Do we grow into or grow out of being fanboys?

[raymor]

Lately I've been seeing both sides of a lot of things. This FEELS like a major step.of becoming more mature. Do you think it is? Whereas in earlier elections I would often advocate strongly for a certain candidate, the last two years I've had what feels like a much more balanced view. In this election, for example, I can see the strengths and weaknesses of various candidates and I'm a fanboy for none.

We just had a thread that turned into a discussion of energy policy. I can see a place for wind, where it makes sense, a place for solar, a place for natural gas, etc. While some people are solar fanboys who say solar is perfect, for every use and every place, I now see that it's useful in sunny areas, not so much in New England. Unlike the way I used to be, I'm now okay with the facts that solar produces less carbon dioxide than natural gas, for example, but way more arsenic, cadmium, and lead. I know longer have to see it as either perfect or horrible. I'm now comfortable with the fact that all things have their benefits and their drawbacks.

Personally, I use Linux a lot and I've introduced a lot if people to Linux. Lately I've also told some people they would probably be better off sticking with Windows. If they like to keep buying the hottest new games, Windows is for them. If they know the registry inside and out and don't want to learn a whole new way of doing things, I tell them they may not like Linux, because they already know so much about Windows that wouldn't apply to Linux. On the other hand, if someone has never edited the registry and they pretty much just want Firefox to work and keep working without worrying about viruses, malware, and crashes all the time, Linux is perfect for those people, I now think.

Do you think this is really a much more mature way of thinking than being a Linux fanboy, a Mac fanboy, a Ron Paul fanboy, etc., or does it just feel like a wiser course?

[Grapesoda]

a 'computer' is a tool for me... I don't have the time/money to learn a new tool...

[JustDaveXxx]

Originally Posted by bm bradley

a 'computer' is a tool for me... I don't have the time/money to learn a new tool...

Agreed

[Simon]

Originally Posted by raymor

Lately I've been seeing both sides of a lot of things. This FEELS like a major step of becoming more mature. ... Do you think this is really a much more mature way of thinking ... or does it just feel like a wiser course?

"The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function. One should, for example, be able to see that things are hopeless and yet be determined to make them otherwise." -- -F. Scott Fitzgerald, essay: The Crack-Up, February, 1936.

Personally, yes, I do think that it's very important to be able to see both sides of most things, and that not being willing or able to do that is a sign of either immaturity or a lack of the required intellect to parse the problem or idea being considered.

But of course I do see the other side too.

[CurrentlySober]

Crappy Poo Diarrhoea, Dude!
C+P FTW! Dude!!

[bronco67]

Originally Posted by SimonSays

Personally, yes, I do think that it's very important to be able to see both sides of most things, and that not being willing or able to do that is a sign of either immaturity or a lack of the required intellect to parse the problem or idea being considered.

This is most Mac people. They can't be bothered with anything that isn't an Apple product, when it comes to tech. Most of them don't even know what a CPU does, yet they apparently know what tech is better.

I recognize that Apple makes great products, yet I like the customization and performance modifications that come with a PC. Also, I don't want to be part of their silly cult, and wear blinders.

[Coup]

linux fo li