Everything Becomes Opposite
The Exception To Every Rule
Not many people would refer to themselves as extremists, but many people hold extreme ideas and beliefs.
Maybe you read an article that seemed accurate, but when you brought it up in conversation, people teased you because of the ridiculous nature of the so-called facts.
There is indeed more fake news out on the internet than ever before. What's worse is that the web is full of confirmation bias. You can confirm any belief that you have because there is always going to be someone who agrees with you, even if you are wrong.
We often seek information that is generally agreeable and are quick to discount the informed opinions of the people who disagree with us.
We consume vast amounts of information while disregarding the other side of the argument.
Nowhere is this more apparent than the stock markets. You can easily find people that will say the stock is going up or down, so who is right? (Hint-It is the market that is right not the person)
The paradox of choice to consume one-sided information can end up crippling our intellect and ruining us by only showing us half of the story.
As a result, we rush into experiences and arguments not realising that we mostly make the opposite impression on people.
We push so hard with our ideas that they eventually become what we are trying to avoid.
Some basic examples are:
People who work out so hard that it becomes unhealthy
Not-for-profit organisations that become bureaucracies, trying to save the environment while sending hundreds of leaflets that put the trees in danger.
Fixing a problem, only to realise that this has now caused a more significant issue.
Creating an economic incentive that ends up bankrupting countries and taxing its citizens
fighting for the freedom to the point where you enslave yourself.
forming an all-inclusive society that eventually becomes exclusive
These lists can go on forever.
Why does everything become its opposite?
The outcome of choices and decisions are much more complicated than anyone can genuinely conceive. The ripple effect of a choice you make is almost beyond comprehension.
The problem is that there is no right choice, there is only a choice, and this requires that we sometimes surrender to our intuition.
Having the ability to choose what you do and what you say is the basis of freedom. Acting without interference allows us to shape our lives, but it's unwise to get the idea that we are entirely in control of the outcomes.
There needs to be a certain level of trust in ourselves while we make endless choices about the food we eat, people we associate with, the jobs we take and the decisions we make.
The only thing you can do is control your intention. Having a just purpose gives you confidence, so even if you make the "wrong" choice, you did it with the "right" or moral intention.
So how do we solve this paradox of rules and opposites?
The Motto to live by is:
Learn, Unlearn, Relearn
It is truly the only way to grow, and the people who cannot unlearn and relearn will always get left in the dust.
We can't follow the rules too carefully, knowing that the rules often result in the opposite effect.
Being open to alternative arguments only act to make your working knowledge stronger. By understanding the other frames of reference, you become a more compelling person, speaker, decision-maker, and thinker.
Imagine if while you are arguing a point, you could seamlessly offer the counterpoint. It is knowing and contemplating the other side of the argument that arms you with the power to disarm any opponent.
Don't hold your beliefs so tightly that they end up getting squished.
Thinking in opposites can solve the issue only by asking yourself "If I do this, will it eventually have the opposite effect down the line".
Holding extreme views is never healthy, and that is why we have to be open to the other side of the argument and at times, actively seek contrary beliefs.