Nope.
Motor, I'm usually OK with what you say, but this bothers me:
"For example, if some anybody like myself makes what I spell out as a very important statement that I am supposedly very sure of,I should try my hardest not to go back on it."
In other words, "ignore reasoning in the face of logical arguments." You should have a dialogue, not a standoff.
"In other words, "ignore reasoning in the face of logical arguments." You should have a dialogue, not a standoff."
I wouldn't say it has to come to a standoff. In my mind, the rules I specified in my last post mostly govern how to appear confident in statements you are sure of, or want people to think you are sure of. Whether or not you actually are isn't as important I think. I'm not the best at reading others, but much of the time I see people doing their utmost to defend statements they made or they say they believe in. Even if their actual faith in the statement seems shaken. I know I often feel silly if I go back on a statement I previously made. the more clearly and loudly I made the statement, the sillier I feel. That was part of the reasoning behind the first 'variable' in my earlier post. Strange as it may sound to sound to some, I don't like feeling silly while sober, I suspect many feel the same. Don't get me wrong, there are ways to publicly change one's mind. One great PR strategy that can work for me (and for many politicians as well I'm sure) when I change my mind on something I just said is to wait a while before publicly voicing my opinion. That way I'm still honest enough, while the flip-flop is less blaring (and therefore I feel less silly).