Unpopular Opinions

[Florestan]

I dislike Verdi, Puccini, or their ilk.

This is not an opinion, it´s a statement. 

[prémont]

This is not an opinion, it´s a statement. 

So we should have a thread : Unpopular statements?

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

This is not an opinion, it´s a statement. 

Isn't it a statement of an opinion?

[Brahmsian]

This is not an opinion, it´s a statement. 

Whether it is an opinion or a statement, I share this with John.  I think Ilaria would too.

[Brahmsian]

I dislike Verdi, Puccini, or their ilk. Whether this is an 'unpopular' opinion, I'm not sure, but there you have it.

I'm with you, John.  I realize these two are sacred cows, probably for a reason, but Italian opera is just not my cup of tea, or cappuccino.

[prémont]

Whether it is an opinion or a statement, I share this with John.  I think Ilaria would too.

So do I, statement or not.

[Brahmsian]

So do I, statement or not.

Well, perhaps it isn't as unpopular as we thought? 

[Jo498]

Who is "their ilk"...?

[Florestan]

Isn't it a statement of an opinion?

Statement: I dislike Verdi.

Opinion: Verdi sucks.

[mc ukrneal]

Statement: I dislike Verdi.

Opinion: Verdi sucks.

So maybe you can help me. If I said Sibelius stinks. or Nielsen wears army boots. or Delius wipes Verdi's you know what. Are these opinions or statements?

[Florestan]

So maybe you can help me. If I said Sibelius stinks. or Nielsen wears army boots. or Delius wipes Verdi's you know what. Are these opinions or statements?

The first is an opinion, the second a statement, the third a scatological fantasy. 

[Sergeant Rock]

the third a scatological fantasy. 

Sarge

[mc ukrneal]

Florestan: 1. Ukrneal:0

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

The first is an opinion, the second a statement, the third a scatological fantasy. 

I think your analysis - serviceable on its surface -overlooks the subtlety of human speech.  John's orig. statement is indeed reflective of an opinion - granted, we don't know why, really, he doesn't like Italian opera, but that's not critical to the simple expression of opinion - there can be no doubt from his statement that his opinion is negative.  So, it's implicit in his, yes, statement.  The point I'm making here is that, simply or not so, statements can be reflective of opinions.  As are mc ukrneal's statements, but he's taken these deliberately to extremes to prove the point (I think).

As for Nielsen "wearing army boots," this is an expression, meaning that Nielsen is a slut or whore (origin circa WWI for a 'camp follower').  The speaker might be relating a verifiable fact or one he believes to be true, but knowledge of the expression pretty much means to listeners accustomed to it that the speaker's opinion of this composer is not merely negative, but insultingly so.     

That negativity is further  increased in the last example where a statement is taken to even greater extremes to reflect the speaker's opinion.  In other words, literally, Sibelius and Delius are shitty = opinion.

And may the ghosts of all these composers, Puccini and Verdi as well, have mercy on my soul.

[Madiel]

Personal statements about one's own listening tastes are unlikely to be unpopular, unless other people feel a need to control your listening.

General statements about composers on the other hand...

Oh, and lumping together all animated TV shows? Puhleease.

[Brian]

Oh, and lumping together all animated TV shows? Puhleease.

Yeah, Futurama is AWESOME!

[(poco) Sforzando]

In other words, literally, Delius is shitty = opinion.

No, fact.

[jochanaan]

No, fact.

Only insofar as "Everybody shits."

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

Only insofar as "Everybody shits."

Laughed so hard your statement (or opinion) was almost put to the test...

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Only insofar as "Everybody shits."

Finally a statement, comment, verbiage to save this thread...