by S.C. Kleinhans

Created on: October 09, 2009

Concrete facts are enormously fascinating. They are important building blocks too. We need these solid structures in order to form fundamental foundations of truth, liberty and equality. Opinions are views, judgments, beliefs and appraisals that have been formulated by ordinary people and experts regarding a plethora of other people, products and predicaments. Opinions seem to take on lives of their own as people weave fact and fiction together as they form their personal and professional opinions. Most individuals are quite valuable. So I'm tempted to assume that their opinions are of great importance to me. Their opinions are also very important to corporations as well.

I am not ashamed to admit that I've participated in opinion polls. I began doing so during my teens and I still share my opinions on many different subjects, products, etc. I feel a sense of importance when others act as though my opinions are urgently required. It's flattering. Other people feel differently. Although they are proud of their personal opinions, they don't want to be bothered by the time involved in sharing them with others. Even if a small reward is promised, they will not give up any information. Enticing little gifts or other modest bonuses aren't enough to force them to part with their opinions and time. These people seem to value their own time more than they do their own opinions and the good they'll generate regarding society.

Many people do take part in important surveys conducted by independent companies. These anonymous opinions are pooled together. I'm quite certain they are dissected and then fashioned together in order to form an enormous patchwork quilt of information. Companies use this information in order to create better products, better web sites and ultimately better companies.

Opinions cause people to vote for or against certain candidates. Opinions make or break certain political issues of great concern to the entire populace. Opinions also give birth to short-lived fads. Personal attitudes have shaped cultures and civilizations on every individual continent. Nothing will ever change that fact.

Positive opinions seem to have a great impact on individuals and societies. They cause people to work harder at striving for excellence, creativity and productivity. Negative opinions seem to destroy people, ideas and future creations. Then there is the issue of neutrality and/or indifference. Some people refuse to privately or publicly voice any opinion at all. They do not want to take sides. They do not want to offend others. They did not want to get involved. Their opinions are valuable but they are lost to the world at large.

When people are struggling for direction in their lives, they go to others for assistance. They actively seek out their opinions. They can passively listen to the advice and then move forward. They can act aggressively and follow that solicited advice or they can choose to ignore it. Moving on to uncover other useful opinions.

In my estimation, all opinions seem to have some sort of merit. Someone took the time to come up with an opinion whether it is "right" or "wrong". It belongs to that person. It reflects a genuine part of their personality, spirituality and mentality. Opinions allow people to voice their individuality. Facts and fiction become beautifully blurred sometimes as people voice their personal and professional beliefs.

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