Big Picture

  I know it's hard but sometimes people need to look at the big picture not just the snippet in front of them. Reading a headline instead of the article is commonplace. The reader then forms an opinion based on one or two sentences. That is no way to educate yourself on a topic.

  With most people getting their news from the internet, it's easy to see how the headline is the eye catcher. We are so used to everything being instantaneous how can anyone be expected to read an entire article? The real problems begin when discussions are based on that one sentence with no idea what else is involved.

  Someone I know, who claims to be well informed on most issues, is guilty of this. The opinions that are given are almost verbatim from the headline grabbing article. But just the first line or two. When the discussion progresses to facts my friend is left looking bewildered and foolish. Self-imposed but it's sad to witness.

  Being well informed on any issue is work. Reading, researching and verifying is something most of us don't have the time or interest in doing. Unless it directly effects us we feel we need to know just the basics. And that is true. Unless we want to engage in heated conversation about the subject.

  When discussing difficult subjects, we need to see the entire picture. Not just our opinion or feelings on it but the cold hard facts. Sometimes your ideas don't coincide with those facts. And that is perfectly okay...as an opinion.