Opinions
are formed: Neither stolen nor borrowed, both ideally and grammatically.
When we
are kids, we are taught things. Out of the inherent curiosity in a
human being, we ask why. In an ideal world, that question should be answered. However, mostly it isn't. So we hear children parrot opinions, and proudly
assert that they are true because:
- Mommy said it is.
- Daddy told me.
- Miss told the class.
Cute.When a grown up does the some, not so much.
Unfortunately, most kids are either told not to ask too many questions or fed the universal, "because that is what it is...because I am telling you..." You can either be curious or believe that, the latter seems the popular choice. Growing up is not limited to age or size. Growing up should ideally
entail the ability to hone your judgment and form your opinions. I very
specifically say, form. They either form out of your own experiences, or from
thought you put into forming them. If it is borne out of a discussion with
someone else, it should first be filtered through your intellect and judgment,
and eventually, if satisfied, be added to your list of opinions. Without that
process, you have just borrowed or stolen someone else’s opinion and repeated
it.
I am generally a very opinionated
person, and always have a lot to say about them, ref: blog and my incessant
talking. Leads to many arguments at times too.. Oh well. Even so, I am very
particular about saying; I don’t know when I don’t. Or, I have no clue, when I
haven’t. I may sound a fool saying that, but I find it better off than being
made a fool by pretending otherwise.
The quality to be able to answer the
why following an assertion is rare, and personally very much appreciated. You
might choose not to answer, for whatever reasons, but one shouldn't fail to.
Ignorance when admitted is knowledge, when
pointed out, stupidity.
