Just An Opinion

Every time I enter an argument, regardless of site or content, some idiot inevitably says, "it's just my opinion" or some variation of that. The problem is that it's not just your opinion you're putting out when you're arguing. Opinions are statements about yourself and are not useful in arguments. When you argue, you are making an assertion that reality is one way instead of the way your opponent says it is. Let me give you an example to show you the difference between an opinion and an assertion.

Opinion: I don't like this video.

Assertion: This video is bad.

The first is a statement about you. YOU don't like the video. I can hardly argue with that; I can't read your mind and tell you that you don't think that when you obviously do. The second is a statement about the video. I can argue with that, since the video is something we can both see and discuss. Calling that your opinion, then, is wrong. 

On top of that, you would not assert something you don't believe in, right? If you don't like the video, it's likely that you think it's bad, right? So if you say "the video is bad," I know what your opinion is! You don't need to say it, because I already know.

So why the heck do people say it, if it's not true and doesn't need to be said anyways? Because it's a defense mechanism. People are told from a young age that opinions can't be argued, which is true. However, these people believe that if they just label everything out of their mouth an opinion, they can avoid actually having to think about what they're saying. That is, if it's an opinion, they don't need to give real logic or reasons, because an opponent can't argue against it anyways, right?

Except that's nonsense. I, at least, will call you out on it every time you do it, and then since you're in the habit of using "opinion" as a shield and I've destroyed that shield, you will get logically decimated. Learn to use real arguments, and get rid of the word "opinion" altogether. It may help you to save face.