Pizzacake
(midwest.social)
The main problem with humanity is unawareness. The lack of knowing allows a lot of unfortunate things to happen or be supported. The only difference between someone who does something negative vs someone who does not is an awareness that is something they do not want to do, something that should not be done. The ego has an immune system of sorts that protects it, sometimes in ways more similar to an autoimmune disease. That is, in protecting the ego more harm comes to the mind and society (collection of minds).
The worst thing that can be done to the darkness of ignorance is to transform it into the light of awareness. The worst thing that can be done towards anything negative is to transform it into its opposite when possible.
These days I'm rarely angry about things, more so disappointed or sad.
✨education is essential✨
My folks have come to the conclusion that since the media can twist any data or studies however they like, then there's no way to know what the science actually proves. So they believe nothing. Unless it's something that agrees with what they already believed.
Unless! Unless it is something that directly affects them! My mother has gone all in on the ADHD and autism studies in the past decade or so, since it turns out these are common in herself, her children, and grandchildren. Yet she can't understand or accept someone not being cishet.
There's a lot to say about this. To a degree they're not wrong but their conclusion is insufficient. I find information arbitrage to be a more useful practice as well as being aware on how to determine the veracity of information aka a single case study isn't as strong as a meta study including hundreds or thousands of studies and cases. Most laypeople never learn how to measure the veracity of scientific research or data.
Similarly to the second part, most people are equally unaware of default human behavior (we all suffer) such as confirmation bias.
I find some luck in reframing issues from trying to prove them right to trying to prove them false as a good scientist is supposed to do. There's a hypothesis and one is supposed to do their hardest to destroy it and if it still stands then there is likely something true there. Similarly in things I differ with someone in I find it better to reframe it from a conflict towards something like the Socratic method in which we are partners working together to discover truth.
Another aspect of humanity is that all of us are guaranteed to get older before dying but it's up to us to grow up, aka become more wise and compassionate. Someone can reach 80+ years of life and be as ignorant and self centered as they were the day they came out of the womb.
A soft touch, particularly with individuals you love and know you will continue to interact with across life is best. Reframing things towards a mutual goal is key aka we all want the world to be a happier, healthier, and more prosperous place for ourselves and ideally all others. A small shift in perspective can totally change an interaction or an ongoing dynamic between people.
The main problem with humanity is unawareness.
Ehhh.
The worst problem is we weigh in-group status more than facts. We evaluate situations based on in-group fidelity and emotional shortcuts. That's why you can't change someone's minds with facts. People almost only change their mind when it's from in-group influence.
We all do this to some extent. You're more likely to listen to someone you trust than a stranger. You're probably more likely to trust a stranger that looks basically like you.
But yes, the defense mechanisms people have to protect their ego is part of the problem. People will go to great lengths to protect their sense of self. The Oatmeal has a comic about it: https://theoatmeal.com/comics/believe
Wouldn't this also be an awareness or lack thereof?
Ehh people do it even when they're aware of it. Other automatic processes don't cause nearly so much trouble.
