CROWD-SOURCING: CONSIDERING THE VIEWS OF OTHERS

Your two cents about an issue -- and mine -- are worthy of respect and consideration.

Every now and then, I throw out a question on Facebook. Then I sit back and see what my friends have to say. What I enjoy about the viewpoints is how varied they are, how reasonable their assessments, and how they make points I hadn’t thought of. Sometimes, I may flat out disagree, but I can still respect their right to their views.

Recently my question concerned how to handle Facebook friends who have passed away. Should we block them? Unfriend? Leave them there? Consider their pages places for tributes or places to reflect on our relationships?

So many different answers and views! I can’t say that I find anything “wrong” with what any of those who responded had to say. Sometimes, there is no black or white answer, only shades of gray.

I had mentioned that I find it a bit creepy to see my late friends' faces pop up when they are no longer alive. One person said it’s not in the least creepy to her but rather a pleasant reminder of people she loves. Another said – and I sure hadn’t thought of this – that she had a close friend die several years ago. When the friend’s husband posts photos of their children or updates, he tags his deceased wife. My Facebook friend said this way, she gets to see her late friend’s children as they grow up.

I was surprised how few delete, in some fashion, their late friends. I think it’s true that Facebook has become the modern equivalent of a tombstone for loved ones who have passed on, and you can go to the page and leave verbal bouquets and tributes.
 
I think it would be great if we could all show the same tolerance and respect for opinions of others when it comes to politics. There is so much divisiveness. Perhaps we select our news stations to match our personal world views. A conservative prefers FOX. A liberal, CNN or MSNBC.

I flip around and watch a variety of these networks and the way things are or are not reported, or presented often makes me think I live in two countries.

I  encourage us all to listen to the views of others, understand where they are coming from, and consider that maybe no matter what we think, if we’re saturated in our own echo chambers, there’s little space for considering that just because someone disagrees with us, that person is not an idiot or crazy. And just maybe, there's room for compromise.

We have two ears and one mouth for a reason.