It seems that over the past couple months or so, I started having and engaging in more political discussions (on account of the presidential election). When you’re in that space, it feels like you need to have an opinion on every little thing. Geopolitics, taxes, financial policy, etc. How important is it to educate myself and ask questions? Do you feel that pressure to have an opinion on everything?
edit: I don’t think this question is about politics, but if it is, I can delete this.
I mean, it’s okay to not have positions on a lot of things. People tend to get upset if the position you’re dithering over is whether they or their loved ones deserve to live or have equal human rights. Most other things, honorable people may differ.
How important is it to educate yourself and ask questions?
Very. Everything is political, and ignorance about politics is a luxury. It allows others to make decisions for you, often ones you wouldn’t choose yourself.
Polite society - “Never, ever discuss politics or religion. Thinking that you can change someone’s mind on either of these subjects is foolish and arrogant and the conversation will always, without fail, end in an argument”
Americans for some fucking reason - “Hold my high fructose corn syrup”
Of course, it’s okay. Being able to say “I don’t know” is a sign of intelligence in itself.
A huge number of people form opinions based on very limited knowledge, but these opinions then become part of their identity, and they feel compelled to defend them tooth and nail. I think the middle ground here is the idea of “strong opinions, loosely held,” meaning you have an opinion, but you understand it’s based on the best knowledge available at the time. You leave room for new information and allow your opinion to evolve. In fact, most opinions probably should be like that. There are very few views I hold that I feel are almost guaranteed not to change.
The Dunning-Kruger effect plays a big role here. When someone gains a moderate amount of knowledge on a subject, they often feel like they have a good understanding of it. But as they keep learning, they realize just how little they actually know. Uninformed people, by contrast, don’t know what they don’t know. These are the ones who write comments on social media pretending they’ve solved complex issues with simplistic solutions like “just do X,” while completely ignoring all the nuance. When you then try to introduce that nuance, they dig their heels in, taking it as a personal attack rather than a critique of their idea. This happens because they didn’t leave room for new information - they locked in their opinion, made it part of their identity, and threw away the key.
Can I have your opinion on the weather on Raxacoricofallapatorians right now?
- You’ve never heard of it? Absolutely fair that you don’t have an opinion then.
- You don’t care? Also fair not to have an opinion.
- You haven’t bothered to stay up to date with Slitheen weather politics? Fair, no need to have an opinion.
- You just don’t want to form an opinion, just cuz? Yep, fair, no opinion it is.
Heck, you can have an opinion and just go “fuck it, no I am not sharing it”. That’s also fine.
short answer: yes
long answer: opinions are kind of a privilege. if you’re someone working 9 to 5 you probably couldn’t give a shit about anything other than relaxing and winding down from the stress of a work week. if you’re someone who manages to still be involved, congrats. pushing this unto other people imo is not fair. ideally people would work less and have more free time to get situated with how their surroundings are being legislated
I have a hell of a lot of respect for people who are forthright and just say “You know, I don’t have a lot of experience regarding <subject>, so I don’t think I can weigh in on that”
it amazes me how seldom people are brave enough to admit they don’t know something.
Deciding to ignore something that causes people to suffer because it doesn’t affect you is wrong. Not having a set opinion on how to fix it is perfectly normal. Not everyone can understand the details enough to form an informed opinion. Just don’t decide something isn’t a problem because one group says it’s not without real evidence, especially if they’re the ones who created and/or benefit from the problem.
Yes, not having an option on something is fine. when people push you can always whip out “I don’t know enough about the topic to have an opinion.”
Also an excellent way to end conversation about a controversial topic when needed.
Yeah, I don’t know about that- that could definitely seem like an invitation to " explain" it to you
I don’t have an opinion about this.
Me neither!
I would say it’s better to not have an opinion than to have an uninformed opinion.
Like a kid who has a strong opinion on a food that they’ve never tried. How can you know you don’t like something if you never tried it? Sure.
You could look at the ingredients and if you don’t like anything that goes in it you can assume that you wouldn’t like the end product, but at least some thought went into at that point.
I have no opinions on Israel vs Palestine except that it’s bad and I want it to stop because it’s hurting so many people. I don’t understand the conflict or why we should want one side to win over the other. I realize Israel is controversial but I don’t really know why.
They’ve been fighting over it so long, it’s obvious neither side deserves the land let’s give it to, oh, let’s say the heritage foundation
On something, yeah. On everything? No.
I would argue that if you recognize you lack the knowledge to form an opinion, you’re doing better than 90% of people online.
I don’t care whether it’s OK or not
It’s fine to not have an opinion as long as you aren’t making a decision based on that ignorance
