Everything sublime is as difficult as it is rare. Baruch Spinoza

Sunday, January 11, 2026

Timely

I am not a science nerd. That said, I find myself interested in studies of the brain. I was on a forum in the 2000s, Midwest Horse Talk. It was my first exposure to a large group of people who believed what they believed no matter what the evidence was against it. It fascinated me while leaving me confused. Eventually I learned not to engage because nothing broke through. In the mid 2000s I came upon an article about a research study of the brain and the reaction differences between self-identified conservatives and self-identified liberals. I started to get it. I learned to not argue. To state a verifiable truth or an opinion, yes. But no arguing a point. 

I don't remember what study I saw all those years ago. There are many out there. I post this one because it is more understandable than many, which are mostly in scientific jargon. It's here if anyone is interested in this stuff.  

https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.neuropsych.16030051

27 comments:

T W Tommy Thompson said...

I read the site that you listed on your blog here today, quite interesting and thought-provoking. I was thinking of this; it seems that my "reads" in the blog world tend to align themselves more often with my personal thoughts. Which is comforting to me.

Sandra said...

It makes sense, Tommy. I don't expect all people to think and be like me, that would be boring. But I do appreciated reasoned people, even if we disagree. I do not appreciate willful ignorance.

Anonymous said...

I also do not appreciate or understand willful ignorance or refusal to even explore another opinion. Then there is the the "don't believe what your eyes or seeing." Thank you for the referral source.
Safe Safe,
Kaye

Boud said...

It's so hard to realize that there are people who are impervious to the evidence. And even harder to refrain from trying to enlighten them!

Anvilcloud said...

Where oh where is critical thinking and making your mind up, if at all, after you collect the information?

Lori Skoog said...

In today's world, arguing does not seem to work. So many people are not aware of facts or truth....and that makes a big difference.

Linda's Relaxing Lair said...

I echo Lori's comment.

DeniseinVA said...

Thank you for this link Sandra, I will be very interested in reading it.

CheerfulMonk said...

It's really scary.

nick said...

I agree that when other people have firmly entrenched views there's no point in trying to convince them otherwise. They'll hang on to their views to the bitter end.

Val Ewing said...

Interesting study. There is a lot I can say about right/left and whatever. When we grew up, my father asked us to debate both sides of ideas when we had disagreements. He'd ask us to see both sides and present it, defend it even if we disagree.
This helped me understand other people's points of view even when I didn't like them. Pretty good for a fella that never finished high school!

I also have a best friend who was raised ultra conservatively. Yet she doesn't impose and insist that everyone else see the world as she sees it. We are smart enough not to tell each other how to think about the world views. We stick to what bonded us as friends.

I'll have to go back and read this again. So much to absorb! Thanks, good study!

The Happy Whisk said...

Rabbit holes can be fun and right now I'm in a noodle-making rabbit hole (have you seen the YouTube Channel, Pasta Grannies? Sooo gooood), and a candle making rabbit hole. So I get you enjoying what you enjoy too. Cheers and Happy Monday.

Sandra said...

It's always been there but man, it has expanded much further into the population, Kaye.

Sandra said...

Don't believe your eyes. Believe what we tell you. Like January 6 was a "love fest". I don't have many in my life and those I do are on the periphery, Boud.

Sandra said...

I think I read Finland was incorporating critical thing into the educational curriculum, AC. Civics and history are not a priority in the educational system anymore.

Sandra said...

There is a negative opinion of facts, Lori. Science is wrong. Scholars don't know what they are talking about, etc.

Pixie said...

I tried reading the article and maybe I was tired, but I didn't really understand it very well.
It seems that some people are more willing to live in denial than others, and some will only deny some things but not others.

Sandra said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sandra said...

Yep, Linda.

Sandra said...

There is so much information on this. The brain is a fascinating thing, Denise.

Sandra said...

I have a very high fear threshold, Cheerful, but I have to say I am becoming afraid.

Sandra said...

No, nick. A lesson I learned on that forum. Too bad those views are dragging us all into the bitter end.

Sandra said...

You too have a good bond. It is unusual to have that kind of relationship in the last dozen years or so, Val. You had a good dad.

Sandra said...

Thank you, Ivy. I will look for that YouTube sight.

Sandra said...

It comes down to how the two groups react to the same thing. What part of the brain reacts. The part signaling fear or the part signaling thought. This is a basic description, as there are nuances, but that is a simple answer, Pixie.

The Happy Whisk said...

I don't use eggs in mine but it's sill a fun channel. So many interesting Nonnas.

DeniseinVA said...

Thanks for the link, it all sounds very interesting.