For many years it was simple. If our teachers, doctors, or government made a statement, it was true. We didn't spend time researching these truths; there was no need. Try to think back. Is there something that now has no merit but once was the truth? I'm certain that you can come up with many examples.
I was born to Midwestern middle class parents who wanted the best for their family. They were hard-working people trying to do better than the generation before. They did not question conventional "wisdom". Why should they have? After all, it was the truth. Did my parents realize the veggies we ate at our family dinners were full of chemicals? Did they know that the convenient grab and go cereal bars or toaster pastries we ate for breakfast were full of disease causing additives and ladden with sugar? No. There was never an expose on the nightly news. Toaster pastries and cereal bars were part of a nutritious breakfast; that's what the commercials said, so why would they question the truth?
When my husband and I started school, the world was beggining to transition. In kindergarten our schools had computer labs where we simulated pioneer life and learned to use a mouse. By middle school we cited websites in our bibliographies, no longer encyclopedias or works of non-fiction. Information was now at our fingertips. Many of our conversations began with "ASL?" (Is that a thing anymore?!) and ended with a click of the x. We quickly realized how connected the world had become. Communicating with someone from Madrid or London without a gigantic telephone bill was once unfathomable. All at once, every place on the earth was within reach. People began exchanging ideas and raising concerns. Journalism changed.
There is now a platform for all. Every opinion on every subject is presented online; a quick click away. People comment on how easy we have it compared to previous generations, but do we really? Wasn't it nice to be ignorant? We weren't bad people. We were still doing what was best for our families. We didn't know any better, and damn, wasn't simplicity freeing?
Having this plethora of information is overwhelming. There are two sides to every issue and also numerous variations to delve into. Sure, all the information is within reach, but how much time should we spend combing through? If you don't research enough you can find yourself accepting the opinion of a small group or single person as fact. Too much and you're stumbling through life powered only by Joe or Monster. I've found myself staring into the face of a 3:00 a.m. clock many times consumed with finding the truth, but I've had an epiphany... There is no truth. No black, no white; only gray. Truth no longer exists. We've reached the point where the overwhelming amount of information makes objective conclusions impossible. There is NOTHING all will agree upon.
There are no two people exactly alike. If I agree with someone on an issue it does not make us twinsies. There will be other situations where we will disagree. Uniqueness should not be looked down on; it needs to be embraced. Banter is healthy, but fighting is not. Respect the opinions of others and please don't take it to extremes when ideas differ. Have an open mind, be kind, be thoughtful, and listen.
