Guest Opinion | OPALCO is building without consent

||| FROM KAREN PEARSON |||

OPALCO’s posting on January 20th 2026 of December 2025 Member Survey “Materials” Results is a building Materials list. “Materials” means physical objects for manufacture and construction. Materials does not mean information. OPALCO’s use of “Materials” in their title sets the tone for objects, and tells the mind this is objective – not story – strategically placing the mind in a very specific posture: from member to resource. 

OPALCO’s use of “Materials” in the title converts persuasion into evidence and positions compliance as cooperation before ever reading any of the posted results because “Materials” deactivates scrutiny. 

“Materials” says, these are the materials – neutral like lumber: legitimate, sound, reliable. And the “Materials” are building something real; no need to question, just review the legitimate list. 

“Materials” disguises authorship and implies ready for use for a project already underway with a site, an architect, a blueprint, a builder, a timeline, and direction. Since the future is drafted, appropriateness is no longer being evaluated, and time replaces truth. 

“Materials” is psychological pre-permitting because it positions the member as an assembly-line worker. So all due diligence is considered an obstacle, resulting in legitimate questions appearing as irrational, emotional, and anti-progress.

The survey is strategy – not information.