The average person, in a functioning democracy, gets to make
Decisions that will affect us all. Such an individual, no matter their level of
formal education, will form Opinions on and about a variety of topics,
character of persons and the public’s ability to accept changes. These persons,
interested in learning and progressing, will listen to others, who are
perceived to have intimate knowledge and are in a position of trust, to guide
their Thoughts. And so we all should, but no one voice can be constantly right
across all topics, so we must seek out and find the best and most knowledgeable
voices on each issue, before lending our own.
Thinking before engaging, listening to many and reading
widely on a topic, will inform and strengthen thoughts, along the lines of
formal education merging with personal life experience. News, traditionally
verified facts with some expert speculation, will foster dependable thoughts.
Now however, most news has become, more speculation than facts, driven by the
speed of social media and the economics of subscription or advertising based
networks, resulting in less than accurate and more unreliable facts, followed
by disclaimers, like "Based on what we now know", forcing speculation
based on changing assumptions. Hence, thoughts are formed before all the facts
are in. Remembering that, of most importance, resulting thoughts are and must
be designed to change decisions, or at the very least, change opinions, if not,
then you agree, applaud and nod. Because it is more about, looking and being
reasonable than pushing away the people you will often need.
Thinking within a conversation, presentation or debate, must
employ tactics to change minds, is about seeking answers, communicating in common
language and using relatable examples to make your point. Noting that most clichés;
common sayings, are time, culture and generation sensitive, choose wisely. No
one should agree with all you say, and such "Yes-Persons" are really not
needed. The goal is to get a passing grade; where more than half of the
audience supports your view. The person that opposes every point you make has a
different agenda, ignore them and stay focused. Your most important ally is
anyone that can change your mind, engage them separately.
Opinions are well thought out personal positions, which
cannot be easily changed and are best not shared, mainly because of its bias
contents. Opinions sit on a foundation of inherited and experienced
perceptions, true or false, real or imagine, about individuals, organizations, cultural
behavior and social practices. Opinions contain facts which are not widely in
dispute but that are tainted by your impression of its original source and presenter,
trustworthiness. Opinions are not easily influence by news, but if so, a new
opinion is formed.
The history and news, facts and speculations, which you are
exposed to, is analytically and critically consider forming your Thoughts,
which are filtered by your existing Opinions, to then guide your individual
Decisions.
Such Personal Decisions are tied to your moral and ethical
codes, driving your very do’s and don'ts, choices guided by social, religious
and education training, reinforced by civil; laws and regulations. These
personal decisions are often mistakenly assigned by the individual to groups,
for example; I, as a member of this religion, will not kill, is often mistaken
to mean, no member of this religion will kill. Taking our head out of the sand,
each person must make their own decisions, but it is our collective
responsibility to ensure that each of us have the information, methods and
tools needed to make the best choices.
Decisions of a group carry collective responsibilities and
if you disagree with such decisions, you must resign from that group. The Human
Race would have never survived this long, if it did not divide itself into
groups of groups; countries, societies, ethnicity, religion, politics, business,
unions, presents us all with enough diversity and creating space for so called
leaders to dominate. We would continue to fight on every issue, if it was not
for the ultimate referee of Time. Hence, patience is the decisive virtue.
Rationale
T.A.J & Associates Company Limited uses this occasion to comment on topics that have been covered, both academically and by the mainstream media, to add its opinion and point out investment opportunity, not to invoke any social action.
