The phrase "flow of opinion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the general trend or movement of thoughts and beliefs within a group or society.
Example: "The flow of opinion on climate change has shifted significantly over the past decade, with more people recognizing the urgency of the issue."
Alternatives: "stream of thought" or "current of opinion."
It's a convention that originates in the world of international policy-making (Chatham House is the headquarters of the Royal Institute of International Affairs, in London), and it is designed to facilitate the flow of opinions and information without jeopardizing the work or well-being of the diplomats who express the opinions or share the information.
Free flow of opinions and conversation was encouraged for the study.
The idea that some remedy might be found for the ebbs and the flows of opinion about a body of work seems as likely as finding a solution to politics.
Most Americans still believed the ebb and flow of public opinion guided political affairs.
The men in the Soviet politburo don't have to worry about the ebb and flow of public opinion.
Track the ebb and flow of American opinion at the Gallup Brain (brain.gallup.com), which archives more than 125,000 Gallup Polls conducted since 1935 (registration required).
"It is also clear that the BBC cannot afford to rest on its laurels and it should ensure it does all it can to keep up with the ebb and flow of public opinion," said Prebble.
Her frantic efforts to stanch the flow of negative opinion by defending herself on the "Today" show and posting apologetic videos on YouTube have rallied many of her admirers.
I chatted about these studies last week with my colleague Andrew C. Revkin, whose coverage of global warming for The New York Times over the past 15 years has exposed him both to the evolving science as well as to the ebb and flow of popular opinion on what should be done about it, and at what cost.
"That does not mean supinely going with the flow of multilateral opinion, the lowest common denominator approach to democracy, as we've seen in the past.
