Complaining about things, you don't understand

I have to admit there some matters and situations in this world I don't understand or don't know about but does that mean I cannot get any clarity on it? It is like when there is situation where something bad has happened but I get told that it is a guy thing, a girl thing or a soldier thing. I'll admit that I am not the msot social person ever but I have to wonder what about those things I don't understand? Is bad to complain about matters you don understand? Especially if it has to do with a difference in values, morals and emotions?

edited 22nd Mar '11 8:31:29 AM by G.G.

I think you should seek to understand it, by doing research on it. However, be warned: many people say that anyone who complains about something must not understand it, even when that's clearly not true. (Eg, I heard some people accuse an autistic woman with an autistic son of not understanding what it's like to parent an autistic kid, because she complained about the way some other parents were treating their autistic children.)

Doing research on it? I could try that but how do I hope to overocome that stigma in order to not be accused of that? OR is it mostly unavoidable?

I think it's unavoidable. But recognizing that it's unreasonable helps you deal with it.

Despite what P.Z. Myers might tell you, it's generally a good idea to understand the things you criticize.

Isn't that a common belief anyway?

I try not to talk about things I don't understand often, so I don't feel like an idiot.

If I limited my conversations to only things I understand fully, I would not talk at all. Ever.

I think the important thing is to go into conversations knowing that you don't know much, and being willing to learn.

What Myrmidon said.

Karl Marx had an excellent understanding of capitalism. So did Engels. Then they wrote The Communist Manifesto. Later critics of capitalism were/are not so knowledgeable

It's fine to say 'I don't quite understand it, but it seems....Is this right/correct?'

That way, you are both voicing a criticism (as it appears to you) and seeking understanding. Nobody's going to have a problem with that

Good advice.

I also realise that values dissonance is also unavoidable esepcially with individuals as well as social groups. We are what we value and we don't always value the same thing so there amy be some misunderstandings here and there. I am gonna take that advice and at least try to understand the values and things I criticize.