You know what Grinds my Gears?
By April
@thislittlepennyearns (63267)
Defuniak Springs, Florida
January 7, 2025 8:23pm CST
’m truly open to different perspectives and I can maintain friendships with those who don’t share my views, but there are times when I just can’t help but shake my head at certain individuals.
It’s astonishing to me how many people lack logical reasoning or a grasp of how the real world operates. This seems to be a growing trend, especially in today’s online landscape. People often either refuse to think critically, are incapable of independent thought, or don’t consider the consequences before they post. We consistently remind our kids that once something is online, it’s permanent in some form.
I understand that my opinions can sometimes ruffle feathers, but when I express something, I stand firmly behind it. If my perspective changes down the line, I will address that. But I am unwavering in what I share. It infuriates me when people fail to think for themselves or passively agree with everything, or when they flip-flop on their beliefs. It’s unacceptable.
Kids are navigating their identity, and I can appreciate that. However, adults who don’t take the time to understand what they believe or who blindly follow trends really frustrate me.
Whether you choose to read this or not is of no concern to me. I just needed to express my thoughts.
I hope everyone has a good night, and remember: you have your own brain. Use it to form your own opinions.
14 people like this
12 responses
@thislittlepennyearns (63267)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
8 Jan
Some people are willing to follow anyone anywhere, and they don't even think about what the consequences of their choice to do so are.
3 people like this
@kareng (64469)
• United States
8 Jan
@thislittlepennyearns Some have no clue what the cause even is!!
@kaylachan (73496)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
8 Jan
I can't help but share this same pet peve. I've known for a while that the world has changed a lot. Kids are trying to figure out who they are, and I get that, but we've gotten to the point where parents aren't parenting their kids. When I grew up, I was tought to think for myself and stand for what I believe in, and I see less and less of it online. I actually like my husband's primary doctor, because he's not afraid to say 'I don't know, but I'll help get you to who can help you'. Which is refreshing. Because he's willing to admit he doesn't know everything and is willing to learn along with us as we navigate stroke recovery.
But online I see daily and often find myself arguing with people who won't admit they don't know what they're talking about and are willing to defend it.
1 person likes this
@thislittlepennyearns (63267)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
8 Jan
I think you know exactly who sparrked the topic of this particular rant because we've talked about it previously and you and I agree
People are wussies and don't think anymore. There are a bunch of people that wouldn't know their own opinion if it bit them.
3 people like this
@kaylachan (73496)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
8 Jan
@thislittlepennyearns I can think of two, one who's supposed to have attended college. But I'm not naming names, bucause I don't need to. I'll admit it gets exhausting going back and forth even if it helps my bank balance in the process.
1 person likes this
@thislittlepennyearns (63267)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
9 Jan
@kaylachan I do believe that one of them has blocked me.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (169852)
• Boise, Idaho
8 Jan
You're very opinionated and harsh. Are you like this with your kids? Lighten up!
@celticeagle (169852)
• Boise, Idaho
8 Jan
@thislittlepennyearns ..... I just had a lady tell me I should block you. Perhaps I will. If you treat your kids like you do me I feel sorry for them. I do live in the real world honey and yes, I think you are harsh.
1 person likes this
@thislittlepennyearns (63267)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
8 Jan
I don't see what me having opinions has to do with me being harsh. I don't coddle people , my kids included. That just sets them up for failure. I unlike you prefer to live in the real world and give my kids the tools to do the same. But carry on.
4 people like this
@porwest (94568)
• United States
8 Jan
@thislittlepennyearns :::Looks around, see's Celtic's posts, considers perhaps she has a different dictionary than we do:::
1 person likes this
@thislittlepennyearns (63267)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
12 Jan
I'm glad some people do.
I hope you are doing well! I haven't seen you much.
@jstory07 (140851)
• Roseburg, Oregon
8 Jan
I used to tell my kids that all the time think for yourself. Do not copy others. Do what you want to do not what a friend wants you to do. Be yourself everyone else is already taken. No copycats with my six kids. Plus they think for themselves.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (105326)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
8 Jan
I know how you feel since there is always someone who gets mad at me for expressing my views on sports stars that win prizes from a sports magazine calling me out for being to think for myself and say "So and so is the best sports star of their era and not of all time. That is a fact that spots stars play in different eras which are different in the 20th century compared to today.
1 person likes this
@pumpkinjam (8818)
• United Kingdom
8 Jan
I agree with what you've said. It is natural for people to e influenced, hold beliefs and opinions because of how we're raised or our environment. I do find that some will absolutely refuse to consider another opinion if it's different from theirs (for whatever reason they hold a particular view).
Opinions are opinions and will differ. Blindly following trends bothers me as does refusing to see what's in front of you. It's OK for opinions to change. I've known people provided with indisputable facts but will still maintain that what they always believed is correct (e.g. I refuse to accept that Pluto isn't a planet because I was taught that it was 
)
What I also don't appreciate is those who are vehement I their beliefs but will not accept that other people have different ones. For example, a devoutly religious friend of mine would be the first to be offended if anyone insulted her beliefs yet she thought nothing of insulting mine.
Like you, I can be friends with others who hold different views but I have noticed several friends following conspiracy theories or spouting/sharing hatred because they've seen it on the Internet and made no attempt to fact check.
)
What I also don't appreciate is those who are vehement I their beliefs but will not accept that other people have different ones. For example, a devoutly religious friend of mine would be the first to be offended if anyone insulted her beliefs yet she thought nothing of insulting mine.
Like you, I can be friends with others who hold different views but I have noticed several friends following conspiracy theories or spouting/sharing hatred because they've seen it on the Internet and made no attempt to fact check.
@GardenGerty (161546)
• United States
8 Jan
Great advice. Use our brain. My daughter and I were discussing this as it pertains to posting memes on FB last night. Sometimes things just are not thought through.
@luisadannointed (6858)
• Philippines
8 Jan
It is really hard to accept once view specially when it go against yours. And I feel you. I always get disappointed when a clear situation can't be read by others, but I think there will always bad oppositions.
@RasmaSandra (81617)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
8 Jan
I have never been one to follow the crowd and am proud that most of the time I stand out from the rest,
@dgobucks226 (35879)
•
9 Jan
Maybe those in the refusing to think critically for themselves find it easier to let someone else form their opinions for them. Or perhaps it is a need to get along and not disagree. Or could it be that it's easier to accept rather than question an opinion or fact.
Or as we saw in the presidential election with Harris supporters, "common sense is not so common."
@thislittlepennyearns (63267)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
9 Jan
My favorite are the ones that support someone. Like during presidential election when people blindly followed Harris, and didn't even know what she stood for. Like inform yourself!
Lol it drives me crazy.
1 person likes this
@porwest (94568)
• United States
8 Jan
I cannot agree more. I think critical thinking is always important and something many people will simply not do. I look at my own life's path politically for example. I am a lifelong Republican, however that has NEVER meant I did not critically analyze my party's policy matters and decide for myself where I stood on the issues.
For example, when the Republicans were more open about open borders, I ALWAYS opposed my party on that. When the Republicans were more of a free trade and globalism supporting party, I REMAINED firm in my protectionist stance.
People need to be able to think about things and draw their own conclusions and not allow themselves to be influenced. It's okay to disagree with our side. It's okay to agree with the OTHER side. It's okay to have an opinion that goes against the grain of what we're TOLD we should agree with because we've thought about them and have drawn our own conclusions based on logic, facts, and other considerations.
Take the US Steel decision Biden made. I agree with Biden on that issue. It's OKAY for me to agree with him. More people should be able to have this ability.
