Opinion Ordeal

Information not only imparts knowledge, it also bestows us with opinions. It is almost impossible to read newspapers, watch TV, talk to people, hear, see, smell, taste, think, basically experience and process life without making opinions.

Opinions can be fun. I still remember that I had a discussion with a friend on politics on the roof of a third floor house while enjoying a beautiful Bangalore evening. It was a rather unique experience. My friend and I put across our views, without the emotionally charged words, high-pitch voice, irrationality or intolerance that usually accompany a discussion of the two dramatically opposite ideologies viz. socialism and capitalism. Neither of us was swayed by each other’s view point but both were enriched, enriched in knowledge and patience. 

Opinions are complicated. Just like the information that builds them, are more often grey. And if one ever has the time and patience to put together comprehensively, I believe all opinions are “correct” irrespective to how different they may sound.

But yes, today time and patience are low.

Because today we don’t have to be a leader, a new paper editor, a TV journalist, a celebrity columnist or a social worker to put forth our opinion in public. Facebook, blogs, twitter and other social media sites are our podiums where it’s our discretion to practice passion, intelligence, irrationality, maturity, compassion, corrosion, idiocy or obnoxiousness, as we express our opinions. There is no social responsibility, no need for editing/revisions and definitely no need to be sensitive. 

We can support Narender Modi or Rahul Gandhi; take sides of Trayvon Martin or George Zimmerman; have our opinion on Judi Arias trial; decide if America needs TSA or its ODing on Security; like or dislike Obamacare; perceive miss America as a terrorist; support or oppose gays rights, have faith or be a proud atheist; believe our  parenting style is perfect; support guns or gun-control…. We can openly speak your mind. We can also take on the ones you don’t agree with, by name calling and insults and “FB unfriending”, yes there are many ways to display our immaturity.

Opinions are incriminating. I must be African-American if I think George Zimmerman is guilty; I must be pro-muslim if I don’t want Narender Modi to be the next prime minister of India;I don’t know how to shoot if I am for gun control; if I support Obama I support Obamacare.

What if I think George Zimmerman was guilty because he had the car and the gun, he should have had the commonsense to de-escalate a situation where a boy would not have lost his life; what if I believe that for a country whose biggest strength and weakness is its population, we cannot afford a leader who want to the prime minister by dividing the country, besides of coarse being pro-human and pro-Indian; what if I really love guns, but seeing our failure to curb mindless mass shooting, i want to give gun control a try; what if I think that one of the greatest leaders of present times Barak Obama, fought this hard only for a partial solution, why can’t their be insurance free healthcare.

Opinions vary, reasons behind similar opinions also vary. But the class of opinion holder is not reflected by the fearless or persistent expressing of one’s opinion, rather by his or her tolerance and respect for a different opinion.