I made up a word that could be very useful in our vocabulary. Well, I didn’t so much make it up, as I refashioned an existing word. Let me 'splain.....
I’m sure you are familiar with the adjective ‘opinionated’, as in Aunt Tildy is very opinionated. It means that Aunt Tildy has strong opinions, and she’s not afraid to share them. So, my word is ‘opinionate’. My word, ‘opinionate’ is a verb, as in The host opinionated on politics, or She was opinionating all night. See how that’s used? There is similar verb ‘opine’, which some people use, as in, The host opined on politics. But, I like the sound of my word better, because the meaning is very clear. I’ve researched, and it seems that ‘opinionate’ is, in fact, a verb in Merriam-Webster Dictionary, but it’s archaic. I am doing my best to bring it back into everyday circulation by using it regularly. I think it’s completely appropriate for these times.
This is why I think ‘opinionate’ is such a good word. Normally, you might say “The host gave his opinion on politics.” Gave, as if it was a gift. I feel a sense of gentleness in that phrase.
“I have something to give you.”
“Really? How nice.”
“Yes, it’s my opinion. Here you go!”
“Thank you!”
That’s a far cry from the scene in front of us every day. If you turn on the TV, or go online in any way, or stand around talking to people at all, there is a pretty good chance that someone will be opinionating. This is often harsh, argumentative verbiage that is forced upon you.
“I’ve got something to say.”
“OK.”
“Blah, blah, blah.”
“uh huh.”
“And that’s not all; blah, blah, blah.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes, and also BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH!”
It can be exhausting.
Now, you might read this and think You’re right. The other guys opinionate all the time! Listen up, bucko, your guys do it, too. I don’t care which side of any issue you choose, experts and amateurs are constantly opinionating. It’s a non-stop assault on our ears and our minds. If they say things that you agree with, it probably doesn’t bother you, because they are confirming your set of beliefs. If they say things that you don’t agree with, it probably bothers you quite a lot.
How did we get here?
Analysts can analyze the situation for us, but I can GIVE YOU MY OPINION, if you would like it. Yes, I will opinionate. See, it used to be that TV & radio broadcasts shut down every night. Around midnight, the TV stations played “The Star Spangled Banner” as they signed off for the night. A few special radio stations continued through the night, but, mostly, they shut down until morning. There was no internet, no smart phone news feed, no information streaming. News was news during the news hours. Now, we have developed a society that expects information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Any time of the day or night, you can turn on the TV, log onto the internet, or pick up your phone to see the latest news. But, have you noticed that most days there aren’t that many news developments? Think how it would be if you had a commentator beside you all day and night narrating what was happening in your life.
“Fred has just flushed the toilet, and, now, he is washing his hands.”
“Yes, folks, Fred is still asleep.”
The entire 24 hours could be summed up in, probably, 2 minutes. Most of the day, in our lives, nothing newsworthy happens. There would be nothing to report if we were the focus of newsfeeds.
The world, on the other hand, has more than 7 billion people, in approximately 200 countries. There are important things happening all the time—political events, weather events, sporting events, scientific events, financial events, events of the arts, etc. Having an opportunity to hear about all that news any time of day is a good thing, right? Doesn’t it keep us informed? Isn't our 24-hour news cycle filled with facts and recaps of all the things that are happening in the world? I venture to say NO. We hear a little of this and that, but, often, our news cycles are filled with pundits opinionating on everything. Why do I hear a small fraction of news, and a large amount of opinion? Why do I hear so much opinionating when I turn on the TV or go online? Nowadays, there are a very large number of personalities who are paid to opinionate about the news. That’s what fills the airways, that’s what fuels the podcasts, and that’s what we listen to. Make sure you listen to my opinion, so you’ll know what to think.
In my humble opinion, we have spent an awful lot of time talking about truth vs lies, fact-checking what people say to expose the untruths lurking beneath the surface. But, we haven’t spent very much time talking about the difference between fact and opinion. Journalism 101.
I am a big proponent of news reporters. I want them to tell me and show me actual events, objectively. I think that they put themselves in precarious, sometimes dangerous, situations to give us the story. I know it’s hard work, and they are often maligned for it. What I’m not a fan of, is a constant stream of talking heads analyzing and reviewing everything subjectively. It’s like the sports announcers when there’s a delay in the game—they start rambling, because they have to fill the dead air.
Does anyone remember the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia (now Bosnia and Herzegovina)? ABC broadcasting was rolling out unprecedented coverage of the Olympics, promising more airtime than ever. Unfortunately, bad weather postponed a large number of events, the US hockey team lost very unexpectedly, and problems were compounded by the time difference. Poor old sports anchorman Jim McKay sat on the TV monitor with nothing to say. Time and time again, there was nothing to report, so the network filled the time as best as it could. As I see it, that’s what happens every day in the good ole USA. It’s Sarajevo, all over again. Commentators all dressed up, but nothing to say. So, they opinionate.
They can keep their opinions to themselves, thank you very much. I’m tired of hearing them. I can form my own opinion without their help. With each of you, I’ll be glad to share my opinion, if you would like to have a conversation. If you aren’t yelling at me, you never know, we might both be able to learn something. I might even forget about my new word, if I don’t feel so bombarded with opinions. If people stop opinionating at me.
Disclaimer: I am fully aware that I am opinionating in this, and every other article, that I write. I get it. I preach against opinionating, yet I do it, too, albeit with a kinder, gentler approach. It’s a double-edged sword. There she goes, opinionating again. You are welcome to follow my advice and ignore me completely, if you must. I will support your decision. C’est la vie.