Recently a journalist asked me about my political beliefs. Apparently being a writer qualifies you to answer all the major world questions. Was I in favor of more or less state interference? Did I think a consumption tax was fairer than income tax? I looked him in the eye and said, \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d He lowered his pen. His expression twisted into a pained smile, as though he didn\u2019t understand the meaning of this simple sentence. \u201cWhat do you mean, you don\u2019t know?\u201d \u201cI haven\u2019t thought it through,\u201d I said. \u201cBut you must have an opinion!\u201d \u201cNo, I don\u2019t. That topic is in my \u2018too complicated\u2019 bucket.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s immensely liberating not having to hold an opinion on all and sundry. And there\u2019s no need to worry that opinionlessness is a sign of intellectual weakness. It isn\u2019t. it\u2019s a sign of intelligence. Opinionlessness is an asset. It\u2019s not information overload besetting our era\u2014it\u2019s opinion overload.<\/p>\n
Select your topics of interest very carefully. Why should you let journalists, bloggers or tweeters dictate what\u2019s on your mind? They\u2019re not the boss of you! Be extremely selective. Dump everything else into your \u201ctoo complicated\u201d bucket. When you\u2019re asked to pass judgment on this or that, refrain. You\u2019ll find, astonishingly, that the world keeps spinning even without your commentary.<\/p>\n
But when you do want to form an opinion, how should you do it? Set aside some time to write about it in peace. Writing is the ideal way to organize your thoughts. A diffuse thought automatically becomes clearer when you have to pour it into sentence form. Finally, get external viewpoints, preferably from people who think differently from you. When you\u2019re sure of your opinion, question it. Try to poke holes in your argument\u2014that\u2019s the only way to find out whether it holds up.<\/p>\n
All in all, the fewer hasty opinions you hold, the better your life will be. I\u2019d go so far as to say that ninety-nine percent of your opinions are simply unnecessary. Only one percent are truly relevant for you\u2014for your personal or work life.<\/p>\n
Imagine you\u2019re invited onto a TV talk show with five other guests, all of whom are committed to the opposite standpoint from yours. Only when you can argue their views at least as eloquently as your own will you truly have earned your opinion.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Art of the Good Life<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Rolf Dobelli<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Recently a journalist asked me about my political beliefs. Apparently being a writer qualifies you to answer all the major world questions. Was I in favor of more or less state interference? Did I think a consumption tax was fairer than income tax? 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