We live in a culture where people's opinions,
views, and assessments of situations spill across
social media - a lot of it anonymously, much of it
as we can see from forums such as this one, is often
shaped by the chaos of superstition, misinformation,
narrow-mindedness, ignorance, and prejudice.

Altrav,

Wow, do you ever read your own posts, and ever wonder if, in some way, what you criticise in others could equally be applied to yourself ?

Yes, indeed, facts require some evidence; opinions don't. But as Moynihan noted, everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but not to their own facts: facts are what they are. Yes, they can be 'interpreted' differently, but that's where the discussion starts.

Thanks for raising this fundamentally important issue.

Joe

Nancys? Nancies? What's that?

@Waverley

Nancy,

http://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/nancy

nancy
noun - informal, offensive
An effeminate or homosexual man.

Nancys, Nancies - plural form

Also of greater importance, Nancy was/is a star character of her own cartoon comics. Comics and cartoons are great entertainment. In fact I even make my own as a hobby, animated of course. I use a very old version of Macromedia Flash. I have no end of laughs creating and using characters. They're almost like children in so far as they're always surprising you as you draw and animate them with expressions and behaviours.

Gotta love comics and cartoon cultures.

Waverley, a 'NANCY', comes from the term, 'nancy boy'.
It refers to a person, male or female, with somewhat delicate emotional tendencies and a need to be sheltered and protected against the 'evils' of society, and this can also be extended to the written or verbal forms.
Loudmouth, opinions are irrelevant.
I suggest you look within and stop trying to be obtuse, it is likely you need to 'proof read your comments' prior to posting.
If something is derived from a fact, then it is a fact, only if you witnessed the evnt or thing in question.
I can subordinate semantics as it is a useful tool to better understand words and their meanings.
But I will not tolerate, presumptions.
Too much license is given to opinions, in that it is taken as means to communicate something which has been garnered off another person or publication and because they happen to like, therefore, agree with this information, it is presented or passed on as 'fact'.
It is not!
The other side of this example is that if the reader/listener does not favour the information they have received, they will not promote it as they have taken a personal and emotional dislike or view about the information.
Nothing written or spoken, can be taken as fact unless it is verified.
THAT'S A FACT!
Foxy, your last comment is an iteration of your well worn stance.
In all that you have said, I grant you that you have demonstrated a most apt posting, but in doing so you have done a sterling job of demonstrating and promoting the cause for opinions, not 'facts'.
Let me clarify.
When I say, 'I am a pragmatist', or 'a realist', or 'I do not suffer fools', 'I do not engage or acknowledge emotion, other than to convey a point, they're FACTS.
I am stating a fact, why?
Because 'I' said it and I am the author and the comments are mine.
So if you all don't mind I will keep talking facts, and you all can keep giving 'opinions', only now, no facts, no-one will care

ALTRAV,

I didn't mean to push all your buttons.

I was just looking for the mute button.