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Should you rate articles you agree with or disagree with? I believe disagreement would make for more critical thought.

Rating articles that are written with the same viewpoint as your own means you tend to view mechanics more than content at least that's what I find myself doing when I rate articles whose point of view I share.

But when I read articles that go against what I believe, the critique becomes more than mere mechanics and grammar. I read the articles that are presented side by side and treat the competition as one of who can present a stronger case to make me at least consider their viewpoint has merit?'

I look for intelligence, the logical flow of their presentation, and yes, mechanics and grammar. After all, if they can't even spell correctly, or use the proper word for the situation, it doesn't do much for strongly presenting their case. I think this year's campaign has shown just how important presentation is. I may not agree with him, but you have to acknowledge that Obama is an eloquent speaker regardless of the message. What's the real message? That's for another article!

Back to the topic at hand

Yes, it's comfortable to read words that go along with your own views. You can skim the words, nodding your head in agreement as you go. But one thing I've learned in my life is the importance of open discussion. If we truly have the chance to openly discuss our beliefs, even those considered against the grain,' it enables everyone to better understand why others think the way they do. The sharing of ideas is an important catalyst to lasting change, and if you only read those views that cause you to behave like a bobble head doll, then the ideas really haven't been shared in the most beneficial way.

It makes me remember debates in my school days. The toughest debates were those that required me to defend the view I normally opposed. But it forced me to research the other side, get my mind around their thought processes and present it as a valid viewpoint. It helped open my mind to the views of others. Maybe it didn't persuade me to change my own beliefs, but I understood the other side a little better.

So to close, I think reading the articles you disagree with is better. It makes the writer work harder to create an article that is intelligent, it provokes the reader to think and open their mind and it helps us all understand each other. All in all, everyone wins when we give the other viewpoint a chance. Otherwise it becomes just another way of preaching to the converted' and I only enjoy that during Services.

Learn more about this author, Patrice S.
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