Chris Barrows sent me a nice feedback on my way to discuss online.

https://twitter.com/CBarrows/status/572147773073715200

My answer

https://twitter.com/brunowinck/status/572151737328386048

It’s not gratuitous. I’m not always the critical or skeptical guy. I don’t look for supporting the opposite opinion for sake of starting an exchange. However, I voice my concerns, my opinions and my experience as easily as I support the views of others. I’m rarely complacent, I don’t go for fights. IMHO discussions and especially online shouldn’t be an occasion for personal attacks or denting people’s ego or notoriety. I’m grateful to my Tweeps to understand it.

https://twitter.com/cendrinemedia/status/568591902293041152

The same happens when I comment on blogs. If I totally disagree with the blog, I just let go but if it is a person I appreciate and follow, I may be motivated to raise a different opinion.

Those are short exchanges I wished to put in comparison with the pattern of the sterile discussion. I notice often this pattern in discussions with Tech lovers.

It’s very common in the tech area that people adopt a technology, a product and literally fell in love with it.

• They will not question their choice anymore
• Whatever comes will be seen from the point of view of this technology only.
• Tackling and advocating their choice becomes the point of repeated discussions.
• They find pleasure to discuss at length all the advantages of their choice with like-minded fellows.

I had this experience on a variety of topics:

• Windows/Linux
• c++/java
• PC/MAC
• Android/iPhone
• GPL/Closed source
• Internet Explorer/Firefox

While discussions happen, are passionate and sustained, they never go anywhere. It’s just a throwback of facts and experience, but there is never any progress made. The discussion between the very same person will start again a week later from the very same point. The same arguments will come out again leaving each participant with the same opinion and confirmed in their choices.

I became attentive to avoid being trapped in such discussions because they lead nowhere and eventually become like religion wars.

I like to change opinions. Some people see it as being inconsistent, I see it as being open minded and being flexible. I don’t change every week but when I settled on something for long enough I’m ready to challenge it and change. I’m now more and more vegetarian, I use more Linux for example. I don’t like LinkedIn but I force myself to learn how to use it properly.

I’m not using NoSQL database because I’ve plenty of code with SQL and little motivation to change. This may happen though when my understanding of the benefits will grow and I will see enough benefits to overcome the resistance to change.

Chris tweet comes as conclusion of this post:

https://twitter.com/CBarrows/status/572153255721086976

What do you think?