I read somewhere that once a mind has been stretched it can never resume the same shape that it once had. I think this is true. I therefore have to humbly disagree with my esteemed cat-mates who say their mind wasn't changed. Maybe your opinion on something remained as it was, but your mind. . .?

I realize that this seems like mere semantics, but I think there is a kernel (a mere morsel) of food for thought in that very real difference. At times, it is tempting to speak or write about a subject in absolute terms, thinking that your current opinion on said subject is impervious to argument and disputation. But minds THAT ARE ALIVE do change, ever so subtly, as new information is presented, ingested and processed. And in a changing mind anything is possible, even the erosion of a presumably unassailable position on a subject.

That's one of the reasons I like to read as many thread postings as possible, even on subjects with which I have little interest. This is an extremely literate, intelligent, intuitive, diverse, interesting group which shares at least one important, basic characteristic - our appreciation and love for folk music (whatever the hell that is). I never know which thread or which poster is going to stretch my mind wa-a-a-y out of shape. Or just enough to get some new thought process going.

If you want a specific: the discussion on Capital Punishment led to the end of my fence-sitting and my declaration that I'm ag'in it!

Bart-the-ever-changing