Opinions, are just that, opinions.

[rgp]

IMO ..... Opinions based on fact, are not opinion at all.....they are just facts recited .

An opinion is just that. An opinion formed on ones part for what ever reason, often quite known only too themselves.

Example; ...... the CDC & the WHO put out information that I think is bunk ..... fits a narritive etc.

Therefore IMO take all they say with a grain of salt, and draw your own conclusion as to wether their advise is founded & solid . And if it should be followed.

 

[oldiebutgoody]

Everyone is certainly entitled to their opinion. But the question to ask is, is it an informed opinion?

 

[Becky1951]

Everyone is certainly entitled to their opinion. But the question to ask is, is it an informed opinion?

I don't think its an informed opinion if a person refuses to consider all sides, all information first before forming an opinion.

 

[oldiebutgoody]

consider all sides, all information first before forming an opinion

Precisely my basis for making an informed opinion.

 

[suds00]

everyone has an opinion.one should consider the facts before forming an opinion. there are no alternative facts,only facts.there are unproven theories.

 

[Paco Dennis]

This is from an article that addresses how we form opinions...confirmation bias.

"It seems our need for structure and our pattern recognition skill can be rather overactive, causing a tendency to spot patterns – like constellations, clouds that looks like dogs and vaccines causing autism – where in fact there are none."

"The ability to see patterns was probably a useful survival trait for our ancestors – better to mistakenly spot signs of a predator than to overlook a real big hungry cat. But plonk the same tendency in our information rich world and we see nonexistent links between cause and effect – conspiracy theories – all over the place.

Peer pressure​

Another reason we are so keen to believe in conspiracy theories is that we are social animals and our status in that society is much more important (from an evolutionary standpoint) than being right. Consequently we constantly compare our actions and beliefs to those of our peers, and then alter them to fit in. This means that if our social group believes something, we are more likely to follow the herd.


This effect of social influence on behaviour was nicely demonstrated back in 1961 by the street corner experiment, conducted by the US social psychologist Stanley Milgram (better known for his work on obedience to authority figures) and colleagues. The experiment was simple (and fun) enough for you to replicate. Just pick a busy street corner and stare at the sky for 60 seconds.


Most likely very few folks will stop and check what you are looking at – in this situation Milgram found that about 4% of the passersby joined in. Now get some friends to join you with your lofty observations. As the group grows, more and more strangers will stop and stare aloft. By the time the group has grown to 15 sky gazers, about 40% of the by-passers will have stopped and craned their necks along with you. You have almost certainly seen the same effect in action at markets where you find yourself drawn to the stand with the crowd around it.


The principle applies just as powerfully to ideas. If more people believe a piece of information, then we are more likely to accept it as true. And so if, via our social group, we are overly exposed to a particular idea then it becomes embedded in our world view. In short social proof is a much more effective persuasion technique than purely evidence-based proof, which is of course why this sort of proof is so popular in advertising (“80% of mums agree”).


Social proof is just one of a host of logical fallacies that also cause us to overlook evidence. A related issue is the ever-present confirmation bias, that tendency for folks to seek out and believe the data that supports their views while discounting the stuff that doesn’t. We all suffer from this. Just think back to the last time you heard a debate on the radio or television. How convincing did you find the argument that ran counter to your view compared to the one that agreed with it?


The chances are that, whatever the rationality of either side, you largely dismissed the opposition arguments while applauding those who agreed with you. Confirmation bias also manifests as a tendency to select information from sources that already agree with our views (which probably comes from the social group that we relate too). Hence your political beliefs probably dictate your preferred news outlets."

Much more to read if you wish...at

Why people believe in conspiracy theories