We live in the ‘information age’ but ‘Too Much Information’ (TMI) can be a distraction. With the media and Internet we are overwhelmed with information. Some people are getting good at multi-tasking, like writing something while watching TV, which I am doing now with the ballgame on the TV in the background.

With so much information available as well as misinformation it is difficult to focus on the present and to make moral decisions and take actions. There is always more information and opinions to consider. A friend suggested that I not use the Gandhian phrase “my opinion of truth” when talking about things like the morality of teaching war at a Jesuit Catholic University. The word ‘truth’ seems to be the problem. Expressing your beliefs as opinions is okay it seems, but saying ‘opinion of the truth’ is upsetting. My friend suggest, at Marquette, taking some kind of survey of student attitudes about the military on campus.

With all the talking, meetings, and information we do on any issue there is no time to form an ‘opinion of the truth’ and act on it according to our conscience. Although one may say it is an opinion and be open to change, by using the word ‘truth’ it is perceived as arrogant or righteous.

In the 60’s when so much information and media was not available to us we were quicker to make judgment on issues like the war in Vietnam and take action. As the war went out there was more and more action. However, in the Iraq war, based on misinformation and deception, actions against the war peaked before it started and then slowly faded away. Now the war continues and is hardly talked about. Even Iraq veterans who return condemning the war are ignored. (See video dedicated to Iraqi Veterans Against the War.)

My opinion is the ‘powers to be’ use too much information to keep us distracted and away from forming opinions of the truth and working together to act on them.

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