Not everyone who has an opinion is wise. In fact, over the years, it would seem more politicians, journalists’ and broadcasters’ opinions seem to be based on how much they, their friends or the organisation they represent will gain. Of course, I could be saying this, because I do not believe in what they say. But am I? How do you know? Can you believe everything people tell you?
Social media is full of people giving their opinions, and trying to convince their followers they are important and therefore what they are sprouting is not only valuable to their followers and society but helpful with living our lives.
These people can be very vocal, and what they say and how they say it can convince many that their ideas are the only way to improve things. They can have a large following and those followers after a while agree with the remarks. When you repeat the same thing time and time again people get used to hearing that information and start to believe it. Advertisers depend on it all the time
I quoted in my blog ‘Can we believe what we read, hear and see’ the information about the Princes in the Tower of London who were supposedly murdered by their Uncle Richard III and how it was recently proven to be incorrect. I, like so many other children were taught this in history and I thought it was true. This historical fact of inaccuracy proves, that if you tell the same thing time and time again people will believe it.
Most opinionated people and big organisations are big at making displays. They push their ideas and remarks as being correct. Is this doing anyone a favour? Well,
you could say they are making everyone think the same way as they do. You could also say, the reason that person or organisation is promoting that opinion, is to make something bad they are doing, look legal.
But what about the world and the rest of the population? How does it affect them? What if the action that is being criticised is a good action for the majority of people? If it is, then surely the person giving the negative opinion is being selfish? Working for an outcome to suit themselves? Their only concern would seem to be how the change will not help them. They will lose money, or stop them from continuing their displays.
Most people who offer their opinions rarely have all the facts and figures when they make complaints, and sometimes they make them up to suit the situation. If they do have facts, often they are wrong, but that doesn’t worry them. As long as what they say supports the outcome they are looking for, they are happy. So those people who are followers of these opinions are being given incorrect information. In other words, they are being told lies.
Unfortunately, most people with strong opinions when questioned about where they got their facts, never answer the question. Instead, they try to make the person who asked the question in the first place look silly or at fault. The classic case of trying to lead the conversation in another direction.
So how do we know who to believe and follow when you read or listen to someone giving their opinion? Firstly, look at who or what they will gain from what they are saying. Is the complaint or negative suggestion helpful to them or the population and/or the planet? Are they giving a sensible answer to the problem, or just showing their annoyance at how it will affect them? And finally, can you accept what they suggest would improve you and your family’s life?
Opinions are useful. They can make you reconsider your ideas and concepts, which can be good. They can also make you realise where you and others stand in the world and what is necessary for the good of your country and the planet.
As I stated at the beginning. Not everyone who has an opinion is wise. It is up to us to balance the words being used, and decide if it would help or not. Once you do that, you will discover whether the opinion is worthwhile or just someone telling lies to suit themselves. In other words, you cannot believe what everyone tells you.
Julie Finch-Scally ©
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