Alex IN MY OPINION, the greatest strength is when we know enough to be
able to rely on ourselves. Gathering information from informed sources
and research enables us to be creative and independent. Sharing
experiences and information with others is also a natural thing as we
are social creatures. It is more helpful to many it to subscribe to
group mentality and entrust forming opinions to other authorities or
"higher" authorities as in the case of OA. I would not criticize or
deny others the right to do this or judge THEM.

I believe in moving ahead and trying new things. I try to learn
something new or do something differnently every day. It keeps life
exciting and increases my sense of being competent. This has worked
wonders for me especially in the past five years. When something works,
it makes sense to use it or do it.

Example. I have a backround as a writer. When there were no computers
and I had to rely on a typewriter, I got so caught up in corrections
that I lost my train of thought in piles of discarded attempts.  The
computer enables me to make changes and corrections quickly without
losing ideas.  I have many friends who are confounded by computers and
are missing an entire world of information and communication by not
having them. But they are content, so I just Google on and don't impose
my way on them.

So for those who find the aforementioned groups a help and haven, that
is what matters for them.

Meanwhile I assume when we are in a discussion on a specific topic, an
opposing view is not precluded.

The opinion that something "sucks" is always personal, you did not
even need to qualify it.