When it comes to politics, everyone has an opinion, and theoretically that’s what makes America great. In actuality, it’s a lot of unwilling force-feeding.

Wait! Don’t go! This isn’t a political column! Trust me, I’m sick of politics just as much as you are.

But there’s something that’s been bugging me and I hope it’s been bugging you too.

Context. Where did context go?

The debate is a perfect example of this phenomenon.

Every single news site is going to have a different headline for the debate. Some will say it was a draw others will say there was a clear winner, regardless, every site will say something different. Everyone has their favorite news site, one they trust and agree with… one they should never read by itself, because they agree with it.

Reading news is a lot like a dating, you like what you like and your partner likes what they like and THAT is what makes relationships interesting. Have you ever seen that couple who likes the EXACT same things? They never ever disagree on anything and just sit and agree with each other. Then you notice that they have become so bored with each other after a little while and they eventually break up. News is basically the same except that people never break up with it.

What I’m trying to say is this: try and see things from the other side. Read another site’s article about that inflammatory quote or better yet, read the transcript to get the quote in its full context.

Want to know who won the debate? Watch it and decide for yourself.

Want to know what happened in that congressional hearing? Look it up, read the transcript or find a live feed to it.

The beauty and horror of the Internet is that you can basically find anything on it, usually for free.

You wouldn’t outright ignore a new album by a band you like because someone you’ve never met, who doesn’t know anything about you, said that it wasn’t good. Of course not! No matter how much they might market to a given demographic, news sites don’t personally know you. They don’t know how you feel about religion, politics, or entertainment. They may be geared towards people like you but ultimately the only person who knows how you feel about every topic is YOU.

Not your parents, professors or religious leaders – you. That doesn’t mean you should never trust any person of authority’s opinion, but please make your own decisions.

If you agree with someone then you should act accordingly, but never let someone belittle you or scare you into believing what they are saying.