Have a think about it.
Last night I went to a Q&A style forum. I’m not sure if that’s just an Australian thing, but basically it’s a TV show where a panel of people discuss political topics and news (it’s better than it sounds, especially if you’re interested in the world news whatsoever). The topic of discussion (aimed at engineers) was how the media portray and how the public perceive development of a city. I have a few key points that the panel spoke about which I absolutely loved! The main one being;
‘you won’t change the world speaking to your friends’
This got me thinking further, so I would like to let you know five ways that we can influence the world.
1. LEARN WHAT LEGO MEDIA IS
What: Also known as Light Entertainment, Gossip and Opinion Media. This is the media that we are subjected to every morning on the ‘news’, in the local ‘news’ papers and splashed all over social media.. There is a big difference here between LEGO media and research journalism. LEGO is not an informed piece of information. LEGO is a story, someone’s account of what has happened overnight or what is happening in local sport. This to me is not news. It truly is LEGO! What concerns me is that so many people take LEGO media accounts as news, and assume that there has been some type of research and correctly informed opinion involved when the journalist has written the story.
Why change? There is nothing wrong with reading what else is going on in the world of people. I love my fair share of LEGO media! But what we need to do is spread the word that LEGO media is not the same as research journalism. Inform people that the LEGO media is someone’s opinion and not exclusively fact! We need to encourage people to think for themselves. LEGO media is totally fine, so long as the consumer is aware of the fact that it is an opinion, a story that may not tell all sides, reasons or logic behind a ‘story’.
How do we change? Read on
2. BECOME INFORMED
If you don’t know the reason why, then ask the question. You have a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips, so get out there and learn it! Develop your own opinion based on facts. Form your opinion based on different peoples opinions based on facts. If you don’t have an opinion that you developed based on at least three other informed opinions, then don’t spread your uninformed opinion! I’ll be the first to admit that I know nothing about politics, and you know what, I have no interest in learning too much about it either, so when someone asks my opinion the first thing out of my mouth is ‘ I don’t actually know a lot about the topic’.
3. INFORM THE UNINFORMED
In light of the above, it becomes obvious that the ‘news’ we are subjected to probable does not add to our overall understanding of the ‘why’ something is happening or the ‘solution’ to a problem. If you know something, the reasoning behind things or have some educated opinion about an idea that others may not know anything about – then tell people! We need to spread informed opinions, justifications based on facts and reasoning behind decisions.
Believe me; decisions are never made without careful deliberation. Especially when engineers are involved! And conversely, no decision is ever going to make everyone happy, there is no perfect option or path. So, if you, in any of your journeys are involved in a decision making process, or read an interesting research article on the topic then, please do us all a favour and spread the news! Inform the uninformed.
4. FIVE VS. NINETY FIVE
When a developmental project is announced perhaps 95% of people are either for it, or simply don’t care! The other five percent are strongly opposed (and everyone is entitled to their opinion) but I have an idea… Lets get the other 95% of peoples opinions into the media instead of just the 5% of peoples.
One of the panelists said that they once said to a journalist:
‘why are you coming to my public forums and agreeing with many of my arguments when you still write about the angry mob of people who disagree’
The journalist responded:
‘I don’t need to write about who is right, I just need two opinions and I have a story.’
Lets face it, everyone agreeing with an idea doesn’t make for good news stories (nor does it make for an interesting world) but it would be absolutely revolutionary if we could just see things as they were, with the facts.
5. NETWORK – IT IS NECESSARY
Networking is an essential part of every community! Get out there, talk to strangers, challenge ideas, spread information, have intellectual conversations, or personal but meaningful conversations. Connect with people. Sometimes it is really hard, but challenge yourself, you won’t change the world by speaking to your friends.
itsrealoptimism 