Lately, I’ve been thinking about how some people seem terrified of learning information that might conflict with their worldview, to the extent that they will figuratively stick their hands in their ears yelling, “la-la-la,” rather than hear it.
Information = neutral.
I have trouble understanding this fear. New information could be good (i.e., verifiable or reasonably likely to be true) or bad (i.e., fallacious or unverifiable & extremely unlikely) but it doesn’t hurt me either way. Some information can be unpleasant or upsetting, but I tend to mull it over, perhaps research it a bit [if it seems unlikely or contradicts my previous understanding], then I either accept it or reject it.
Good ideas can withstand criticism.
If your foundation is solid and your worldview is reasonable, then new information will not substantially change your worldview. And if new information contradicts your worldview, then your previous worldview was flawed or incomplete, so it’s well worth updating.
Change = Life.
I think the frightening part for most people is the possibility that they will need to change (in thought or action) when presented with new information. This is why they’d rather not hear it. But life always brings changes, no matter how much we may resist mentally; aging, weather, cultural shifts – they are unstoppable. I think the human spirit requires near-constant change (especially learning, communication and motion) in order to thrive. Change is not something to fear, but something to embrace.
infophobia
contrary data
tawdry agent of breakage
hostile elusion
