Recently I met up with my university mates for brunch, and in the same week, had dinner with friends whom I used to work with. That very weekend, my brother popped over to my mum’s in the afternoon, and we had tea. To be precise, he had coffee and I had some chocolate that I kindly shared with him. The sum of these social-dos was the interestingly varied perceptions and positions we each held, and accepted of the others.   

I guess, not surprisingly, as thinking and rational adults (most of the time), we had opinions about most everything – from the food we ate, movies we watched, mutual friends, local and global economics and politics to other goings-on in and outside the country. We proffered views, based on our respective knowledge and personal experiences. Views, sometimes, influenced by our inherent biases, and information, both fact and fiction, culled from traditional and social media.  

What was nice was our conversations were open and inviting. Everyone chipped in with their say. Slightly raised voices to make a point or disagree or even make light of an issue. If we did vehemently disagree, which we did, about particular matters, we agreed to disagree. Naturally, there were some sighs, some head shaking and looks of disbelief but no feelings were hurt. Differing views were respected. And, certainly no fisticuffs. And, that’s how we left it. We went back to our homes, still friends and still loving siblings.  

It was enlightening, and gave me fodder for thought. Am I always right and correct? I like to think so, but I know I am not, not always, anyway. Only kidding.  And, why is that? Because I know a little about most things, and what I know is information gleaned from multiple sources that may not be wholly objective, and empirically verifiable. I am not a hundred per cent sure about anything. For me, maths is the only exact science; 2 plus 2 is 4. Wikipedia says examples of the exact sciences are mathematics, optics, astronomy, and physics[1]… Hmm… These are not subjects that come up in my every day conversation. Maybe, astronomy, when there is an eclipse of the moon or sun but that is the extent of it.

Most people, like my friends and I, are interested in the bread and butter issues, and popular topics such as economics and finance, diets and exercises, health and well-being, god and religion, government and politics, and love and marriage. Stuff that affects us. There are huge amounts of information available on these subjects, with opinions, anecdotes, analysis and data from research findings. But they are generally subjective, driven by human involvement, contribution and interests.  And, then there are subjects like god and religion, which require our acceptance and unquestioning belief.

The point is while there is loads of information at our disposal, the veracity is not exact or absolute.  And no matter how much we fact-check, the source of the facts is human, therefore open to subjective interpretation. This is a salient point to remember, before we speak, text or tweet.

With this in mind;

1. Should or shouldn’t we be more tolerant of other people’s views because like them, we too, have no real, exact evidence to back up whatever we say?
2. Should or shouldn’t we at least listen to what people have to say, instead of protesting and shouting them down?
3. Should or shouldn’t we be a little less adamant about claiming that we know it all, and behave as if we are superior only because of our colour, race or religion?
4. Should or shouldn’t we stop professing to know better and to self-appoint ourselves to speak on behalf of others, who seemingly don’t know enough or are ‘lost’?
5. Should or shouldn’t we stop lumping every news as fake and fabricated, when we don’t like what we hear or read?
6. Should or shouldn’t we be a little more discerning of suspicious or incendiary news before we call for action and incite violence and destruction?
7. Should or shouldn’t we accept people for their sameness, difference and peculiarities?
8. Should or shouldn’t we treat all people with fairness, kindness and respect.

My guiding principles are: Yes, we should. Especially since we belong to Team Malaysia and Team Human Beings.