A different perspective

[sarahmichigan]

I was talking to a friend on the phone a few days ago about newsroom politics, and he said something to the effect of, "I don't know that you're the best person to bounce this off of, because our thoughts are so alike."

The more I thought about it, the more profound that was. He's a wise man in that respect. How many times do we talk about getting a different perspective, and yet, how many times do we seek out someone who thinks very much like us for feedback and advice? How many times do journalists talk about making sure all sides of a conflict are represented and about getting "fresh voices" into a publication, and yet, how many times do journalists look up the same numbers in their rolodexes for comments on a story?

That's one reason why I like to look at my friends' friends lists. I especially like looking at the friends lists of those of my lj friends I see as being the most *unlike* me, because I'm the most likely to run across other lj-ers I wouldn't normally read.

Comments

[cjdoyle.livejournal.com]

That's a good point - there's something to be said for looking for similar viewpoints for feedback/advice, though. Sometimes you're not looking for someone who will tear your idea/whatever apart because they're opposed to the viewpoint. Maybe you're just checking to make sure you're not too close and missing something obvious.

My example: If I'm working on a poster or other marketing material here at the Agency, I'll run it by T for feedback/advice. He's a competent graphic guy, and will often spot glitches or offer suggestions for improvement.

When I want someone to tear my stuff apart, I send it over to Jean. She's *not* a graphics person, and thus the "different viewpoint" is truly in action.

I guess my point is that both versions of looking for advice have their place.

[sarahmichigan.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, I agree with you that confirmation from someon like us can be useful at times, too.

I just think that often, when we're looking for "advice" what we really want is someone to cofirm what we already think we're going to do, so we pick someone who thinks like us. If we really want "a different perspective" we need to ask someone who *has* a different perspective.

(I particularly like looking at your friends list because some of your lj friends post photos of hot fat girls!)

[cjdoyle.livejournal.com]

I had no problem with your main point - just adding a rider. Recognizing that most take the easy/safe route when looking for advice is a great observation.

As to the photos....Well, my love of nudity is no secret - hence I'm a member of some "interesting" communities. ;)

[jenx.livejournal.com]

What an excellent observation!

[mogwar.livejournal.com]

I'm often surprised at how different even the perspectives of people on my friendslist have from me. Part of that is that while I tend to get along better with people who agree with me, especially on major issues, it's certainly not a necessity. And people who agreed with me all the time would be boring. I mean, there are more intentionally childfree folks on my friendslist than other parents (if you're only counting individuals, that is).

Part of it also is that there are a lot of communities on my friendslist, which tend to attract a reasonably wide range of opinions. Although I was amused to find out that I generally agree with my childfree friends on parenting issues more often than I do with the posters in the parenting communities I read.

[pstscrpt.livejournal.com]

You know, if someone disagreed with you here, and advocated listening only to people who agree with you, it would be an entertaining little paradox.