There used to be a time where if you wanted to see what was going on in the world, your best options to do so were via television, newspaper, and even magazines. Today, however, all three of those forms of media have taken a spot on the back burner as we are currently living in the social media age where just about any piece of information that we desire to know can be and often is found right at our fingertips. With the evolution of mobile phones today, our smartphones are essentially mini computers in our pocket. Because information is so readily available to us these days, that also means EVERYONE has an opinion on something. Not that it is a bad thing, because everyone is entitled to an opinion and free speech in this country is also protected by the first amendment of our Constitution. However, with information so readily available, as well as the ability to share your thoughts to the world with the press of a button, we are also experiencing this era where it seems like everyone gets offended at everything or people come at you like you deserve capital punishment for sharing an opinion that differs from theirs or is unpopular, which is what inspired me to write this article.

According to Google, it defines opinion as "a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge." Based off of the definition alone, an opinion cannot be proved as being wrong. Although, there are instances where an opinion that is based on fact can be factually wrong. This is where the issue starts.

If I say that purple is the best color and you respond saying that blue is the best color, neither of us are wrong. We can both then give our arguments as to why we feel the way we do about the respective colors, but in the end, no one is wrong. Alternatively, if you say you think the earth is flat, then based on the fact that the earth is spherical, that opinion is wrong.

Furthermore, being someone that not only loves to share opinions on a plethora of topics, I also equally love to hear the thoughts and opinions of others as well. I take educated debates as a time where one can learn and acquire more knowledge on a subject that they may have previously been ignorant on. Unfortunately, that is not exactly the same mindset shared by the masses in today's technological age and because of that, I often try to avoid engaging in "debates" online, as they quickly and often turn into tit-for-tat arguments of one or both sides insulting each other due to the refusal to accept differing opinions or accept that not everyone has an opinion which may be popular.

I see this happen daily from major topics such as politics to topics dealing with pop-culture; everyone wants to tweet or post a status stating their opinion on something, but not everyone wants to be open to hearing the differing viewpoints someone else may have. A lot of people seemingly feel that their opinion is fact and anyone who disagrees warrants being bashed or insulted as a result. Also, just because you have an opinion on a subject that a majority of people may also share as well, doesn't mean the person who holds an unpopular opinion is incorrect for their stance. More people need to not only realize but accept that an opinion is subjective and who is anyone to tell someone else that what they think or believe is wrong? It certainly is not right to do so and is just as wrong to straight up bash or insult someone because of what they think.

Nobody knows everything and knowledge is powerful and therefore I believe that if more people would realize and accept that you cannot expect to share an opinion on something that someone else will not have a rebuttal for, we would see more educated debates and less of the bashing of each other that occurs daily across the internet. So the next time you find yourself in a debate on a subject you are passionate about, take the opportunity to open your mind and attempt to see where the other person is coming from with their argument and you will be surprised at what you may learn that you previously did not know.