We are in an age where everyone can share their opinion publically beyond their immediate social circle. The lack of cost of entry to put your opinion out there has changed how people approach giving their opinion. The small number of public opinions used to be limited to experts in a field who were solicited for a specific purpose – a factual article, a story, or entertainment. Most other people (us common folk) would voice opinions via interactions, usually conversations. Now people, not experts and often times barely knowledgeable on a topic, opine on issues or other people’s thoughts on issues left and right.
In a very positive way, it gives people who were previously suppressed the opportunity to have a voice. Barriers that were there before, whether it be the cost or access of publicity, are lessened. The privilege that allowed certain races, religions, or other categorizations to monopolize certain conversations is harder to do with the power of public opinion. On the other hand, it’s created an entitlement that everyone needs to or worse, should, have an opinion on everything. Even in areas where we might not understand the dynamics of both sides or why there is even discussion on an issue, we are compelled to voice an opinion.
It used to be said that if you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything. So what is our motto now?
Publishing an opinion via any non-live channel is a one-way conversation. Someone gets to state his or her opinion and someone else gets to react. Sure, you can respond and banter back and forth, but the interpretation of words can be very misleading. Without the tone behind it, words, punctuation, even emojis can be misread. I once did a Man on the Street where a guy thought the ‘eye roll’ emoji was someone looking up at the sun. Maybe it is and 99% of us misinterpreted the emoji makers intent #iwantanemojidictionary . Silence can be read as the same thing. Someone not voicing an opinion on a topic could just be that he or she doesn’t feel that the channels available give him or her the option to voice their opinion accurately. Or maybe… gasp… they don’t have a strong opinion.
Whatever it is, to me, that’s ok to not say anything. Sure, there are times we might need to grow up and force ourselves to have an opinion on things when we are just being too lazy to read up (trade wars anyone?). I also think it’s acceptable though to pick our battles and voice our opinions on that which is important and matters to us. Don’t be silent if you have an opinion because you have the option now to share it, but focus your efforts on where you want to make an impact. The silent person standing in a room who then speaks is a lot more noticeable than the one who has been yelling his or her opinion the whole time.
Leslie Delery 