tires and paniers while going up hill on my way home from the store.

Bionicycle

I love it... A thread where the subject matter is about subject matter that should never be put in a thread. Sigmund Freud would have a field day with this one.

Bionicycle

I have many Neutral opinions on this subject... So by all means feel free to create that thread.

AzTallRider

Hey DF, you also forgot to put Brooks Saddles on your list.

Only point I will make is that debate is not solely about trying to change someone's mind. The discourse has educational and entertainment value regardless of whether it changes any opinions.

Booger1

Can anybody name one that doesn't.......anybody?

DnvrFox

Err . . . If we are thinking of the same Freud, he died a number of years back.

And here we have a post - by you - about "A thread where the subject matter is about subject matter that should never be put in a thread."

And next . . . ?

Well, actually, this post is "next." Then, what comes after that?

Maybe we will awaken Freud and he can come after all of us?

miss kenton

You beat me to it.

NOS88

Sure, EVERYONE knows white bikes are the fastest.

BluesDawg

Most of these topics, at least the cycling related ones, can be the subjects of useful and informative threads. For as long as a thread can be about how to choose or use clipless pedals rather than whether they are necessary for people who don't race, for as long as a thread can be about how much someone enjoys his new recumbent bike and not about whether recumbent riders are morally superior to those on upright bikes, for as long as a thread can be about an informative discussion about some aspect of cycling and not about how everyone should do just like I do and anyone who doesn't is an idiot, they can be very rewarding to read.

dguest

What about the (catholic) dog driving the pick up truck with the shotgun in the rear window the wrong way in the bike lane.

ed strodtman

My choice for no. 1 controversial thread would be helmets by a big margin. Bike lanes also cause some controversy, especially if you are conversing with John Forester. Chain lube threads can also cause lively debate but I rather enjoy them. I don't think people get quite as emotional as they used to about clip-in pedals, unless you are chatting with Grant from Rivendell. I hate political threads because the media bombards us with this stuff all the time and puts their own spin on it.

larwyn

And what's wrong with that..........as long as he is on a leash?

chasm54

NO IT ISN'T. Your opinion is only worth anything if you know something about the subject being discussed. the idea that an uninformed opinion is as valid as one that is informed, is dangerous nonsense. It's the sort of thing that allows idiots to get elected.

AzTallRider

WooHoo... nicely said!

Booger1

^^^^ WRONG! People give uninformed opinions everyday.....opinions are not facts.Opinions are sometimes based on facts.

o·pin·ion

   /əˈpɪnyən/ Show Spelled[uh-pin-yuhn] Show IPA
noun 1.a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty.

2.a personal view, attitude, or appraisal.

The reason our elected officials get into office is because people think opinions ARE facts!

chasm54

And you think that means that ignorant opinions are as valid as educated ones? People are entitled to their opinions, but if they don't now what they are talking about, they aren't entitled to expect the rest of us to take them seriously.

As for facts, they're scarcer than they look. Spotting one takes judgement.

VNA

You forgot the most deadly topic--way beyond politics and guns--religion!

t4mv

...Leading to electile dysfunction, another round of which we're all surely going to be subjected to in the coming year.

Blues Frog

... A jewel in a what? I just got finished opening a clog in my sewer. Wasn't a "Jewell" in there..... anywhere... I looked. I use the controversial threads to find those I wish to ignore. I'm sure I'm on some others' lists myself.