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.
About pineapple pizza? Yes. About Nazis? No.
I guess so, maybe. I don’t know, whatever.
I have no strong feelings either way
Don’t have an opinion. Have a code of ethics and empathy. That’ll dictate your opinions when they are needed
Yes
It’s ok to not have an opinion, and also ok to be ambivalent about something.
Your time and attention are not unlimited resources.
I got a hell of a lot smarter when I allowed myself to not have opinions on things. Like if a friend asks me if I have heard of [thing], I am nowadays much better at saying “No, I havent, tell me more” or “I’m not sure. It sounds familiar though. Remind me?”. A big part of this is being in spaces where it feels safe enough to be vulnerable in saying “I don’t know”.
I pick my subjects based on how much I actually have a fair deal of knowledge about.
I don’t dare enter discussions that’s beyond my knowledge, like hardcore scientific shit.
It is ok to not have an opinion or not want to divulge it due to backlash. Not worth wasting your energy on people looking for a fight.
IDK man.
I think it’s better to be quiet on a matter you don’t understand.
It depends on what the opinion is on If you don’t have an opinion on whether strawberry or raspberry jam makes no difference
But if it’s something that affects you or people you care about (or people you should care about) and you don’t form an opinion that reflects badly
I’d say that if you do have an opinion and state an opinion on something, then you should also know enough to explain why.
Specifically about politics, it’s scary how many people have an opinion without knowing why. Politics is also something that everyone should have an opinion on, because it affects pretty much everything, so everyone do have an interest in something political. It shouldn’t be based on feelings or the charisma of the candidate or group pressure. It should be based on what affects you and how you’d want it done.
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.
Having an opinion about everything is a sign of extreme hubris. Most people have no knowledge about most of things (lacking education and experience in most of the areas) yet many feel like experts in macroeconomy, geopolitics, social topics, culture - anything and everything.
