How Much Is Your Opinion Worth?

"In religion and politics people's beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second-hand, and without examination, from authorities who have not themselves examined the questions at issue but have taken them at second-hand from other non-examiners, whose opinions about them were not worth a brass farthing." - Mark Twain

I am running into this more and more often these days, especially on social media. It seems no one wants to do their own research. They read something they agree with and boom it is the absolute truth and they share it to all their friends. Let them read something they disagree with, then pow it's the most vile thing ever. Both reactions stem largely from preconceived ideas based on what they have read or heard previously.

If we're being honest, we have all done that. With reference to the latter, it is sometimes a knee-jerk reaction. I have done that out of sheer frustration at incorrect information. However, it is because I have done my homework, read articles, watched interviews and followed links provided to try and ferret out the truth. I find that the closer you can get to the horse's mouth, so to speak, the more likely you'll discover what was actually said or done and why. 

 
So when I read someone's post who shares something that completely goes against what I believe (based on my own personal beliefs and the aforementioned research) well, I don't always react wisely. For any such reaction, I'm sorry, but not for my stance on the issue or my beliefs.

The above quote by Mark Twain pretty well sums up how people get to where they are with their opinions and just how much those opinions are worth.