Hello folks. I was told I could write about anything I wanted for this little piece, so I’ve decided to focus on something I feel couldn’t be more relevant than it is right now. I will address the dangers of listening to and/or considering the ideas of anyone having a different opinion than your own, on any subject, whether it be via the media or a personal encounter. I will also offer advice as to what you can do, should you find yourself in a compromising position of having to engage with someone whose ideas and opinions don’t coincide with yours in any way.

Let’s begin with the media. As we all know, the media has many faces—radio, TV, print and Internet/social, but the wild, chaotic jungle that is the Internet and social media is by far the most dangerous of all. It’s a place where all kinds of foreign ideas are floating around willy-nilly, bumping into our own and, most alarmingly, causing us to evaluate whether or not we are indeed right about everything we know to be true. The Internet can be a wonderful thing but, make no mistake, it has a dark and dangerous side that has the ability to shake you to your core. So, in light of all this danger, here are a few precautionary words I think might help you find your way through this maze of foreign ideas and opinions.

First off, it’s extremely critical that you don’t watch, click on, read or listen to anyone who has an opinion that differs from your own. It’s very risky. Once you get the stench of another person’s well-thoughtout and formulated ideas (as they will tell you) on you, there’s no getting it off. You can’t go back. Remember, the world is very simple and you have a solid grasp on it. You already know the truth. Why would you waste your time listening to someone say something to you if what they are saying is not what you already know to be true? You are solid in what you know and there is no need to reconsider anything. Bending your ear to listen to someone who doesn’t share your truth will cause it to break right off. That, of course, is a metaphor that I just made up, but it is the gospel truth. So, always seek confirmation and know that when you come across an idea that isn’t confirming your worldview or any strong opinion you may have, you have three options:

1) Shoot it down immediately. Typing a quick, rude and insulting comment not only proves that you’re right, but can also be very satisfying.

2) Make fun of it. This is a classic technique that goes back to grade school.

3) Ignore it. Just let it go by the wayside and pretend you never heard it.

Whatever you do, do not engage in a normal, open dialogue with it. Think monologue folks, not dialogue. But if, by chance, you find yourself caught in a conversation with the enemy, do not take in any viewpoints for personal consideration. Instead, as soon as you hear someone start to say something that is counter to your viewpoint, begin forming your rebuttal. It can be anything—a statistic you heard somewhere, a YouTube clip or even a nice rhetorical question. Just reach back into your bank of pre-made arguments, points or quotes, and find that perfect fit of a reply that will destroy your opponent. This technique is good for two reasons:

1) It makes you appear smart, quick and witty. Your opponent will think that you are reacting on your feet and respect you for that.

2) It works as a deflector shield against the flaming arrows of untruth and foreign ideas maliciously being shot at you. Those arrows won’t be able to harm you because your brain is too preoccupied searching for that perfect comeback to your opponent to take in any outside information (i.e. whatever nonsense he/she is saying to you). It’s a beautiful thing.

So, to conclude, stand strong and relax in the knowledge that you are right and that you have it all figured out. Go through life that way and don’t ever start to consider an idea or opinion that doesn’t already exist in your brain. If you do, then you will probably die.