Do You Broadcast Your Beliefs?
Thinking about: Mind optimization
Author’s note: To simplify the following discussion, I will speak in terms of Thinkers and Feelers. Realize, however, that this distinction isn’t binary. There is instead an intellectual spectrum, with pure Feelers at one end, pure Thinkers at the other, and most people lying somewhere in the middle. Furthermore, a person can be a Feeler with respect to some subjects and a Thinker with respect to others.
How did you acquire your current beliefs? Some were planted in your mind by your parents, teachers, and friends, as well as by salespeople and maybe cult leaders. In these cases, you simply believed what you were told to believe. In most cases, however, you played a more active role in forming new beliefs. If you are a Feeler, you consulted your heart and gut to determine what to believe. If you are a Thinker, you observed the world around you and formed new beliefs on the basis of your observations. In either case, you also formed beliefs by drawing conclusions from the beliefs you already held.
If you are a Thinker, you won’t be wedded to your beliefs. You will generally be less than certain that they are correct, and in the face of new evidence will happily abandon them. Indeed, as part of your mindcleaning regimen, you will not only spend time looking for your mistaken beliefs but will stress-test those that seem dubious. In contrast, Feelers tend to nurture their beliefs. This can involve looking for evidence in support of them and avoiding evidence that challenges them. A Feeler might also settle on certain beliefs as being their core, defining beliefs. As a result, they might not only be convinced that Jesus is the son of God, but cherish that belief.
Both Thinkers and Feelers are likely to share their beliefs with others, but in a different manner and with different motivations. Thinkers understand the value of holding true beliefs. Doing so keeps you grounded in reality, which in turn improves your chance of flourishing in life. By sharing true beliefs with others, a Thinker is trying to help them. Realize, too, that when a Thinker shares a belief, they don’t just urge others to believe it; they provide them with evidence-based reasons for doing so.
Feelers might also have altruistic motives for sharing their beliefs, but they will generally find it difficult to support the beliefs in question. This is because the heart and gut that gave rise to them are incapable of reasoning. That said, a Feeler can also have selfish reasons for sharing beliefs: They want the world to admire them for believing whatever it is that they happen to believe. To accomplish this goal, they “broadcast” their beliefs.
This might mean wearing a message T-shirt or a hat with a slogan, putting a bumper sticker on their car, or even getting a tattoo. This last is their way of telling the world that they not only strongly believe something but intend to hold that belief for the rest of their life. The advent of social media has dramatically increased the scale at which belief broadcasting can be conducted. By using a site such as X (formerly Twitter), you can, from the comfort of your favorite armchair, tell dozens or even thousands of people what you believe.
These belief broadcasters have transformed many social media forums into intellectual wastelands, littered with uninformed opinions and knee-jerk reactions. To be sure, the broadcasters in question don’t think of themselves as litterbugs. To the contrary, they take pride in their views and seek validation for their outspokenness. Thinkers, however, are likely to dismiss their opinions out of hand. What Thinkers value is considered opinions—those that are the result of evidence-based reasoning.
As part of their mindcare regimen, Thinkers will steer clear of most social media forums. In using them, they run the risk of polluting their mind. Using them also increases their chance of falling victim to confirmation bias. On such sites, they might be tempted to read comments that confirm their beliefs and avoid comments that challenge them. If your goal is to win the admiration of other people, social media forums are a valuable resource, but if your goal is instead mind-optimization, they are an intellectually hazardous environment.
Reflect on your relationship with social media forums. If you are a regular user, what is it that you seek? Enlightenment? Confirmation of your beliefs? The admiration of other people? If your goal is mind-optimization, there are likely better ways to spend your time and mental energy. One is to listen to Thinker podcasts, in which a Thinker host interacts with a fellow Thinker who doesn’t share their beliefs. Yes, it will require more time and effort on your part, but it is also likely to be far more intellectually rewarding than time spent on social media forums.
Thank you. And if I may contribute; there is another category to consider. “The deeply feeling thinker.” It can be torture.
They feel the suffering in the world, contemplate solutions, many of which would only be possible if there were a massive shift in the collective consciousness, then realize the unlikelihood of such scenario, (case in point, the global pandemic) imagine possible outcomes, and realize the severity of our current circumstance intellectually, accompanied by an undercurrent of deep feeling.
And yet have no solid banister of identification with a particular belief to support them in the most difficult of times.
So the belief becomes the breath. When all else fails, I know, taking a deep breath, helps relieve tension, and that’s something I can believe in.
No AI was used in the forming of this opinion or the writing of this text, with thumbs on a tiny screen, which may have human error.
Thank you for your post. I have a slightly varying opinion that I would love to share and that is that Feelers don't generally seek admiration per se, but rather acceptance. I'll elaborate more on this.
The desire for acceptance is a fundamental human need, and for those who prioritize emotion and connection (Feelers), it’s a major driver. Feelers rely on their heart. In many cases, sharing these deeply felt values is an attempt to build emotional intimacy. You don't build a bond with someone by reciting data; you build it by sharing what you care about. Even the most logical Thinker often shares their "true beliefs" because they, too, want the acceptance ( and or admieation) of a peer group that values logic.
My name is Honour and I'm new this app. I'm glad to be here and open to connections.