Cognitive Dissonance

Cognitive dissonance is a odd thing to consider. It states that someone accepts something as true not by analyzing evidence available in a logical manner but instead by the degree that it conflicts with their own existing view of reality. Even if something is air tight provably true some people will not accept it. They will even makup some unverifyable theory to explain away the conflicting fact. What is interesting about this is that it illustrates how the mind is a learning machine that has no direct connection to the truth. If the environment that the mind finds itself in is different from reality then the mind will be different from reality as well. If someone never comes face to face with their own fallibility they will find it very easy to disregard any information that would make them fallible. To me this is a dismal realization, that so many people could be locked in to skewed realities that they would be willing to fight to preserve.

Edwin H. Land Quotes

• The bottom line is in heaven.
• The essential part of creativity is not being afraid to fail.
• Creativity is the sudden cessation of stupidity.
• Politeness is the slow poison of collaboration.