opination

I just realized something. As I was (and am still) reading the latest issue of cbcradio3, the 100th issue, in which 100 issues are raised by 100 people, I noticed I was becoming quite annoyed by what I was reading. Most of the issues, and the citizens who presented them, were highly biased, opinionated, and uneducated. It’s not as though cbcradio3 has been devoid of strong opinion in the past so that should be nothing of a surprise. The surprise came when I realized something I’ve known for a while now. I don’t like having an opinion.

When the mother or father figure queries me on an issue and I take a few moments without responding, they often follow up with a “hello?” or “well?” Those times I do answer, I’m known to say something vague and ambiguous. Lot’s of could’s and maybe’s and possibly’s, but never any yes’ or no’s. They then get frustrated and tell me I need to have my own opinion sometimes. Why can’t that be my opinion? To not have an opinion?

Some might see it as sitting on the fence, as not wanting to take sides on an issue. That is exactly what it is and I think it’s very smart when one is not ready to give a solid answer. So then why is it most often used as an insult?

Take for example, page/issue 40, bringing up the point of global warming and implying that poor waste management is a contributor. I don’t know if it is, and I don’t know if it isn’t, but this issue made me think about everything else I had been reading this morning. People not knowing and acknowledging all sides of an issue before putting forth their opinion bug me. This goes for any issue, and any non-issue alike. If people are going to be reading or listening to what you have to say, at least make some attempt to be accurate, or to have an informed/researched opinion.

This is fun because it also ties in with some earlier information I read today. It was some website updated by a conservative Christian pastor and his wife, discussing homosexuality and why they don’t want to associate with “God hates fags” style Christians (going as far as trying to think of another name for themselves).

And, this further ties in to a number of the cbcradio3 issues I’ve read that used the term “bible-thumping” in a hugely derogatory way. Some people read the bible, some people don’t; Some people believe in God, some people don’t; Some people think Paul Martin is a twat, some people don’t: That’s fine, just understand that there are different views out there.

Of course it would be next to impossible to educate oneself on every single issue that’s out there today, so I’m not saying that’s what people need to do. All I am saying is to be informed on those issues that affect you, or have any close relation to you at all. Take a look at them from all perspectives rather than settling down with the first one you find.

In the end, it only really matters if you need to act on, or present the knowledge you have. So if someone asks for your opinion on something, think first, ask questions second, and answer third. Now. Does this make me look fat?

*oct2005 - I thought I hated google for logging my pages, but thanks to the google caching I was able to find this post after it was lost due to server expiry!*