A postscript to "what happened to me"

[Alan V]

I do appreciate the fact that you speak up when you perceive groupthink to be afoot.

I think it is much more helpful to point out how people's assumptions are over-generalized rather than accuse them of groupthink. In other words, address them as individuals rather than as a group.

[Bucky Ball]

How exactly can you tell the difference between individual opinions that happen to agree and "group-think" ?
Oh you can't
Never mind.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Hi, rob.

Boru

[Belacqua]

How exactly can you tell the difference between individual opinions that happen to agree and "group-think" ?
Oh you can't
Never mind.

One clue is to find out how well an individual can justify his claims with evidence, arguments, etc. 

If a person says he doesn't need reasons to hold something to be true, it may well be a sign that he's opted for group-think. Or if he expects his assertions to be accepted with no challenge.

[Bucky Ball]

How exactly can you tell the difference between individual opinions that happen to agree and "group-think" ?
Oh you can't
Never mind.

One clue is to find out how well an individual can justify his claims with evidence, arguments, etc. 

If a person says he doesn't need reasons to hold something to be true, it may well be a sign that he's opted for group-think. Or if he expects his assertions to be accepted with no challenge.

And how would one find that out ? 
Do you think people who accuse an entire forum of group-think have actually asked every member of the (supposed) group how they arrived at their opinions ? 
The reply might work for one person, but the general accusation that group-think exists at all, remains unanswered, and un-supported, unless every member of the (supposed) group is asked. Those who accuse others of "group-think" really have no way of supporting their accusations, and in fact it's quite insulting to tell a group they did not individually arrive at their positions on various subjects, but took their opinions from a group, (most of whom they don't even know), and the member of the group not even identified.

[Belacqua]

Do you think people who accuse an entire forum of group-think have actually asked every member of the (supposed) group how they arrived at their opinions ? 

You'd have to ask the people who make that accusation.

[Amarok]

And then watch them fail too have an actual criteria . But hey it makes them feel righteous making the accusation .

[Alan V]

If people think someone is being condescending, they might not offer their reasoning if it is good.

Conversations with others are a privilege.

[Belacqua]

If people think someone is being condescending, they might not offer their reasoning if it is good.

My experience has been that the condescending people are the same ones who won't give reasons. 

They act as though their opinions are so obvious that anyone who doesn't already agree is just a fool. Offering one's reasoning is a sign of respect.

[Amarok]

My experience has been that the condescending people are the same ones who won't give reasons. 

In my experience people who demand reason generally don't care about the actual reasons and just use that word over and over to sound virtuous 

They act as though their opinions are so obvious that anyone who doesn't already agree is just a fool. Offering one's reasoning is a sign of respect.

They act as thou they want reasons then ignore them when their given and pretend none were given as not to burst their bubble of pretend intellectual superiority . Offering ones reasons to a person who deserves your respect is a sign of respect otherwise your casting pearls to swine .