More and more we have the ability to control input into our lives thanks to the Internet.
This is a two-edged sword.
On the one hand this means we can avoid wasting time having to sift through unhinged opinions that annoy us. On the other hand this means that any of our unhinged opinions might be reinforced in the echo chambers of social media of our own creation.
To be proven wrong is generally more upsetting than living ignorantly in error — that is, until the error is revealed. But even then, there is a strong stubbornness in the human heart to double down and attempt to justify one’s position, especially when it is a common link within our social network. It can seriously affect both our family and work lives.
So should we leave well enough alone and not attempt to persuade anyone or allow others to show us the errors of our ways?
Personally, I believe we are made to be in community for the very reason we need disagreements.
Conformity stifles healthy growth. When we live in error too long, even though we believe we are correct in our thinking, things within and around us start to fall apart. Usually we can’t figure these problems out, and yet those on the outside are able to see things we can’t.
So, what is the way of correcting confirmation bias without hitting walls first?
Consider this approach:
Accept by faith there is nothing about you God does not already know.
Therefore, hiding is postponing the great reveal when everyone you care about will know the truth anyway.
Find one or a few trusted advisors who care about you living your best life, but who also are not deeply invested in your life choices. In other words, if you don’t follow their advice they will not be personally shattered.
With their prayer and support, you may then see a path forward you cannot imagine at this time.
Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?
You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
Great topic. I wonder if our divide and hate for one another contributes to our refusal to acknowledge errors because we do not want to see our "enemy" win. This in turn forces one to double down and make things worse than if one simply acknowledged the issue to begin with.