We should remember, even with the best efforts, that not everyone may become highly engaged (and that’s okay). It’s essential to respect individual preferences and interests while still encouraging those who are willing to participate.

The problem is – who is willing to participate? Some might say “to participate in the waking up”! Since 2020, or maybe even before, there has been a big divide, on a number of different topics, on who is right and who is wrong. Many individuals being very set in their cognitive factors.  

PART 1

Confirming Personal Beliefs

Many factors contribute to such behaviours and we can list them as follow:

Confirmation bias: This is a cognitive bias where individuals tend to seek out and interpret information in a way that confirms their existing beliefs or hypotheses. They may disregard or downplay evidence that contradicts their views, leading to a sense of unwavering confidence in their position.

Cognitive dissonance: When people hold conflicting beliefs or encounter information that challenges their existing beliefs, it can create discomfort and psychological tension. To alleviate this discomfort, individuals may become more certain of their original beliefs, even if they are mistaken, as a way of reducing the cognitive dissonance.

Overconfidence effect: Some people naturally tend to overestimate the accuracy of their beliefs and judgments. They may believe that they are more knowledgeable and skilled than they actually are, leading to a false sense of certainty.

Emotional reasoning: Emotions can heavily influence our beliefs and judgments. When people have strong emotional attachments to their opinions, they may interpret the world through the lens of those emotions, reinforcing their sense of certainty.

Lack of information or knowledge: People might be confident in their beliefs simply because they are unaware of or lack knowledge about alternative perspectives or evidence that could challenge their views.

Social influence and peer pressure: Belonging to a particular group or community can create a sense of identity and conformity. People may become more certain in their beliefs when surrounded by like-minded individuals, as group cohesion and peer pressure can discourage them from questioning their ideas.

Overestimation of memory reliability: Human memory is fallible, and people often overestimate the accuracy and reliability of their memories. This can lead to unwarranted certainty about past events or information.

Illusion of explanatory depth: This is the tendency for people to believe they understand complex topics or concepts more deeply than they actually do. As a result, they may confidently express opinions on subjects they have only a superficial understanding of.

Psychological need for certainty: In an uncertain and complex world, people may feel a strong need for predictability and stability. They might cling to their beliefs as a way of providing a sense of security and control, even if those beliefs are incorrect.

It’s important to recognize these cognitive biases and be open to questioning our own beliefs and seeking out diverse perspectives and evidence. Critical thinking, humility, and a willingness to revise our views based on new information are essential for overcoming the trap of being overly certain when we are mistaken.

PART 2

Herd Mentality

Addressing the issue of people following crowds and lacking critical thinking is a complex challenge that requires a multifaceted approach. While it’s impossible to change everyone’s attitude overnight, here are some steps that can be taken to promote independent thinking and reduce herd mentality:

Education for critical thinking: Emphasize critical thinking skills in education systems. Teach students to question information, analyze sources, and develop their own informed opinions. Encourage open discussions and debates to foster intellectual curiosity.

Media literacy: Promote media literacy to help people discern credible sources from misinformation or biased content. Teach individuals to fact-check information before accepting it as truth and encourage them to seek MULTIPLE perspectives. [Easy said than done as many individuals refuse information that challenges their existing beliefs]

Encourage diversity of thought: Celebrate diversity in all aspects, including thoughts and opinions. Encourage open-mindedness and create an inclusive environment where different perspectives are respected and valued.

Encourage self-reflection: Encourage individuals to reflect on their beliefs and actions regularly. Ask questions that prompt introspection and self-awareness. [This is almost impossible on social media, like Facebook, where people are confident in their beliefs because they refuse what they consider “unconfirmed information”. Many, also, are conspicuously brief in answering or commenting making a dialogue almost impossible]

Debunk myths and misinformation: Actively address and debunk common myths and misinformation that lead to herd mentality. Present well-researched facts and evidence to counter false narratives. [And here we go back to Confirmation bias and more mentioned above]

Limit echo chambers: Encourage people to engage with diverse viewpoints and avoid echo chambers where they only interact with like-minded individuals. Encourage civil discussions across various perspectives. [Most people don’t want to engage as, per above, they cling to their beliefs as a way of providing a sense of security and control, even if those beliefs are incorrect].

Encourage active participation: Encourage people to participate in decision-making processes and civic engagement. This can empower them to think critically about important issues and make informed choices. [Next session is about apathy, an unwillingness to participate]

Promote independent research: Encourage individuals to research and investigate topics independently instead of relying solely on others’ opinions. This will empower them to form their own judgments based on evidence.

In order to understand why most people are more interested in trivial and mundane matters than current affairs, we need a larger parenthesis.

1. Escapism: People often seek distractions and entertainment to escape from the complexities and stresses of the real world.
2. Cognitive Effort: Engaging with current affairs and important issues requires more cognitive effort and critical thinking.
3. Emotional Comfort: Trivial matters are less likely to evoke strong emotions or conflicts, making them emotionally safer for many people.
4. Information Overload: In the digital age, people are bombarded with vast amounts of information daily. It’s easier to get overwhelmed by current affairs; so many individuals may prefer simpler topics that require less effort to understand.
5. Social Connection: Trivial matters often serve as light conversation topics in social settings, helping people build connections and bond with others.
6. Personal Relevance: Trivial matters might be more relatable and directly relevant to people’s everyday lives.
7. Instant Gratification: Trivial matters can provide immediate satisfaction, such as humour or entertainment.
8. Media Influence: Media outlets play a significant role in shaping what people consume.
9. Time Constraints: Modern lifestyles can be fast-paced and demanding, leaving people with limited time and energy to keep up with current affairs.
10. Lack of Education or Awareness: Some people may not have been exposed to the importance of staying informed about current affairs or might not have access to reliable sources of news and information.

Address cognitive biases: Help people recognize and address cognitive biases that might hinder their ability to think independently. Encourage them to challenge their own assumptions and beliefs.

Changing attitudes and promoting independent thinking is a gradual process. It requires patience, consistency, and collaboration across various institutions and communities. Every individual can play a role in creating a more thoughtful and critically engaged society but unity is missing.

PART 3

Reluctance in changes

People may have little interest in accepting facts and engaging in learning:

Fear of change: Learning and accepting new facts can lead to a change in perspective or behaviour, which can be uncomfortable for some individuals. They may prefer to stick with familiar beliefs and patterns, even if they are proven incorrect or outdated.

Identity protection: For some individuals, their beliefs and opinions are tightly linked to their identity and self-worth. Accepting contrary facts may feel like a personal attack, leading to resistance in acknowledging the truth.

Social influence: The opinions and beliefs of peers, family, or social groups can have a powerful impact on an individual’s willingness to accept facts. People may conform to the views of their social circles to maintain social cohesion or avoid conflict.

Misinformation and disinformation: In today’s digital age, false information spreads rapidly through social media and other online platforms. Exposure to misinformation can lead people to develop false beliefs and distrust in accurate information sources.

Overwhelm and cognitive load: In an information-saturated world, individuals may feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information available. This can lead to a tendency to dismiss new facts or to rely on simplified, pre-existing beliefs as a coping mechanism.

Lack of critical thinking skills: Some people may not have been taught or developed strong critical thinking skills, making it difficult for them to evaluate information critically and discern fact from fiction.

Intellectual laziness: Engaging in learning and accepting new facts often requires mental effort and an open mind. Some individuals may choose to avoid this effort and stick to comfortable, preconceived notions instead.

It is imperative to recognize these factors and address them constructively in order to develop a culture of evidence-based reasoning, critical thinking, and a willingness to learn and adapt. Education, open dialogue, and fostering a curiosity for learning can help overcome these barriers.

PART 4

Lack of Knowledge (Apathy + Laziness)

The main cause for people lacking knowledge can vary depending on the individual and their specific circumstances. It is essential to consider that multiple factors can contribute to this issue, and it’s not necessarily limited to just one of the following options:

Apathy: Apathy refers to a lack of interest or enthusiasm. People who are apathetic may not see the value or relevance of acquiring knowledge in a particular area, which can lead to a lack of motivation to learn.

Laziness: Laziness is characterized by a reluctance to put in effort or work. If someone is lazy, they may avoid engaging in activities that require learning, researching, or acquiring new information.

Ignorance: Ignorance simply means not knowing or lacking information about a particular subject. It is not necessarily a choice but can be a result of inadequate access to education or resources.

Intelligence: Intelligence is the capacity to understand, learn, and apply knowledge effectively. While intelligence can play a role in how quickly or easily someone can grasp new information, it does not determine whether someone lacks knowledge.

In many cases, a combination of these factors might be at play. For instance, a person might lack knowledge due to a combination of apathy and laziness, or they might be ignorant about a topic simply because they haven’t had the opportunity to learn about it.

External factors, such as access to education, socioeconomic conditions, cultural influences, and personal experiences, can also significantly impact a person’s knowledge level.

It’s essential not to oversimplify the reasons for someone’s lack of knowledge, as the situation is often multifaceted and complex.