that a mind is like a parachute. It only works when it's open.
Foxy,
Yes, time you pulled the rip-cord, you've been in freefall far too long !

individual,

I don't want to add to Foxy's 'score', but I just had to compliment you on your parachute post. Very appropriate. Just my opinion, of course :).

My apologies thinkabit. Here's the link again:

http://www.agsa.sa.gov.au/education/resources-educators/resources-educators/tarnanthi-2020-open-hands/betty-muffler/

"that a mind is like a parachute. It only works when it's open."

"There's nothing so closed as a closed mind that thinks its open."

There are a number of moral issues here.
- No one is entitled to demand that someone listen to them. However, we aren't entitled to attack someone's beliefs if you haven't done them the courtesy of allowing them to explain them.
- If I do someone the courtesy of listening to their views, I will expect them to extend the same courtesy to me.
- The right to free speech doesn't extend to the right not to be disagreed with. However, when speech has real world consequences like losing one's job, it is no longer free.

Hi benk,

Not everyone knows how to handle diverse views and ideas
and not everyone realises that we don't all think the same.
You're spot on when you suggest that none of us have to
tolerate abuse, nasty behavior, or disrespect. We should
learn from each other and we certainly don't have to
participate in every argument to make a point.

People who feel that they are entitled to their opinion
we need to ask - is it a worthwhile opinion. Having a
worthwhile opinion on complex matters and being worth
listening to on that opinion requires hard work and
preparation. It usually requires years of education in which
one reads widely and learns to think carefully. It also
requires life experience (book learning only gets one so far).

The ideas and positions one develops in their studies need to
be tested in the real world.