Your Opinion Matters, But is it Needed?

By Taybor Miller Opinions in the world can now be shared at any point, but many forget that it's merely a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.Opinions are one thing that life will never run out of at any point in time. It's a personal preference that for each person, in their own mind, can only care about so many opinions that they hear throughout the day-to-day life.Some opinions can be about small matters, much like the ever going regional debates of saying a drink is “pop” instead of “soda” or “soda pop.” Sports fans will always be willing to give their opinion on which team will find success or failure in upcoming seasons. If you are curious about opinions on daily life, it's not hard to find them at a local morning cafe or at a bar during happy hour.At times, situations in life can arise and impact someone's day to day living and when that happens, an opinion can be formed on the new subject on hand. All opinions have a right to be voiced, but do they always need to be heard?In my youth, I would attempt to insert myself into conversations about subjects about which I knew very little. As time would pass, learning to be quiet and listen to other's opinions as I formed my own paid dividends. Learning about subjects to become a part of the conversation was a part of the process.When I gained knowledge, I felt more capable to share an opinion. The idea to remain quiet and let others speak has been a practice that has been more telling than speaking on my own could.Not all opinions matter to me, but hearing as many opinions as I can helps widen my outlook on what this all could mean or, at the least, on what others seem to think.As a resident in any village, small town or big city, there's things that go on that at some point will affect their way of life in some manner. It's times like that where a community has the opportunity to voice an opinion, be it as an individual or group.As of late in the discourse, somewhere in the 24 years of the 2k era, the respect to be shown in a cordial manner to allow someone to voice an opinion has become rigid. Now it seems that, if you share an opinion, you've chosen a side and you're ostracized from parts of a community. People seem to forget people can have an opinion and still respect the individual voicing it. Even in parliament proceedings, in meetings, the line to share an opinion is becoming blurry as the years pass.For example, as many projects work on a deadline for a deal to be made, whether in favor or not, some opinions that are voiced don't involve anything close to the subject at hand. I'm all for everyone using an opportunity when presented, but if some things need to be done in a timely manner, then there's got to be a more efficient way to hear ideas that can carry some merit with the knowledge shown by an individual on the subject at hand.So many opportunities may pass towns, schools and businesses, all because a majority opinion was voiced, whether it be out of ignorance, judgment or refusal to learn. Whenever a council announces a time and place to have those opinions voiced, it's up to a community to use that time wisely, but there's only so much time that can be slotted.I believe there should be a way every opinion can be heard, but in times of deadlines where opinions are allowed to be heard that can sway decisions, they better be productive. I think society has shown the free access to information online has been both beneficial and a detrimental tool that's plagued common sense.I think it's now gotten to a point where, if anyone would like to voice an opinion in a public setting where there's a certain time limit, they need to take a test. Some form of quiz and writing challenge needs to be created to prove that whomever passed that challenge has provided evidence that they're knowledgeable with the subject and their opinion is one that carries some weight.Honestly, I think there need to be more tests for many things in life. Be it, marriage, becoming parents, speaking out at council meetings and even attending events. I'd personally love to see every parent that has a child go out for any sport fill out a test and write about their knowledge before they go to critique an official.Some may argue that's creating more hoops to jump through. I say, if you know what you're talking about, then giving some evidence shouldn't be a difficult task. If it is, then accept it and understand that there's nothing wrong with being confused or lacking knowledge. Sit back, listen and learn more about the subject you want to know about because in due time. That opinion will carry weight that can benefit your community.Cherry on top, you'll have relearned a task that is taught to all children with that being; think before you speak, then think twice about how you say it and, lastly, is it worth saying at all?

Walter K. Henrichs

Missing, Presumed Deleted

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