Who are "they" anyway?

The poster child for "thinks they're an expert but aren't/ignorant ninny muggin" type -->

One so often hears, "well you know what they say..." or "they say you should [or shouldn't as it may be]..." or "they recommend [or discourage as it may be]"... etc. Who on earth are THEY?! Furthermore, what gives them the clout to say whatever they're saying or not saying or doing or not doing anyway!?

It's rather interesting how fact and fiction are so often confused today and how regardless of one's credentials, anyone can be considered an "expert" on anything. I must be too old fashioned, closed minded, or just down right dumb, because I don't understand.

That being said, whomever they are says, "it's better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all". Well nu-uh. I don't agree. I think that's a big pile of mushy gushy, supposed to make one feel warm & fuzzy inside, lovey dovey crap. (There are obviously other terms I could use, but I'll keep it G-rated.)

Who on earth came up with that lousy concept? I mean really? All that pain? Come on... love only causes pain when it ends (which of course poses the question of whether it was ever really there to begin with, but that's a whole other issue...). So if it ended, it obviously wasn't the "til death do you part" sort of love, so in all honesty, was it worth it? I think not.

After losing the only "love" (again, if you can call it that) and realizing I had to let something that I loved go (separate situation) I firmly believe I am not better off for having lost either thing. Frankly, if it were up to me, I think I would have opted to not have either instance enter my life in the first place. I am no better for having gone through either thing. In fact, given the lovely emotions that accompanied the situations (hurt, pain, blatant anger...) I can guarantee this wear & tear on my heart only made me more cynical, certainly not stronger.

Whoever "they" are, obviously never loved. They obviously never felt the pain of getting their heart broken, their self esteem shattered, and their trust in people completely destroyed. Whomever "they" are must be some lonely people to have made such a statement. All I can figure is "they" must be related to Murphy (of Murphy's law) and you know what they say about him... he was an optimist.

In conclusion, "they" the non-expert, cousins of that stupid optimistic Murphy we all hate, obviously can not be trusted (evidenced by this one of many examples).