“Experts” on Greek economy, please.

It’s been only a few hours since the results of Greece’s referendum on austerity have been out and everyone has suddenly become an expert in financial subjects. How lucky for them!

Yes; no; yes; no; go Greece; do it; don’t do it; vote yes; vote no. Everyone knows the right answer to the referendum. Apparently everyone but me. I am no stranger to the tendency of forming an early opinion on subjects I should extend my vision on, however this topic struck me more than others. It might be the fact that I am a total ignorant in the matter or the fact that reading the newspaper and not understanding a word of the article made me jump to another page. But I do not consider myself stupid either. How can I lack of an opinion on today’s biggest news? Sadly, I do. Whether it is my fault or not, I resigned myself to the emptiness (or happiness?) of not having a clear opinion. Nobody asked for it and nobody really needs it, let’s be honest here. How come everyone else seems to think the opposite? Some say the social media convinced the people that uttering their opinion is mandatory. Good for them, I say! It wouldn’t be particularly amusing going through life just floating without having any idea of what was happening around us. Still — this is a real question for me — is it always beneficial flaunting our opinions in the strongest way possible? And yet, I don’t think this is a strong or effective way of communication.
First of all, communicating itself implies a discussion, some kind of confrontation. Today’s communications seem to be summed up in 140 characters with no possibility other than “liking” or retweeting someone else’s idea. But now maybe I understand: it’s not that I lack in opinions, it’s that I don’t follow enough people on Twitter! How stupid of me!

Ignoring my disregard for a moment, I am wondering how many people in my position felt the urge of siding with Greece’s decision or opposing it. When I opened my Facebook home this morning I found that most of my friends (let’s be clear: Facebook friends) were happy of the results and were also wishing for the same events in Italy, my home country. Fortunately our Constitution doesn’t allow a referendum on financial matters or I would find myself in a very awkward position. What would I vote? Who should I listen to in order to have the same opinion as them? What courses should I follow at university to understand what is really happening?

I am really troubled today.

Erika Mastrorosa