Is it true that if something is popular it must be
good or right? Cicero didn’t agree when he wrote,
“I am of the opinion, that though a thing be not foul in itself, it cannot help
to become so when commended by the multitude.”
Wow, strong words, and even a bit snobbish, but our word vulgar is
derived from the Latin word vulgaris, pertaining to the general public.
Although ancient Romans may not have had a high opinion of
popularity and what is popular, the opposite is true in modern America. Advertisers try to get us to
buy their products, not based on their merits, but on the endorsement of our
neighbors and fellow citizens. This car
is the most popular. That television
show is a surprise hit. This brand is
the best-selling toothpaste. Another
video (of cute kittens or puppies or someone dancing as if he’s riding a horse)
has gone viral. Evening network news programs
sometimes close with the day’s most popular video for anyone who missed it, as
if this were something wonderful and newsworthy.
Popularity is looked on so favorably that popular people are
allowed, even expected to express opinions in areas where they have no
expertise. Celebrities take sides in political
campaigns and on political issues like gun control and energy policy. They tell us which animals to save and which diseases should
receive more funding. As a result,
the amount spent on major diseases and conditions in the US does not come close
to corresponding with the number of deaths or their overall social impact. Stars represent products that it’s unlikely
they have ever tried – do you think Henry Winkler got himself a reverse
mortgage? People who have become famous
by being victims of a crime or tragedy are called upon to give their opinions
regarding the situation and to recommend remediation.
Parents of kidnap victims or gunshot victims are treated like
authorities on preventing kidnapping or on gun control.
Polls on scientific subjects imply that majority opinion is
as good as evidence in a search for the truth.
“At least 75 percent of U.S. adults say global warming has been
happening…” A strong argument in favor
of global warming was that the majority of scientists agreed that it was real. On another topic, polls, not science, drive the decision to
establish 20 weeks as a cut-off for abortion laws “based on the theory that this is the point at which a fetus can feel pain.” These are a few of many examples where, as in
advertising, authorities and advocates try to substitute popular opinion for evidence.
The way these stories are presented only adds to the
confusion. Science is not a voting
matter. Back when most people, including
the Pope, thought that the earth was flat and at the center of the universe, that was absolutely not the case. Voting on a subject may make it the law, but
it cannot make it true.
Movie stars, singers and Facebook friends are no better
informed about politics, science or medicine than you or I, especially if we do
a little research. Popular ideas may be
right or they may be wrong, but when we start accepting opinions over evidence, the real dangers of social media become clear. The choice
between making a decision based on opinions or based on facts and evidence should
be a no-brainer. It’s OK to go along
with the crowd to avoid conflicts or bad feelings about small matters, but on
important issues you are more likely to find the truth if you are not persuaded
by the popular appeal and think for yourself.
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