One of the common Problem in Social Media is that People don't understand the difference between

1. Facts
2. Opinion
3. Wish
4. Belief

And keep on Arguing

-oOo-

Let us see the definitions and difference with few examples

Facts are Facts.
They are common with every one
It is not that you can have a different fact than me
If India has won World Cup 2011, it is common to every one
You cannot say that Australia won it

Facts can be either
1. Knowledge
2. Information
3. Data

For Example

If you do a blood test to check your Random Blood Sugar and if that is 121 mg/dl
That is a data
That cannot be changed whether you say it or I say it

Now What is Opinion
Opinion is a a statement of advice by an expert on a professional matter.

Can Two People Have Different Opinion and Can both be right

Yes
Opinion Can vary based on the
Experience, Expertise and Skill of an individual

For Example

A First Year MBBS examines the eye of a patient. He can say that the eye is normal

But
Professor of Ophthalmology (Eye Specialist) can see the same Eye and Say Early Cataract

Now
It is the same Eye
But
One person sees that as normal and the other person sees a cataract

Why
It is because of Experience, Expertise and Skill

Are Both Opinions Right
YES
Because The Cataract is in beginning stage that the FInal Year Student is not able to diagnose it

But
If the Final Year Student sees this eye and says it is normal
he is wrong

Same applies to any example

For Example
An Intern can examine a 70 year old person and say normal
The Neurosurgeon can find early / mild Stroke or Parkinsonism

So
Opinions can vary and
if the variation is within normal limit it is acceptable

But
Even a Final Year MBBS Student is expected to Diagnose Left Hemiparesis if the hand is kept in this posture

If two doctors say two different things When you ask 2nd Opinion
It is not that one is wrong and other is right
May be one has more experience, expertise, skill

Now
Can Anyone have Opinion on Anything
Can Everyone have opinion on Everything

Sorry to Prick your Ego
The Sad answer is NO
This is exactly what many in social media don't understand
They assume that Constitution of India has given them the right to have opinions

To have an Opinion On Anything
You need to have at least six things

1. Background Knowledge on that Subject in General
2. Information on that Particular Area
3. Experience in Similar Areas
4. Expertise
5. Skill
6. Data

Without this
You cannot have an opinion

The Accuracy of your opinion will increase more with increase in each of them
But
You need a minimal amount in each of the six

And
You can get a part of 2 and part of 6 from media
But
Needless to Say 1,3,4,5 cannot be obtained in a day

Can't we express ourself without knowing in an out of a subject
Yes
We can

But
That expression is not "opinion"
But
it is actually your WISH
or Whims and Fancies
or Desires

Sometimes, the word opinion is used to denote your wish, but let us understand the difference at least today

If you express anything as your Wish / Desire / Whims and Fancies, no one can oppose it
But
When you put it across as a Opinion
Some one may disagree

Now
What is Belief

It is what you think for yourself
Again
Your Belief is purely personal and is not subject to any argument or discussion

Now
Let us see few examples

1. Fact - Helmets saves lives
2. Opinion - Helments must be mandatory

3. Wish - I don't like wearing Helmets, hence govt should not force it
3. Wish - I don't like wearing Helmets, but I will follow Govt Rules

4. Belief - Even if I don't wear Helmets, I will be saved
4. Belief - Helmet will save me

1. Fact - Sachin has scored 18426 runs in 463 Matches and Virat Kohli has scored 11867 Runs in 248 Matches
2. Opinion - Virat will over take Sachin's Record if he continues with the current form
3. I like Sachin
3. I don't like Sachin

Its not like people who are not in respective field cant give suggestion or have WISH.
Any one can have a WISH.

But to Have an Opinion, you need 1. Knowledge 2. Experience 3. Expertise 4. Skill 5. Information 6. Data
WIthout these, it is just your WISH

Even if you are not in a field, you can give your opinion
provided, you have developed the requirements

Bill gates gives his opinions on Pandemic
His suggestions are based on
1. his knowledge he learnt
2. His experience with vaccinations

3. His Data he collected over three decades
4. His Analysis

So
It is correct

Now
If you read two articles and three whatsapp forwards and talk on Pandemic, it is just wish, desire, whims and fancies

That is not equivalent to someone who talks with experince and facts