The concept of public opinion intrigues me. Cicero accurately stated that: "Nothing is more obscure than public opinion..." Like minded individuals tend to band together into political parties or other similar organizations. Such organizations are indeed open to the public, however are not "the public" but are private organizations. There are always multiple opinions to every issue, action or legislation. How then can there be a "public opinion" because the public seems to have multiple, more often than not, conflicting opinions. As humans we tend to make our minds up about things very quickly, or abstain entirely from having an opinion. The public is so diverse, I cannot see there being a single, consolidated opinion of the public. There are public opinions, that the differing factions of the public stand behind and debate. Next, I find that our society, the author included, has limited attention span, which contributes to our ever differing opinions. This limited span of attention allows us to be easily influenced and our opinions easily swayed ans manipulated because we find it easier, simpler and faster to believe what we are told instead of forming a personal consolidated opinion and sticking to it, allowing of course for reasonable and polite discourse and debate, knowing that there is always a differing opinion then one's own.
[P.30]
Inspired by Jordan, Josh and Kelli Taylor
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