Here are some great things

The New Scientist had an article called the Grand Delusion in May that pretty much takes the wind out of everyone's sails. It's treading familiar territory, but they've done a nice job of making a nice concise point about the way we regard ourselves and reality. We're deluded.

This seems a bit relevant in light of our recent debt ceiling kerfluffle. Anyhow, pretty much everyone, myself included, sees the world through biases and self-serving hypocrisies. Basically, we develop an opinion on something like our President, and we assume that we have thought deeply about whether his polices are good or not and then we assume that someone who drew the opposite conclusion is wrong. This can show up at work or marriage, taking credit for success and denying responsibility for failure. Most people will claim to not be racist or sexist. Most people are even if just the smallest bit. I mean, look at the environmental issue. It's not even about opinion, it's about scientific fact, and yet, the argument goes on about climate change.

The great part about all this is that presenting people with new information that contradicts their beliefs actually, more often than not, tends to harden their position. So, yeah, not a lot of hope there. I essentially can't make a convincing case to someone who disagrees with me because I'll likely just push them over the edge.

Biased writer entry. I ran a book club for a while, and one of the things that I'm actually proud of is that on a couple of occasions my opinion about the book changed during the course of the discussion. Ie, compelling arguments or points changed my perception of it. That being said, I'd be loathe to change my view of the books that I love. People who don't like them are just foolish. Wink.

74 percent of drivers believe themselves to be above average. See the problem? Interestingly if you ask people to rate themselves on any positive trait, honesty, originality etc. most people say they are above average. (I feel bad for that one average jerk) Ask people about negative traits and they'll say they are below average. Also, most people believe themselves to be immune to this problem. Uh, yeah, problematic.

Anyhow, the long and the short of it is we surround ourselves with people who reinforce these probably sort of false perceptions of ourselves and create an us and them mentality. This has recently played out on the big screen in our government. It can't possibly be right that spending cuts should be coupled with revenue increase. Clearly one of the policies about the size of government is right and one is wrong. And you probably have a really firm idea about where you stand on the issue that's reinforced constantly by the people around you and your own biases. Myself included.

One interesting aside, according to a study you're more likely to know what your spouse is thinking in the first year than at any other point in time in your marriage. The study shows that people are actually better at communicating, picking up queues etc. with a stranger.

All in all, good stuff. Of course, we're all now kind of up shi- creek without a paddle. After you've finished reading this, him mom and dad, you'll pat yourself on the back for being an intelligent and discerning person unlike most of the population who suffers from all these biases and delusions. Sigh.

The other interesting point is that creating this illusion that you're way more informed and with it than the other guys is actually pretty intrinsic to your happiness. People who don't think of themselves as amazing tend to get depressed. Catch-22 good sir.

The real take away from all this should be that it's great that we're all so mentally healthy and right about everything all the time. Just ask us.