5 Ways to Avoid Opinions That Lack Insight and Understanding

By Linda Fisher Thornton

Lately we’ve been seeing too much content that is not grounded in understanding. Some of it is intentionally misleading and some of it is well-intentioned but misinformed.

What this means is that we have to learn how to recognize misinformation, but also, and even more importantly, carefully tend how we convey our own opinions.

“A point of view can be a dangerous luxury when substituted for insight and understanding.”

― Marshall McLuhan, The Gutenberg Galaxy: The Making of Typographic Man

Before sharing your opinion, use the questions in this Self-Check; make sure you are on track to sharing your opinion in a way that leads to insight and understanding.

Opinion Self-Check

1. Do I get angry when I think about this?
   • Anger clouds our judgment and bypasses our moral checks
   • If it makes you angry, slow down
2. Have I researched the issue using multiple reputable sources?
   • Spreading misinformation is ethically problematic
   • Do your research first
3. Have I thought it through before expressing an opinion?
   • Speaking without thinking is a recipe for disaster
   • Think about the issue and how your opinion could be perceived by others
4. Have I listened to what a diverse group of voices is saying on the subject?
   • Our social media feed will share content that agrees with what we already believe, entrenching us in a narrow perspective
   • Seek out differing opinions from people and groups before you make up your mind on the issue
5. Have I stayed open to changing my mind?
   • A closed mind isn’t going to change as the world changes
   • Stay open to changing your opinion as you learn more and reflect on the issue

As Clara Barton famously said, we “cannot afford the luxury of a closed mind.”