"IMO"

[d00df00d]

Been stewing on this for a while, and was reminded of it by a recent post.

I've noticed that a lot of people, both on forums and in real life, use the phrase "in my opinion" in a way that seems wrong. I always thought it's supposed to highlight the fact that you are not morally certain about what you are saying, and that you might be open to being convinced one way or another. Instead, I constantly hear people using it as a way to sandbag before they say something they can easily get called out for, so that they can feel better about talking like they are 100% right. It's like a wall they can hide behind in case someone presents evidence or argument to the contrary, so that they can blab all they want without admitting that they have no basis for what they are saying.

Thoughts?

 

[cchase]

I'm not sure where the "moral" aspect comes into play. It can certainly be someones opinion that (for example) product A is a "piece of junk". Certainly it does not make it a fact, it's just an opinion.

 

[d00df00d]

Moral certainty: "To be reasonably certain or certain beyond a reasonable doubt but short of being absolutely certain."

http://www.answers.com/topic/moral-certainty

 

[daman]

When i say "imo" it means for me in my experience with the subject at hand.

 

[cchase]

If you take "IMO" to mean "reasonably certain without absolute certainty" it seems to fit well with peoples sandbagging.

 

[javacontour]

So take it as a warning, it's an opinion, not a peer reviewed scientific study.

In my opinion, red heads rock. Of course, my wife is a red head, so your mileage may vary.

 

[d00df00d]

Of course. I'm just saying that if I'm supposed to take it that way, then the person saying it should mean it that way, and I don't think they do.

 

[javacontour]

Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Of course. I'm just saying that if I'm supposed to take it that way, then the person saying it should mean it that way, and I don't think they do.


It's dangerous ground when we think we know the motives of others. I try to trust or not trust and leave my judgment of motives out.

Either I trust them or not, my opinion on someones motives really has not bearing on that. I find it to be a fruitless exercise trying to guess the motives of another. I'm not very good at mind reading. I can evaluate the facts, look at what was said and what was NOT said and make a reasonable determination what is credible in the presentation.

 

[eljefino]

I'm ok with sandbagging. If I think brand X makes a water pump hard to change, it would be IMO. They could have a reason for doing it the reason they did, and their engineers were right. Or someone with smaller fingers or better tools would have a different opinion.

There's some "institutional memory" with car design that makes many fords alike, many chevies etc and people get comfortable with that memory. Sandbagging with IMOs help keep the other-camp fanboys from getting into an endless arguing match that changes noones opinion on anything.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: javacontour
It's dangerous ground when we think we know the motives of others. I try to trust or not trust and leave my judgment of motives out.

Either I trust them or not, my opinion on someones motives really has not bearing on that. I find it to be a fruitless exercise trying to guess the motives of another. I'm not very good at mind reading. I can evaluate the facts, look at what was said and what was NOT said and make a reasonable determination what is credible in the presentation.

Fair enough. What I meant was that they don't act as though they mean it that way. Does that make sense?

 

[cchase]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
There's some "institutional memory" with car design that makes many fords alike, many chevies etc and people get comfortable with that memory.


Off-topic, but ain't that the truth. I grew up with BMW and GM and when I look under the hood of a Ford or a Mercedes it's like the underside of a spaceship. And yet when I look under the hood of even a completely new GM or BMW vehicle everything looks familiar.

 

[bigmike]

In my opinion, this graphic sums up this thread.

 

[bradepb]

IMO Imo means just that , this is my opinion not fact,,
The wheels on my car are round= fact that can be proven.
The best oil for my car is Valvoline= opinion based on personal taste or experience
I guess when I say IMO it is to avoid argument because it is not something you could ever resolve.

 

[barlowc]

IMO, when someone says "IMO", it's a useful disclaimer to the rest of us that we should take what he says with a grain of salt and not treat it as fact or gospel. Just that's just my opinion.

 

[Gary Allan]

Originally Posted By: barlowc
IMO, when someone says "IMO", it's a useful disclaimer


That's the way I look at it.

 

[tom slick]

IMO if you'd ever like to call me out on an IMO usage I'll gladly welcome thoughts IYO. I'll give you come more IMO in exchange.

 

[Gary Allan]

Originally Posted By: tom slick
IMO if you'd ever like to call me out on an IMO usage I'll gladly welcome thoughts IYO. I'll give you come more IMO in exchange.


Is that a fact (apply proper intonation. As in "well I'll be")?

 

[mechtech2]

A person can't just say what he thinks.
Some forum nazi member will bitterly call for proof or links.
Someone always has the exception to the rule.

So 'IMO' is a good buffer.
I also use : possibly, could be, most likely, etc., - phrases like that.