SBV MBs - The "Feel-Good" oppinions

Rich-

It has occurred to me that it is very easy to get caught up in oppinions that appeal to a person's sense of superiority. It sounds very intellectual to appear to take the high road to any subject. The over-all tone of Mitch Cornish's guest essay is that opponents to windmills in the Bristol Hills are a low-brow, selfish lot that care only for themselves. To oppose windmills is to oppose all that is giving and self-sacrificial. There really is no winning over their oppinions on these kinds of matters. It makes them feel good to have these views and there will be no denying them their chance to feel superior and above their country bumpkin neighbors. They refuse to acknowledge the fact that a small oasis of unspoiled nature is of benefit, not only to the residents of the area, but also to all those surrounding communities who use our resources for their own enjoyment and relaxation. Such an acknowlegment would spoil their NIMBY argument and that is the argument that displays to all their willingness to sacrifice for the greater good. It is much more effective for them to try to show that the opposition is just a few, low intelligence, selfish locals that really only need the guidance from their intellectually superior neighbors to get their attitudes corrected.

Terry

Nick:	Bristol (Registered User)
Date/Time:	Sunday, August 10, 2003 at 10:15:30 AM
Browser/OS:	Microsoft Internet Explorer V5.5 using Windows 95
In Reply To:	The cost of a soul? <Rich> [August 8, 2003 @ 12:00:59 AM] (2/3)
Subject:	The "Feel-Good" oppinions
Message:
Rich- It has occurred to me that it is very easy to get caught up in oppinions that appeal to a person's sense of superiority. It sounds very intellectual to appear to take the high road to any subject. The over-all tone of Mitch Cornish's guest essay is that opponents to windmills in the Bristol Hills are a low-brow, selfish lot that care only for themselves. To oppose windmills is to oppose all that is giving and self-sacrificial. There really is no winning over their oppinions on these kinds of matters. It makes them feel good to have these views and there will be no denying them their chance to feel superior and above their country bumpkin neighbors. They refuse to acknowledge the fact that a small oasis of unspoiled nature is of benefit, not only to the residents of the area, but also to all those surrounding communities who use our resources for their own enjoyment and relaxation. Such an acknowlegment would spoil their NIMBY argument and that is the argument that displays to all their willingness to sacrifice for the greater good. It is much more effective for them to try to show that the opposition is just a few, low intelligence, selfish locals that really only need the guidance from their intellectually superior neighbors to get their attitudes corrected. Terry

Nick:	Rich (Superuser)
Date/Time:	Monday, August 11, 2003 at 3:28:58 PM (Monday, August 11, 2003 at 11:28:58 AM EDT)
Browser/OS:	Mozilla Browser V1.5a (Gecko build: 07/18/2003) using Windows 9x 4.90
In Reply To:	The "Feel-Good" oppinions <Bristol> [August 10, 2003 @ 10:15:30 AM] (1/1)
Subject:	Self sacrifice?
Message:
In that vein, I think it makes them feel even better with the "knowledge" that they are scrificing such a resource as our mountains "for the good of our country" and other clap-trap. Such 'sacrifice' comes easy when they don't own the property, don't live near the property, and don't really give a damn for the environment, people or community at large. "Self sacrifice" comes easy when the person is not actually sacrificing anything. Although 'self respect' does come to mind!