On External Opinions

Have you ever noticed that some people can't do, well, anything without someone telling them that it's the right move? Heck, now that we live in a world with generative chatbots that will just "yes-and" their users, I feel like we are seeing an explosion of uncertainty. I can't tell you how many times I've heard "Well, let me just ask Chat GPT" or something similar when the actual value of the response given is, well, on par with something that has a track record for just hallucinating reality.

External opinions aren't always a bad thing. But they have their place. Let's talk about it!

Pictured: A corporate-y image because corporations also have this level of decision paralysis.

1: When You Truly Don't Know What You're Talking About

Like I said, external opinions can be valuable. To say otherwise is to prepare yourself to fail spectacularly. If you find yourself in a realm where specialized knowledge is routinely used (and you don't have any of it), locating a trusted source of information is essential to survival.

In finding said source of information, remember that opinions can be found everywhere, from books, to newspapers, to the open web. But there is no substitute for someone who personally understands the information as they will be able to parce through these sources in a more efficient way. They'll know what to ignore as fluff and what to take as gospel.

Though, remember that every person is fallable. The more sensitive the action in question is, the more you need to properly weigh whether the trust you are extending is a good idea.

2: When You Do Know What You're Talking About

Spending time in any domain provides experience. And with experience, comes expertise. As you understand a domain in a more advanced way, you'll be taking routes that will seem crazy to some but you know is truly the best move.

Here, the opposite is important. You need to affirmatively ignore almost every external opinion. This is easier said than done, we have a natural drive to listen to those around us (whether we want to admit it or not).

As with above, exceptions exist. But here, you aren't weighing an individual on their credentials and experience as you are similarly qualified. What you are looking for is a genuine critique of your actions that takes something into account you hadn't thought of. Being able to recognize a good argument, no matter where it comes from, is a skill that will serve you well.

3: When it Doesn't Matter

However, in the majority of decisions, you aren't in a realm of specialized knowledge. And in these kinds of scenarios, the truly important question is: What do you want? Like actually, deep down, what do you want?

The world has no shortage of people who will tell you what you should be doing. Indeed, that's some people's literal jobs.

So ask yourself: Do you want to follow a path someone else sets up for you? Or do you want to blaze your own?

Conduct yourself accordingly.