Surrounded, as we are, by the news of the world and the nation, we quickly develop opinions based on available information and influenced by our own ideals and prejudices. We watch people get hot under the collar during formal debates and we hear appalling personal attacks via the media and broadcasts from Parliament, so that passion to the point of violence is now neither unusual nor particularly distasteful.
Try bringing up topics like climate change, indigenous rights, student behaviour, an "H" or a national flag, and listen to the venom from all sides of the arguments. And that's all they are: arguments. Whatever we say, at whatever volume, is hardly going to change a thing.
The point is, we don't have to have a strong opinion on everything. There are water-cooler discussions sometimes best run without us, if only to reduce possible noise levels and stress.
The old saying - she'll be right, mate - should, just occasionally, apply.
