Predisposition is vast influencer

After spending more time than usual reading post and more importantly the comments I noticed a very common thread. People do not read the post. People comment on their biases.

Now I recognize that most of you have noticed this. And I also expect you noticed that people react on their predispositions. What they think prior to reading or in most cases judging a post is the bases of their comment or other reaction. This obviously goes in both directions; agreeing or hating.

Predisposition is makes it very difficult to actually read a post and “hear” what the presenter is saying. Though a greater problem is that it also creates a desire to be justified or the need to rally behind your position regardless of the intent of the post.

If you like tomatoes the current trend to saying tomatoes are very bad for you is offensive. Why? A tomato is a tomato. One person's opinion or indeed an study will not change that. But when we talk about politics or marketing or even hiring practices this becomes even more real. Our inability to actually read a study or an opinion column accurately is becoming rather frustrating at best.

I have even noticed an increase in this style of commenting on the rise lately, possibly due to people having more time to spend on line. But if we have more time cannot we use it to actually read posts and consider what was said? And if it is a “through away” post ignoring it is much more appropriate than commenting anyway.

Our predisposition for or against a topic is a very powerful influence on our thinking and creates holes in how we look at situations. It also has become an excuse to belittle others or lift them up regardless of the true value of their comment or post. Have we become that small?

It is normal to have a position, in fact I expect it is all but impossible not to have one. But should it prevent us from considering other aspects? My own predispositions is as great as any I have noticed so I also expect it has prevented me from hearing the position of others. Ignorance is not a blessing, finding the facts is much more rewarding. Even when they take you where you might not like to go.

If you are taking the time to read something, take the time to hear what is said. Then respond appropriately. What you have to say only matters if it moves the conversation forward. Otherwise it is often best to just walk away. Remember predisposition works both ways.

Blessings.