Blog 2 (Discourse on discourse)

Where do we get our opinions from? Even the ones we think are our own are most likely opinions of others that we've heard or read or seen and are sub-conscientiously paraphrasing. So I think discourse is powerful in the sense that it keeps universal questions and answers alive and enables theories to keep maturing. We all in a sense add to all we take in by re-evaluating ideas through our own len and perspective. Often times giving back to the world (even our own little worlds) by joining in the discourse, adds a new twist to ongoing quarries. 

In terms of discourse being dangerous, I think people would see danger in discourse based on their own beliefs and agendas. The Bush administration would most likely consider the anti-war discourse dangerous for fear of losing control over their two dimensional projected image of the war. And most of us consider the discourse between hate groups over the eradication of minorities as dangerous. So it's relative to the individual, but an essential part of what makes up a democracy. 

And how does "expertise" govern who can speak on certain issues and you can't? I agree with what was said in chapter one of the Theory Toolbox in that without possessing facts to back up an opinion, it's a mere matter of he said, she said, which could go on forever without resolution. In this light, expertise and knowing what the fuck your talking about matters. However, knowing who an expert is quite difficult sometimes. We watch and read "expert" opinion everyday without questioning the validity of most of what we then adopt into our own body of ethos and belief. This is where independent research and frankly work comes into the equation as we have to then challenge the expertise of someone...or just take it with a whole shaker full of salt.