Exposing oneself to ideas that reinforce what one already believes is among the most dangerous, yet unfortunately most common practices by people today. It is one of the principle causes of a lack of understanding, which furthermore incites hate, prejudice, dogma, insularity, presupposition, naivety, and separatism. It fosters the tendency to leave our perceived and real differences unresolved and precludes our ability to approach pragmatic solutions to some of the major problems in the world.
Yet, nearly everyone insists on belief reinforcement, and the two primary frameworks of social manipulation – religion and politics – take advantage of this fact, whether by intentional design or adherence to tradition. The scope of this trend extends to the deep reaches of human ideas: abortion, drug use, conspiracies, the terror war, global warming, political candidacy, immigration, genocide, taxation, social justice, morality, scientific legitimacy, human evolution, genetic alteration, raising children, healthy relationships, death and dying customs, appropriate uses of technology, role of government, education, international policy, public healthcare, corruption, and the enormous range of religious and spiritual differences, just to name a few.
The fact is that people form beliefs based on their exposure to ideas and their subsequent consideration, or lack thereof, of those ideas. This is well and good; what more can be expected? However, once those beliefs have been formed and solidified significantly enough such that a person recognizes them as his or her “beliefs,” the exposure of that person to ideas on a particular topic is limited by that person to ideas that reinforce the beliefs already held. This is done with ease, generally, as a result of the media of exposure a person chooses. The radio and television programs and stations, the place or source of religious worship and spiritual investment, the source of modern news and current events, the place of employment, and the friends and associates that a person chooses each contributes appreciably to belief reinforcement.
The rare instances in which a person is exposed, often against his or her will, to ideas that do not conform to his or her current beliefs, are met with abjuration and incredulity. These moments should be met with thoughtful consideration, or at the very least, silent absorption. These moments are refulgent opportunities, which most people not only pass by, but scoff at. It is unfortunate, then, that in order to obtain adequate exposure to different ideas, one must actively seek out such opportunities. The reason this is unfortunate is because it requires work, the thought of which is the object of loathsome dread for a great many people.
But this work is a necessary precursor to addressing the issues mentioned earlier and the many, many more not mentioned. It is the responsibility of individuals to do this. No governmental body or international taskforce, no charity or social group can make any significant impact until people choose to challenge themselves. So, the next time you are in the car listening to Air America, switch over to conservative talk radio, and vice-versa. The next time you are watching Fox News, change it over to BBC, and vice-versa. The next time the Jehovah’s Witnesses or the Mormons come to your door, invite them in and offer them some tea. Listen to what they have to say, and actually think about it. In exchange, tell them what you think. I promise they will listen.
