The Big O

 

I am a professional opinion master.  I have been giving opinions nearly all my life and have become quite adept at doing so.  Notice that I have been giving those opinions as opposed to selling them.  Most of my work to this point has been voluntary and occasionally unrequested. Never the less, I have been more than willing to share my vast data base of opinions on any given subject, at any given time.

My opinion is no more important than the opinion of any other person. It is uniquely mine. And, no matter how flawed or fantastic, I am still permitted to draw my own conclusions and form my own assessments leading ultimately to that opinion.

At times, those opinions are reached with little or no actual fact to form a conclusion and, in that case, given enough time and information, those conclusions can usually be swayed in light of new details.

An example of this is the Michael Brown shooting in recent years.  A young black man was shot by a white policeman. Due to a great deal of misinformation, the nation was told to believe that a white police officer shot an innocent black youth in cold blood.  When the facts were in, the innocent 6’4”, 290 pound, 18 year old “youth,” under the influence of drugs no less, had just assaulted a shop keeper and robbed him, and was belligerent and hostile to the officer when confronted. 

At first, we were told by the media that Brown was shot in the back.  This from supposed eye witness accounts interviewed on the scene by instant television reports (people with phones recording the incident to post on social media) on the scene. When the news spread, new movements were born or expanded.  “Hands up, don’t shoot,” and Black Lives Matter became very popular catch phrases and the whole “All cops are bad and are racist,” really took off with social media and the press. Riots and unrest ensued.  All due to not enough and misinformation ruling the opinions of most of the country. 

When the truth finally came out about the suspect (Brown) and his record, along with his size and the real facts of the case, many opinions changed about the situation.  Some used the situation as a catalyst to promote hate and violence towards police and authority in general.  Others saw it for what it was – an unfortunate incident that should never have happened.  Brown was a victim of his own making (personal values, peer pressure, etc.) and the officer was doing his job, reacting in the moment.  Some chose to accept the facts and others chose to riot. I do realize that there is a history of racial bias and I do not discount that. In this discussion I am only concerned with the opinions of the observer, not necessarily the immediate participants.

Opinions can be swayed, if a person is willing to take the time to learn the facts.

Every day we are assaulted with information by the news media, social media, other people, and our own thoughts.  We are forming opinions sometimes on a minute by minute basis. That’s too hot, that light is bright, his idea is dumb, that’s a pretty flower.  Every opinion we have is based in a preference. Whether it is the senses or our sensibilities we are placing in check, it all comes down to likes and dislikes.  I like grapes. I’m not especially fond of cumquats or dictatorships. That is my opinion.

Every opinion we form is our own. We can give it away or keep it for ourselves. If I hold an opinion, for me, that opinion is the only one that is viable.  If I say that 72 degrees is the perfect temperature to set the thermostat and I am comfortable at that temperature, then you telling me that 68 would save on utilities is information that will not fit into my equation, since my equation is based on comfort and not on savings. Your opinion is valid for its premise and mine is valid for my own. It is comparing apples to oranges, so to speak.  Yes, I could put on a sweatshirt and save money under a blanket, or you could take off your parka and be comfortable, but it is doubtful we will ever agree because we are discussing two different desires using the same thermostat. It is all a matter of perspective.

Opinion is based on perspective.  Perspective is based on experience. Experience is shaped by expectation. If you are planning a nice, quiet dinner out and the restaurant turns out to be a noisy, succession of mishap and unattendance, your opinion would probably not be the same as a person who went to the same restaurant on a night when it was quiet and delightful. You may give a poor Yelp review or turn in a less than satisfactory comment card, while the other person might give it a five-star rating. 

So, why does one opinion matter more than another? Technically speaking, it doesn’t.  Opinions of a candidate or a judge can become law, so they might be worth considering when forming our own opinions of them come election day, but generally speaking, no one person’s opinion is worth more than yours. There is not a celebrity, entertainer or sports figure, who is more qualified to give an opinion worth noting than you are. The public does not receive more enlightened information when an actor or basketball player tells them their opinion about politics or any other subject. Most people are not hanging on the edge of their seats just wondering what Miley Cyrus thinks of the global economy or what Colin Kaepernick might consider the most important talking points about global thermo-nuclear war.  Whether you are swinging naked on a wrecking ball or kneeling during the national anthem, your opinion is no more important than the janitor or the CEO down the block.  Again, only using easily recognizable names to make a point, not to take any side on any social issue.

It seems that the self-important people get to make statements and spout opinions to be revered and awed, while the common people have to resort to pollsters to make their opinions heard.  Of course, the polls are conducted and tallied according to the opinion of the pollsters.  It is not difficult to make the poll seem to skew toward the opinion of the analyst, and the subsequent viewer of that information takes it and skews it to his understanding. So, the question of, “Would you let a child die?” could open itself to all sorts of interpretations depending upon the circumstances of the situation and the experiences of the analyst and viewer. One would be inclined to say ‘no’ to this, but without all of the facts, a valid and compelling opinion cannot be rendered.

So.  Does your opinion matter?  Sure, it does. To you.  To your friends (maybe). Express it all you want. It’s yours and you are free to share it with anyone you please and some you don’t please. But don’t expect me to jump into the rabbit hole with you unless you can give me cold, hard facts.  Don’t give me passed-on opinions.  Unless you are actually studied or accomplished in a particular field, your opinion is just yours. Your expectations and experiences and desires and idiosyncrasies and just plain deep dark thoughts.  If you can not give tangible evidence to back your opinion (except personal preferences of the senses or love because those are totally subjective, but that’s just my opinion), then don’t expect that your opinion will be earth shattering and millions will be clamoring for a written, signed copy of your discourse. Don’t take my word for it.  We only have to look at history to see what opinions can do to shape the world.

The least likely place for opinions, some might say, would be the Bible.  

Up until we hit Job in the Bible, everything is pretty much an historical account. The story of Job is placed chronologically about the same time that Israel (Jacob) headed out to join Joseph in Egypt. This is definitely a fine example of opinions.  All three of Job’s friends and even his wife air their opinions, but Job cannot be swayed.  In the end, all turns out well for the steadfast Job.  No matter how rough it got, he stuck to his opinion. And, incidentally, his opinion was the only one that mattered.

On the other hand, entire civilizations have been born from some individual’s opinions. Undoubtedly, chiseled in Sumerian cuneiform, or doodled in some hidden  hieroglyphs there is an op-ed by some scribe which remains to be found. Later, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle wrote a few things and thought about things a little deeper than most.  At that point (circa 400 BC to 300 BC) the general population was just trying to survive and most were thinking of their next sale, crop, or meal. But think and write these pontificators did and we have been heeding their opinions ever since.  A vast majority of the civilized world was based on a few thinkers whether it was Socrates, the Buddha, or Confucius.  

Since that time opinions have started wars and created countries.  As soon as someone said, “What do you think?” there was a chance that a new conflict would morph into a major world war. Several religions have been formed from the opinions of one man or another.  Even the most ancient of religions dating back into prehistory would have its beginning in one man’s idea or perception of what a higher power is. Whether it is the sun, the elements, animals, or a combination thereof, someone had to think it up and convince others that this is where all life comes from.

As time progressed the gods became more humanistic until we hit on Rome and the Judeo-Christian monotheistic beliefs.  Today, anything or anyone can become a god and have the reverential treatment of the masses.  Everything from peanut butter to people are marketed to us on a never-ending basis with each brand or group better than the last. 

There are numerous brands of virtually every product imaginable and a multitude of groups to identify with. You can eat Jif peanut butter in a crowd of zombie apocalypse reenactors , or you can wear Nike tennis shoes at a “Save the Aardvark” rally. How ever you wish to express your opinion is nearly wide open in today’s society.  If you are serious enough, convincing enough, and have a viable platform, the concepts of your opinion can become the public norm or even become law.  

Just look how far some of the once demonized sociological concepts have progressed in recent years. In one generation, American society has gone from seeking out the socialist / communist threat, to embracing those very ideals.

At least that is what the media would have you believe. 

Anyone who goes against this narrative is labeled as a racist, a homophobe, a xenophobe, a white nationalist, and/ or a white supremist. No other opinions matter.  It is ‘Us Against Them’ to these proponents of utopia. There is no working together to find common ground with the archaic vanguards of the old republic. They will stamp their foot and huff and puff until they exhaust everyone with their antics, including their allies.  Then they will triumphantly agree to compromise to what was offered much earlier. These enlightened souls know that if they continue to chip away at the moral fiber and the core values of society, change can be affected. Some prefer a slow deterioration and the more progressive prefer a full-on revolution. However you view it, it is still modeled after a utopian ideal which has been attempted the world over and still only survives in regimented, totalitarian states.

Should the races and genders all be treated equally?  Absolutely. 

Throughout history has race and gender equality been the norm?  Absolutely not.

Could anyone change, through legislation or societal pressure, behavior ingrained in humankind since the beginning of recorded history?  Possibly.

Will the earth fall by the wayside due to climate change?  Possibly

Was there ever a period when the climate was different than it is now worldwide? Yes

Could that happen again whether we are here or not? Possibly.

Could legislation or societal pressure change the earth’s cycles?  Slightly, if at all.

Could anyone, through legislation or persuasion, change the attitude and beliefs of existing generations and generations to come?  Most probably.

Would everyone, in present or future generations, always hold to the attitudes and beliefs affected on society through legislation or persuasion?  Absolutely not.

The question is:  What do you think?  You are allowed to do that.  Take in information about a subject. Make a decision about a preference. Formulate an awareness.  It is really quite simple.  Soon you will be commenting and judging things for yourself based solely on the facts as you see them and proclaiming the veracity of your conclusions with unwavering delight.

Just remember this simple set of facts –

Everyone has the capability to sit where and with whom they choose. 

Anyone can share their seat with someone else if they wish.

There is a difference between sharing your seat politely and showing your seat rudely.

Not everyone wants to see it when you show your seat rudely.

Many may be willing to share your seat, sit beside you, and learn from you if you are willing to share their seat and sit beside them from time to time.

But that’s just my opinion.

THE SCHOOLYARD

There once was a boy who lived in a small town with his family.  His father  ruled over the household as a tyrant, and all who lived there feared him.  The father died, which left the eldest son as the “man of the house.” Having only the example of the father to mold his principles, the son, too, became a tyrant.  Soon, the household feared him as they had feared his father.
The boy’s tyrannical approach carried over outside the house to every aspect of  his life. In school, he was feared in the schoolyard by the other children.  His teachers thought him to be an exceptional student and placed him in leadership roles whenever the opportunity arose.  To the administration, his ideas were well thought out and seemed to have the good of the school at their base.  To the students, they knew it was a matter of time before he had complete control of the school and all would have to do what he said or suffer the consequences.
Soon, some of  the other children began to rebel against the boy because of the his “rule” over them. One by one they were expelled from school.  They decided to enlist the help of another boy who had a great deal of influence in another schoolyard.  The other boy kept promising that he would help them, but nothing was ever done.  The expelled children got some other friends from a rival school to come to their schoolyard when they knew that the boy would be outside.  A fight began, and soon, the schoolyard was filled with children pushing and shoving each other and bickering back and forth. 
Some of the children thought the boy was right and some thought he was wrong.  Some of the other children did not want to get involved in the dispute and left the schoolyard to find another place to play.
The other schoolyards were filling up with children who just wanted to play in peace, while the boy, along with his friends, fought against the expelled and those who had come to help them.  The administration took no action to stop the dispute because the boy had convinced them that getting rid of the other children would be the only way to make the school better. 
Those who were expelled were loyal to the school and did not want to go to any other school.  Those who were loyal to the boy were also loyal to the school, but felt that the boy had good ideas and wanted the changes the boy had outlined.  So the conflict raged on, not going unnoticed by the other boy that the expelled children had tried to enlist to help them. The other boy told the expelled that as long as the fight was being fought with fists and rocks, he would not get involved.  The other boy knew that the boy had guns at his disposal and said,  “As long as the boy never uses the guns, I will have to stay out of the fight.  But, the minute the boy brings out the guns, my friends and I will get ours out, and there’s going to be a showdown.”
When the boy realized that the expelled were gaining ground, as expected, he brought out the guns.  Many of the expelled and their helpers were gunned down in the battle that ensued.   There was no way that the expelled could fight against the weapons used by the boy. The other boy was outraged.  He began calling on his friends at other schools to stand up against the boy, but they were unwilling to help him.  “Fine,” said the other boy, “I’ll go against the boy with my own guns.”  The other boy started gathering his friends from his own school to go into battle against the boy, but even they were reluctant to get involved. 
“Our school has helped other schools in the past and we end up coming out looking like the bad guy,” his friends told him. The other boy insisted that he needed to help the expelled, but his friends kept telling him that the expelled had too many helpers who didn’t like the other boy’s school and, if they got involved, it would not come out good for them no matter who won the battle. The other boy knew the risks but kept insisting that they get involved.
The boy, though fully engaged in a battle, knew that if the other boy got involved, his cause would be lost.  He decided to tell everyone that he would not use guns again, and, if the administration could get into the schoolyard to take the guns, they could have them.  The other boy thought this was a grand gesture on the part of the boy and decided to step back and let the administration handle it from there.
No one really knew where all of the boy’s guns were hidden.  The boy knew that when the administration came to take the guns, the expelled might try to steal them and use them against him, so he began hiding the guns in new locations so the administration would not find all of them. The expelled were too busy fighting against the boy to worry about what the boy was moving, and the other boy was looking the other way while the administration was preparing to go in after the guns.
Meanwhile, the other boy was sending over a load of rocks to the expelled to help fight against the boy and his friends.*****UPDATED 5/21/2015*****
 The other boy knew that the expelled would be working hard to take control of their part of the schoolyard and, eventually, take over not only their schoolyard but the surrounding schoolyards but he wanted to look like he was doing something to help out.
Later, the expelled became the bullies of all the surrounding schoolyards but the other boy chose to ignore them while they imposed their rules on everyone else. Now the expelled bullies are looking to erase the other boy's school from history along with anyone who stands in their way. The other boy just says they are bullies, and bullies never really win.       
Why can’t these children learn to play together?
© MC Andrews, 2013.                                          

If It Ain't Fixed Don't Break It

There are some things that are so befuddled that they need to be tossed out and started over. And some things are better left alone.
    You can rest assured that if government (or management) is involved, it will take a committee to research and develop a strategy to better understand the problem, and devise a solution which will best assist the committee in formulating a definitive guideline to recognize the situation when it arises. Once the situation is recognized,  according to the guidelines set forth by the committee, action is then taken, in earnest, to examine the root cause and assign responsibility for the situation to those least likely be affected by the outcome. 
    After responsibility is assigned, it is then the duty of the committee to distance themselves from the responsible party/ parties and formulate a plan to control any damage which may have occurred. After damage is assessed, responsibility is assigned,  and damage control is implemented, the committee will then study the effects of the problem on all disinterested parties. 
    Then, and only then, based on all of the facts gathered thus far, will the committee devise a solution which has the least amount of positive impact on the greatest percent of the population, or the greatest amount of negative impact on the least percent of the population, whichever is more beneficial to the committee at the time.  At that time, another committee will begin to research and develop a strategy to better understand the effects of the solution, and develop a guideline to recognize any negative impact which the solution may have created.
© MC Andrews, 2013.