There’s a human tendency to feel the need to "do something" in response to things we observe. Especially in the endless media content and consumption era we’re currently in. See something, do something, say something, anything.
It takes the form of having an opinion and emotion about nearly everything we see.
People feel compelled to express, vent, or spread their opinions even when all they saw was a flash, a clip, a snippet. Even when their background on the topic is shallow and without direct experience. Even when their perspective is unfounded and uninformed. Even when they’re not involved or the topic has no direct impact on their lives. Even when they have no actual information besides their own emotions.
The disciplined view is that most things neither need nor warrant an opinion, critique, or judgement. We don't need to do anything at all.
We don’t need to have an opinion. If we do have one, we don’t need to share it. We’re not improved by having one. The topic isn’t improved. The people around you aren’t improved and certainly not by you venting about it.
Even giving these kinds of things our attention and mindshare is a move in an undisciplined direction and a step closer to BCD (Blaming, Complaining, Defensiveness).
A healthy starting point for things you observe in media, social media, and general society is this:
- Neutral observation.
- Have no opinion.
- Do nothing.
From there you can always turn it up based on priorities, context, and benefits. It’s easier and more preferable to turn your focus and emotion up rather than need to dial it back.
Like all things in personal discipline, this is easier said than done. This one is definitely worth doing.
Everything is training for something. Do the work.
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