Differences of Opinion

[EricTheCarGuy]

It’s OK if we disagree, as long as we’re civil about it. What are your thoughts?

Topic

[David]

I agree with what you are saying but there are people out there that just want to be right and are not open to different ideas.
The way I think is that it doesn’t matter how you do the job, as long as the job gets done and if I can learn an easier and quicker way of doing it, I welcome it with open arms 🙂
Thanks Eric

[brian dean]

I fix and build custom motorcycles in the northeast. Never mind the already generally grumpy attitude of the people in my area, the majority of people I’ve shown my bikes to have shunned my work because it didn’t fit into a certain predestined mold of what exactly it should be. I completely agree that there are a million ways to skin a rabbit and if it makes you happy go with it. I’m also a firm believer in the fact that everyone could learn from someone else’s opinion. We’re all human beings which means above all else we are fallible. I completely agree with every statement you’ve made in this video and welcome everyone else’s opinions on anything I do. I’ll be learning til the day I die and I’m very comfortable with that.

[dan]

not too recently i posted something on here trying too help a viewer, me and someone ells had different ideas about what the issue may be with there vehicle, i tried my best too say “hey not trying too be a know it all, but i think.” you know what i mean? trying too be polite, if i offended anyone doing that sorry… my bad.

been in plenty of instances, mechanics become prideful all the time, one time i was talking too a guy who said “high octane gas burns faster.” and i had too explane too him no because of the resistance too knock it burns slower and is more resistant too burn, he eventually i think understood.

anyhow eric, dont listen too the trolls man, you are doing a good job, and a lot of these guys too be honest i think are jealous because they can’t hold a candle too what you do… you are doing a good job, ignore the trolls, keep it up man!

[David Knowles]

Eric has a lot of great ideas, some of which May or may not be the best idea or way to do something, but some of the replies on YouTube suggest a witch hunt should be sent after Eric. Some viewers should learn to kindly point out their “differences in opinion” instead of starting war world 3 on YouTube haha.

[Steve Webb]

I’m a member of two other car forums (model specific) and to be honest it used to get on my nerves that people have to be right all the time with only a one-track way of thinking… i.e. I’m right and nothing you can say will change that.

I say ‘it used to’ because as you mention, Eric, when people are that vehement that they’re not going to listen to you, I tend to switch off.

A classic example is wheel alignment. my car club’s ”elder statesmen” say it has to be this one particular franchise that does it as they’ve made special wheel alignment specs that take in to account suspension and chassis wear. Wheel alignment done by any other company set to original manufacturers spec is going to cause excessive tyre wear and the world to implode blah blah blah.

I did mine to manufacturer spec at my college within manufacturers spec. I have no tyre , suspension or steering issues. Would they listen? No lol

All I do now is take all the replies to my threads and sift through what I think is rubbish and do it my way. if I mess up I’ve at least learned for myself and that’s the fun of auto repair. you do something based on what you know and get it right you feel good. Get it wrong, well so what 🙂

I’ve also learned to be very thick skinned. I don’t care if someone disagrees. 🙂

[Dave]

This great video has implications beyond the world of automotive repair. I believe you could generalize the thoughts of this video to almost any modern enthusiast pursuit.

I dabble in a lot of hobbies: playing video games, building computers, participating open-source software projects, working on cars, and some light electronics, knitting and sewing thrown into the mix. What has surprised me as an adult is that every single one of these communities has people who act the way you described in the video. (I thought for sure knitting would be different, but you don’t have to spend a lot of time on ravelry.com to find people having strong disagreements about the “right” way to do something.)

Eric, I think you were getting very close to my hypothesis about why things are this way when you were talking about people sounding like they are trying to convince themselves more than you. The way I like to think about it is these kinds of hobbies/pursuits have become a much larger part of many of our identities. I believe the people who jump to rudely correct you feel in some way that your perceived incompetence somehow damages or cheapens their identity. I suspect rapid advances in communications technology have played a large part in this, although I think you could make a good argument that the Western world has been moving in this direction for some time now with things like identity politics and identity advertising. (The Century of the Self documentary comes to mind.) I bet a real anthropologist could have a lot of fun doing a language sentiment analysis of enthusiast communities.

Not to stroke your ego too much but I think Eric The Car Guy is a great example of resource that gets it right. I knew very little about cars beyond the concept of the 4-stroke internal combustion engine before subscribing to your channel and I always felt that you approached your videos from a “I want you to feel the same joy I do when I fix something, and you can absolutely achieve that” (Eric is the Bob Ross of automotive repair!) perspective rather than “This is the One True Way, and you’ll never be as good as me.” Your attitude is one of the things that makes your videos a pleasure to watch.

The goal of more civilized discourse comes up quite often in open source software. I don’t think anyone quite has it figured out yet but a fair number of projects are starting to lay out written principles for civility in their guidelines. I don’t know if it will ever be a “solved” problem, but every little bit helps.

[Rereonehundred]

Different approaches to get things done are the primary source of innovation.

And it is innovation that has given us all of the production of the agricultural revolution and the industrial revolution.

All of the differences are an asset of the highest value.

[Mike]

I would recommend, strongly, that everyone read Dale Carnegie’s “How to win friends and influence people”. The title kind of opens itself up to mockery, but it is truly the best thing you could ever read. I attended the 12-week seminar which included a copy of the book. It’s made me a better worker in my career and personal life and is helpful to just about anyone. The way you approach a situation will determine the outcome as much, if not more, than its facts and circumstances.

Here are Dale Carnegie’s 30 “golden rules for success”. My favorite is the first one. Eric, (perhaps unknowingly…heh) runs his business here by these principles, which I believe is key to his success. There is never an arrogant statement in any video, he admits and shows us mistakes, always has a friendly attitude, and responds positively to all suggestions.

(Note: These are posted all over the internet and are distributed freely; I would not post copyrighted content.)

Become a Friendlier Person

1. Don’t criticize, condemn or complain.
2. Give honest, sincere appreciation.
3. Arouse in the other person an eager want.
4. Become genuinely interested in other people.
5. Smile.
6. Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most
important sound in any language.
7. Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.
8. Talk in terms of the other person’s interests.
9. Make the other person feel important – and do it sincerely.

Win People to Your Way of Thinking

10. The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.
11. Show respect for the other person’s opinion. Never say, “You’re wrong.”
12. If you are wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically.
13. Begin in a friendly way.
14. Get the other person saying “yes, yes” immediately.
15. Let the other person do a great deal of the talking.
16. Let the other person feel that the idea is his or hers.
17. Try honestly to see things from the other person’s point of view.
18. Be sympathetic with the other person’s ideas and desires.
19. Appeal to the nobler motives.
20. Dramatize your ideas.
21. Throw down a challenge.

Be a Leader

22. Begin with praise and honest appreciation.
23. Call attention to people’s mistakes indirectly.
24. Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person.
25. Ask questions instead of giving direct orders.
26. Let the other person save face.
27. Praise the slightest improvement and praise every improvement. Be “hearty in your approbation and lavish in your praise.”
28. Give the other person a fine reputation to live up to.
29. Use encouragement. Make the fault seem easy to correct.
30. Make the other person happy about doing the thing you suggest.

[EricTheCarGuy]

Thanks to everyone for their comments.

I love the discussion this video seems to have fostered. It’s one of the things I strive for on the ETCG1 channel. Auto repair is one thing, but there’s so much more of the ‘human’ element that is often overlooked.

It’s always great when one of my ETCG1 videos is this well received. Thanks again guys. Keep the comments coming.

[Rob megee]

It would be very boring if everyone was alike and we never disagreed. When you get irritated or mad you are not going to be thinking, just reacting to what you are mad about. A lot of what is done on this site is trial and error, it would be impossible to be right all of the time. I have never seen so many experienced and not so experienced people working together to help each other out. It’s a great thing.

I used to catch a lot of trouble because I supported Wikipedia for the same reason. It’s people sharing information for the betterment of all. Yes there is some incorrect or modified stuff, but I wouldn’t go to that site for advice on religion or politics. Most of the automotive stuff is pretty accurate, anyway I’m a little off topic.

[dan]

the one thing i have noticed about this forum VS other car forums is everyone here seems too be humble and ready too help, many other car forums and i will not mentune names i have been on have sadly dissapointed me, you post something that has already been posted on there forums and you about get your head ripped off… and there is no excuse for it, all it is is someone being ornery and short fused, your opinion is only desired if asked for… and you are dirt. some forums is your car isn’t cool if its not a rear or all wheel drive, japanese make, inline 4 engine turbo car, or is the version of your car with all the fancy fixings, if you have a front wheel drive, american made, four door sedan, with a V6 or V8 that is N/A you might as well not show a picture of your car because no one will pay any attention.

the moderators and administration and senior users here on the forum are cool, they are patient and understanding but i have a feeling at the same time somewhat intolerant of those who are narrow minded and believe that there opinion is truth and god and that IS very good in my eyes! its amazing how on some of the other car forums some of the other senior users nearly run the place and the moderators and administration seem too just let it be as it is and it angers me.

too me my opinion is not the only opinion out there, i should not… be narrow minded and keep my mind opened too the possibilities, when it comes to auto repair if you are incapable of doing so you really shouldn’t be a mechanic because several things can cause the same symptom… and sometimes on a job it takes more than one head too do the job, there have been plenty of times wrenching i needed the help of a pal so why should the thinking aspect should be any different?

[EricTheCarGuy]

[quote=”13aceofspades13″ post=97586]the one thing i have noticed about this forum VS other car forums is everyone here seems too be humble and ready too help, many other car forums and i will not mentune names i have been on have sadly dissapointed me, you post something that has already been posted on there forums and you about get your head ripped off… and there is no excuse for it, all it is is someone being ornery and short fused, your opinion is only desired if asked for… and you are dirt. some forums is your car isn’t cool if its not a rear or all wheel drive, japanese make, inline 4 engine turbo car, or is the version of your car with all the fancy fixings, if you have a front wheel drive, american made, four door sedan, with a V6 or V8 that is N/A you might as well not show a picture of your car because no one will pay any attention.

the moderators and administration and senior users here on the forum are cool, they are patient and understanding but i have a feeling at the same time somewhat intolerant of those who are narrow minded and believe that there opinion is truth and god and that IS very good in my eyes! its amazing how on some of the other car forums some of the other senior users nearly run the place and the moderators and administration seem too just let it be as it is and it angers me.

too me my opinion is not the only opinion out there, i should not… be narrow minded and keep my mind opened too the possibilities, when it comes to auto repair if you are incapable of doing so you really shouldn’t be a mechanic because several things can cause the same symptom… and sometimes on a job it takes more than one head too do the job, there have been plenty of times wrenching i needed the help of a pal so why should the thinking aspect should be any different?[/quote]

We’ve worked pretty hard at making this a place where people could come for help and not feel put down. It’s great to hear that’s recognized and well received.

Thanks for your comments.

[dan]

thanks guys 🙂 i just like too help when i can… and i am not innocent either, sometimes i get a little bitey myself with some of the users on other forums, but thats ok, we are human, not perfect… and thats whats great is we all can come and agree on that one thing. I have been blessed with a gift and i want too share it, it would be selfish of me not to do so, trying too sound humble lol.

and as far as the 3800 there is just something about that engine, i mean what V6 as late as 2008 still had cast iron block and heads with a overhead valve valvetrain and 90 degree bank? there is a reason people like me loved this engine so much, the deep tone burble at idle? the low end grunt when you press on the gas that could smoke tires? or the fact you can put 500HP too the crank with a stock bottom end of the N/A versions before it then finally starts to beg for mercy and then some more with the L-67 and L-32… hydro lock it? drive it 500,000 miles until the body rusts apart ooh but the engine still runs like a charm… neglect too change the oil and on a cold freezing winters night with frost still on the winshield just as you have started the car not but a couple of seconds later bang the rev limiter at 4,000RPM and still it runs as if it likes the abuse, i know why GM did away with the good old Buick 231! because they wanted something that would break faster 😉

[Lorrin Barth]

This forum is the mildest I’ve ever been on. Everyone seems gentlemanly to me. Maybe it is the other sites I frequent. So, Eric’s comments surprise me a little. I don’t see the problem.

I remember the old ‘Talon Digest’. Two shops decided they didn’t like each other and the flame fest was on. It actually was fun reading. It wouldn’t have been fun had the comments had been directed towards me. But these were big boys. In the end, they made up and became best of friends.

I come here to help people with car problems when I think I know the answer. If my answer doesn’t agree with other answers, I don’t care. If I am told I am wrong and I know I am not, I don’t care. If someone more knowledgeable than I am comes on here and I learn from them I care and I greatly appreciate it.

One thing we all need to remember is that a great deal of car fact is actually opinion.

[dan]

that is very true there are many opinions we all have but we can all learn from one another.

for example on Erics break job video on the subaru when he replaces the calipers, he says antiseeze does not belong on any of the bolts holding on the mounting brackets but too use oil instead, i like using antiseeze on bolts and the anti vibration clips as well and i was even taught buy my instructor in school who was a Master Mechanic and worked for a chrysler dealership, and my grandfather who was a matenence worker in the Oldsmobile plant in lansing that Antiseeze on bolts is a very good idea, makes work for the next guy easier, and putting it on things like anti vibration clips helps prevent stuck pads.

thats just a example and i will say this, Eric Obviously knows what he is doing, and if thats how he has always done breaks and it works for him thats good and i won’t argue with him, i have never had issues with my break jobs either, sometimes its just what you are comfortable with, and yes a lot of times working on cars has a lot of opinions.

And eric is right, you have too be careful with the Antiseeze compound, if you get any on the pads you could have squeaky brakes, and that is not what a customer wants, and that’s not what you want on your car.

[Author]

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