We are a deeply polarized nation. This has been increasingly true for decades, but the pace has seemingly increased drastically in recent years. Along the way, tribalism has been fueled by unconscious bias and has encouraged folx to simply dig their heels in deeper on any of a number of issues, even when presented with evidence that has the potential to shift their point-of-view. It has become unacceptable to change your mind.
This is a problem. New information is always becoming available that offers more detail, more context, or more clarity. New questions are always being asked. New perspectives are being introduced into the conversation. Assuming we can parse through the noise of uninformed, inaccurate, or maliciously untruthful information (which isn't a given), do we not have an obligation to ourselves to consider new information as it comes in?
Propaganda used to be fairly easy to spot and distinguish from accurate information. That is, unfortunately, no longer the case. Information literacy has become a necessary component of our educational process as we prepare young people for an increasingly messy, complicated, and intentionally misleading set of narratives.
Beyond that need, though, it behooves us to consider the information we consume every day, and whether we truly know the things we think we know.
1) What do I know for certain and can point to sources to confirm? 2) What do I think I know but can't provide evidence for? and 3) What questions remain unanswered?
These three questions can drive positive, open-minded inquiry. More importantly, they can lead to perhaps the most important question of all. What have you changed your mind about lately?*
*Shoutout to Adam Grant for asking this as a regular question of podcast guests. The answers are always fascinating!