Comments on: You’re Close-Minded

By: Bob

Bob — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:54:21 +0000

This is quite thought provoking. I have always thought of myself as being very open minded – but that made me think twice…

By: blackeyes13

blackeyes13 — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 04:54:30 +0000

in my opinion…
open-minded can accept the ideas and views of others, but don’t disregard his own beliefs.

but i think it depends on a particular topic, idea or situation if you want to open or close your mind.

By: Jennifer Ryan | I Choose Change

Jennifer Ryan | I Choose Change — Fri, 22 May 2009 05:24:46 +0000

As always, funny, clever, though-provoking post – just what I need at almost 1am! Thanks. =)

By: Jim | Revive Your Life

Jim | Revive Your Life — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 01:31:27 +0000

I am an open minded person and like to give people the benefit of the doubt.

Good thread and post Tim. We are all just so darn different and special in our own little ways. I guess it is what makes the world go round and round.

Jim | Revive Your Lifes last blog post..Struggling with Insomnia

By: Tim Brownson

Tim Brownson — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 23:54:02 +0000

@ Laurie – I’m open to that idea too.

@ Mike – LOL, beer and especially Guinnes

@ Chas – Ah, William James, that definitely make sense. Brilliant reply btw, but don’t call RAW Bob Wilson. Bob Wilson was a goalie for Arsenal in the 1970’s that went on to become a well known soccer pundit. I was all confused for a moment. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Wilson_(footballer)

By: chas

chas — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:12:18 +0000

tim

it was william james told that story first…as it was his patient said it! all the cool people go on to tell it at one time or another!

and i’ve rethought this thing a bit…had an open minded moment…

i’m thinking a mind is like a room…open or closed is based on the door…no room can hold everything at the same time except the great room, which if you have a name and a body you ain’t…

the difference between open and closed is huge! open can be in degrees…closed is just 0°. so when speaking of open mindedness, it’s all a matter of degree. many relatively open-minded people cannot entertain the thought of god. many relatively open-minded people cannot entertain the thought of no god.

as david mentioned…there is such power in the maybe…it guarantees that your mind is open to some degree or other…probably to the degree that you entertain the maybe!

interesting note for fans of bob wilson…i ran a find to find that comment by david…at which point there were 23 on this page! and now i’ve gone and spoilt it!

oops! back to that procrastination piece!

chass last blog post..monday morning motivator!:18, the energetics of mood

By: Michael Panebianco

Michael Panebianco — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 03:08:24 +0000

Beer helps my open mindedness. A desire to understand people helps when beer is unavailable. Although I tend to be more of a referee in life, I would enjoy a more open mind from time to time.

I will never change my opinion of Government, or Government management of my money, or my reputation as an American. They suck at it. You can’t even argue me out of that point. Put down the Guinness, I can’t be swayed, ok, maybe just one sip….

By: Laurie

Laurie — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 01:55:50 +0000

I am open to the idea that you are wrong. That’s not a problem. LOL!

I agree, we can never be totally open minded. It kind of goes with your post over at Corey’s blog on values. When some one’s values are very different it is easy to feel closed minded about what you believe and think they are wrong. I also like the idea that if you are being intolerant of my intolerance, than aren’t you in fact being intolerant yourself? Just a thought. I have them occasionally.

By: Tim Brownson

Tim Brownson — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 23:34:06 +0000

@ Jerry – I wasn’t in anyway offended I was more confused. I rarely if ever get offended.

Strangely enough I don’t see being open-minded as not THAT big of a deal in terms of considering values.

That’s why I wrote this:

http://www.adaringadventure.com/blog/wordpress/life-coaching/is-this-enlightenment/

Thanks for coming back to clear things up!

By: jerry januszewski

jerry januszewski — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 23:30:46 +0000

Tim, I made a poor word choice when I said “pathetic.” I didn’t mean to offend – I’m very sorry. I meant that in a more tragic sense. It is sad to be closed off to deeper, more thorough examination of what we stand on, and we’re all guilty of that, as you noted. But also sad and tragic to regard “open mindedness” as the end, as the ultimate value. Aren’t we open in order to arrive at something substantial? But it seems more and more people reject the idea that there is anything above human opinion, something that transcends reason (not disregards), that can be known by all people. Good essay – you’ve stirred up productive conversations.