Fact vs. Opinion - Why the confusion?

I hate to come across as condescending and I honestly hate the thought of needing to explain this to people, but I've reached a point where I feel I must. I feel that approximately 78.43% of people don't know the difference between fact and opinion. That number I provided, for example - what was that? A fact? An opinion? Neither. It was complete and utter bull honky. I pulled it from an area that stinks even when the sun is shining.

Let's allow Sir Webster to be our guide on this.

First off, Sir Webster, what is an opinion?

"o-pin-ion (uh-pin-yuhn)
noun

1. a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty.

2. a personal view, attitude, or appraisal.

3. the formal expression of a professional judgment.

4. the format statement by a judge or court of the reasoning and the principles of law used in reaching a decision of a case.

5. a favorable estimate; esteem."

Now, Sir Webster, what is a fact?

"fact (fakt)

1. something that actually exists; reality; truth.

2. something known to exist or to have happened.

3. a truth known by actual experience or observation; something known to be true.

4. something said to be true or supposed to have happened.

5. an actual or alleged event or circumstance, as distinguished from its legal effect or consequence."

Okay, so an opinion is a belief which can't yet be called a fact due to insufficient evidence, whereas a fact is definite - it can be proven without a shadow of a doubt.

Alright, let's see if I got this...

"The capital of New Jersey is Trenton" - That's a tough one, but I'm leaning toward fact, even though I think it should be Newark.

"Abortion is wrong!" - Hmm... I could go either way with this (that's what she said), but am guessing it's an opinion. My, this is difficult.

"President Obama was born on another planet!" - Ah, just like the number I provided at the outset of this blog - I believe that to be bull honky.

Now, was that so difficult? Really? All three types of statements can start out as opinions, however, facts ultimately determine whether one's opinion can be construed as fact, is nothing but bull honky or if it remains an opinion where there's not enough evidence to prove that it's a fact or complete bull honky.

Let's go over this one more time...

"2 + 2 = 4" - Fact.

"Math sucks more than Madonna used to while drunk backstage after concerts" - Fact - I mean opinion.

"2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = Jock strap" - Bull honky.

That wraps up our lesson for today. Tomorrow, I will dig into adding and subtracting single-digit numbers, how to say the alphabet in 10 minutes or less and how to bowl higher than a 2 for a full game. See you then...

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/opinion?s=t

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fact?s=t

Boycotting jukeboxes because of TouchTunes

I love music and enjoy hitting the bar(s) over the weekend, so naturally, when the mood strikes me, I've never been coy about playing some songs on the jukebox. This past Thursday, a friend of mine turned 50, so several friends of her's, including myself, all met up to celebrate the occasion. At around 9:30, a friend of mine and I both chipped in $5 to play some songs on the jukebox. Four hours and 231 skips later, we gave up on hearing the songs we had selected, and went home knowing we had just wasted $5. This wasn't the first time such a thing had happened to me (and many others), and due to that, I'll be boycotting jukeboxes. Why? The scam known as TouchTunes. You see, here's how the plot typically breaks down. A person (or group of people) downloads the TouchTunes app on his/her phone, consumes one too many adult beverages, and due to this, has less care for spending extra money to hear the songs of their choosing right NOW. That's the thing with TouchTun

The difference between "looking" and "checking out"

I may be way off with these numbers, but it's my approximation that at least 75% of individuals whom are involved in a serious relationship feel it's perfectly acceptable to "check out" members of the opposite sex they're not involved with. Meanwhile, approximately 25% either don't feel this is acceptable or aren't sure about the matter. I hadn't thought about this matter for a while, but since I've been dating a woman for about 8 months, the topic has been pondered about some. When reading or hearing others discuss this very issue, I often times hear comments similar to the following: "It's human nature to look." "There's nothing wrong with checking others out. I'm sure he/she does it too!" "It's fine to do it. Just don't tell your boyfriend/girlfriend about it or do it in front of them!" "It's natural to find people attractive." When observing the array of comments, I i

The verdict is in. To no one's surprise, Jonathan Hoenig has been found guilty of being an idiot.

Just recently, when discussing the Michael Brown shooting and whether or not race had anything to do with it, Fox News contributor Jonathan Hoenig said, "You know who talks about race? Racists." One moment while I provide Mr. Hoenig with the well deserved slow-clap. :: slow-claps for two seconds :: So, that was quite the line by Mr. Hoenig, wasn't it? "You know who talks about race? Racists." Well, wasn't he just talking about race? So, by his own words, I guess that makes him a racist. Also, if he wants to be consistent, does this mean that people whom talk about gender are sexists and people whom talk about sexual orientation are homophobes? With that line of thinking, Hoenig would engage in the following back-and-forths: Hoenig: "So, who are you voting for?" A woman: "The Democratic candidate, because he's been adamant about his support for equal rights for women." Hoenig: "You sexist feminist nazi!"

The Kind-Hearted Smart Aleck

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