The opinions expressed on this site are opinions. It almost seems too obvious to state, but the fact is surprisingly elusive. We often think we are uttering the truth, and our neighbors often suffer from the same delusion. One opinion of the matter is that very few words that ever come out of a human mouth represent the truth. Most of the words we speak represent our opinions or views of the truth.
That does not mean that there is no truth. In my opinion, the truth surrounds us like the water in the ocean. But we, as fish in the sea, do not experience that ocean of truth the same way. Some fish understand the ocean to be warm and filled with light. Others swim in barren darkness. And some cannot fathom a world that is not scalding hot and murky. Every fish experiences the ocean of truth a little differently. And at no point is the ocean of truth influenced by the opinions of fish.
Even the truth we do experience is muddled with individual interpretations. The closest we will ever get to unpolluted truth is raw data, those things we can measure and observe. Unfortunately, most data are of little value without interpretation. And interpretations of data are matters of opinion. So, what can a human say that is more truth than opinion?
Some may value expert opinions. But the value placed on an expert’s opinion is also a matter of opinion. Expertise does not guarantee the correct interpretation of data. Expert opinions can be well-founded, convincing, and completely wrong. No one, not even experts, has a claim to the truth beyond what can be measured and observed.
The point is not to invalidate opinions. The point is to instill humility and confidence. None of us are in a superior position to force our opinions on others. And none of us are in an inferior position to share our opinions. We should not expect anyone to agree with us, and we are not obligated to agree with anyone else.
The opinions expressed on this site are opinions. They are presented for you to consider and agree or disagree.
Sentient Clay 