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I'm not sure if this belongs in the philosophy section, but it deals with certain elements pertaining to philosophical thought, and I was wondering what your views on it are. I'd like to point out that I disagree with it profusely; I can't see how anyone could believe in it. I have seen it revered, but others have also disagreed with it. It is a generalization which reflects a lie, I think.
The quote: Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.
Now, I know what it is attempting to say, and I have not been inclined to take it literally, or at face value.
It says that ideas are more important than discussing events or people. I agree to an extent. But, when it labels those who talk of events and people as average and small minded...that's when I have a problem.
If I saw a concert last night, or witnessed a robbery, would I have to forcefully suppress my desire to tell someone? What ideas could I possibly have revolving around that? It's just a common occurrence of communication; and it is vital to beget feeling and fascination.
Also, if I were to talk about, Christopher Hitchens, and how wonderful he is, then would that make me small minded? It's just a burst of passion, which shouldn't necessarily reflect the size of my mind.
That's the thing; it seems so unrealistic and hideous; it seems to suggest that every passing second of communication should involve talking about ideas, ideas, and more ideas. There's nothing but that. But we're all human, and we need to talk of events and people to understand the world. It's fascinating to talk of events and the lives of people. I've always found lives of people absorbing and intriguing.
Even if it's related to gossip - the small minded section - then I wouldn't say it was small minded. Perhaps just a vice that everyone seems to carry. But then why should gossip be scorned? It's fascinating right? Everyone seems to do it.
And there are lots of people with ideas, but horrible ideas, and I wouldn't label their mind as great. I don't like labeling anyone's mind. They've just got their own individual mind.
What's your view on it? I think it's quite a bold statement, but interesting nonetheless.
And i'm sure when someone declares to believe this quote, they are talking of events and people anyway.
Any attempt to generalize anything is fraught with deficiency, ergo debates. Most of the time people generally do not present a thesis on a an idea in the hopes that it is directed to an understanding party.
You make people miserable and there's nothing they can do about it, just like god.
-- Homer Simpson
God has no place within these walls, just as facts have no place within organized religion.
-- Superintendent Chalmers
Science is like a blabbermouth who ruins a movie by telling you how it ends. There are some things we don't want to know. Important things.
-- Ned Flanders
Once something's been approved by the government, it's no longer immoral.
-- The Rev Lovejoy
