Words: A Creation of Humanity

Humans are the epitome of intriguing. Words themselves were created by humans (and continue to be created to this day), are spoken by humans and used by humans to hurt or to cherish, to hold the smallest and most irrelevant of conversations or to settle life-threatening disputes. Words in one area take the definition of words in another. Language barriers are formed by us and limit the level to which we can converse with others on a different continent or behind a different border which again, is a creation of mankind. So many things are products of our own creation: technology, reproduction, history itself, and yet words seem the most unfathomably wonderful of all. They quite literally push people to death, they provoke the deepest and darkest of emotion, and give me - right now - the capability to express myself through different sequences of the same 26 letters over and over again. Hieroglyphs and symbols are given sounds and a movement of the muscles in the mouth which are then grouped together to make words. And we give these words power over us, there are deep connotations of many and we allow such things to guide us as a society. There is taboo around "swear words" that we formed ourselves, gave meaning to ourselves, and forbade ourselves. We could explore why, why prohibited words exist and for what purpose did we create them. Or, we could accept it and bask in the simplicity that is found in forming a string of letters that can transmit and convey all manner of message and meaning. From simple sentences we have found knowledge, freedom, and opinion.

Yet opinion is a funny thing. It is a judgement about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge (according to the Oxford Dictionary). The oddest part of all is how fundamental opinions are in the human race, how we would simply lack the ability to function without opinions. If we did not make judgement, we would not make a decision on even the smallest things, and although we would continue to exist biologically, what would be the point?

And despite that a view on something is a necessity in living, it still drives wedges between some and creates bonds between others. It starts wars, solves them, destroys people and creates others. Little opinions, beginning as a tiny seed inside of us are provoked and taunted by our surroundings and fed by society and culture. Even claiming to "not have an opinion" is, in itself, an opinion by definition. You have made the judgement that the matter at hand is unworthy of your time and that you are more concerned with forming your opinions of other things.

And opinions contrast with fact. The antithetical opposite to opinion is fact: a thing that is known or proved to be true. So while an opinion is just a judgement, it is antonymous with a proven statement. Facts define us but opinions make us more than just an autonomous collection of limbs and muscles and organs. This thing, this collection of soon to be posts in a so-called blog, is really just opinions. My little opinions that may not have any impact on you whatsoever, but to me, are deep rooted beliefs that I will advocate to the grave and will always fight for. My opinion is to me as important as yours is to you, and while we may disagree within our opinions, all it is is a judgement, a conclusion based on the lives we have lead to date. In each others positions, it is probable that my opinion would be yours and visa versa. Additionally, remember that opinions aren't a solidified thing. They are fluid and susceptible to change, if you let them.

As people, we mould each other and thus mould each others' opinions - an incredible fact that should not fall prey to ignorance. If you will listen to what I have to say, I will pay you the same respect.

Would you say you are "opinionated"? Would you not agree that everybody is opinionated, and those who are labelled as such simply express their views with more passion and more frequently than others? Let me know.

- Charlotte