Going with What You Know

Most people have heard or used this phrase when choosing from their options or making tough decisions.

Going with what you know is a safe and best choice for the individual that must decide or provide directions for others.

Have you given thought to how much you know about what you know? Do you know it all? Is your knowledge of the issue all that you know enough for the most effective and beneficial result to provide change? Is what you know for the public, people, or society?

There is a difference as to how each group will interpret information from the speaker of any topic. To better understand people are individuals that are grouped by common culture, shared interests, or community connections, the public is a group of people sharing common interest as a whole, and society is an organized group of persons associated together to express their rules or customs and behavior expectations regarding some issues such as cultural, scientific, political, or other social purposes.

In other words knowing your audience will help people to better understand your knowledge of the subject. You will hear feedback from them such as “I know what you mean.” In a changing world how can you decide to choose between picking what you know or trying out a new alternative? Does going with what you know make you a closed-minded person?

Closed minded people are considered judgmental, opinionated, and always critical of others. They have no idea what anyone is going through in their daily life with challenges or obstacles. They are always opening up their mouths and giving uneducated, obnoxious ideas and opinions. They are ignorant, self-righteous, and demanding

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‘A Political View’ By Sherry Holliman SHERRY HOLLIMAN (cont.)

and they know no wrong.

Again they are people who are sharing information they know. Unfortunately, people can only rely on information provided to them whether it is from a closed minded or open minded individual or groups this is another important reason for research about matters, concerns, or issues to be conducted. People should use their own research to make a decision that will satisfy their needs.

Information can be lies or completely true. It does not matter who is providing the details it may be your uncle, sister, cousin, boss, family, or friend.

Oftentimes people do not investigate information and rely on what other people are believing or feeling about an issue.

People do not realize how information is misinterpreted however by obtaining your own understanding of any subject matter you are reducing the opportunity for making the wrong decision that could have a major impact on your quality of life such as voting for elected officials.

Sometimes going with what you know will cause a cycle of stagnation for yourself and others.

Changes cannot be made for empowerment if people stay with what they know.

Changes must occur because that is the expectation of the world. When changes do not occur that should occur prevents growth and causes certain groups to feel vulnerable and oppressed. This is why everyone should not always go with what they know but seek additional factual verifiable information that can be used to support their reason for “going with what they know.” This will also control the opportunity of receiving biased opinions and being emotionally manipulated because a person can influence an individual with their passion regarding the subject.

People will react to provided information differently but the final decision should be based on your own information that you have discovered for yourself. Your action will reflect the change or no change that you make with time.

Sherry Holliman is a concerned citizen of Crittenden County. She serves on the Marion City Council.