In case you’ve never heard of it, “Open Source” is a term commonly used for software that is developed and shared among computer users. The users collaborate on the changes and releases, and everyone seems to have an input.

(apologies to The Simpsons)

There are libraries (electronic, of course) full of arguments for and against open source, but we’re not covering that issue here.

We are going to discuss that phenomenon known as “Open Source Opinion”. Open Source Opinion (or OSO) is that belief system that takes whatever blurb that sounds good or feels good without judging the content. Sometimes justified by the statement ” I swallow the meat and spit out the bones”. Dude-do you just swallow the un-rotten meat and spit out the bad?  The whole thing is bad.

We can judge whether something is good or bad-we do it every day. Every day we judge whether we can beat the red light, or if we can pull out from the stop sign before the traffic reaches us. The problem, as I see it, is we are indoctrinated from an early age that to judge is bad. We never learn how to determine the facts, aren’t taught logic, and if you disagree you must be a “hater”.

If you actively identify with a group, I would suggest that you understand the fundamental facts and truths of that group, and be able to identify conflicting statements. If you don’t agree with the group, and can’t convince anyone to change, don’t identify with that group anymore. (D’oh!! – Homer Simpson)

If you find yourself collecting opinions from here and there, like gathering flowers in a meadow, ask yourself this: Can any group that claims to be “PP”,  incorporate items from “OO” without becoming “POOP”?

Can you stand up to the OSO?

Identify with the Good and True,

Billy Acre