Peeling away the layers of opinion...

You know, I've noticed something lately. All the really strong opinions I've had now and in the past have all been based on fears. Really really strong ones. For instance- my strong opinions that simple is better when it comes to photography and that Photoshop equals fake. Obviously a sad attempt to cover a blatant fear of not yet understanding something. Coupled with a lack of faith in myself to learn. Topped off with a resignation to mediocrity. Peelin' away the layers...

At first, I used to think being opinionated was a bad thing. It meant you were loud and rude and didn't listen to other people's views. Then, I changed my tune and thought it was a good thing. Knowing where you stand on every issue means you've taken the time to think things through. Now, of course, in my on-going attempt to throw out modifiers, I feel it is neither nor, but, for me, only a ruse. It's a disguise that my fears wear to throw me off track. Man, fear is a shifty bastard.

So now I want to examine all my super strong opinions and get to the root of them. And, in doing so, I have noticed that several of them are based on a simple fear of the unknown. I've written before about people's overwhelming urge to be "right", whatever that is, and I feel like this goes along with it. There are certain things (and lots of them), that as long as we only have the human mind and equally oppressed spirit of this realm with which to view them, will never be understood. Yet, we attach ourselves to an opinion about them and then fight each other over it. Why? Isn't the human race able to just accept that some things are unknown? Dare I say, even rejoice in such a realization? I like to believe it's possible, but I think it's a ways off.

Today I was reading an article in the USA Today about a new documentary on the exploitation of dolphins for human enjoyment, The Cove. And the question posed itself to me: when will we ever be able to appreciate something just by looking at it from afar? Why do we feel the need to invade its habitat and study it until it no longer exists in its natural form? It's the old Harry and the Hendersons dilemma. Harry was perfectly fine in the woods in seclusion. Why force the human world on him? Then, you've got the examples of Nell, Howie Mandel in Walk Like a Man, and Darryl Hannah in Splash. Everyone can sympathize with those characters. So why not the players in our real lives?

My point is that attaching oneself to an opinion about something simply as a means to try to understand it can be a very dangerous thing, especially if it points to a deep-seated fear within- a fear of the unknown. Some things need to be left unknown. Knowledge does not equal appreciation.



When we are children, we certainly don't know everything. But does that mean children are less worthy? They certainly aren't less happy. When we burden our mind with things that it cannot possibly unlock, how does that further us as individuals, or as a species? Some knowledge is helpful, some questions need to be answered. But some I can't help help but feel should be let go as a sign of respect. We were not built to know everything, so why do we keep trying?