Neutral is Boring. Neutral is Non-Existent

I am not a statistician, and I have no aspiration of being one, but I want to understand how they look at “Neutral”? How they count “Neither/Nor”? What’s the significance of “I don’t know” or “not sure” or other such no-gutsy responses on a survey?

I know I am being rude, but then what’s the fun of living if you don’t have an opinion. If merely existing is the goal, then I can understand and offer you my condolences.

I was in class 6th. As always, I was clueless to what was happening in class, and our teacher, out of nowhere, pointed the boy sitting next to me and asked him a question. It was a close shot and I was about to be stumped. Anyways, when I realized that the question is directed to my friend, I felt good and didn’t even bothered to listen to what he said, assuming that my teacher will ask someone else — as teachers normally don’t ask the same question from student on the same desk.

However, to my surprise, my teacher asked me the same question, as soon as my friend was done answering. I was devastated. I had no clue what was happening around me. However, with enough confidence, I stood up and said — Miss, I was saying the same thing [pointing toward my friend and referring to what he said.] I thought it was a smart move.

But you know, when the day is bad, strategies collapse. My teacher said “same thing?” to which I re-assured her by saying a confident “Yes”. She didn’t give up and said, “exactly the same thing?” and I, busting with confidence said “Yes”. She investigated further and asked, “word to word the same thing?” By this point, I realized something was wrong, but by then, I had no way out, so I said, “Yes Madam”.

She looked into my eyes and said — wow Sohail. You must immediately die. I was stunned and I asked, Why? To which she replied, “your friend is thinking just like you, word to word. Why are you wasting your time on earth?”

It turned my life and made me a passionate thinker.

You must at least have an opinion. Of your own. It's easy to hide in a crowd. It's amazing to lead a crowd.

If you go to a meeting and say nothing, it would have been better if you hadn’t been there at all.

If you go to work and do what you’re told [no negativity, but also no initiative] you are easily replaceable as you are a cost, because you’re using a slot that could have been filled by someone who would have added more value.

It’s tempting to sit quietly, to be neutral, to comply, to give yourself the solace of thinking that at least you’re not doing anything negative.

But you are a cost then. And you will soon be subject to cost-cutting.

Not adding value and being neutral is as good as not existing. Period.