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Book Nook provides readers with insights into the world of books. Vick Mickunas takes you into the center of the publishing world with the latest book buzz, book reviews, and exclusive chats with authors..Home > Blogs > Book Nook > Archives > 2009 > January > 22 > Entry
What’s So Wrong With Being Absolutely Right..
This blog is fun. Most of the time. I have really enjoyed all the intelligent and thoughtful comments that you, the readers of this blog have left for your fellow readers, and for me to enjoy.
It’s an equal opportunity blog in more ways than one. You can feel free to leave comments of any kind as long as you keep a civil tongue about you (no profanity please, Secret Service often responds to death threats against our elected officials, don’t be stridently rude, obtusely racist, or willfully ignorant). Comments are screened to winnow out the objectionable ones….
Books are the common thread here. Even so, I reserve the right to wander far afield as long as I feel that the topic that we are discussing might be of some interest to somebody. Translation: this blog is about books but it is really about writing, my writing, and yours.
I have one commenter who has somehow gotten the notion that he’s my supervisor. While I really appreciate his concern - and I’m certain that he is a wonderful guy - I would suggest however that he might wish to read WHAT’s SO WRONG ABOUT BEING ABSOLUTELY RIGHT - The Dangerous Nature of Dogmatic Belief by Judy J. Johnson (Prometheus Books)…..
Here’s why:
This gentleman has objected when I have done blog posts that apparently go against his political views. He usually tries to throw what he calls my “job description” at me, demanding to know the link between books and the particular post that ruffled his feathers.
He’s not particularly gentle about it. When he decides that I require his intervention on a topic he usually recites the description that goes along with this blog. Then he will demand to know why I am wriggling free from the narrow borders that he believes should restrict my freedom to write whatever I feel like writing about, books or not. He’s entitled to his opinion. It should be noted that he is quite capable of leaving thoughtful and insightful comments. I do welcome his comments, even the ones where he takes me to task over my “job description.”
In WHAT’s SO WRONG ABOUT BEING ABSOLUTELY RIGHT - The Dangerous Nature of Dogmatic Belief Doctor Johnson brightens the room, “We have all known people who act as if they were the sole expert on a subject. We bristle at their inflexibility and wonder why they obstinately close their minds…”
In the BOOK NOOK Blog we talk about books and ideas. We write. We aspire to press our points in a civil manner. We have a reasonable discourse and thoughtful conversations.. Thanks to you.
Vick Mickunas
Permalink | Comments (12) | Post your comment | Categories: confessions of a galley slave
Comments
By Judy Rukke
January 31, 2009 11:54 PM | Link to this
I’m reading the book “What’s So Wrong With Being Absolutely Right” and find myself thinking not only of other pig-headed people I’ve known, but…myself. What an eye opener! I’m turning the pages very slowly—much to think about in this one.By irishguy
January 26, 2009 4:52 PM | Link to this
Vick, I’m a pretty civil guy. Not as feisty as your sterotypical Irish guy.By vick
January 26, 2009 1:12 AM | Link to this
Irish, I have seen you use that term on other blogs. You are just too darned civil to use it here…so far.By irishguy
January 24, 2009 8:45 PM | Link to this
Thanks Vick, Are you sure I haven’t let an obamessiah or two slip out? I was going to say I appreciate your Sarcasm. But seriously, I read a fair amount of blogs, but yours is the one I most enjoy posting comments and “mixing it up”.By vick
January 23, 2009 4:31 PM | Link to this
Thanks, Irish. I know you make the effort to refrain from terms like “Obamessiah” when commenting on this blog and I do appreciate your numerous observations and your considerable restraint…By irishguy
January 23, 2009 3:28 PM | Link to this
Vick, I really enjoy your blog, it’s the only one I contribute to and read on a regular basis.By Raoul
January 23, 2009 10:24 AM | Link to this
I concur with all that Vick’ blog is a cut above. In fact I rarely bother with any others, much to the satisfaction of those that I ignore. Most of those bloggers that contribute here provide thoughtful reflection, and not just talking points. We certainly disagree on many things, but we seem to do so in a most agreeable way. I think the defining point to Vick’s blogs are to ask yourself, have I considered the other points of view, and if so, have I learned something? Vick, I think the answer is usually ‘Yes’ to that question. To me, that makes your blog a worthy place to spend time. Thanks, and keep it up.By lmj
January 22, 2009 5:47 PM | Link to this
I appreciate the platform available on this blog and am often surprised at the irritation expressed by others. I first became aware of my “missing something” in the early days of 60 Minutes. A week after a story was shown, the correspondents read letters to the editors on the air about the previous weeks subjects. I marveled then, as I continue to do now, that what I thought was a wonderfully educational topic drew such contrary summation from someone else. The only difference now, forty years later, we don’t seem to listen to one another - just spew our scripts. In my opinion, Vick, you always handle objections with aplomb and an attempt at dialogue.By Mike
January 22, 2009 12:38 PM | Link to this
Vick, I second what TRS said. And, BTW, that doesn’t happen very often(said with a smile, TRS!). An exchange of ideas, even contentious ones, serves us well if we respect each other and listen openly to what is said. No one has the corner on the market for being right. We all see things through the particular lenses of our own life experiences. That is what makes us all unique persons on this planet and gives each and every one of us the ability to provide constructive input to a subject, whether it be a widely accepted truth or an obscure item less well known. Every one of us is an individual thread in this patchwork called humanity.By edo
January 22, 2009 12:31 PM | Link to this
As a self-proclaimed authority on everything (according to my spouse) it behooves us all to fit into the box we were designated…(please wipe your hooves on the mat)… if you display a narrow spectrum of behavior people will be shocked (shocked, I say) at any behavior deemed out of the ordinary, however, if you display wide varieties of behavior you can get away with almost anything… people will say “Oh, that crazy Ed O., he beats everthing, you know that?”… you are free to talk among yourselves, as long as it pertains to books, reading, writing, thinking about reading or writing, thinking or just about anything else that conforms to my guidelines… or not… edoBy TRS
January 22, 2009 12:13 PM | Link to this
Vic - you run a good blog. As a culture we seem to have evolved into a perspective where disagreement soon turns personal. Spirited discussion is one thing - name calling and demeaning another is something else. As a culture we need to learn how to disagree without being disagreeable. Certainly each has their passions and bias; but, discussion and spirited debate is meant to try and “win the day”, not “whale away” at another (thought I’d try a Rev Lowry line). Words such as hate, bigot, racist, coward, Unamerican and others are thrown around not to advance a discusssion; rather, to stifle it. As a conservative and Christian I feel welcome on your sight and appreciate the manner in which you run it. While you may not have been looking for compliments you certainly deserve one for trying to do the right thing.By Dave
January 22, 2009 11:40 AM | Link to this
This reminds me of an old saying, “People who think they know it all are very irritating to those of us who do.”