Fodaoson Loc: South Texas

This is a common occurrence on OPP
“The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes along and examines him.”
Proverbs 18:17
Proverbs 18:17 strikes at the heart of one of our culture’s favorite pastimes–engaging in confirmation bias. Confirmation bias causes us to evaluate stories in light of our preconceived notions about what is true. We hear a story, filter it through our preexisting grid, and develop a snap judgment about it without hearing the other side of the story.
Solomon’s words in Proverbs 18:17 force us to reevaluate this practice. Solomon agrees that the first side of the story always sounds right, especially when it reinforces what we already believe to be true. However, he also said that the case falls apart when another person examines him. The story that seemed so juicy when we first heard it often loses its luster when the rest of the story comes into view

Common_Sense_Matters

That tends to be the way it goes all too often, though sometimes, some people can be swayed. It should always be about the facts though.

ACP45 Loc: Rhode Island

I suspect that is the general nature of most people. It takes patience, effort, the ability to listen and suspend judgement before taking a position on an issue. Not easy for most of us.

maximus Loc: Chattanooga, Tennessee

In my honest opinion, it doesn't matter what you believe at first. What matters is that you make no decisions until you hear , as Paul Harvey used to say, the rest of the story.

Canuckus Deploracus Loc: North of the wall

Always start from the premise that you are not infallible... Then remind yourself neither is the other guy... Once we realize that, it becomes easier (if less satisfying) to look at an argument without bias (or at least without too much bias )

Rose42

Even then people don’t think. In today’s world of sloppy journalism and research that will get results people want there is still a misplaced trust in joirnalism and institutions.

I used to work on reports for insurance negotiations. We had to keep modifying programs until they got the numbers they wanted. People have no idea what goes on.

ExperienceCounts

Thumbs up.

bggamers Loc: georgia

I think most people suspect but figure there's nothing they can do about it